Weather stations are vital to supply up-to-date data on the weather conditions of any area. A leader in this field is Davis weather station who manufactures the Vantage Vue and the Vantage Pro 2.
Davis Instruments produce weather stations which are high in quality and designed for commercial use or residential homes. They provide reliable and constantly evolving monitoring instruments for weather tracking and environmental systems data. Moreover, the Davis Weather Station has measured the highest wind speed ever recorded.
Here is a view of the Two Davis Weather Stations
Last update on 2024-04-20
Davis weather stations are the market leaders as of now and manage to remain at the top despite other weather station brands. Their two well-known models are Davis Vantage Pro 2 and Davis Vantage Vue . Both are similar, but they do come with certain differences in terms of resolution, transmission range and accuracy. Each of the models has their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
This article will compare the two and discuss the advantages of each. It also includes a comparison of the specifications and talks about other weather station accessories that you might wish to include. Lastly, we give you our verdict, but you may come up with a different one based on your preferences.
Comparison of Davis Weather Stations
Last update on 2024-04-20
Differences Between The Vantage Pro 2 and Vantage Vue Weather Station
The major difference between the two Davis Weather Stations is with regards to their sensor suite. The Vantage Pro 2 has an anemometer and wind vane, while the Vantage Vue consists of single housed sensors.
The sensor for Vantage Vue measures outside temperature, speed, wind direction, and rain and transmits the data wirelessly to the console inside. While it comes with a battery, it can also run on solar power. Further, the console displays indoor and outdoor readings and can also display graphs, dates, moon phase, and weather forecasts. In addition, you can also set an alarm to alert you if the temperature exceeds certain limits.
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A Vantage Vue weather station cannot have additional sensors added to it for expandability. The app can replace its desktop console, but the console itself is useful with its glow-in-the-dark buttons. However, you will need to install a battery, but if you have enough solar power in your area, the station will charge on its own.
The Vantage Pro 2, however, can have additional sensors connected to it for humidity, soil moisture, and leaf wetness. This makes it more useful for farming and/or growing applications. Thus, it is a pro-grade sensor and has a higher quality. It too is connected wirelessly to the console and the console displays almost all of the same things as the Vantage Vue.
You need about 30 minutes to set up Vantage Vue and about 45 minutes to an hour for Vantage Pro 2. However, both come with clear instructions that are easy to follow.
Vantage Pro 2, however, does come in certain packages, some including additional sensors, WeatherLink Live or AirLink:
| Package | Features |
|---|---|
Bundle 1: Vantage Pro 2 Weather Station with WeatherLink Live | The cheapest bundle with connection to the internet |
Bundle 2: Vantage Pro 2 Weather Station with WeatherLink Live and Console | Same as bundle 1 but includes a console as well |
Bundle 3: Vantage Pro 2 Weather Station with WeatherLink Live, AirLink Sensor | Great for those who want to monitor air quality |
Bundle 4: Vantage Pro 2 Weather Station with 24-hr Fan Aspirated Shield, LCD, and Console | Comes with a 24-hr fan aspirated radiation shield for more accurate temperature and humidity readings |
Bundle 5: Vantage Pro 2 Weather Station, UV sensor, 24-hr Fan Aspirated Radiation Shield, and Solar Radiation Sensor | Includes sensors for UV rays and solar power |
Bundle 6: WeatherLink Live Unit | You will need to purchase this separately for Bundle 4 and 5 |
Advantages of Vantage Vue Weather Station
- Since Vantage Vue has a single housed sensor, it is easier to install and takes up less space
- The price is cheaper, but the sensor itself has the same functionality as Vantage Pro 2
Advantages of Vantage Pro 2 Weather Station
- Its ability to add additional sensors makes it a must-have for some
- It also comes with solar and UV radiation sensors
- You can opt for a superior radiation shield that comes with a fan and results in more accurate temperature readings
- The anemometer and wind vane also provide more accurate readings
- Market leader in terms of its accuracy
Who Should Buy A Davis Vantage Vue
If you are looking for a weather station for casual use then the Vantage Vue is a feasible option. Despite its small size, it gives accurate and precise weather readings.
