Weather - Environmental - Data Options?

[Teken]

Over the years I have been able to achieve a great deal with the tight integration and power of Insteon products and the ISY Series Controller. In the past, the primary goal(s) have been to reduce my energy consumption, increase efficiency, and make the home as comfortable and enjoyable via home automation.

 

Having been able to achieve the first part of my goals using great products from Autelis, Brultech, Insteon, Universal Devices Inc.

 

The missing puzzle in my HA has been hyper local weather and environmental data which could help fine tune *Just in time* use of devices, appliances, resources.

 

Given most of us are not made of money I have always tried to find a good balance between cost vs value. Sometimes it goes with out saying you simply have to pay if you want the performance and accuracy you seek!

 

Like most I am at a point in my life where I constantly struggle between being a tight aszz and just spending my money once. Spending your money once enviably means using lots of cash to accomplish said goal.

 

With anything I do in life, work, and Home Automation (HA) I always try to ask the experts in their respective fields or those who have done it before me.

 

Ha . . .

 

The goal of this thread is a receive feed back from real world users who have deployed specific gear to help obtain hyper local weather to environmental data which integrates tightly with the ISY Series Controller.

 

I do realize some hardware device solutions do not integrate well or require other resources to make it so. So, if you have been using any sort of local weather device or environmental device which helps report temperature / humidity please do chime in and provide some details as to how this was achieved.

 

Below in no specific order are some of the hardware solutions which are on my *Wish List* and at some point in time will be purchased to help me accomplish the above. Most people who are quite serious about weather data have purchased the Davis Vantage Pro 2 Plus:

 

http://www.davisnet.com/weather/products/vantage-pro-professional-weather-stations.asp

 

It goes with out saying this device is being used by lots of serious folks in the geo weather field. While others like farmers, and just avid weather freaks also gravitate to purchasing this fantastic hardware.

 

Some of the pros is extremely accurate data which can be pushed to places like HAM, Weather Under Ground, and many more cloud hosted services. The obvious down side to this hardware is the initial sticker shock which goes for $700.XX to $1100.XX depending upon where you buy it from etc.

 

In the configuration I am interested in it would be for basic temperature, humidity, wind, rain, and the xtras like light and UV.

 

The last two is what pushes the prices up to the heady $800 - 1100.XX range.

 

The following devices I have seen in stores and also via Kick Starter which have been mentioned by a few good members like MWareman, 

 

Netatmo: https://www.netatmo.com/site

 

This device has recently come to market and offers quite a few cool features which you can see here: 

 

 

Average selling price is listed about $149.99 to $199.99 depending upon where you shop etc. This device has an extremely clean look and feel and is very small. It in no ways provides the same wealth of data as the Davis system as its in a completely different field and price point.

 

But for those looking for temperature, humidity, light, sound, CO, monitoring. This device is pretty cool in what it can do and provide. Some of the things I like is having the ability to see other geo locations which provides a bigger picture of places in the same geo location as you or further.

 

The system has an extremely clean UI and notification which just oozes that Apple like fit and finish and use.

 

This device also has a wireless water measuring meter along with having the ability to add extra sensors around the home etc. It should be noted once you start to add up the extra modules you will soon find yourself near the price point of a cheaper Davis unit.

 

I have considered buying one of these devices as a stop gap but haven't pushed the button yet because that *Buy it once* guy in the back of my head keeps yelling!

 

Yet the *Cheap Aszz* guy voice in my head yells a lot louder LOL . . .

 

 

BloomSky: https://www.bloomsky.com/

 

Next on the hit list is a KS product that is in the middle of coming to market: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/907431954/bloomsky-snapshot-of-your-weather

 

This device on the surface has lots of potential and offers local imaging. I think it would be pretty cool to be able to share images / snap shots of the local sky etc. This is more of a fad feature opposed to being something actually useful in my mind.

 

But hey that's whats great about life its about having choices . . .

 

Based on KS feed back this device only advises a person of rain not how much rain. So if this device was cheaper I might have considered it as a for runner in my application. 

 

 

Ambient Weather: http://www.ambientweather.com/

 

Here is a good break down of the device I have seen and reviewed: 

 

Here are some of the models that already include the meteor bridge: http://www.ambientweather.com/weatherbridge.html

 

 

AcuRite: http://www.acurite.com/

 

Here is a good break down of the one device I have seen and considered for review: 

 

 

Oregon Scientific: http://store.oregonscientific.com/us/weather-stations.html

 

 

Meteor Bridge:

 

This great little device acts like a bridge to help push some of these weather stations to the cloud using this: http://meteobridge.com/wiki/index.php/Home

 

This information was provided by our forum member: 

cmccartney That link was provided here in this forum thread discussion: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/14851-bloomsky/?hl=%2Bweather+%2Bstation&do=findComment&comment=125202

 

 

Reviews & Resources: The following are just some random links I found about various weather stations. I have no first hand knowledge about how they operate or how accurately they are. I am simply offering a few resources so people can quickly read over what is on the market to day.

 

Should you find more relevant links or resources please do share them. 

