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See also: Vantage Pro2 Reviews The Vantage Pro2™ Wireless Weather Station, by Davis Instruments, is jam packed with features for weather monitoring and forecasting. Weather variables monitored include temperature (indoor and outdoor), humidity (indoor and outdoor), rainfall and wind direction. You can add additional sensors to monitor temperature and humidity in up to 8 locations, solar radiation and evapotranspiration. The Vantage Pro2 comes in two versions: wireless connection to the sensors (this one) and wired connection to the sensors. For the wired model, click here . The Vantage Pro2 incorporates data from up to 10 variables to forecast the local weather, including pressure, wind speed, rainfall, latitude and longitude. The weather forecast includes prediction of the sky condition (sunny, cloudy, etc) and changes in rainfall, temperature and wind speed. The optional WeatherLink® software and data logger allow you to connect the Vantage Pro2 to your computer and record weather measurements for a permanent record, further analysis and publishing to the Internet. Vantage Pro2 Wireless Weather Station in Brief: More than 100 graphs Temperature (indoor and outdoor) Humidity (indoor and outdoor) Barometric Pressure Dew point Rainfall Wind Chill Wind speed Wind direction Heat index Weather forecast using 10 variables Forecasts sky condition, changes in rainfall, temperature and wind speed Time & Date Sunrise & Sunset time Moon phase display 1000 feet (300m) wireless range with spread spectrum radio technology (902-928 MHz). Optional sensors add evapotranspiration, leaf wetness, soil moisture, solar radiation, UV index, THSW index, and up to 8 temperature and humidity measurements Stores highs and lows for more than 15 variables More than 30 weather alarms Connect to a computer with the optional WeatherLink® software and data logger Vantage Pro2 Wireless Weather Station Includes: Vantage Pro2 Wireless Console Integrated Sensor Suite Mounting hardware AC Power Adapter manuals reviews

The Vantage Pro2 Console

The generous back-lit display on the Vantage Pro2 Weather Station shows up to 10 weather observations. The time, date, moon phase and weather forecast are also displayed along with a graph of the selected weather variable. The Vantage Pro2 provides a comprehensive overview of the weather in a single glance.

Weather variables are easily selected using a column of buttons next to the display. Additional information can be shown by pressing buttons repeatedly. For example pressing the RAINyr button displays the current rain rate; press again to show the total rain this month and again for the total rain this year. Once a variable is selected, pressing the graph button displays historic measurements on the graph. You can also change units, display high and low records and set alarms.

A 'ticker-tape' display along the bottom of the panel shows additional information about the selected weather variable. The ticker display can show more detail for the current weather forecast, weather alarm, average wind speed, graph ranges, and weather summary information.

The console uses 3 type 'C' batteries or the included AC power adapter. Batteries offer a convenient backup during power outages ensuring uninterrupted weather monitoring. Batteries will last about 9 months for the wireless Vantage Pro2.

The console can be wall or table mounted and measures: 9.625" x 6.125" x 1.5" (244 mm x 156 mm x 38mm). The total height, including the wireless antenna is 10.375" (264 mm)

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The Vantage Pro2 (wireless) in Comparison

The key strengths of the Vantage Pro2 are:

1. Large number of weather variables can be monitored. Expansion with optional sensors extends this even further.
2. A powerful graphing facility. More than 100 different graphs can be displayed on the console. You do not need to download the measurements to a computer to easily review the data and spot trends
3. Forecasting: 10 parameters are used to generate a weather forecast for the next 12 to 48 hours. The forecast includes prediction of the sky condition (cloudy, sunny etc) and changes in rainfall, temperature, wind direction and wind speed.

The Vantage Pro2 is available in two versions: wired and wireless. The wired model uses a cable to connect the Integrated Sensor Suite to the base station, while the wireless model uses spread spectrum radio technology. The wireless version costs more, but is also more extendable. Sensors for leaf wetness, soil moisture, additional temperature and humidity sites can be added to the wireless model but not to the wired model. Solar radiation and ultraviolet (UV) sensors can be added to either the wireless or wired models.

