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This article was taken from the September 2012 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Wired keeps an eye on the weather.
How we tested
Wired's amateur meteorologist, Duncan Geere, used four stations to measure the weather over a month, comparing their reports to the Meteorolgical Office's. With the systems clamped to the office roof, he took readings from the wireless displays on his desk.
Davis Vantage Vue
The Vantage Vue was by far the most expensive system we tested -- but was also easiest to set up thanks to its all-in-one construction. The anemometer, rain gauge, weathervane, thermometer, barometer and hygrometer are all integrated into a single solar-powered unit, which simply requires mounting on a sturdy pole. The console is powerful but easy to use, and the accompanying software can automatically upload data to the web. It even includes astronomical data, such as meteor showers.
Wired: All-in-one unit
Tired: Expensive
9/10
£300
Oregon Scientific Complete Home Weather Station
This was tough to set up, requiring multiple attempts to establish connectivity. Once installed, however, its thermometer, anemometer and rain gauge all sent reliable data to the wireless console. It's possible to attach a UV sensor or a floating water-temperature sensor. Build quality is solid and the console is simple to read, but a lack of computer connectivity means that logging your collected data has to be done manually.
Wired: Modular extras available
Tired: No connectivity
4/10
£100
Maplin Gadget Wireless Weather Forecaster
This was the only one to come with a touchscreen console, but this proved more of a curse than a blessing. Thoroughly unintuitive, it emits an irritating beep when you press the resistive display. The thermometer is made out of dark plastic which could absorb solar energy and cause erroneous readings on sunny days. Difficult to recommend.
Wired: Touch screen
Tired: Unintuitive interface
6/10
£125
Weather Shop Complete Weather Station
The blocky build and beige plastic won't win awards, but this spews out an impressive range of data. Temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed and rainfall are recorded and displayed on the wireless console. We were disappointed by the build and the potential for sunlight to affect temperature -- a problem that would be nixed by a Stevenson screen.
Wired: Data variety
Tired: Poor build
6/10
£100
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