 

http://top10bestpro.com/top-10-best-wireless-weather-stations/

 

http://www.wired.com/2015/03/put-4-home-weather-stations-test/

 

http://weather-stations-review.toptenreviews.com/

Edited August 11, 2015 by Teken

[MWareman]

Good summary! Thanks. Been considering this myself, and think I'll end up going with the Davis, mostly because I'm a weather geek....

 

Following though to see if others have great ideas!

[Teken]

Good summary! Thanks. Been considering this myself, and think I'll end up going with the Davis, mostly because I'm a weather geek....

 

Following though to see if others have great ideas!

 

Hello Michael,

 

My plans are in the next few weeks unless others beat me to it is to try to reference all of the UDI threads which pertain to weather, temperature, humidity, environmental monitoring.

 

I currently have about $1400.XX in Best Buy gift certificates and really wish I could have used them for a Davis weather system. But sadly that won't be on the menu I suppose so will redirect those funds toward some new gear.

 

If the Netatmo system ever goes on sale I might consider using this as a stop gap until I can purchase the Davis system sometime later this year.

 

Eager to read what others are using and (IF) they had any success in integrating either weather data or environmental data with the ISY Series Controller.

 

It goes with out saying the Autelis Bridge, Web Control, and RPi 2 are great solutions to help monitor temperature, humidity, and moisture for soil conditions.

Edited August 12, 2015 by Teken

[Scyto]

I have the acurite system, it works, the software is a pain, in the end i got the version of SW from the folks who make the base acurite software, but i walked away as the guy doing the software is one objectionable individual.  Just got a netatmo today... happy to keep you posted if you like...?

Edited September 28, 2015 by Scyto

[Jimbo.Automates]

I would be interested.

[Teken]

I have the acurite system, it works, the software is a pain, in the end i got the version of SW from the folks who make the base acurite software, but i walked away as the guy doing the software is one objectionable individual. Just got a netatmo today... happy to keep you posted if you like...?

Anything you have to share with the group would be greatly appreciated. ️

 

 

Ideals are peaceful - History is violent

[BeBee]

Recently I’ve been using SwitchDoc Labs – WeatherRack ( http://amzn.to/1jbJpqz )and WeatherPiArduino board ( http://amzn.to/1LnPU0b )  A decent device with all the necessary sensors - Wind Speed / Wind Direction / Rainfall / Temp. It is a super good starts kit for any HA/Weather enthusiast. Also comes with open source software for Arduino and Raspberry Pi which makes interfacing much easier. Been under $100 is another plus.

 

I also own an AcuRite weather station (actually I reviewed some their models http://www.nwclimate.org/reviews/comparison-digital-acurite-weather-stations/) which I use for my Weather underground page.

 

The next one I am buying is the Davis Vantage Pro2.

Edited October 8, 2015 by BeBee

[Teken]

Recently I’ve been using SwitchDoc Labs – WeatherRack ( http://amzn.to/1jbJpqz )and WeatherPiArduino board ( http://amzn.to/1LnPU0b )  A decent device with all the necessary sensors - Wind Speed / Wind Direction / Rainfall / Temp. It is a super good starts kit for any HA/Weather enthusiast. Also comes with open source software for Arduino and Raspberry Pi which makes interfacing much easier. Been under $100 is another plus.

 

I also own an AcuRite weather station (actually I reviewed some their models http://www.nwclimate.org/reviews/comparison-digital-acurite-weather-stations/) which I use for my Weather underground page.

 

The next one I am buying is the Davis Vantage Pro2.

 

Oh . . .

 

Let me take a look at this!

 

Thank You!

[jsmith6]

I have the acurite system, it works, the software is a pain, in the end i got the version of SW from the folks who make the base acurite software, but i walked away as the guy doing the software is one objectionable individual.  Just got a netatmo today... happy to keep you posted if you like...?

 

Dear Scyto, I'm interested in your experience with the netatmo. I just got one myself, and would like to integrate it with my ISY994i. Do you have any updates?

 

Best,

 

James

[builderb]

Curious if anyone has gotten the Eve sensors integrated with the ISY. For $50, an exterior temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure device is cheap, but the documentation doesn't say anything about using something other than their apps to access/view your data.

Edited April 5, 2016 by builderb

[Teken]

Curious if anyone has gotten the Eve sensors integrated with the ISY. For $50, an exterior temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure device is cheap, but the documentation doesn't say anything about using something other than their apps to access/view your data.

 

Interested to hear the same also.

 

Since I first created this environmental weather thread my thoughts and findings are there are lots of hardware on the market. But many of them fail in the most basic category which I believe is basic 101:

 

Which is accuracy of the data - given its 2016 I find that extremely sad and frustrating given the massive amounts of technology we have at hand.

 

Several large chip makers have released extremely cheap, small, and multi purpose IC's which are very accurate. Yet we see one of the following scenarios.

 

Either we see cheap devices with no accuracy - or we see decent accuracy with extremely high prices WTF ?!?! Sometimes I wonder if I won the lottery how I would turn this specific market upside down and produce my very own device which offered great value, accuracy, and open concept for all to integrate with.

