Recommendations for a good anemometer?

[Rabbit]

Hi guys, new member here so please be gentle. 

I'm looking for a wind instrument much like the old USAF "windbirds".  (Technically, they were nomenclatured GMQ-20s, see attached pic, and they were on every airfield before digital sensors replaced them in the 1990s.)  I know that the Davis Vantage line is everybody's go-to system nowadays (and Davis IS a good line!) but I'm not looking for an all-in-one station with a lot of features that I don't need.  I just want wind speed and direction.  One requirement is that since it will be mounted atop a 40ft tower, I need something that doesn’t require regular fiddling.

I'm retired so money IS a consideration but I'm not against spending a little extra for a quality instrument.  Unfortunately, when GMQ-20s show up on internet auctions, they command a ridiculous selling price so they're out of my league. 

TIA,

Rab

 

 

Edited December 27, 2015 by Rabbit
Spelling corrections

[Rabbit]

TAP, TAP, TAP.  Is this thing on?

[reef]

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not the most knowledgeable on standalone anemometers, but you're probably looking at RM Young or Campbell these days for anything solely for wind. I imagine as these are more for industrial use then unfortunately you're looking at quite an outlay. Anything lower than this then I think you would be looking at a Davis system, either a Vantage Vue or perhaps cheaper cabled Vantage Pro 2 from the states.

It seems quite hard to get decent equipment that measures single components of the weather these days (the old Davis weather wizard III would have been ideal, perhaps try ebay?), manufacturers tend to concentrate on whole systems now. Either way, good luck and let us know how you got on!

Edited December 31, 2015 by reef

[Rabbit]

Thanks, Reef, I'll look into your suggestions.

Rab

[Rabbit]

Howdy Guys,

It's been about 2-1/2 years since my post and I'm still looking for a good system.  I DID purchase an AcuRite 5-in-1 but I've been thoroughly disgusted with it!  Its wireless range was advertised to be 300ft and even though my sensor and base unit (display) are less than 100ft apart, signal disconnect between the two is a regular occurrence; regardless of how new the batteries are!  I've replaced the sensor twice and the display once with no apparent improvement in performance!   And while AcuRite's customer service tries to be helpful, I've come to the conclusion that AcuRite simply isn't a quality product!

And while I'm almost certain that it's entirely coincidental, the unit seems to know when it's the worst time to shut down.  (Such as when serious weather is inbound, or it's Friday afternoon after AcuRite's customer service has gone home for the weekend!!! )

I find it disgusting that I'm now considering replacing a weather station that's only 2-1/2 years old but it's currently down AGAIN and I'm tired of dealing with it!!!

Suggestions???

Harvey

 

[trebor]

sadly in my experience 2 years is about the lifespan of a weather station before it starts having problems or is dead, even the expensive stuff like davis.

my solution is purchase 2 stations 12 months apart and run them both that way I always hopefully have one working and it means you can do maintenance

on one station and still be collecting data. watch your wireless frequencies with 2 stations you will get interference. wired may be the only solution. 

I have not found a weather station I wouldn't call disposable but I do live in a place that gives them a hard time, the weather here gets bad sometimes. 

[Mandrake]

Don't know if the original poster is still interested but I note that Ecowitt (direct brand for Fine Offset stations) has started a new line of individual weather station components.

You can purchase a separate anemometer with Solar sensor, a rain gauge and other individual components and use these with a console if you wish or a IP logger for sending the data straight to the Internet.

See www.Ecowitt.com 

You can pretty much mix and match with Ecowitt if you drop them a e-mail and ask for what you'd like and a quote to ship to you.

My kit even came with the correct UK power adapters for the console.

[Rabbit]

Howdy Mandrake.  Yes, I'm still here, thanks for your reply.

Being ex-USAF, I wanted an old GMQ-20 "Windbird" for my man cave.  I never did find one in working order; which turned out to be a good thing since I've since learned that repair parts are practically impossible to find!  Also, following my original post, I've determined that the newer multi-function systems are considerably more useful.  (Duh!)

I bought an Acu-Rite 5-in-1 but I've since determined that my money is best spent elsewhere so now I'm considering a Davis Vantage-Vue.  However, during my brief stint with Acurite, I've discovered the benefits of uploading my conditions to Weather Underground.  I've still got my WU account but I'm completely clueless on what kind of modem I need in order to upload my data.  I DO know that I don't want a system that requires that my computer be left on 24/7.  Any advice on Davis products and uploading to WU?     

Harvey

 

 

[snow1975]

On ‎27‎/‎12‎/‎2015 at 16:04, Rabbit said:

Hi guys, new member here so please be gentle. 

I'm looking for a wind instrument much like the old USAF "windbirds".  (Technically, they were nomenclatured GMQ-20s, see attached pic, and they were on every airfield before digital sensors replaced them in the 1990s.)  I know that the Davis Vantage line is everybody's go-to system nowadays (and Davis IS a good line!) but I'm not looking for an all-in-one station with a lot of features that I don't need.  I just want wind speed and direction.  One requirement is that since it will be mounted atop a 40ft tower, I need something that doesn’t require regular fiddling.

I'm retired so money IS a consideration but I'm not against spending a little extra for a quality instrument.  Unfortunately, when GMQ-20s show up on internet auctions, they command a ridiculous selling price so they're out of my league. 

TIA,

Rab

 

 

Hi there,

 

You have several options. 

https://munroinstruments.com/product/im147-in-line-cup-anemometer-wind-direction-vane/ 

I love the analogue dials. They are £390 each and the IM 147 will cost you £6000. Manufactured in the UK. 

http://www.youngusa.com/products/7/5.html 

http://www.youngusa.com/products/4/28.html

https://novalynx.com/store/pc/200-2201-200-2206-NovaVane-Wind-Sensor-19p323.htm

https://novalynx.com/store/pc/200-2218-Analog-Indicating-Wind-System-19p324.htm

[Mandrake]

Any of the modern Ecowitt WiFi weather stations will connect to your Wifi service and send the data direct to the weather service of your choice (WU etc)

You can get some of their kit from Amazon.com if you want to avoid shipping from Hong Kong where they are based.

I use the HP2551 in the UK and you can see my data at Weather Undergound (IGUILDFO67)

In case you are wondering I have only just changed to this station so there is no historical data.

(Just noticed you are in the UK, so possibly better to go direct to Ecowitt and ask for a quote to ship) Worked easily for me. 2 days from HK to Surrey and Customs hit was £18 (mostly admin charge)

 

Edited March 14, 2019 by Mandrake