Davis Vantage Pro (2) ---> hookup to computer

Hardware Weather Station Equipment
1

I have a Lacrosse 2310 and just bought a new Davis Vantage Pro 2 as a replacement. (I wanted faster wind times because I was missing the gusts) :smiley: Anyway, after buying the system I now need to purchase an Anemometer Transmitter Kit so I can hookup the anemometer away from the ISS. Ok, more $. Also want another temp sensorā€¦ more $$$.

My question is this. How does one hook this up to the computer so I can use Weatherdisplay like I am currently doing with the 2310? Let me guessā€¦ more $$$? If so can someone point me to the correct part #. Remember, this is the Pro 2 so the sensors are all different. Btw, whatever part I need, how does it hookup? I see no ports on the console at all.

Thanks,
Robert

2

Ok, answering my own question. I found the necessary part http://www.davisnet.com/weather/products/weather_product.asp?pnum=6510SER

Uggh, more $ like I figured. Why oh why did I upgrade. :wink: All to go from reading the wind every 8 seconds to 2

3

Ok, another new question. Iā€™m going to purchase the Weatherlink tomorrow but do I get the serial port or usb port? I was going to get the USB version but looking at the setup in Weather Display it appears I can only pick COM ports.

6510usb or 6510Ser

Any confirmation?

Thanks.

4

I would get the serial, itā€™s easier to use a long cable to the PC. Also, so far as I know, Brian hasnā€™t had a chance to work on the USB yet.

5

Hi
i am assuming that the USB is actualy a USB to serial
and that davis will have some drivers that set that up
and then you will just need to set the com port number that that USB to serial port is

that is what I am assuming

6

I think you are correct. I just installed the 5.5.1 weatherlink software (not connected to anything) and it only has com port (up to 10) selection, nothing directly for USB, and the help for USB refers to it as a com port. If I can find my usb/serial adaptor Iā€™ll hook that up later and see what happens.

7

I 'm going on a limb on this one, but from what I hear is that the newer computers are sans floppy disk and serial port. Maybe the USB driver is to take care of that problem. I did read that the new weatherlink software was to have usb drivers included for their unit. So instead of just getting the Weatherlink for PC ( or mac) one has to specifiy if for usb as well or serial. so the update might not have the correct driver.

8

Iā€™ll buy the serial option since going USB really doesnā€™t mean much imho. It will go on my current laptop which I will setup near the console.

Thanks everyone.

9

[quote author=aardvark link=topic=6517.msg43326#msg43326 date=1102387627] I did read that the new weatherlink software was to have usb drivers included for their unit. So instead of just getting the Weatherlink for PC ( or mac)

10

Thatā€™s a growing trend. However, I think youā€™ll be able to buy USB ā†’ serial converters for many years to come.

11

So nikoshepherd, you have the USB version of the Weatherlink and use that with Windys WeatherDisplay software? That is my main concernā€¦ but if there are usb/serial converters which will work also maybe Iā€™ll get the USB version. Hmm, decisionsā€¦

12

There are USB to serial converters, but Iā€™ve never seen a serial to USB converter (serial would be too slow for USB data). So if the VP2 data logger has a real USB connection (and isnā€™t using a USB to serial connector of itā€™s own) then you may not be able to use it with software that can only talk to serial ports.

13

[quote author=Robert link=topic=6517.msg43371#msg43371 date=1102416669]
So nikoshepherd, you have the USB version of the Weatherlink and use that with Windys WeatherDisplay software?

14

So far as I can tell they have added a generic USB/Serial adaptor chip, CP2101, into the serial output weatherlink hardware. The driver appears to be the regular driver for a USB to Serial adaptor, and the latest version of weatherlink software appears to expect to see the USB device showing up as a serial port.

I donā€™t know which end to start from when deciding to call it serial to USB, or USB to serial :?

15

Why cause a problem if I dont have to. Iā€™m going to order the serial version since I know that will work with Windy/Brianā€™s software propertly. Thanks.

16

[quote author=Robert link=topic=6517.msg43304#msg43304 date=1102376295]
I have a Lacrosse 2310 and just bought a new Davis Vantage Pro 2 as a replacement.

17

Is that the time limited trial version, or a registerable version of WD?

18

I got one of these Bluewave loggers (well I actually have two but thatā€™s another story) and it came with the time limited trial WD. I gather from Brian that they should be including the APRSLite version, at least in the UK as there is another dealer who is the exclusive distributor for the UK. Also according to the Bluewave website they cannot sell their logger (or any other of their own accessories) to the USA.

19

shame the logger and accesories can not be sold to the USAā€¦must be for legal reasons ?

20

I presume, at least with the wireless kit theyā€™re selling, that itā€™s because they donā€™t wish to or canā€™t afford to go through the lengthy and expensive ā€œtype acceptanceā€ process with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Frankly, I was surprised to hear Blue Wave announce that theyā€™re fully approved in the UK and EU; I always thought the CE and R&TTE compliance/certification process was just as bad as the FCCā€™s, if not worse.