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LAS VEGAS , Nevada — At the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show, Davis Instruments is featuring its Vantage Pro2 wireless weather stations and five complementary new weather products. WeatherLink for Alarm Output is the latest addition to its growing family of data logger and software packages, which already includes WeatherLink for Emergency Response Teams, WeatherLink for APRS, and WeatherLink for Irrigation Control—each designed to uniquely meet the needs of specific users. Davis is also debuting two new versions of its new long-range wireless repeaters and antenna options, which can extend the wireless transmission distance of your weather data for miles on end.

The Vantage Pro2 is one of the most sophisticated, affordable personal weather stations available today. Not only does it wirelessly transmit weather data from its sensors to a console that sits on your desk (or wherever) every 2.5 seconds, it collects historical data and even does forecasting. It tracks a huge number of weather variables: temperature (indoor and outdoor), barometric pressure, humidity, rainfall, wind, wind chill, dew point — you name it. The Vantage Pro2 wireless weather station is the first and only station in its consumer price range to use frequency hopping spread spectrum radio technology for achieving transmission distances of up to 1000’ (300 m) line of sight.

Users can also set over 70 alarms for multiple functions simultaneously. They can graph the last 24 hours, days, or months of readings or highs and lows, and view over 80 graphs including additional analysis of temperature, rain, rain rate, wind, and barometric pressure without a computer. The ticker-tape display shows forecast details and additional information with over 100 different messages.

With state-of-the-art technology at an affordable price, Vantage Pro2 joins earlier models of Davis weather stations already in use in agriculture, agricultural research, aviation, amusement park safety, education, emergency management, environmental studies, firefighting, hospitals, hurricane research, maritime transportation, scientific research, utilities, vineyards, and by hobbyists and weather enthusiasts.

The Computer Connection

WeatherLink for Vantage Pro2 enables users to connect Vantage Pro2 to a personal computer. The WeatherLink data logger stores weather data even when the computer is off. Users can create their own graphs, calculate totals and averages, generate summaries, analyze trends, and more—all with their own personal weather database. They can also create weather Web pages, post current and historical weather conditions, and upload other files (such as images from a webcam) along with their weather data. Many weather enthusiasts have already built real-time weather websites using earlier models of Davis weather stations. For examples, visit http://www.davisnet.com/weather/cool/world.asp.

WeatherLink for Alarm Output with connector block.

Now you can turn heaters, fans and other devices on or off using your weather station. For each of four outputs, you can enter up to eight different weather parameters. The connector block provides the interface between the weather station and an electrical device.

WeatherLink for Emergency Response Teams with streaming data logger

For use with the free CAMEO® (Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations) software developed by NOAA and the EPA. With Vantage Pro2, this WeatherLink software package provides the real-time data needed to map the footprint of a hazardous plume, predict its dispersion, and help make critical public safety decisions.

WeatherLink for APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System) with streaming data logger

This software was designed for ham radio operators, including storm chasers and volunteer weather watchers. Simply connect a Vantage Pro2 console to a ham radio with a TNC modem for instant transmission of both location and local weather conditions via APRS.

WeatherLink for Irrigation Control with connector block

Use your weather station to turn your irrigation system on or off. The connector block connects directly to most irrigation systems and industrial controllers. Homeowners can program the software to look at rain and evapotranspiration values to determine when to inhibit watering. They can also set weather station console alarms to inhibit watering when temperatures are too low or winds too high.

Long-range wireless repeaters

For longer distances or to improve reception in troublesome areas, Davis Instruments offers its new wireless repeaters. In testing, the wireless repeaters achieved an incredible four miles of transmission distance using two repeaters with Yagi antennas.

About Davis Instruments

Headquartered in Hayward, California, close to the high-tech Silicon Valley, Davis is known for its innovative line of consumer electronics, including a complete line of wireless weather monitoring stations. In the automotive sector, Davis is known for its CarChip and DriveRight automotive vehicle monitoring systems — used by individuals and corporations around the world — that are designed to improve driver awareness and increase safety. For more information, contact Davis New Zealand at http://www.davisnet.co.nz.