Weather Station Comparisons
All weather stations are not the same, so compare them before you buy. To make the best choice of a personal weather station, you need the facts, and the facts show that WeatherHawk® is your best value. This chart will help you compare WeatherHawk to similar products.
Use caution with these comparisons because it is difficult to relate specifications without knowing the test environment. Some companies specify their systems based on testing under controlled conditions, while other companies (WeatherHawk included) use specifications derived from testing in the outdoor (real world) environment (when practical). Ask before you buy because we all know that the "real world" can be hard on equipment.
Note: Data below was obtained from publicly available sources and is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Any errors are unintentional. If there are errors we request documented corrections to assure accuracy in the below comparisons.
| Specifications |
WEATHERHAWK® |
Onset HOBO® |
WeatherBug® |
| Wind Speed |
0-210 mph 1.75 mph Field Proven at 95 mph Hurricane Charley (Aug '2004) |
0-99 mph |
0-200 mph |
| Wind Direction |
Vane Sensor |
Vane Sensor |
Vane Sensor |
| Barometric Pressure |
150-1150
mbar |
660-1070 mbar |
592-1084 mbar |
| Air Temperature |
-40º
to +150ºF +/-0.32ºF (interch'g'bility) |
-40º to +167ºF (interch'g'bility not stated) |
-40º to+140ºF |
| Relative Humidity |
0-100% RH |
0-100% RH |
0-100% RH |
| Solar Radiation Note: Solar radiation can measure higher than 1000 W/m² due to reflection from high clouds. |
0-2000
W/m² |
0-1280 W/m² |
Light sensor, not a pyranometer, uncalibrated values |
| Rainfall Note: (a) Specifications are for standard sensors. Optional high accuracy rainfall sensor (0.01" resolution w/ 5"/Hr), and heated rain gauges are available for WeatherHawk. |
0.04" resolution (a) 0-3 "/Hr Maxrate
|
0.01"resolution 0-5 "/Hr Maxrate
|
0.01" res. 1"/Hr Maxrate Self-emptying bucket |
| Features |
|
|
|
| Standard Wireless Communication (Spread Spectrum Radios) |
Yes MaxStream Industrial grade radios |
Yes MaxStream Industrial grade radios |
Not available, direct wire to Host PC, requires protection from lightning hazard. |
| Long Range Radio Option. WeatherHawk uses either a YAGI, or base station Omni, or both high gain antennas based on the application. Call for advice. |
Yes, up to 7 miles for 900 MHz systems, up to 3.5 miles 2.4 GHz systems Radio range field tested by WeatherHawk |
Yes, up to 5 miles 900 MHz systems, no 2.4 GHz system available. |
Not available |
| MAC and Windows Display software NOTE: WeatherHawk-X/XP (MAC & PC) are both multi-lingual. |
Yes 1. WeatherHawk-XP/X™ (dual OS) 4. Visual Weather Station 5. LoggerNet |
Yes 1. BoxCar® |
Yes 1.AirWatch™ 2.WeatherBug® |
| Multiple User Software License |
All WeatherHawk software is licensed to the weather station, so any number of computers can run the software that communicates with a particular weather station. No "site" or multiple user licenses are required. |
Single user software licenses only. |
Yes, multiple user or site license is required at additional cost. |
| WeatherVoice™ option for phone modem support WeatherTalk™ module |
Yes, dialup voice over a standard phone. Yes, broadcast weather direct from the weather station. |
No voice, only data downloads with proprietary modem/software combination ($595 option) |
Not available |
| Internet Enabled |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| User Customized Display |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Pre-configured / assembled system |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Conformal anti-moisture coatings |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Waterproof Connectors |
Yes |
Not advertized |
No |
| On-going Operation / Ownership Fees |
None |
None |
Can be $300-to-$1000 per year |
| GLOBE Approved |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Standard software 3rd party weather Network enabled |
Yes |
No |
No |
Citizens Weather Observer Network (CWOP) enabled |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Tripod w/guy wire, stake and grounding kit options Low profile roofmount kits |
Yes
Yes |
Yes
No |
Yes
No |
| Primary Power |
Power unlimited using battery recharged by solar panel |
Power limited by disposable batteries, solar not available |
External AC power required |
| System Price as listed above (US$) |
$1,669 direct connect W'Hawk 232 (not wireless) $2,152 in basic wireless configuration ~$2,998 w/High gain antennas |
$1,983
matching a W'Hawk 232 ~$3,900 in basic wireless configuration ~$4,170 with high gain antenna USE THIS LINK if you have a $4,000+ budget for a professional scientific grade weather station. |
$4,425 USE THIS LINK if you have a $4,000+ budget for a professional scientific grade weather station. |
| Installation Fee |
User
installed |
User installed |
Professional suggested. Typical Fee $800-1,500 |
| WebCam Interface |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Data Source(s) |
Published Data Company Website |
Onset® Catalog #20 and Company website |
Unsolicited Quotation, System Manual, and Company Website |
Now that you have compared competitive products, consider the different WeatherHawk versions, then pick your options at the WeatherHawk Store.
WeatherHawk is a Registered Trademarks, and WeatherTalk, WeatherHawk-X and WeatherHawk-XP are Trademarks of Campbell Scientific, Inc.
HOBO, BOXCAR and BOXCAR PRO are Registered Trademarks of the Onset Computer Corp, Bourne, MA USA
VIRTUAL WEATHER STATION and WEATHERVOICE are Trademarks of Ambient LLC, Chandler, AZ USA
AirWatch is a Trademark of Automated Weather Source, Inc, and WEATHERBUG is a Registered Trademark of AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD USA
815 West 1800 North, Logan, Utah 84321 USA ©Copyright 2003, 2004