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Davis Instruments

Weather Stations

FAQs

Things to Consider

 Vantage Pro2 Features Comparison Chart (43K PDF)
This chart is for the Vantage Pro2, not the older Vantage Pro "original model" which is no longer in production. The Vantage Pro is somewhat similar in features of the Vantage Pro2 but it is nowhere near as up-to-date or modern as the Vantage Pro2.

 Vantage Pro2 Specifications Comparison Chart (32K PDF)
This chart is for the Vantage Pro2, not the older Vantage Pro "original model" which is no longer in production. The Vantage Pro is somewhat similar in features of the Vantage Pro2 but it is nowhere near as up-to-date or modern as the Vantage Pro2.

Weather Monitor II Comparison Chart (51K PDF)

We present the following FAQs for your information although they are for the "original" Vantage Pro, not the more up-to-date and modern Vantage Pro2. There is no set of FAQs yet published by the company since the Vantage Pro2 is a new model.

1. How easy is it to set up the station?
   With most of the competing stations, you need to install each sensor separately. This takes time and effort and adds to the complexity of troubleshooting and operating your station. Our Vantage Pro^® weather stations are designed to make setup as easy as possible. The Integrated Sensor Suite is factory-assembled. Just complete a few minor assembly steps, insert the battery, and you're ready to mount the sensors. Mount them all together using our optional tripod, or detach the anemometer to mount it separately. Flexible mounting options make it easy, either way.
    
2. What is the maximum transmission distance?
   The wireless transmission range for most competing stations is generally quite limited. Although transmission range is highly variable (depending not only on the surrounding physical features of the land and structures but also on the RF interference in the area), our Vantage Pro weather stations will almost always out perform the competition, transmitting up to 400 feet under most conditions. And unlike the competition, we offer wireless repeaters should you wish to extend the range even further.
    
3. What weather variables are measured and recorded?
   Most other stations offer barometric pressure, outside humidity and dew point, daily and yearly rainfall, wind speed and direction, wind chill, and outside temperature. Some also offer inside temperature and humidity, and a few even give you extra outside temperature readings and current rain rate. Only Vantage Pro gives you all these, plus:
    
• Additional Rainfall Information:15-minute rainfall, hourly and monthly rainfall, and rainfall amounts for each of the last 24 storms.
• Additional Wind Speed Information:10-minute average wind speed, direction of high speed, and 10-minute dominant wind direction.
• Apparent Temperature:heat index (the combined effects of temperature and humidity) and, with the addition of a solar radiation sensor, temperature-humidity-sun-wind index.
• Optional Sensors for Solar and UV Radiation:something that's becoming more important as we become increasingly aware of the dangers to health caused by excessive exposure to the sun.
• Additional Information(with optional sensors) for agricultural users: evapotranspiration, leaf wetness, soil moisture, and soil temperature.
   
4. How many highs and lows are measured and recorded?
   Most other stations simply give you current readings. If highs and lows are available at all, they are usually quite limited. Only Vantage Pro gives you the highs and lows (and/or totals or average readings) for just about all available weather conditions for the last 24 days (with time of day), months (with date), or years. No other weather station on the market even comes close. And not only can you view data numerically, you'll also see it on your Vantage Pro's on-screen graphs, giving you instantaneous visual representations of long-term trends.
    
5. How often is weather data updated?
   The Vantage Pro transmitter sends a data packet to the console every 2½ seconds. Weather conditions that are the most variable (such as wind speed and direction) are updated with each packet, while most other conditions are updated every 10 seconds. With the competition's stations, the update interval is much longer: 30 seconds to even 3 minutes or longer. This may not seem like an important distinction. But, try watching the wind gust, or the rain suddenly come pouring down. It's very disconcerting to be looking out the window, seeing something happening weather-wise, and not see it reflected on the console for what seems an eternity.
    