In comparison to La Crosse weather stations, the Vantage Pro2 models offer a larger number of weather measurements, onboard graphing and more comprehensive forecasting. The WS-2308 and WS-2315 offer a good alternative for the core set of weather variables (temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and rainfall) at a lower price. The WS-2308 and WS-2315 do not use as many parameters to forecast the weather but, since the main factor governing weather is barometric pressure, they can still produce accurate forecasts.

Both the WS-2308 and WS-2315 come with built-in computer interfaces so you can use your computer for graphing the weather measurements. The computer interface for the Vantage Pro2 is an optional extra.

The time on both the WS-2308 and WS-2315 can be set using a time signal radio broadcast ensuring their clocks are always accurate. Time on the Vantage Pro2 is set manually.

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Forecasting

Weather forecasting is a real strength for the Vantage Pro2. It uses the current barometric pressure and pressure trend, wind speed and direction, rainfall, temperature, humidity, latitude and longitude, and time of year to forecast the weather. The forecast includes a prediction of the sky condition (cloudy, sunny etc) and changes in rainfall, temperature, wind direction and wind speed.

Forecast information is displayed using forecast icons, which show the predicted weather for the next 12 hours, and the ticker display. The forecast ticker message (at the bottom of the screen) predicts the weather up to 48 hours in advance. The forecast is updated once each hour, on the hour. The weather forecast includes predictions for cloud cover, temperature trends, chance of rain, timing, severity and windy conditions.

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Graph

The Vantage Pro2 weather station includes a powerful graphing facility, which allows you to view more than 100 different graphs right on the console. Viewing your weather data graphically provides much greater understanding than just observing numbers. In a graph, you can quickly spot trends and unusual events. Comprehensive graphing is one of the Vantage Pro2's most powerful features.

The table below shows the graphs available.

* A = Average, H = Highs, L = Lows, T = Totals, Y = Yes, C = Current reading at the end of each period
** Requires solar radiation sensor, ***** Requires UV sensor
*** Requires Wireless Leaf & Soil Moisture Temperature Station
**** Graphs the last 24 storm events and doesn't follow the same graph conventions as other variables.

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Sensors

The core weather variables are measured with an integrated set of sensors. Additional weather variables, such as solar radiation, can be added by purchasing additional sensors.

Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS)

This single module includes sensors for rainfall, wind speed, wind direction, temperature and humidity. Integrating all the sensors into one package greatly simplifies installation. All the hardware needed for mounting the ISS on a flat post or round pole is included.

The integrated sensor suite (ISS) measures:

• Rainfall: rainfall is measured using a tipping bucket rain gauge.
• Temperature: temperature is measured inside a specially vented and shielded enclosure. This enclosure reduces the error in temperature caused when sunshine heats the sensor.
• Humidity
• Wind speed
• Wind direction

Measurements from the ISS are sent to the console using low-power spread spectrum radio technology. Spread spectrum technology helps avoid interference from other devices and gives the Vantage Pro2 a great range of up to 1000 feet (330 meters) line-of-sight. Through walls, the range is typicaly 200 to 400 feet (75 to 150m). Trees and hills can also reduce the range.

A solar cell supplies power for all the sensors and the radio transmitter. A battery backup provides power when the sun is not shining. The battery is automatically recharged by the solar cell and will last up to 2 years (depending on solar charging).

A cabled version of the Vantage Pro2 and ISS is also available. This model uses a cable between the console and ISS for more permanent installations. It is also lower in price.

The ISS measures 11" x 9.38" x 14" (279 mm x 238 mm x 355mm).

Sensor Specifications

Key specifications are listed. For more detail, review the Vantage Pro2 datasheet.

Optional Sensors

The weather variables measured by the Vantage Pro2 can be extended by purchasing additional sensors.

Solar Radiation Sensor

Adding a solar radiation sensor allows the Vantage Pro2 weather station to display solar radiation and evapotranspiration (essentially the opposite of rainfall) measurements. The solar radiation sensor is mounted on the integrated sensor suite and can be added to both the wired and wireless Vantage Pro2. View more information on the Solar Radiation Sensor here.

Ultraviolet Radiation Sensor (UV)

The UV sensor lets the weather station measure the total UV dose. The UV sensor is mounted on the integrated sensor suite and can be added to both the wired and wireless Vantage Pro2. View more information on the UV Radiation Sensor here.

