ProData Weather Systems

Wi-Fi Logger

ProData Weather Systems are delighted to announce the launch of a data logger for all Davis Vue and VP2/Envoy consoles that interfaces to PCs & other computers via your WiFi network and also uploads directly to Internet weather networks.

Availability: A limited first batch of these WiFi loggers is now in stock – first come, first served! UK orders can be placed on our secure online shop. We can ship to Europe and worldwide (except N America) – please email us for a prompt Paypal quotation to include shipping. Quantity discounts (min 10 units) will be Davis VP2 and Vue available in future – please enquire.

The WiFi logger (WFL) is small (40x25mm) and completely replaces the standard Davis logger. It is compatible with all consoles running firmware v1.9 or later**. The WFL logger fits into the console socket in a similar way to the standard logger and occupies much the same space – ie it is fully contained within the standard console case. Please note that the WFL connects only via WiFi – there is no provision for a cabled data connection.

**If your console still has older firmware then updates are downloadable from the support section of the Davis website.

A key benefit with the WFL is that the console no longer needs to be close to either computer or router – the only requirement is reasonable WiFi reception at the console location.

The WiFi Logger provides five main features:

• WiFi connection to a local computer running weather station software The WFL behaves essentially like a local WeatherlinkIP logger and offers exactly the same data formats as the standard Davis logger, including real-time (LOOP and LOOP2) and archive/summary data. As a result, it should interface to any software that can connect locally to a WeatherlinkIP logger via TCP/IP – this includes CumulusMX, Weather Display, Weatherlink, Weathercat (for Mac users) and several others. (Note: Software is not supplied with the WiFi logger but should be downloaded from the main site for each program);
• Uploads to Internet weather networks WFL has the capability built-in to upload directly to weather networks such as Weather Underground, the UK Met Office WOW platform and several other networks. No other computer is required to use this feature, simply registration and username/password etc for the target network(s).
• Local viewing of current weather data direct from the WFL Any phone or tablet (or indeed any other WiFi device such as a laptop) can view a real-time text report of current weather conditions – see screenshot right – direct from the logger simply by accessing the logger’s IP address in a standard web browser;
• Full management via a web interface Accessing the IP address of the WFL in a standard web browser displays a multi-page web interface through which all functions of the logger and console can be controlled. These pages are accessed via the Setup menu visible on this screenshot;
• Extra features Further options are also built-in such as automatic synchronisation of the date/time with Internet time via the NTP protocol. And the design of the WFL platform allows continuing expansion of WFL capabilities via firmware upgrades and several new features are currently being worked on – this web page will be updated as new features become available;

Additional FAQs

How easy is the logger to set up and to use?

The logger is easy to set up and use. As with most WiFi devices, there is an extra initial setup step where the logger must first be introduced to your secure WiFi network. But once this step is done, all subsequent logger management is via its web interface and is straightforward and intuitive.

How is the logger powered?

As with the Davis IP logger, the WiFi logger can take its power from the console. However, the extra power requirement of all IP and WiFi loggers means that the console should preferably be powered via AC mains; console batteries are only recommended for short-term backup use in case of a mains outage. Connecting the mains adapter to a small PC UPS may well be a better backup approach.

WiFi range?

The logger has a built-in WiFi antenna; WiFi sensitivity/range will therefore be similar to many other WiFi devices that have an integral antenna. Performance should therefore be fine anywhere that there is a reasonable WiFi signal, but locations with only weak WiFi are probably best avoided for long-term reliability. The signal strength (RSSI) of your local WiFi signal can be seen on the WiFi Setup page of the logger’s web interface and advice on the minimum recommended RSSI is given in the WFL manual. Remember that the RSSI numbers will be negative and the larger or more negative the number, the weaker the signal. So you need to aim for a smaller or less negative RSSI value. NB There is no option to connect an external WiFi antenna.

Can the WiFi logger upload to Weatherlink.com?

If you already have a USB or IP logger with an account set up and actively in use at weatherlink.com then the WiFi logger should be able to continue uploading to the same account and using the same DID as previously.

The WiFi logger does not itself come with a suitable hardware DID for a default weatherlink.com account. There are other ways in which uploads to the Weatherlink.com platform may be possible, but all weatherlink.com uploads are likely to be at the discretion of Davis Instruments Inc and are not guaranteed.

How does the WFL compare to the Meteobridge products?

The WFL logger is distinct from both the standard Meteobridge and the Meteobridge Pro Red products. These are all great products but have rather different features & applications. We can compare them like this:

• WFL is an alternative logger that must be fitted to one of the Davis consoles. But for console + logger combinations, WFL is the only current product able to interface via WiFi to other devices and to the Internet;
• Meteobridge standard processes data from an existing Davis console + logger combination;
• Meteobridge Pro Red can receive data direct from sensor transmitters and so dispenses with any need for a console + logger (of course you can still run a standard console alongside MB Pro Red should you wish to do so);

WFL offers features comparable to the basic features in the Meteobridge products but lacks the more powerful MB scripting features and so is able to do less itself in the way of advanced data processing. For applications other than simple uploads to weather networks such as Weather Underground, WFL will typically be used in conjunction with software running on another computer whereas MB offers more of a standalone solution. Pricing of the WFL is roughly comparable to the costs of setting up a basic Meteobridge unit, while being substantially less than the MB Pro Red unit.

Users looking for basic data handling and uploads via WiFi may feel that WFL is the simpler or more cost-effective option, while power users may prefer the extra data-handling features in the MB units.

• WiFi connection to a local computer running weather station software The WFL behaves essentially like a local WeatherlinkIP logger and offers exactly the same data formats as the standard Davis logger, including real-time (LOOP and LOOP2) and archive/summary data. As a result, it should interface to any software that can connect locally to a WeatherlinkIP logger via TCP/IP – this includes CumulusMX, Weather Display, Weatherlink, Weathercat (for Mac users) and several others. (Note: Software is not supplied with the WiFi logger but should be downloaded from the main site for each program);
• Uploads to Internet weather networks WFL has the capability built-in to upload directly to weather networks such as Weather Underground, the UK Met Office WOW platform and several other networks. No other computer is required to use this feature, simply registration and username/password etc for the target network(s).