Vantage Pro2 - The Best Ever Davis Weather Station?

In a series of review articles about the better home weather stations available at the moment, I've put together some short summaries identifying which weather stations provide accurate data at reasonable cost. You'll find them at the top of the navigation bar on the left.

But I've recently had a good close look at the Davis Weather Station range, and it's become very difficult not to get excited.

Because the latest in the Davis Weather Station collection, the Vantage Pro2, is about as good a weather station as you are likely to find without spending a heap of cash. There is little question of its quality, and it is not all that expensive - $595.00 list price for the standard model.

(Whenever I mention a price in this review, I am referring to the manufacturer's recommended retail price*. You should be able to find prices at least 20% lower at many of the retail outlets, particularly the online stores.

You might even find your Davis Weather Station on eBay - they have quite a lot of weather stations of all types listed at any one time. These usually include new items, frequently current models -- see more below.)

You can find out all about the Davis Vantage Pro2 and other products at the Davis Weather Station site. While you are there, you might have a look at their most recent press releases and some technical comparisons with other brands.

Despite the Vantage Pro2 being the Davis Weather Station flagship, some of the older models are still available at very reasonable prices. They include the Weather Monitor II, from $295.00, and the Weather Wizard III from $195.00. Depending on the model, these have the full range of desirable sensors - temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and rainfall - and are computer compatible. As they stand, however, they operate on the old cable system. They could be adapted to wireless communication for not too high a cost, and still remain quite competitive with other makes.

One final word before I return to the Vantage Pro2. It was only released in November 2004, and it differs from its predecessor, the Vantage Pro, mostly in the way it handles communication between the remotes and the receiver. The two models are not compatible, and the original Vantage Pro is no longer available from the manufacturer. It's worth keeping this in mind if you need to modify or upgrade either model.

And if you are considering buying on eBay, make sure you are bidding on a Vantage Pro2, the model number for the wireless system being 6152.

So, why do I get a bit carried away with the Vantage Pro2?

Well, I guess we all tend to be impressed with the new, and in this case we are dealing with the first upgrade of an already highly regarded weather station with a top US and International track record. It is also the first Davis Weather Station to use a new radio technology which extends the clear range to 1000 feet, or over 300 m. And Davis has also been able to hold the price of the standard model to $595.00, around the level of similar weather stations from their competitors.

What's So Good About the Vantage Pro2?

Let's take a look at the features, benefits and possibilities of the Davis Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

• Firstly, like all good weather stations, it records a full suite of temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind strength and direction, and rainfall data. Other sensors are also available, or you could move up to the Vantage Pro2 Plus.

• Next, it is a wireless weather station, with a clear reception range of 1000ft (over 300m). The transmission system is new and there are no government restrictions on its use. This means that the most rapidly changing data, wind speed, is updated every 2.5 seconds - an excellent feature, meaning you won't miss those peak wind gusts.

  Overall, this extensive signal range means far more options for you in sensor placement and receiver location.

  But for those of you who prefer a more direct transfer of data, a cable version of the Vantage Pro2 is available (model number 6252C), and at a slightly reduced price.

• Thirdly, your temperature sensor is shielded so your readings are not affected by direct heat from the sun.

• Fourthly it is easy to install. A purpose built stand is available at a small extra cost.

So far so good. You'd be up and running in no time at all, and you'd be able to place the receiver in a location that suits you rather than the radio link.

• The Vantage Pro2 comes with a full selection of programmable warnings - no more damage to the garden from unexpected storms, strong winds or frost. Wind chill and heat index functions are also included, plus much more.

• The Vantage Pro2 also contains an easily readable charting facility, where you can review changing weather patterns over the last few hours, or days, or months, for almost any variable.

• It is easy to link to your computer. Davis can provide its recommended software, and it is also fully compatible with most weather software programs, including some which are free.

• You've probably noticed that there are a number of private weather stations on the net, reporting online data just like you will be seeing on your computer screen. There's absolutely nothing stopping you from doing the same - in fact a Davis Weather Station is used by more private weather stations than any other brand.

  Even better, you will have found a network of people with similar interests to yourself, scattered over the country, even the world.

To investigate further, here's a link to the Standard Vantage Pro2. And here's a link to The Weather Shop , where you can look over the full range of Davis Weather Stations at a fair price backed with strong service. Another good source is Ambient Weather.

Buying a Davis Vantage Pro2 on eBay

Near the beginning of this article,I mentioned looking for your Davis Weather Station on eBay.

