Data logging specialist Signatrol is introducing its Vantage Pro2 professional weather station, designed to provide accurate and reliable weather data in a diverse range of applications
The Vantage Pro2 professional weather station, a comprehensive instrument, is fully self-contained and works 'straight out of the box'.
The Vantage Pro2, which is available in both wireless and cabled versions, consists of a console with a large easy-to-read LCD showing all measured parameters and a separate integrated sensor suite (ISS).
The innovative ISS combines the rain collector, temperature and relative humidity sensors, wind speed anemometer and wind direction sensor all in one package.
The ISS can be mounted on the optional pole or on a flat surface such as a fence post.
In order to measure realistic wind speeds, the wind speed and wind direction sensors can be mounted up to 12m away from the ISS either via a cable or optional wireless module.
The ISS runs on solar power during the day with a lithium battery providing backup through the night or on cloudy days.
The wireless Vantage Pro2 can transmit and receive data at distances up to 300m line of sight and Signatrol claims that this is the first and only weather station in its price range to use FHSS (frequency hopping spread spectrum) radio technology, which significantly reduces problems from unwanted interference.
The console display updates every 2.5 seconds, ensuring the user is always in tune with changing weather patterns.
Quick view icons show the forecast at a glance, predicting sunny, partly sunny, cloudy, rain or snow conditions, while a moving ticker-tape display gives more details.
The console is powered using the provided AC power adaptor and will also run on three C size batteries.
The rain collector uses a self emptying plated aluminium tipping bucket which is corrosion resistant and laser calibrated for exceptional accuracy.
This can be configured to measure in metric or imperial units and meets the World Meteorological Organisation guidelines, measuring rainfall in 0.2mm or 0.01inch increments.
Rate of rainfall is also recorded.
The temperature and relative humidity sensors are mounted below the rain collector inside a radiation shield, protecting them from solar radiation and other sources of radiated or reflected heat.
The station's optional WeatherLink software brings an exciting array of capabilities, displaying comprehensive data in a wide range of formats including on-screen graphing, hi-lo records and trending.
It is also possible to initiate automated internet uploads to a dedicated web page via an ADSL or broadband connection.
The console has an expansion port that allows a data logger module to be plugged in.
Available in both USB and nine- pin serial variants, the data logging module stores all readings until they are downloaded to a computer using the WeatherLink software.
Up to 70 alarm functions can be set including high and low temperature and humidity; rainfall and rain rate; wind speed, direction and chill measurement warnings and alarms.
Additional sensors can be added to measure parameters including UV and solar radiation, evapo-transpiration and soil moisture content.
