I agree that the WS-2902 is a really nice little unit. The fact that you can extend its reporting capability by purchasing the ObserverIP unit from AW (set the station type to WS-1600) and then connect the ObserverIP to a Meteobridge makes this a very versatile little unit. I had VERY high hopes for it and was a fairly early adopter once AW introduced it. I did and still do consider it a superior design to the older all-in-one station that AW still sells. I was able to tweak the calibration into a very tight margin using the MADIS QC graphs that Phillip Gladstone posts on his CWOPs site. The unit held its calibration very well. The anemometer was WAY more sensitive to low winds than the WS-1400-IP unit that preceded it. The color display was a nice touch as well.
But after having to pull it down 3 times in 6 months, I really began to question if I wanted to continue on with this unit. The WS-1400 stayed up a year without issues (causality of nearby lightning). I do think I am going to RMA the unit back to AW and get it repaired as I have a good friend that is interested in the whole PWS world, so I will pass it along.
I am not complaining about the performance of the WS-2902, but again, even on my relatively easy to lower pole, it is still a PITA to do more than once a year or so. The Davis setup will likely never require me to lower the pole as the anemometer/wind vane is the ONLY thing at the top. The rest of the station is mount at about 3 meters so I can reach it with a step ladder.
There does seem to be increasing random sensor failures being reported on the WS-2902 as the units approach 1 year in the field, but only time will tell if the station has longer term potential.
I learned a LOT about PWS stations with the AW hardware and the low entry price made it easy to justify. I don't think I would have EVER plunged into the Davis station without having first had the last 18 months with AW hardware.
But as I stated there is a trade off of reliability for the low cost on the AW hardware, at least in my experience. Still I would whole heartedly recommend the WS-2902 for someone wanting a nice, full featured starter station or someone wanting to step up from a less capable unit. But once you compare the build quality as well as the years of history on the Davis VP/VP2 stations, the Davis cost factor is a bit more palatable.
But after having to pull it down 3 times in 6 months, I really began to question if I wanted to continue on with this unit. The WS-1400 stayed up a year without issues (causality of nearby lightning). I do think I am going to RMA the unit back to AW and get it repaired as I have a good friend that is interested in the whole PWS world, so I will pass it along.
I am not complaining about the performance of the WS-2902, but again, even on my relatively easy to lower pole, it is still a PITA to do more than once a year or so. The Davis setup will likely never require me to lower the pole as the anemometer/wind vane is the ONLY thing at the top. The rest of the station is mount at about 3 meters so I can reach it with a step ladder.
There does seem to be increasing random sensor failures being reported on the WS-2902 as the units approach 1 year in the field, but only time will tell if the station has longer term potential.
I learned a LOT about PWS stations with the AW hardware and the low entry price made it easy to justify. I don't think I would have EVER plunged into the Davis station without having first had the last 18 months with AW hardware.
But as I stated there is a trade off of reliability for the low cost on the AW hardware, at least in my experience. Still I would whole heartedly recommend the WS-2902 for someone wanting a nice, full featured starter station or someone wanting to step up from a less capable unit. But once you compare the build quality as well as the years of history on the Davis VP/VP2 stations, the Davis cost factor is a bit more palatable.