Marine life is very much subject to the conditions of the weather. Whether it is your professional life or spare time that takes you out on the waters, you will be familiar with the difficulties experienced with adverse weather conditions.
Investing in a weather station for your boat will enable you to have a more accurate picture of the weather you are likely to come up against while out on your boat and is an incredibly useful device to have onboard. Read on to find out more about marine weather stations and read reviews of some of the best ones currently on the market.
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Best Affordable Weather Station for Boat
AcuRite 00622 Pro Color Weather Station Review
If your budget is at the lower end of the spectrum, or you just want to get to grips with the technology to begin with, then the AcuRite 00622 Pro Color Weather Station rates highly for affordability. Once attached to your boat the 3-in-1 sensor is able to collect data on the wind speed, temperature and humidity in your exact location. This information is transmitted wirelessly to the digital weather station display so you can see the accurate forecast. This data is then updated every 18 seconds to ensure you have the most accurate picture possible of the weather conditions.
Fitted with Self-Calibrating technology you can be confident that the forecast delivered is an accurate depiction of the climatic conditions right on your doorstep. In addition to providing you with real-time forecasts, the digital weather station display stores the data collected so you can compare the weather over the previous 12 to 24 hours as well as highlighting the highest and lowest readings collected. The digital weather station display is straightforward to use and has the benefits of a color display and the ability to adjust the brightness of the screen.
The weather station itself is built to withstand all weathers and benefits from an incredibly durable design. It is also lightweight (3.5 pounds) and its dimensions on the smaller side (7.7 x 1.3 x 7.1 inches) so no need to worry about this taking up all important boat space.
This weather station can be powered via AC power but you can also use AA batteries to power it up. A great all-rounder as weather stations go and a real asset for your marine adventures. Be sure to snap up this bargain!
Q&A: What size is the screen on the digital weather station display?
It measures 6 x 6 inches and is easy to read thanks to the backlight and color display.
Q&A: Does it have a limit to how much wind speed history it can record?
Yes, it does, when in replay mode it can store up to 48 hours of wind speed data.
Best Digital Wireless Marine Weather Station
Davis Instruments 6250 Vantage Vue Wireless Weather Station Review
If your needs for accurate local weather predictions are great and you love high-quality gadgets, then this wonderful product from Davis Instruments has everything you need to ensure you know what the weather is going to be like just around the corner. With up to an incredible 1000-feet wireless transmission, mounting equipment, a wide array of current weather reporting features, and much more, this superb weather station really does have it all.
This unit comes complete with a console that is to use to help you understand the weather around you and allows to view reports for everything you can imagine, whether that be indoor temperature or outdoor temperature, the humidity level, how fast the wind is blowing and what direction it is travelling in, and what the rainfall totals and rates. Whatever it is you want to know about the weather, you can do it with this kit.
This device is superbly accurate and is constantly working to provide you with the most reliable information possible by updating your LCD screen every 2.5 seconds, much faster than the majority of is competitors. This show off is also even capable of picking up wind speeds form as low as 3 to as high as 150 kilometres per hour. Accuracy does not bring weakness either as the outdoor Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS) is built to last.
Thanks to this being solar-powered, once you’ve followed the easy instructions for installation, you won’t have to worry about missing out on that all important data, especially with the inbuilt stored energy back up. You can even set up to 22 warning alarms for all the various weather dangers so you won’t be finding yourself caught by surprise with this intelligently informative device.
All in all, it is extremely difficult to sum up everything this intelligent wireless weather station has to offer. So if you like data that is rich and incredibly up to date, want control and warning about possible future weather hazards, and want something that will last for years on its own solar-powered steam, you needn’t look further than this superb piece of kit.
Q&A: Does this need to be linked to a computer?
A: There’s no need as it comes with a console and a stand-alone display. However, if you wanted to record the weather data you would want to link it to a computer and would need to invest in the necessary additional software that allows you to do this.
Q&A: Can you switch between measuring systems?
A: You can indeed. It is easy to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius or miles and kilometres as you so desire.
