If you come from a government agency or from a research institute, you want to build a professional weather station in the harshest ways possible and use this data to build national meteorological monitoring networks, industry meteorological networks or to publish professional dissertations.
Then you need a real professional weather station. It can accurately monitor each meteorological element, including temperature, humidity, wind direction, wind speed, rainfall and other elements. And provide “long-term reliable” and “convincing” monitoring data.
I will help you to choose the best professional weather station.
In today’s guide, you’re going to learn everything you need to know about professional weather station through the comparison of different mainstream brands. I will help you to choose the best professional weather station.
Let’s do.
Vaisala Professional Weather Station
Chapter 1
1. Brand History
| Founded Time | Staff Number | Main Business | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| Since 1936 | +1,529 employees. | National meteorological and hydrological services, aviation authorities, defense forces, road authorities, the weather critical energy sector, life science and high-technology industries and building automation. | Made in Finland. Net sales of €319.1 million in 2015. Vaisala serves customers in more than 140 countries. |
2. Model list
 WXT531
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 WXT532
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WXT533
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 WXT534
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WXT535
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 WXT536
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data transfer | RS232/RS48 RS422/SDI-12 | RS232/RS48 RS422/SDI-12 | RS232/RS48 RS422/SDI-12 | RS232/RS48 RS422/SDI-12 | RS232/RS48 RS422/SDI-12 | RS232/RS48 RS422/SDI-12 |
| Power | Min: 0.1 mA /12VDC Typ: 3.5 mA /12VDC Max:15 mA / 6VDC | Min: 0.1 mA /12VDC Typ: 3.5 mA /12VDC Max:15 mA / 6VDC | Min: 0.1 mA /12VDC Typ: 3.5 mA /12VDC Max:15 mA / 6VDC | Min: 0.1 mA /12VDC Typ: 3.5 mA /12VDC Max:15 mA / 6VDC | Min: 0.1 mA /12VDC Typ: 3.5 mA /12VDC Max:15 mA / 6VDC | Min: 0.1 mA /12VDC Typ: 3.5 mA /12VDC Max:15 mA / 6VDC |
| Temperature |
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| Relative |
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| Barometer |
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| Wind Speed |
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| Wind Direction |
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| Rainfall |
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| Hail |
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| Heating |
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| Analog Inputs |
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| mA Output |
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| Operating Temperature |
-52 ~ +60 °C
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-52 ~ +60 °C
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-52 ~ +60 °C
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-52 ~ +60 °C
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-52 ~ +60 °C
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-52 ~ +60 °C
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| 1 Year Warranty |
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3. How To Use
| Vaisala WXT530 Transmitter Series | WXT520 Training | Setting Up the Vaisala WXT520 Weather Station |
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4. Pros & Cons
- Pros
Brand influence, world-class enterprise High precision, large monitoring range, especially temperature Original piezoelectric rain measuring method Localized service Ultra-low power consumption
- Cons
High cost Maximum support 6 kinds of elements, can not measure radiation or UV
Lufft Professional Weather Station
Chapter 2
1. Brand History
| Founded Time | Staff Number | Main Business | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| +135 Years | — | Compact Weather station, Road monitor sensor | A part of the OTT Hydromet Group in 2016. |
2. Model list
 WS100
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 WS200
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 WS300
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 WS400
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 WS500
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 WS600
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 WS700/800
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Rainfall | Wind | Weather | Weather | Weather | Weather | Weather |
| Sensor Dimensions | Ø 150mm H 190mm | Ø 150mm H 194mm | Ø 150mm H 223mm | Ø 150mm H 279mm | Ø 150mm H 287mm | Ø 150mm H 343mm | Ø 150mm H 344mm |
| Weight | 0.6kg | 0.8kg | 1.0kg | 1.3kg | 1.2kg | 1.5kg | 1.5kg |
| Power | DC24V/42mA | DC24V/16mA | DC24V/135mA | DC24V/160mA | DC24V/140mA | DC24V/160mA | DC24V/160mA |
| Data Transmission | RS485 / SDI-12 | RS485 / SDI-12 | RS485 / SDI-12 | RS485 / SDI-12 | RS485 / SDI-12 | RS485 / SDI-12 | RS485 / SDI-12 |
| Air Temperature |
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| Relative Humidity |
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| Barometric Pressure |
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| Rainfall (Radar) |
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| Rainfall (RainGauge) |
WS401
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WS601
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| Wind Direction |
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| Wind Speed |
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| ComPass |
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| Global Radiation |
WS301
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WS501
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| Lighting Sensor |
WS800
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| Heating |
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| Temp (ext) |
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| RainGauge (ext) |
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| 1 Year Warranty |
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3. How To Use
| Lufft Weather Sensors WS510 and WS700 | Integration of external sensors | Basics UMB Config Tool |
