I have read all of the Lightning/2000 OR Nexstorm thread and I am completely confused as whether to buy L2K or Nexstorm.
Obviously, cost is an issue as is availability, so can you good people offer some advice, without going into too much detail for a UK based weather station which will give good graphics and supply everything I need to put the UK/Europe data on my website?
It seems that each of these two contenders have good points and bad points, but I can only afford to buy one.
Also, if you know of a good supplier in the UK with good ‘after sales’ support I would appreciate hearing about it.
Do keep in mind that the price for Nexstorm doesn’t include the pretty map (which you get from www.Astrogenic.com). It’s another ~26 GBP.
Now is actually probably a pretty good time to buy as the dollar is so weak.
If I were you, I’d compare both the features and sites of users. Personally, I have a L2K user pretty close and I don’t see it being especially more accurate (the stormtracker setup is much more critical for accuracy!).
Also, consider the aftermarket development… which is only possible by providing third-party hooks to the software. Weather Display makes some of this very easy with Nexstorm. StrikeStar integrates the data into its network.
Then there’s the PHP code. Several people have developed tools to enhance Nexstorm.
This is all above and beyond the easy-to-read graphics, near-live Java applet, and track report.
I like Nexstorm, especialy now that it has ability to filter out false strikes caused by electrical interference (e.g electric fence), which is working 99% (I helped with this testing )
It looks like the concensus is for Nexstorm, but having looked at the meterologica website I would not be able to fit the map into my web pages. It is too big, and if I reduce it, it will make the text illegible. Is there a way to overcome the width of the map without losing the clarity in the text? I need something that would fit in the middle frame of my website, if anyone knows something suitable. (http://daventryweather.co.uk)
I also see that they offer free data, including lightning strikes, and it makes me wonder if I need to spend lots (I’m not sure how much yet) of money on equipment that will provide (apparently) nothing more than I can get for free. (http://www.meteorologica.info/freedata_lightning.htm)
What would be the benefits of having my own lightning detection equipment, if any?
The width of the map depends on the size of the window you have open. You can make it as small as 640x480… or cut the extra data on the side off and make it even smaller. If you use PHP, you can manipulate the image however you want.
I also see that they offer free data, including lightning strikes, and it makes me wonder if I need to spend lots (I'm not sure how much yet) of money on equipment that will provide (apparently) nothing more than I can get for free. (http://www.meteorologica.info/freedata_lightning.htm)
What would be the benefits of having my own lightning detection equipment, if any?
John, that’s a question you have to answer yourself. I have one because there wasn’t another one for many miles in any direction and we have frequent (often violent) thunderstorms.
Thanks for the info on resizing the map, Tom, but having checked the prices here in the UK, it looks like the Boltek and the Nexstorm will cost me as much as the Davis VP2 weather station did. Not what I call hobbyist prices.
I think, on reflection, I’ll keep the money in my bank and probably use the free data. Either that or get a Solar and UV sensor, unless anyone has got any suggestions for accessories I might have not seen or thought of yet.
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