Wireless Leaf and Soil Moisture/ Temperature Station (WLSMTS)

The WLSMTS adds leaf moisture and soil moisture measurement capability to the Vantage Pro2, along with an additional temperature measurement. This sensor is wireless and is not available for the cabled version of the Vantage Pro2. View more information on the Leaf, soil moisture and temperature station here .

Wireless Temperature/ Humidity Station

The Vantage Pro2 integrated sensor suite includes sensors to measure outdoor temperature and humidity. By adding additional wireless temperature/ humidity stations, you can monitor the temperature and humidity in up to 8 different locations from the convenience of one console. With extra sensors, you could the temperature and humidity in a glass house, basement or storage cellar. Additional temperature/ humidity stations can only be added to the wireless Vantage Pro2. View more information on the Wireless Temperature/ Humidity Station here.

Wireless Temperature Station

The integrated sensor suite supplied with the Vantage Pro2 includes a sensor to measure outdoor temperature. By adding additional wireless temperature stations, you can monitor the temperature in up to 8 different locations from the convenience of one console. With extra sensors, you could track glass house, basement or wine cellar temperatures. Additional temperature stations can only be added to the wireless Vantage Pro2. View more information on the Wireless Temperature Station here.

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Barometric Pressure

Atmospheric pressure measures the weight of air on the surface of the earth. The amount of air above the surface varies a lot with altitude. So to make it easier to compare pressure measurements in different locations, atmospheric pressure are generally adjusted to an equivalent sea level pressure. This adjusted value is known as barometric pressure. Barometric pressure can be displayed in:

• Inches of mercury (" Hg)
• Millimeters (mm)
• Hecto-Pascals (hPa)
• Millibar (mb)

Local weather conditions also change the barometric pressure making it an extremely important and useful weather forecasting tool. High pressure areas are generally associated with fair weather while low pressure areas indicate poor weather. Most important in forecasting the weather, however, is the change in barometric pressure.

You can see changes in barometric pressure in two ways with the Vantage Pro2 weather station. Arrows next to the pressure measurement on the display indicate rapidly or slowly rising pressure. And, of course, pressure history can be plotted on the graph - in 6 different ways:

• Pressure at 15 minute intervals
• Pressure at 1 hour intervals
• Highest daily pressure
• Lowest daily pressure
• Highest monthly pressure
• Lowest monthly pressure

The highest and lowest barometric pressures are recorded for each of the last 24 days and months, and for the current year. The weather station can also sound an alarm when it detects an approaching or clearing storm (indicated by a rising or falling trend in barometric pressure).

Temperature and Humidity

Both indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity are measured by the Vantage Pro2 weather station. The outdoor temperature sensor is in the integrated sensor suite in a specially vented and shielded enclosure. The enclosure minimizes false measurements caused by sunshine heating the sensor while ensuring an accurate measurement of the ambient temperature is obtained. The indoor temperature is measured with a sensor inside the console.

Humidity is a measure of water vapor in the air. The weather station measures the relative humidity which is the amount of water vapor in the air relative to the maximum water vapor at a particular temperature. Because the maximum water vapor possible in the air changes (increasing) with temperature, relative humidity is sensitive to both humidity and temperature. Relative humidity is important for determining evaporation from plants and wet surfaces. At lower humidity, water will evaporate more quickly.

Up to 8 more temperature or temperature/humidity stations can be added to your weather station by purchasing additional sensors. Extra sensors allow you to monitor temperature and/or humidity in many remote locations from a single console. You might track greenhouse temperature, basement humidity or the temperature and humidity in a wine cellar, for example.

For improved accuracy, you can calibrate the indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity sensors as well as any extra temperature/humidity sensors you are monitoring with your Vantage Pro2 console.

The highest and lowest measurements are recorded for the indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity sensors. For each, the last 24 days and months highest and lowest values are recorded. The highest and lowest value for the current year is also recorded for each indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity measurement.

The temperature and humidity measurements, both indoor and outdoor, can be plotted on the graph. For each, measurements over the last 24 hours can be plotted. The highest and lowest values over the last 24 days or months can also be shown. For outdoor temperature, the highest and lowest values over the last 24 years can be shown too.