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4. Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Unique use of radar to monitor precipitation Can be connected to other sensors Mainly used in wind power industry, built-in heating function Localized service
- Cons
- High cost High power consumption, if the field power supply environment, need to focus on assessment Radar-induced rainfall accuracy needs further verification
Gill Professional Weather Station
Chapter 3
1. Brand History
| Founded Time | Staff Number | Main Business | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| +20 Years | — | Ultrasonic Wind Sensor, Compact Weather Station | Made In UK. |
2. Model list
 GMX 100
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 GMX 200
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 GMX240
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 GMX300
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 GMX400
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 GMX500
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 GMX600
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Rainfall | Wind | Weather | Weather | Weather | Weather | Weather |
| Power DC12V | Hi-Mode 42mA Eco-Mode 0.7mA | Hi-Mode 25mA Eco-Mode 0.7mA | Hi-Mode 64mA Eco-Mode 0.7mA | Hi-Mode 5mA Eco-Mode 0.7mA | Hi-Mode 40mA Eco-Mode 0.7mA | Hi-Mode 25mA Eco-Mode 0.7mA | Hi-Mode 64mA Eco-Mode 0.7mA |
| Weight | 0.3Kg | 0.5Kg | 0.5Kg | 0.5Kg | 0.5Kg | 0.7Kg | 0.8Kg |
| Data Transmission | RS232/RS422 RS485/Ascii/SDI12 | RS232/RS422 RS485/Ascii/SDI12 | RS232/RS422 RS485/Ascii/SDI12 | RS232/RS422 RS485/Ascii/SDI12 | RS232/RS422 RS485/Ascii/SDI12 | RS232/RS422 RS485/Ascii/SDI12 | RS232/RS422 RS485/Ascii/SDI12 |
| Wind Speed |
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| Wind Direction |
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| Temp |
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| Humidity |
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| Barometric Pressure |
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| Rainfall |
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| Compass |
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| GPS |
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| Solar Radiation |
GMX301
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GMX501
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| Inclinometer |
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| 2 Year Warranty |
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3. How To Use
| MaxiMet-Compact Weather Station | WindSonic Ultrasonic Anemometers | Welcome to Gill Instruments |
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4. Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Brand influence, the earlier use of ultrasonic wind measurement principle The industry’s first three-dimensional wind measurement technology Scalability, external rain or radiation sensors
- Cons
- High cost Looks very light, may not look so strong
FRT Professional Weather Station
Chapter 4
1. Brand History
| Founded Time | Staff Number | Main Business | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2007 | +50 | Compact Weather Station, Compact Air Quality Station,Ultrasonic Wind Sensor | Low-Cost, High Quality. |
2. Model list
 FWS200
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 FWS300
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 FWS400
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 FWS500
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 FWS600
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 FWS700
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FWS800
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Wind | Weather | Weather | Weather | Weather | Weather | Weather |
| Dimensions | Ø 140mm H 215mm | Ø 140mm H 230mm | Ø 140mm H 230mm | Ø 140mm H 311mm | Ø 140mm H 360mm | Ø 140mm H 230mm | Ø 140mm H 230mm |
| Weight | 0.8Kg | 1.0Kg | 1.3Kg | 1.2Kg | 1.5Kg | 1.5Kg | 1.5Kg |
| Power DV12V | 20mA | 15mA | 20mA | 25mA | 30mA | 30mA | 30mA |
| Data Transmission | RS232 / RS485 Ascii / Modbus | RS232 / RS485 Ascii / Modbus | RS232 / RS485 Ascii / Modbus | RS232 / RS485 Ascii / Modbus | RS232 / RS485 Ascii / Modbus | RS232 / RS485 Ascii / Modbus | RS232 / RS485 Ascii / Modbus |
| Wind Speed |
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| Wind Direction |
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| Compass |
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| GPS |
Option
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Option
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Option
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Option
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Option
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Option
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Option
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| Temperature |
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| Humidity |
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| Barometric Pressure |
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| Rainfall |
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| Radiation |
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| UV |
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| Build-In Wireless |
Option
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Option
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Option
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Option
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Option
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Option
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Option
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| Build-In Power |
Option
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Option
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Option
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Option
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Option
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Option
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Option
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| 1 Year Warranty |
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3. How To Use
| FRT Operation | ||
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| FRT FWS Operation Manual-New |
4. Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Made in China, Low cost Unique optical method to monitor rainfall, the resolution can reach 0.02mm Scalability, simultaneous monitoring of radiation and UV data Built-in 4G wireless module for wireless transmission Built-in lithium battery for long-term power supply
- Cons
- No localization support, after-sales service Brand influence is limited
R. M. Young Professional Weather Station
Chapter 5
1. Brand History
| Founded Time | Staff Number | Main Business | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| Since 1964 | — | Marine Weather Station, High Wind Speed Sensor. | Up to 90m/s wind speed measure value. |
2. Model list
 ResponseONE Weather Transmitter
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|---|---|
| Model |
Model 92000
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| Dimention |
30 cm High x 13.5 cm Wide
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| Weight |
0.7Kg
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| Power DC12 V |
7 mA Typical, 80 mA Max
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| Data Transmission |
RS232 / RS485 / RS422 / SDI-12
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| Wind Speed |
0–70 m/s
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| Wind Direction |
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| Air Temperature |
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| Relative Humidity |
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| Compass |
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| 1 Year Warranty |
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3. How To Use
| R.M Young Anemometer Out In Moderate Gust. | ||
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4. Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Specialized in meteorological production for many years, a strong brand influence Mainly for the island’s harsh climate, with resistance to strong corrosion A wide range of monitoring, the maximum support of the anemometer to 90m/s
- Cons
- Higher cost Support up to 5 parameters, can not be extended Data communication does not support wireless transmission
Professional Weather Station Final Comparison Table
Chapter 6
 Vaisala
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 lufft
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 Gill
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 Fronttech
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 RM.Young
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost |
Higher
|
Higher
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Higher
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Lower
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Higher
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| Professional |
Higher
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Normall
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Normall
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Normall
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Normall
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| Function |
Max 6 Items
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>6 Items
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>6 Items
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>6 Items
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5 Items
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| Rain Characteristic |
Piezoelectrical Rain
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Radar Rain
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Optical Rain
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Optical Rain 0.02mm
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None
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| Power Consumption |
Lower
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Higher
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Normal
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Lower
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Normal
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| Data Transmission |
RS232/RS48
RS422/SDI-12 |
RS48 / SDI-12
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RS232/RS422
RS485/Ascii/SDI12 |
RS232/RS422
RS485/Ascii/SDI12
GPRS/Wifi/Bluetooth
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RS232 / RS485 /
RS422 / SDI-12 |
| Installation |
Easy
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Easy
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Easy
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Easy
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Easy
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| Maintance |
Easy
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Easy
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Easy
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Easy
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Easy
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| Warranty |
1 Year
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1 Years
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2 Year
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1 Year
|
1 Year
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| Final |
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Best Professional Weather Station Conclusion:
(1) When you use weather station for research, there is plenty of budgets and less buying, choosing Vaisala, the No. 1 brand in the industry, that’s right.
(2) When you use weather station for wind power, use in extremely cold areas, need the heating function or want to monitor lightning information, choose Lufft.
(3) If you want to add other sensors or want to use three-dimensional wind measurement, then choose Gill professional weather station on the right.
(4) If you will place a bulk order, you need the most cost-effective. Or you really want to use an all-in-one solution that integrates data sensors, acquisition, and wireless communications. There’s no question that Fronttech professional weather station has just chosen it.
(5) If you are using for marine monitoring or island monitoring, there is a requirement for high wind speeds and R.M Young weather station is right.
There is no best, only the most suitable professional weather station for you.
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