Who Should Buy A Davis Vantage Pro 2
Professionals in this field, looking to buy a weather station for commercial use should consider buying the Vantage Pro 2. Its accuracy is stronger compared to the Vantage Vue and other consumer weather stations. Moreover, the ability to add additional sensors for humidity, temperature or moisture is essential for environmental monitoring or agriculture. In addition, the leaf and soil wetness sensors are extremely beneficial for gardening.
Connecting Davis Weather Station to the Internet
For you to connect your Davis weather station to the internet you need an additional device called the WeatherLink Live. It increases the communication abilities of both models.
Before WeatherLink Live was available, one had to purchase an ethernet dongle, which was not only expensive but also outdated now. Moreover, the new additional sensors can connect to WeatherLink Live directly. You will also need to download its app to keep track of live updates.
The WeatherLink Live cannot, however, act as an Alexa device – unlike other competitor weather stations. It is also not cheap and costs almost as much as an ethernet dongle. However, new sensors are compatible with WeatherLink Live and so they are constantly upgrading the device’s capabilities. WeatherLink Live allows you to catch live updates about the weather which is crucial to some businesses.
Additional Devices by Davis Weather Station Instruments
Davis Instruments also recently launched an air quality monitor called the AirLink. It is part of their “next-generation” series of weather instruments. If you have the Davis Weather Station and a WeatherLink Live device then investing in the AirLink is also a good idea. With the help of WeatherLink Live, it connects to the weather station and can measure particulate matter such as PM1, PM2.5, and PM10.
It has an accuracy of 0.3 micrometers (+/- 10) per cubic meter. An AirLink device can be used as a stand-alone sensor but can also be connected to the Davis weather station along with other sensors.
FAQs For Davis Weather Station
Q. Do Davis Weather Stations connect to the internet?
While both the Vantage Pro 2 and the Vantage Vue can connect to the internet, they require an additional device, “WeatherLink Live”. Davis also offers special packages that include WeatherLink Live.
Moreover, it can be connected to Amazon Alexa, but the Davis Weather Station cannot control other aspects of the smart home system.
Q. Is it possible to connect the Davis Weather Station to Weather Underground?
If you have a WeatherLink Live connected to the station, it is possible. First, you need to create an account on Weather Underground and then link the station from WeatherLink Live’s settings.
Q. What are the alternatives to Davis Weather Station?
While Davis weather stations are the most popular weather stations in the market, other alternatives do exist. Ambient weather stations are also popular these days.
Q. Do the accuracies of Vantage Vue and Vantage Pro 2 differ?
There is no major difference in their accuracies, however, a factor that will affect accuracy is where you place the Davis weather station. If the anemometer of Vantage Pro 2 is placed at a higher location while the sensors are at ground level, then accuracy for wind speed increases a little.
Final Verdict
The Vantage Pro 2 is quite an expensive weather station but has better capabilities and is more reliable overall. On the other hand, Vantage Vue works well for a weather station and the accuracy is good. However, its lack of support for additional sensors makes it a more basic weather station. It is also more reasonably priced and is recommended for casual consumers as opposed to professional use.
The Vantage Pro 2 would be considered 5 stars were it not for its connectivity options to smart home systems. Moreover, weather enthusiasts should opt for this model given its durability, reliability, and accuracy.
For people looking for a cheaper price point, the Vantage Vue would be better. That being said, both the Davis Weather Stations can be connected to the internet through WeatherLink Live and to the AirLink Live for air quality monitoring. Depending on your requirements and needs you should opt for the one that is more tailored to you.
If neither of these weather stations suited your needs, try these other articles from our site.
The Best Solar-Powered Weather Stations: 2021 Buying Guide
Weather Stations With Lightning Detectors: Top Picks & Prices
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