Best portable personal weather station
Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter / Digital Psychrometer Review
If ultimate portability is what you are after then the Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter/Digital Psychrometer won’t let you down. Measuring 4.8 x 1.9 x 1.1 inches this weather station will easily fit in your pocket, so you can easily take it on your marine adventures – or anywhere for that matter.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that its small size affects the quality of this product, for this couldn’t be further from the truth. Within this small weather station lies the ability to measure the humidity, dew point, temperature, wind speed and barometric pressure at your location and all of this comes from the simple click of a button. You won’t be waiting around for this information either, once you have clicked the all-important button the climatic conditions of your immediate environment will come flooding in within seconds
The durability of this portable weather station makes it perfect for boating as the robust hard cover case makes it pretty difficult to damage this device. It has been drop tested so no problem if it slips out of your pocket and it is also waterproof – an essential consideration when taking a weather station onboard your marine vessel.
The data collected by the device is easy to read from the monochrome LCD display which comes fitted with high contrast, and a white backlight in case you need to use your weather station at night. This product also comes with a handy lanyard included, so you can wear the weather station around your neck and can access the information you need immediately.
This quality weather station comes fitted with 2 coin cell batteries that are replaceable when the time comes, meaning you won’t need to purchase a new weather station when they lose their productivity. It also comes with a 5-year warranty – giving you that extra reassurance in buying this product. A great choice for keen anglers and weather enthusiasts alike.
Q&A: How heavy is this weather station?
This Kestrel weather station weight in at 3.6 ounces – so it is very lightweight and easy to carry around on your person.
Q&A: Does this product let you know the wind direction?
No, unfortunately, it does not have this ability – but it will give you an accurate display of the wind speed.
Best Professional Weather Station With Wind Speed
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station Review
David Instruments have an incredible range of Weather Station equipment, but this professional quality kit stands head and shoulders above them all. With this setup, you’ll be able to customize everything you can imagine and get some of the most accurate weather data possible with current technology. This wireless kit, with a top quality anemometer, a wide array of sensors, precise rain collector and a user-friendly console is the cream of the crop.
The sensors provide precise readings on everything from temperature to humidity, rain to wind and can be upgraded to include both UV and solar radiation sensors so you can plan for any eventuality. Thanks to the 2.5-second updates you can be sure the data reaching your console is the most accurate weather data for miles around. You’ll soon be tapping into a wealth of information usually only available to professional meteorologists.
The included anemometer measures wind speed incredibly accurately and can also be separately mounted from your rain collector thanks to the decent 12-meter cable provided. The rain collector itself is designed to improve reading accuracy and copes extremely well even in windy conditions. This product is easy to install and built to last in tough weather conditions come rain or shine, and accuracy readings remain precise no matter where you put this device to the test.
The one downside of the professional quality of this unit is the software it comes with as this is a serious resource hog, so worth checking you have the necessary storage and processing power to deal with the incredible amount of data you are going to be able to mess around with thanks to this weather station’s superb accuracy levels. If you want to show this off, you can even broadcast straight to the internet, so the software is not all bad by any means.
So if you have plenty of cash to splash but want to be sure you are investing in something that is going to stand up to the test of time both in terms of weather conditions and newer technology, this professional station is a safe pair of hands to produce your weather reporting data for years to come.
Q&A: As it is wireless, why would I need a cable for the anemometer?
A: This allows you to mount the wind vane and air speed cups at a distance from the station base (which is the wireless part), such as up on the rooftop. This means you can change the battery in the base easily if you need to.
Q&A: What is the maximum range between the main controller and the sensors?
A: You’ll get an astonishing connection even as far as 900 yards away.
Best small weather station under $100
ennoLogic Anemometer eA980R Digital Weather Meter Review
For those on a budget, but not wanting to sacrifice on quality, then the ennoLogic Anemometer eA980R Digital Weather Meter is a great place to start. It measures a whopping eight parameters, including wind chill, temperature, wind speed, heat index, barometric pressure, dew point and altitude. So don’t let the price make you think you aren’t getting a top quality product.
With all of this ability, it is surprising that this weather station fits easily into your pocket so is a great option for marine use. You can bring this with you on your onboard adventures and whenever you need an accurate reading of what the weather holds simply hold this product in the air and it will instantly give you the information you need. Having accurate weather readings in your location will help you to make informed decisions as to whether you should stay afloat, or call it a day – ensuring your safety is paramount.
