Davis weather station offers
Current bundle pricing and offers across the Davis Instruments range. Davis stations are bought to be installed once and left alone, so the saving that matters is usually on a complete station and console combination rather than on a single component.
For the full range including sensors, consoles, dataloggers and spares, see Davis Instruments and the Davis WeatherLink range.
Vantage Vue or Vantage Pro2
Almost every Davis decision comes down to this choice, and it is a question of siting rather than accuracy.
The Vantage Vue puts every sensor into one compact integrated housing. It is quick to install, needs one mounting point, and measures temperature, humidity, pressure, rainfall and wind speed and direction. The compromise is that all sensors have to share the same position, so the anemometer height and the temperature sensor's shade are the same decision.
The Vantage Pro2 separates the anemometer from the main sensor suite, with up to 12 metres of cable as standard and more available. That means you can put the wind sensor high and clear on a pole or chimney while keeping the temperature and rainfall sensors at a sensible height for servicing. If your site has trees, a tall building nearby, or an obvious best place for wind that is not the best place for everything else, the Pro2 is the right answer.
Radiation shields and temperature accuracy
Davis offers passive and fan-aspirated radiation shields, and the difference shows up in bright, still conditions. A passive shield relies on natural airflow between its plates, and on a hot calm day it can read a degree or more above true air temperature. A fan-aspirated shield draws air through continuously and largely removes that error.
The Vantage Pro2 with standard radiation shield and WeatherLink Console is the standard specification. The Vantage Pro2 with 24-hour fan aspirated shield upgrades that, and the Vantage Pro2 Plus with 24-hour fan aspirated shield combines it with UV and solar radiation measurement — the most accurate configuration Davis builds for a private site.
UV and solar radiation
The Plus designation means UV and solar radiation sensors are fitted. These matter if you are calculating evapotranspiration for irrigation, monitoring growing conditions, or contributing data to a network that expects them. For general home use they are an interesting extra rather than a necessity. The Vantage Pro2 Plus with UV and solar radiation sensors and WeatherLink Console is the standard Plus configuration.
Console or WeatherLink Live
Davis stations need something to receive and display the sensor data, and there are two routes.
The WeatherLink Console is a colour touchscreen that sits indoors, shows your data and connects to the internet. Choose it if you want to read the weather in the room. The Vantage Vue with WeatherLink Console is the most popular complete station we sell.
WeatherLink Live is a small network device with no screen. It takes the sensor data straight to the WeatherLink cloud service and your phone. Choose it if you will read your weather on a device rather than a console, or if the station is at a property you are not always at. The Vantage Vue sensors with WeatherLink Live bundle and the Vantage Pro2 sensor suite with WeatherLink Live bundle are the two configurations.
If you would rather have the sensor suite on its own to pair with equipment you already own, the Vantage Vue 6250UK is the standalone station.
Data plans and software
Basic WeatherLink cloud access is included. Paid plans add longer history retention, faster upload intervals, more detailed export and API access, which matters if you are archiving data or feeding it into something else. Plans and desktop software are listed under weather software and subscriptions.
Installing a Davis station
Davis equipment rewards careful installation more than most. Get the anemometer well clear of turbulence, keep the rain gauge level and away from overhanging branches and gutters, and give the temperature sensor shade and airflow. Mounting poles, tripods and shelters are in mounting poles and tripods, and sensors, spares and replacement parts are in sensors, spares and accessories.
We have supplied and supported Davis equipment in the UK for over twenty years. If you are unsure which configuration suits your site, call 01243 558280 before ordering — it is a far cheaper conversation than a return.