Ambient Weather WS-2000 Smart Weather Station

Decided after years of using local weather stations on Weather Underground that I wanted to join the ranks and run a station of my own. After looking through all the stations they recommend on their site I can eventually settled on Ambient Weather as the best midrange option. Their stations weren't quite as cheap as some of the other options but those cheaper options also seemed to come with some pretty mixed reviews. On the other hand there were other options that were far more expensive to the point it seemed impractical and out of reach for your average consumer. I had first settled on the WS-2902C as the option to go with as that was what was on Weather Undergrounds site. However, while looking at Ambient Weathers own site to get more details I came across the WS-2000 which, while more expensive, seemed to be a better option with a better more in-depth display and future expansion for more sensors, including a lightning detector which was something I was interested in eventually getting. As near as I can tell the actual sensor array is the same for both the WS-2902C and WS-2000, it seems the main difference is in the capabilities of the screen/system that is in the house. With the WS-2902C it's a LCD basic display that shows the weather stations data while the WS-2000 has a TFT display that displays more information and allows for the connection of multiple other sensors such as 8 other temp/humidity sensors, water leak detectors, soil meters, and lightning detectors. Basically it seems the WS-2902C is a fine option if the weather stations data is all you want to see, but if you want increased expansion capabilities and, in my opinion, a better display of the data then the WS-2000 is the way to go. Setup was easy and the most difficult part was finding something to mount it on. At first I picked up a 1" segmented pole designed for bird feeders but I determined this was not stable enough once setup. My eventual setup was an 8' long 1-5/8" chain-link fence post with a no-cement fence post anchor. I buried it through the anchor 2' in to the ground and it is very stable. If you end up getting the station, or have a similar one, this is a very effective and cost-efficient mounting method (about $25 total). Setting up the station from there was quite simple. Most of it comes assembled and you merely have to attach the cups to the anemometer, the windvane to the wind direction sensor, and put the cup rim on top of the rain gauge. From there you just attach the mounting brackets and secure it to the pole. Add the two AA batteries (use lithium if you're in a place that gets cold, the system uses a solar panel on top when it's able) and you're set from there. The rest from there just involves loading up the screen and configuring your location, wifi information, and connections to ambientweather.net and wunderground.com if you wish to use those services. It took less than 24 hours for Weather Underground to start displaying the station on their site. I have been impressed with the data that is presented and how it is presented on the screen. The screen layout provides a great layout for all the systems data in a good and easy to understand layout. On top of that it also maintains historical data and has an SD card port you can use to export the data if you wish to archive it or load it in to another system. So far the it has been very responsive and has been very accurate as I've compared its readings to nearby stations as well as thermometers and hygrometers. In fact, it was immediately apparent it was more accurate than my old basic weather station which I left up for a time after putting in the new one. I am definitely happy with this purchase overall. There were a few elements of the setup screens and navigation on the screen that were not very intuitive but overall these issues were very minor and not enough to warrant dropping any stars. Yes, Ambient Weathers options are a bit more costly than say an Acurite or LaCrosse system but these definitely seem like better stations than those. Sure, it might not be at the level of a Davis or RainWise but those stations run a minimum of $500. If you want the best mid-range option for a personal weather station I personally feel that this is the best option at present.

I purchased the Ambient Weather WS-2000 Smart Weather Station on Amazon and I couldn’t be happier with it. This thing is packed with features and delivers accurate, real-time data right to my phone. Setup was straightforward — everything connected quickly and the outdoor sensor array is very well built. It measures temperature, humidity, wind speed/direction, rainfall, UV index, solar radiation, and more. The readings match up perfectly with my local weather reports, and the WiFi connectivity works flawlessly with the Ambient Weather app. I love being able to check conditions in my backyard from anywhere. The indoor console is clear and easy to read, and the data updates are fast. It’s also been holding up great through rain, wind, and heat with no issues. This station gives me way more detailed local information than generic weather apps. Perfect for gardeners, weather enthusiasts, or anyone who wants hyper-local data. Highly recommend the WS-2000 — great quality and fantastic value for a full-featured smart weather station!