 

Quite sad really . . .

[builderb]

Interested to hear the same also.

 

Since I first created this environmental weather thread my thoughts and findings are there are lots of hardware on the market. But many of them fail in the most basic category which I believe is basic 101:

 

Which is accuracy of the data - given its 2016 I find that extremely sad and frustrating given the massive amounts of technology we have at hand.

 

Several large chip makers have released extremely cheap, small, and multi purpose IC's which are very accurate. Yet we see one of the following scenarios.

 

Either we see cheap devices with no accuracy - or we see decent accuracy with extremely high prices WTF ?!?! Sometimes I wonder if I won the lottery how I would turn this specific market upside down and produce my very own device which offered great value, accuracy, and open concept for all to integrate with.

 

Quite sad really . . .

Cost and quality do often go hand-in-hand, but not always. The $1 1-wire temperature sensors are quite accurate.

 

I have no reason to doubt the quality or accuracy of the Eve devices, they just don't seem very open for tinkerers.

[Teken]

Cost and quality do often go hand-in-hand, but not always. The $1 1-wire temperature sensors are quite accurate.

 

I have no reason to doubt the quality or accuracy of the Eve devices, they just don't seem very open for tinkerers.

 

Yes, this is why I went forward with a Autelis Bridge 1 wire hardware solution for extreme temperature monitoring and placement. Along with the simple fact I never had to worry about long term costs for batteries.

 

With respect to the Eve device what are the specs for this particular unit? Meaning for example what is the range of measurement and what is the tolerances?

 

I personally don't think I could accept anything less than -55 to +125'C with a resolution of 0.1 / 0.5. I often see humidity from various vendors indicating +/- 2 to10% and quite a restricted range of 40 - 85 RH. 

 

Will take a look at the Eve and see what they spec it out to be . . .

[builderb]

Not sure why you'd need to know if the weather outside is above 100 C. Seems like reliable data is the least of your concerns at that point.

 

Eve does -18 to 55 C though.

 

https://www.elgato.com/en/eve/eve-weather

[Teken]

After looking over the specifications for the Eve product line there are too many limitations for me. First this is a BLE product which requires a Apple TV for remote access and control. The device is intended as local access with Apple products which is fine for me but obviously not for others sporting Android.

 

As you noted there isn't a easy open source method to integrate with this device. Since its Apple Home Kit certified it does indicate if you had the skill set you could integrate with said product.

 

You are also correct (IF) it was 100'C I would have bigger problems to worry about!

 

LOL . . .

 

My previous reply was to offer insight about how well the 1 wire sensors are capable of being inserted and placed in extreme conditions. I have many of them inserted in the attic, soil, water pipes, and HVAC, etc.

 

Placing one of these sensors in the attic would kill the electronics and the battery in short order. For normal weather monitoring it would be a great solution as its very clean looking and based on the specs its decent for its price range. Based on the video's and screen captures it appears on the surface they have some decent data tracking.

 

But for just two of these devices I could have already bought an Autelis Bridge and be able to monitor temp / humidity with no more long term costs etc.

 

The only down side is it requires running wires through out the property and home. The ability to mount a remote device free of wires is a huge deal for many of us as I am sure it is for you.

 

But, given the above for me its a none starter mostly because its a BLE connected device.

[builderb]

Absolutely, this is not an industrial-quality product. For attics or ovens or what have you, there are better (and costlier) solutions. I am curious because $50 and a nail to hang it on is a good price, and because you don't often see these three sensors packaged together outside of high-end gear.

 

I'm leaning towards the Davis myself. My thought was that I would get the basic fan-aspirated sensor suite, then add the light intensity sensors later. As you note, those add ~$400-$500 to the cost of the unit.

 

Ideally I have a Davis unit on the property, likely away from the house and up on a pole, and something like the Eve unit that I can place somewhere on each face of the house.

[Teken]

Absolutely, this is not an industrial-quality product. For attics or ovens or what have you, there are better (and costlier) solutions. I am curious because $50 and a nail to hang it on is a good price, and because you don't often see these three sensors packaged together outside of high-end gear.

 

I'm leaning towards the Davis myself. My thought was that I would get the basic fan-aspirated sensor suite, then add the light intensity sensors later. As you note, those add ~$400-$500 to the cost of the unit.

 

Ideally I have a Davis unit on the property, likely away from the house and up on a pole, and something like the Eve unit that I can place somewhere on each face of the house.

 

My take is like yours which is a using a multi prong and multi price point device that suites the realistic needs of the end user. For me I guess because in the past I wasted so much money on toy like devices for that immediate gratification. Only to find out that gratification came with huge limitations or didn't actually offer the insight I wanted from the on set.

 

You know what they say about getting older - you at some point get wiser.

 

Maybe in my old age I've just come to the point where I no longer want a stop gap solution and hate wasting money on something I know won't make me happy.

 

Having said this the Eve product does offer lots of advantages and features for a simple pound a nail in the wall!

 

On related news: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/18217-netatmo-weather-stations/