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Apparent Temperatures

Apparent temperatures take into account the way different environmental conditions effect the way we feel temperature on our skin. For example, a strong wind chilling our face can lower the apparent temperature. Apparent temperatures use additional weather measurements, such as wind speed, to calculate what a human body perceives the temperature to be. The Vantage Pro2 can show three different apparent temperature readings:

• Wind Chill : takes into account the cooling affect of wind on our perception of the air temperature.
• Heat Index: accounts for the impact of humidity on apparent temperature. High humidity tends to reduce the evaporation of perspiration increasing the apparent temperature while low humidity tends to increase perspiration decreasing apparent temperature.
• Temperature, humidity, sun, wind index: (requires solar radiation sensor sold separately). Like heat index, THSW considers the effect of humidity on the perceived temperature, but it also factors in the cooling effect of wind (like wind chill) and the warming effect of sunshine to calculate an apparent temperature.

For each apparent temperature measurement, 3 different plots can be shown on the graph display. For wind chill, the lowest wind chill temperature for the last hour, day or month can be plotted. For heat index and temperature/humidity/sun/wind index, the hourly, highest daily and highest monthly value can be plotted.

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Dew Point

Dew point is the temperature when the air will reach 100% relative humidity , provided there is no change in water vapor content. Dew point is an important measurement for predicting formation of dew, frost and fog. A high dew point temperature indicates rain, severe thunderstorms or tornados are more likely. The dew point, measured late in the afternoon, provides an idea of the minimum temperature you can expect during the night.

Dew point can be plotted on the graph. The dew point temperature over the last 24 hours can be shown along with the highest and lowest dew point temperature for each of the last 24 days or months. The Vantage Pro2 can sound an alarm if the dew point goes above or below values you have set. Dew point can be displayed in Fahrenheit (°F) or Celsius (°C).

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Wind

An anemometer, that is part of the Integrated Sensor Suite, measures wind speed and direction. The console calculates the average wind speed and dominant direction for 10 minute intervals. The average wind speed can be displayed in:

• miles per hour (mph)
• knots (kts)
• meters per second (m/s)
• kilometers per hour (km/h)

The average wind speed is displayed in the ticker window when wind is selected on the console. The dominant wind directions are shown on the wind rose display. A solid arrow shows the current wind direction, while arrow points show the dominant wind directions over the last hour.

Wind speed can be plotted on the graph. The average value can be plotted for 10 minute and hourly intervals, or the highest wind speed plotted for hourly, daily, monthly and yearly intervals. The direction of highest wind speed and dominant wind direction is displayed on the wind rose for each point on the graph.

The Vantage Pro2 weather station can be set to sound an alarm when the wind speed exceeds a value you have set. The weather station also records the highest wind speed for each day month and year.

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Rainfall

The Integrated Sensor Suite includes a tipping bucket rain gauge to measure the amount of rainfall. The rainfall measured can be displayed for daily, monthly, yearly and rain storm totals. The rain storm value shows the total rain fallen since it last started raining. The weather station will also calculate and display the rate that rain is falling in inches or millimetres per hour.

Rainfall can be plotted on the graph in 15 minute, hourly, daily, monthly or yearly totals. Up to 24 points are plotted for each total. The last 24 rain storm totals can also be plotted.

The Vantage Pro2 can sound an alarm for flash flooding (based on rain measured in 15 minute intervals), 24 hour rainfall and continuous rainfall totals. The weather station also records the day, month and year with the highest rate of rainfall.

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Solar Radiation

If you purchase an optional solar radiation sensor, the Vantage Pro2 will display the solar radiation in Watts per square meter (W/m²). Solar radiation measures how much energy from the sun reaches the earth's surface. Adding a solar radiation senor to the weather station also allows evapotranspiration and the Temperature/ Humidity/ Wind/ Sun (TWSH) index to be calculated and displayed.

The highest level of solar radiation is recorded for the current month and year and an alarm can be set to sound if the current solar radiation passes some threshold you define. The average solar radiation for each of the last 24 hours, and highest solar radiation for each of the last 24 days can be plotted on the console graph.