Just before Christmas 2005 I tracked 11 new units offered on eBay. The average price for the standard Vantage Pro2 (model 6152) was $397.00, including freight within the US. Final bids ranged from $381 to $425.

The cabled version (6152C) and the model with the fan aspirated temperature recorder, which gives even greater accuracy and carries the model number 6153, can often be found there as well. They usually also sell for very attractive prices.

I noticed most of the stock came from three sellers, who identified themselves as authorized Davis resellers. So, provided you are a US resident, a purchase from them will come with a full 12 month Davis guarantee and access to parts and accessories.

I have contacted the sellers (eBay nicknames provantage, skyviewweatherinstruments and tstesauro), who all have good records on eBay. They use eBay as one means of selling weather and other instruments, and also have reasonably longstanding online and sometimes offline trading records.

Though the prices are very good -about $50.00 less than the best I've seen elsewhere - I have no personal knowledge of them or any other vendors.I do buy and sell regularly on eBay, and I think it's fair to say I see none of the warning signs that suggest caution. If you are familiar with buying on eBay you'll know the good and bad points, and you can make your own decision.

You can see what is available on eBay right now towards the end of this page.

One further point - radio regulations vary from country to country, and weather stations have to comply. If you are not a US citizen but are thinking of buying a weather station through eBay US, or any other vendor, check that the model you are interested in will work where you live, and what guarantee is available. The manufacturer may be the best place to go.

Summing Up

A price of $595.00, even with good retail discounts, may be more than many people are happy to part with. And while I believe the Davis Vantage Pro2 to be the best reasonably priced weather station available at the moment, there are a number of other very nice models made by La Crosse Technology and Oregon Scientific which I have reviewed elsewhere.

Many of these are available at prices around $200.00 to $300.00.

If you are looking for something a little more robust than a Davis Weather Station, particularly if you live near the sea where salt may be a problem, check out Rainwise and WeatherHawk Weather Stations. I am most impressed with the Vantage Pro2, at the head of the Davis Weather Station range, but I know that just as much enjoyment in the rapidly changing moods of our weather can be gained from less costly equipment, even if the range, resolution and update period mightn't be quite as good.

And no matter what home weather station you buy or own, its performance is only as good as the way it is set up.

The article on Setting Up will help you identify just how to get the best out of your system around your home. You will also find that a little extra work at the beginning in weatherproofing moving parts, battery compartments and cable connections will pay off big time in minimising or preventing problems in data transmission. The article on Troubleshooting will help.

Whatever your choice, you will have entered the exciting world of weather observation and recording.

Good Luck

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Davis Home Weather Stations on eBay

These listings are the best and easiest way to find Davis Home Weather Stations and related articles from eBay. This includes the very popular Davis Vantage Pro2, usually obtainable new and under warranty at very competitive prices.

All Weather Stations in the following lists are available right now. See something you like? Then move fast and place your bid. If not, bookmark this page or the Home Weather Station Auction Index page, because if what you're after isn't here now, it almost certainly will be later.

When you click on a link below you will be taken straight to an eBay page showing that item. All items will open in a new window, making it super easy for you to check any Davis Home Weather Station that interests you.

I hope you find exactly what you need, at a super price.

This link will take you back to the Home Weather Station Auction Index.

* all articles on auction courtesy of Ebay ** links open a new window at Ebay with product details.

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*Product links and pricing. The products I mention are, in my opinion, the best of the range in each category. But this doesn't mean they are just what you are looking for, and it is always worth following the link to the manufacturer's page.

But don't buy from there - in almost all cases much better prices are available from both shopfront and internet based retailers. At all times eBay and Amazon are worth checking out, and you will notice many of the links go to Amazon. Amazon has built a very sound reputation for customer service, given the huge amount of business that passes through their website, and many products are accompanied by clear descriptions, alternatives, and reviews from customers. These can be very helpful, and I shop at Amazon myself.

But prices can change very quickly there, so if you have made up your mind on a product and you see a good price there, grab it before it goes.

Where possible, I provide links to other retailers where their prices are competitive. Some may be better than they seem if the prices include delivery and, where needed, batteries - check the terms they offer.

Finally, I stand to make small commissions on some of the products I recommend. A lot of work goes into building and maintaining a site like this, and I am not ashamed if I recoup some of the costs, and even make a little money on top.

That being said, I will and do recommend sellers where I will not make anything for myself. One of these is Ambient Weather , a useful retail site with good supporting information. But if you visit there, don't forget to come back!

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Last update 12/07/2006