[wxqc] Davis VP2 Pro 6153 (Wireless+Aspirated) Complete Station Cost Estimate... A Good Value?

[Rory]

Thanks Dave, very good intel.

Rory

On 6/11/07, Dave Helms <dshelms at comcast.net> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Saw the discussion of the WMR-968 and thought I would give an idea of
> the cost of the Davis VP2 6153 "complete" system.
>
> 1.  Basic system (VP2 6153):  Console, sensors, wireless ISS, aspirated
> temp/hygristor (RH) sensor
> http://www.davisnet.com/weather/products/weather_product.asp?pnum=06153
> *  Purchased on Ebay  (patiently bid on several auctions for this price)
> $485.00+$17.00 shipping
>
> 2.  WeatherLink for Vantage Pro or Vantage Pro2 for Windows (USB)
> $119.95 from ProVantage.com
>
> 3.   Vantage Pro2 Anemometer Transmitter Kit - allows separate siting of
> anemometer from ISS
> $112.94 each from ProVantage
>
> Shipping for items 2 and 3 :  $15.25
>
> 4.   Betts and Thomas Gable End Antenna (Anemometer Mast) Mount
> $35.00 each from Ben's Antenna
> Shipping:  $25.00 (express)
>
> 5.  PC Computer - New Dell Dimension 521 Desktop with Window Vista and
> 18" Flatscreen
> $600.00 from Dell
>
> 6.  10 ft wood 4"x4" post (treated and painted white) - ISS and
> Temperature, Hygristor (RH), and  Rain (automated tipping) Gauge Siting;
> post trimmed 2 ft, 3 ft in ground and 5 ft above ground
> $15.00 from Lowes
>
> 7.  1 bag Readi-mix Concrete - for ISS post siting
> $7.00 from Lowes
>
> 8.  1 1/4" x 10 ft Aluminum Post - for anemometer, mounted in Gable End
> antenna mount
> $5.00 from Lowes
>
> 9.  UPS Battery Backup (250 amps?) + Surge Protector
> $100.00 from Circuit City
>
> Total Cost:  $1,537.14
>
> The biggest pain in the tookus is installing the Gable End antenna
> mount, which was an all-day affair.  Gathering the equipment, hopefully
> at the lowest cost, took about 2 months (what's the rush?).  If you go
> with a Davis VP 2 wireless, unaspirated, model #5153, you will pay about
> $100 than the 6153 model, or around $400 on Ebay plus shipping.  The
> kicker with the Davis is the need for the WeatherLink connector hardware
> which adds another $120 to the cost of the weather station.   Most every
> Personal Weather Station will cost at least $200 for even the most
> inexpensive console/sensors, and then you still need all the other
> accessories (including data logging application = $50-$150), so the
> difference between an Oregon or a Radio Shack system and a Davis VP2
> 5153 is about $270 (subtracting the cost of the cheapest data logger
> application), or about a 17% increase in the total cost of a complete
> weather station.   For the 17% additional cost of the "total" station,
> IMHO the Davis system as a very good value as the Davis sensors are very
> competitive with even professional sensors when properly sited.
>
> Understand that Davis is a hardware company that wrote the WeatherLink
> software almost as an after thought (why many switch to Ambient or other
> data logging applications). WeatherLink does much of the time derived
> CWOP parameters (gust, 1 hour and 24 hour precipitation) in memory (and
> not from log files written to the PC from the application) while (and
> only) in "Bulletin" mode (which you need to manually start from within
> the application).  After 3 months, the equipment is operating very well
> so no complaints for Davis.  I have also operated a Peet Bros Ultimeter
> 2100 (wired) station which cost and performance is similar to the Davis
> VP2 5153.  The Peet Bros after market support is very good, and I have
> never had to wait for a replacement part with first year warranty
> support done with no issues whatsoever.
>
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Dave
> CW0351
>
>
>
> >
> >
>
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