Customer Reviews

La Crosse Technology WS-2316U Professional Weather Center with Wireless Thermo-Hygrometer, Rain Sensor, Wind Sensor

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is my second weather station, the first being an Oregon Scientific unit which was very frustrating and was returned.

The LaCrosse was very easy to set up, both the Quick Start and the full manual being well written and clear. A big plus for this unit is the option to run in either wireless or wired mode. Wireless will not work in all situations, due to distance, interference, etc., so having the option to run a wire from the console to the external units is great. I'm running mine wireless and was impressed that it just worked without having to fuss with it, and the two units are quite a ways from each other and the path is running through the house. Note that wired mode updates more frequently, and powers the sensors.

I went to Home Depot and bought an antenna mast and mount for around $20 to mount the wind gauge on. The wind gauge clamped right on to the mast and feels very solid. The thermometer/hygrometer has a mounting bracket and shield, which made it easy to mount on the north side of the garage. The wind gauge and the rain gauge have long cables attached to them to give flexibility in placement. A single push of a button tells the console to sync with the remote sensors.


The 2316u comes with a USB to serial converter to allow it to communicate with a modern computer. I'm running a Mac, and found a driver for the USB converter quite easily which allows me to run the excellent Lightsoft Weather Center software, which in turn allows me to easily have a Weather Underground weather station.


Overall, an excellent product and very very good value. The only suggestion I could make for improvement would be to make the cables from the sensors detachable at both ends, which would allow for fitting shorter or longer cables, plus easy replacement if a cable was damaged.

I purchased one of these on E-bay as a new un-opened item. This is my recommendation if you are going to purchase one. It was wasy to install, but the instructions are based solely on the main console. For example, they tell you how to mount the wind vane, but they don't give you recommendations. Same goes with the rain gauge. For those who will purchase this unit, go to your local home depot and get a 3/4" floor flange, 3"X3/4" nipple, 3/4" 90 deg elbow, and a 36" piece of pipe. Use this to mount your wind vane and rain gauge on to. You can then screw the floor flange into the side of your house, or chimney. This is what I recommend, but the manual tells you nothing.

The unit works very well and I am impressed withit for the first week. I am waiting for the first big storm to see if it really works. I do recommend this product for those inspiring metorlogist!.

This product was easy to install and set up. I am able to receive data even with the transmitter located on the opposite side of a large house. The readings seem to be accurate in accordance with the local weather broadcast. I have only had the unit for a short time, we will see how it fairs over time. I would recommend this unit to any aspiring meteorologist who wants to get their feet wet in the world of meteorology. Lots of fun!

The only criticism I might have is, the manual could be a little more informative for beginners like myself. It would have been nice to have a little more data about the readings that are displayed, but really not a big deal.

Four years ago I purchased one of these and was very pleased with all the features, the computer interface and the ability to send weather email while traveling to keep an eye on what was the real local weather is at home. After 2 years, the rain gauge quit working and shortly after the display would no longer work at all. New batteries and checking the power supply demonstrated it was the display that failed. I really like having a weather station as we at times get very severe weather. So, I thought I would buy another one and see if the first one failing was just a fluke. Well, the second one had the rain gauge fail after about 1-1/2 years and recently I am having trouble with the display receiving a signal. It works if the transmitter is inches away but when put in the same place as the last 4 years, it will not reliable pick up a signal. I tried everything in the book trying to improve but to no avail. And of course the rain gauge doesn't work anyway. I now have as much money in 2 of these as I would have in a more professional unit. I cannot recommend purchasing a LaCrosse weather station based on my experience having 2 rain gauges fail, one display unit fail and a second apparently in the process of failing.

Pros -
Cheaper than most
Displays about everything you would want to know about your weather
Easy to use
Attractive display unit looks good in the house

Cons -
Low quality (short life)
Wind speed will not display or record gusts

Update 11/01/09 - This one is now dead as well. Total of what I spent on two units I could have purchased a "Made in USA" model instead of a flashy looking but poorly constructed made in China one. And, would not need to redo installations. Save your time and money and buy another brand.

You can quickly go to your hometown airport weather website 10 miles or more away and get the current weather information. However it is fun to know what the wind and weather is doing right outside your front door at anytime during the day or night. Making a day by day comparison with the local airport the readings are right on. My wife questioned the need for it, but now refers to it as much or more than I do.

My wind sensor broke under normal conditions and the unit is only two years old. Contacted La Crosse and they will not replace the sensor. The directed me to an online reseller. You would think they would support their products. Do not buy Lacrosse Products their are much better units out there.

I've always wanted a weatherstation, just so when someone asks me "do you know how much rain we got" or some other question like that, I'd know the answer. And I'm very pleased with the installation and operation of the WS-2316 to provide this information.

BUT, if you want to use their "heavy weather" software to retrieve the data to your computer and display it for you, forget it. This piece of software is really in about an "alpha" state. Virtually nothing works like it should, nor does it even present a readable display of the data. I downloaded another software package from another vendor (don't remember name) that's compatible with this WS, and it was much better, but still lacked the professional finishes that we've come to expect on software packages. And that package cost money, so no go there!

Anyway, if you plan to use this with their computer program, forget it. Buy some other product that comes with decent software.

All the information on this item indicated that the range between the base unit and the thermo-hygro was "up too 300 ft". When in reality it is only up to 20 ft. Any distance beyond 20' communication becomes spotty or won't communicate. The mounting hardware is cheap Plastic and cracks when the screws are tightened. A USB adapter (supplied) is required to interface base unit with PC in this day and age when most computers no longer have a serial com port. The software supplied is labeled "Beta 2.0". The software sometimes doesn't work. History file gets corrupted, sometimes when the base unit display is changed. It works like a beta version. The connecting cables are telephone extension cables used inside, not outside. The support is poor at best. The only thing that they could suggest is replace batteries with fresh batteries dates 6 years ahead. Even Walmart doesn't carry any with that date code. I would have returned this unit, but the packing was trashed before I realized it.

I was not impressed with the bucket.
has prevented me from putting it out As I am unsure if it will work as good as they claim.
But with all the rain we are getting here I wish I would have put it up & out.
Would have been nice to know we needed more stuff. But this was worth it. if it works good for a long time.

Unit is somewhat ok. But does not keep track of wind much at all.
Rarely does it monitor the wind. & the outdoor temp is flaky at times no matter where I place it.

I laugh at this unit saying its raining when its sunny out. (I live in a wet climate and it's always off track)

The weather station arrived in the original box, but it had been opened and some mounting parts were missing. The batteries were installed and after testing were replaced. Several aspects of the system do not work, rain gauge, wind speed, wind direction and wind chill are inoperative. The system description hypes it as a great piece of equipment, but that is all it is, hype. I am VERY sorry I wasted my money.