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Ultra Violet (UV) Radiation

If you purchase an optional UV radiation sensor, the Vantage Pro2 will measure the level of UV radiation from the sun and warn of particularly harmful levels of UV radiation. Exposure to ultra violet rays from the sun is known to cause many health problems including skin cancer, sun burn, skin aging and cataracts. UV readings can be displayed in Minimum Erythemal Dose (MED) units and UV index. Minimum Erythemal dose measures the amount of sunlight that will cause a barely perceptible redness of the skin within 24 hours of exposure. The UV index is a value between 0 and 16 for the current UV intensity; the risk of sunburn is lower for smaller UV index values.

Both UV radiation index and MED (Minimum Erythemal Dose) can be shown on the console graph. For UV index, the average hourly, highest daily and value at the end of each month can be plotted. For MED, the total hourly and daily dose can be plotted.

The Vantage Pro2 records the highest UV index for each of the last 24 days. It also stores the highest UV index seen in the current month and year.

An alarm will sound if the UV index or radiation dose (MED) reaches a threshold you've set.

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Evapotranspiration

If you purchase an optional solar radiation sensor, the Vantage Pro2 will measure evapotranspiration. Evapotranspiration is the opposite of rainfall. It measures the amount of water returned to the air as water vapor, measured in inches or millimeters per hour.

The total evapotranspiration for each hour, day and month can be plotted on the graph. Up to 24 values can be plotted.

An alarm will sound if the total evapotranspiration for the day reaches a threshold you've set.

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Leaf Wetness

The moisture on the surfaces of leaves, or other foliage, in the area can be measured with the optional Leaf & Soil Moisture/ Temperature sensor. Leaf wetness is measured on a scale from 0 (dry) to 15 (wet). Wet leaves have a higher risk of bacterial diseases, with severity increasing the longer the leaf stays wet. There is also an increase in fungal diseases for leaves that are wet for a long time.

The leaf wetness for the past 24 hours can be plotted on the console graph. The highest and lowest leaf wetness measurement can also be plotted for the last 24 days.

The Vantage Pro2 console can sound an alarm if the leaf wetness rises above or drops below a threshold you've set. The weather station records the highest and lowest measurement for the day and current year.

The leaf wetness sensor is only available for the wireless Vantage Pro2.

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Soil Moisture

If you purchase the optional Leaf and Moisture/ Temperature sensor, the Vantage Pro2 will measure the moisture content of your soil. Soil moisture content is a measure of the water content of soil. It is measured using a vacuum technique, which estimates soil moisture from the vacuum created in the soil by the lack of moisture. Soil moisture is measured in centibars and can help in planning irrigation.

The hourly soil moisture measurement can be plotted on the console graph for the last 24 hours. The daily high and low moisture measurements can be plotted for the last 24 days.

The minimum and maximum soil moisture measurement for the day is recorded. The highest and lowest soil moisture measurement for the current month and year are also recorded. The Vantage Pro2 console can sound an alarm if the soil moisture level rises above or drops below a threshold you have set.

The soil moisture sensor is only available for the wireless Vantage Pro2.

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Highs and Lows

The Vantage Pro2 records high and low measurements for many weather conditions over 3 different periods: days, months and years. Reviewing high and low measurements lets you quickly see weather extremes across days, months and years. The high and low weather variables recorded by the Vantage Pro2 are listed in the table below.

* Only stores the yearly high for the current year
** Only stores monthly high for the current month

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Weather Alarms

No matter how interesting the weather is, you can't be watching the Vantage Pro2 weather station every minute of the day. To alert you to important and interesting weather conditions, the Vantage Pro2 features more than 30 alarms that will sound whenever a measurement exceeds or drops below a value you have set. When an alarm condition is detected, the console will sound an audible alarm and the alarm icon will blink. If the console is battery powered, the alarm will sound for a maximum of 2 minutes. If the console is powered by an AC adaptor, the alarm will sound until you cancel it, or the alarm condition no longer exists.

The alarms available are listed in the table below.

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Computer Connection

The Vantage Pro2 weather station can be connected to your computer if you purchase the optional WeatherLink® Software and data logger. The WeatherLink package provides even more powerful weather monitoring than the Vantage Pro2 weather station alone. With WeatherLink, you can create a historical weather record, analyze weather data in more detail, plot several weather variables on the same graph and publish your weather information on the Internet.

The data logger, included as part of the WeatherLink package, stores weather measurements even when your computer is turned off so you won't lose any data. The data logger fits neatly into the Vantage Pro2 weather station and connects to your computer using a usb interface.

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