Weather Centre

[richardbayle]

First of all, I take the opportunity to wish you all an extremely comfortable 2012 with plenty of fine sailing weather.

Now then, domestic wireless weather centres.

Thinking of getting one of these gizmos for the boat and wondered if anyone else has done so, whether they are of any benefit and if so are there are any recommendations readers might have?

 

[Vara]

I've got the Aldi offering, on special throughout the year at about £18.

Works well and gives useful barometric trend over 24 hours. Pictorial forecast is uncannily accurate.

Pain factor, needs complete reset after battery change.

 

[franksingleton]

First of all, I take the opportunity to wish you all an extremely comfortable 2012 with plenty of fine sailing weather.

Now then, domestic wireless weather centres.

Thinking of getting one of these gizmos for the boat and wondered if anyone else has done so, whether they are of any benefit and if so are there are any recommendations readers might have?

These are no more than glorified barometers. In the days of my long last youth, I had a small plastic gizmo into which I could enter barometer, pressure change and wind direction. It gave me a "forecast". Someone has simply programmed such info and jazzed it up.

It is a toy with some information output of limited use. On the boat, no more useful than your hourly barometer reading and weather observation.

 

[reginaldon]

I've got the Aldi offering, on special throughout the year at about £18.

Works well and gives useful barometric trend over 24 hours. Pictorial forecast is uncannily accurate.

Pain factor, needs complete reset after battery change.

_+1

 

[Blue5]

These are no more than glorified barometers. In the days of my long last youth, I had a small plastic gizmo into which I could enter barometer, pressure change and wind direction. It gave me a "forecast". Someone has simply programmed such info and jazzed it up.

It is a toy with some information output of limited use. On the boat, no more useful than your hourly barometer reading and weather observation.

+1

 

[Stemar]

These are no more than glorified barometers. In the days of my long last youth, I had a small plastic gizmo into which I could enter barometer, pressure change and wind direction. It gave me a "forecast". Someone has simply programmed such info and jazzed it up.

It is a toy with some information output of limited use. On the boat, no more useful than your hourly barometer reading and weather observation.

True. However, where else will you get an accurate barometer for that sort of money? I've had one on Jissel for several years and it's usually drifted about 1-2mb over the life of a pair of AA cells (around a year) compared with my local station. It's also a very accurate clock (radio controlled from Hamburg, so may not receive off Cape Wrath!) and gives sunrise & sunset times.

I'll trust the shipping forecast a little more than the forecast graphic, and my own observations more, but for cruising around the Channel, the station's fine and great value for money, IMHO.

Incidentally, it takes all of 5 minutes to change the battery and set it up again, 10 minutes and a bit of swearing if you've mislaid the instructions

 

[Lady Campanula]

First of all, I take the opportunity to wish you all an extremely comfortable 2012 with plenty of fine sailing weather.

Now then, domestic wireless weather centres.

Thinking of getting one of these gizmos for the boat and wondered if anyone else has done so, whether they are of any benefit and if so are there are any recommendations readers might have?

Thank you, Richard, for your kind greeting. Let me reciprocate my best wishes to you and yours in 2012.

Now, weather gizmos.... I've used one of these for some years....

Among its several merits are that it cost less than a month's subscription to a good forecasting service, it is 'perpetual' and needs no costly renewals, fresh batteries, or inconvenient recharging at sea, and is always available.

It is neither bulky or fragile, needing no more than a modest corner of the chart table drawer or navbag, is at least as accurate and reliable as the Inshore Waters Forecast, and has the considerable merit of not answering back should one disagree with any of its prognostications.....

 

[franksingleton]

True. However, where else will you get an accurate barometer for that sort of money? I've had one on Jissel for several years and it's usually drifted about 1-2mb over the life of a pair of AA cells (around a year) compared with my local station. It's also a very accurate clock (radio controlled from Hamburg, so may not receive off Cape Wrath!) and gives sunrise & sunset times.

.....

:

I have no problems with it being regarded as an accurate barometer. I forget now what we have on Anhinga but ut is a digital recording barometer. I have no idea about cost comparison. Mine is accurate or accurate enough for the purpose.

What I always object to with these gadgets is them being billed as accurate weather predictors when they are no more than a barometer and can tell you no more. Useful for very short term prediction that those strong winds are nearly upon you.

I like to know about potential strong winds days not hours ahead but that is what I want for the kind of sailing that we do. Others clearly have different needs.

 

[maby]

I bought a Maplin's wireless weather station for around £39 just before xmas to put on the boat. My main interest was in the internal maximum and minimum temperature and humidity measurements in order to check that my measures to protect the boat against frost and damp damage are working. That said, the barometer is useful too. I haven't attempted to set up the anemometer and rain guage - don't really need them and there is no obvious place to mount them.

 

[Poignard]

Now, weather gizmos.... I've used one of these for some years....

Among its several merits are that it cost less than a month's subscription to a good forecasting service, it is 'perpetual' and needs no costly renewals, fresh batteries, or inconvenient recharging at sea, and is always available.

It is neither bulky or fragile, needing no more than a modest corner of the chart table drawer or navbag, is at least as accurate and reliable as the Inshore Waters Forecast, and has the considerable merit of not answering back should one disagree with any of its prognostications.....

Here's one for free

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23921

 

[franksingleton]

Here's one for free

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23921

And do not forget that he committed suicide!

 

[Poignard]

And do not forget that he committed suicide!