6. Can you use the station at higher elevations?
   Our stations can be used at elevations up to 12,000 feet. Many of competing stations are limited to 6,000 feet or below. If you're lucky enough to live, work, or perhaps enjoy a vacation home in the mountains, you'll find that our Vantage Pro weather stations work just fine, no matter what elevation you're at.
    
7. How are the Vantage Pro's forecasts generated?
   The competition generally bases their forecasts strictly on whether barometric pressure is rising or falling. This results in a none too accurate prediction. Vantage Pro uses a sophisticated forecasting algorithm which takes into account not only barometric pressure, but also wind, rainfall, temperature, humidity, and longitude and latitude. The result? A much more accurate forecast. Not perfect, but even the guys with satellite pictures don't always get it right!
    
8. How is the forecast displayed?
   The competition displays their forecast using an icon. We have similar icons, plus over 100 different forecast messages that scroll across the bottom of the display when you press the FORECAST key. No other stations have this scrolling message. It is unique to Vantage Pro. The ticker tape also gives additional information, depending on which key you press. For example, press the WIND key to display wind speed, and you'll see a message showing you the 10-minute average wind speed. If it's raining, you can press the RAIN YR key to see the last 15 minutes of rain, or RAIN DAY to see the last 24 hours of rain. And these are just a few examples! None of the competition has anything like this.
    
9. How much data can you graph on the screen?
   With Vantage Pro, you can graph just about every weather variable, with averages and highs and lows for most, and go back in time for minutes, days, months, and years. The competition typically graphs just one variable, usually barometric pressure, and typically only for the last 24 hours. With all the graphs on Vantage Pro, you can do tons of analysis, even without purchasing an additional software package (although we offer one of those, too). And you'll find that the more dramatic the weather is, the more fun it is to look at the graphs. Just how windy is it, and how does it compare to the last windstorm? And how much rain did we get this month compared to last month?
    
10. What is the computer interface like?
    If you'd like to do even more analysis, you can add our optional WeatherLink data logger and software package. The data logger stores data at an interval you choose (from one minute to two hours) for up to six months. You can transfer data to your computer whenever you like, or leave your computer on to have it automatically transfer every day. The data logger uses non-volatile memory, so you won't lose data even if you lose power. For some of the competing stations, no software package is available. And while other stations do offer a software package, they don't include a data logger. So, your computer must be on and the software running at all times to record your weather data.
     
11. How many alarms are there?
    On Vantage Pro, alarms can be set be just about every weather variable for just about any reason imaginable. You can set up to 65 alarms in all. Like the graphs, the alarms found on the competition's stations are generally quite limited.
     
12. What is the accuracy, resolution, and range of Vantage Pro's Sensors?
    Our Vantage Pro weather stations generally beat the competition in accuracy, resolution, and range. It can be difficult to find the specs for competing stations. When we do find them, our testing shows that they are a bit, shall we say, optimistic. We are very proud of our specs, stand behind them 100%, and are proud to publish them in our catalog and on our website.
     
13. How many other people are using Vantage Pro stations?
    Although our Vantage Pro stations are new, we have an installed base of thousands and thousands of happy Davis weather station users around the country and around the world. If you check out the "Weather World 'Round" section on our website (http://www.davisnet.com/weather/cool/world.asp), you'll see a listing for Norman, Oklahoma. Click on that link, and you'll go to the website for the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center. They're using our Weather Monitor II (a predecessor to the Vantage Pro station) to update the local "unofficial" weather conditions to their website. In addition, many Davis weather station owners participate as volunteer observers for the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center, and numerous local TV and radio stations.
     
14. What is the company behind the product?
    In business since 1963, Davis Instruments opened up the home weather station market back in 1989. The competition has appeared only within the last few years. Unlike the competition, Davis Instruments manufactures their weather stations right here in Hayward, California, not China, Japan, or elsewhere, and have full customer service and technical support staff. Most competing weather stations are made overseas, and it can be difficult (if not next to impossible) to get any kind of customer service or aftermarket support from these companies.
    
    

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