This product has an ‘average function’ so you can take a few readings and then produce an accurate reading of conditions that might be changing rapidly. It also comes with a ‘max function’ that allows you to measure strong gusts of wind.
It couldn’t be simpler to set up this device, just install the lithium battery (which comes included), hit the on button and then point it to the sky. You can also alter the units to suit your preference. If you need to use this product at night time, or in periods of low visibility, just press the set button down for 2 seconds and the backlight will come on.
There are also some great extras included when you purchase this product. It comes with a handy carrying case and a lanyard – the manufacturers have really considered the portability of this device and made sure you have everything you need to have this weather station to hand when you need it.
The manufacturers are so confident in the quality of this weather station that it comes with an excellent 10-year warranty, as well as a 100% money back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with the product. They also promise a hassle- replacement should anything go wrong with the product and you need to replace it. There isn’t anything not to like about this ennoLogic weather station so we suggest you get your hands on this great value device as soon as possible.
Q&A: What are the dimensions and weight of this weather station?
As this product is able to fit into your pocket its dimensions are small, measuring 4.3 x 1.8 x 0.8 inches. It is also incredibly lightweight weighing just 2.1 ounces.
Q&A: Can you measure wet bulb temperature with this weather station?
This product is not able to do this, but it does give an accurate reading of the relative heat index.
What is a marine weather station?
If you have a keen interest in being out on the water as much as possible, then you will know how the weather often dictates your ability to get out on your boat. Imagine if you could track what the weather was up to while you were out fishing or sailing? If this sounds like something you would benefit from, then a marine weather station may be a worthwhile investment for you.
So, what is a marine weather station? It is a set of instruments that are able to collect data on the weather and atmosphere so that you know what the climatic conditions are in your exact location. It is basically a small-scale version of what is used to predict the weather forecasts you see on the television or on the radio.
Depending on the model that you buy a marine weather station can collect data on the temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction and rainfall in your specific location. Having accurate up-to-date information on your weather at your fingertips will help you decide whether you want to stay out on the water or if it would be best to head home – the ability to do this will both improve your comfort and safety when you are out on your marine vessel.
For those with a keen interest in the weather, it will also provide hours of interesting data for you to peruse through and share with an online community of weather enthusiasts. Some devices allow you to store data so you can track weather trends and analyse the highs and lows of certain climatic conditions.
What are the different types of marine weather stations?
There are a variety of weather stations for marine use available on the market. The most advanced are the fixed mount weather stations which include a rain collector, and an advanced set of sensors which are able to record humidity, temperature, and solar radiation.
They also include an anemometer to record the wind speed. With these models, all of this information is collected and then presented to you on a smart console – and you can usually connect this information to your smartphone and computer should you wish.
The other type of weather station that is suitable for marine use is the handheld device which easily slips into your pocket. These incredibly smart devices allow you to check the temperature, wind speed and humidity in one single instrument, with this information delivered to you with a click of the button.
This type of marine weather station has the advantage of not taking up any room on your vessel as it can be on your person instead of attached to the boat. Make sure you select a handheld weather station that has good durability that can withstand marine conditions.
What can Weather Stations Measure and How do they do it?
So how do weather stations work? If you’re interested in purchasing one of these smart devices you no doubt are interested in the workings behind it.
For those weather stations that are able to measure rainfall, it does this via a little cup that will tip out when it’s full. To measure humidity, it will be fitted with a hygrometer. A barometer is used to measure atmospheric pressure which makes it able to forecast potential short-term changes in the weather. Then there is the anemometer that measures the wind speed and, of course, the thermometer to calculate the temperature.
Conclusion
Fearing what the weather has in store can be a thing of the past with an investment in a marine weather station. These incredibly intelligent products allow you to get an idea of the weather forecast in your exact location so you can plan your next course of action accordingly. The benefits of such a device are indisputable – no more getting drenched from an unexpected downpour, and you can increase your safety by knowing the wind speed and judging whether staying out on the water is a good idea or not.
There are a range of marine weather stations on the market. You might want to select a weather station with all the bells and whistles that resembles a professional setup or go for a more simple device that is hand-held and fits in your pocket. Whatever you decide, you won’t regret having accurate weather forecasts at your fingertips onboard your marine vessel.