Twenty years ago I bought a Davis Vantage Pro 2. Back then it was the best of the best. NOAA would take a feed from it if it was connected to the Internet. I paid $450 for it. It was basic with a monochrome screen, but again it was the best at the time. It was the only weather station available to professionals and weather nerds. Fast forward twenty years and the array on my Davis Vantage Pro 2 quit working and the console had some issues. I certainly got my money's worth out of it so I figured I'd buy another Davis. The newest Davis basic version of the Vantage Pro 2 is now $1300. After additional research the Davis Vantage Pro 2 gets low customer reviews in and outside of Amazon. It seems as technology advanced, Davis did not with problems after problems, especially with their color console that they released only 4 years ago. Historically, Davis has always been slow to address issues with their product, so I'm not confident that the issues will be addressed quickly. Customer comment also seem to confirm this. As I did my research, the Ambient WS-2000 kept rising to the top of my list. It received good reviews, did more than the newest Davis Vantage Pro 2 at a fraction of the price. To buy the top of the Davis weather station with MOST of the features as the Ambient WS-2000 offers out of the box, it would cost $1600. If you wanted to add the additional accessories to the Davis Vantage Pro 2 (solar radiation detector, UV sensor, soil monitors) to match what Ambient Weather offers, it would cost well over $2,000. I purchased the Ambient WS-2000 several weeks ago from Amazon. It was easy to set up. My only issue was that it needed a bit better instructions on how to remove the battery cover on the array. I was afraid I was going to break something as I tried to remove the cover. I finally figured it out and all was good. After pairing the WS-2000 array and console and completing the setup mode, I compared the readings on the console with Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) which is about 7 miles away as the crow flies. I was stunned how accurate the reading on the WS-2000 matched CLE. The barometer needed a bit of tweaking, but that was expected. I was also impressed with the Ambient weather app. The console started reporting to the Internet right away. I was also surprised to see how many stations were around me and reporting to the network. As I compared other station readings in the area to mine, our data was extremely close. It seems I was late to the game when purchasing this station when I saw the amount of other stations in the network. I haven't purchased the subscription for the expanded data features the app provides….yet. The free version comes with a lot, so I want to fully understand the current features before purchasing the expanded features. One item that only time will tell is durability. My Davis Vantage Pro 2 lasted twenty years with only an array board replacement early in its life. The Davis Vantage Pro 2 array is built tough, heavy and durable. In comparison the Ambient array was light and seemed delicate, but again it may be just fine. I will update this review as time goes on. Even if I have to replace the entire weather station every five years, it will still be less expensive with more available features than a Davis Vantage Pro 2.

First and foremost, we really do like this weather station. We purchased it to replace our slowly dying, 20yo, Davis Vantage Pro 2. Everything arrived on time and was well packaged, so there were no issues and no damaged components. Things we like, Great display! Bright and very easy to read. Pretty easy to set up. If you are just setting up the basics, it is literally plug-and-play. A quick unpack, install batteries, mount the sensor array, set up the WiFi, and the basics were up and running quickly. It took a little longer to get the accessories set up, but more on that later (We purchased an extra T&H sensor, a lightning sensor, and a soil moisture probe). The fact that it connects to the web and that all the info is available via an app, so you can monitor conditions even when you are away from home is great (something our old Davis did not do). Things to know. 1: Because it relies on WiFi for part of its functionality, if the signal is poor or if your router goes down, this will not work well or at all. 2:There is no battery backup for the display. 3: You need to locate the sensor array properly, to get accurate information. It needs to be oriented to North (although you can correct that in the calibration screen), set at the correct height relative to the surrounding buildings, etc, and within range of the base (display). That means that you may need to use a ladder or climb on your roof, so make sure that you are prepared and can do that safely. The extra sensors work fine and connect pretty seamlessly but you should know a couple of things. The second T&H sensor was a plug-and-play. The lightning sensor is quite sensitive and you will need to set it according to your conditions. We have an electric fence around our vegetable garden and that confused the sensor. It was easy enough to adjust, but just be aware of the fact that you may need to do that. The soil moisture sensor needs to be calibrated to the soil that it is used in. A pretty simple process, just be aware that you will need to do that to get reliable readings. Also, although it does not mention it in the directions (or I just didn't see it), I'm not sure that it can/should be left out in freezing weather. I plan to bring ours inside, take the battery out, and store it for the winter. Finally, that electric fence that I mentioned before... It interferes with the signal. The sensor loses touch with the base fairly often. Annoying, but not a deal breaker for us. Calibration. Everything is pretty adjustable. My only complaint would be that the process is awkward and a little bit time-consuming (Come on, Ambient Weather, get a touch screen!). Conclusion? I'd buy it again and I would definitely recommend it to a friend, but I'd make sure that they knew about the shortcomings, too. UPDATE January 2024: We have had some repeated issues with the consol losing contact with the sensor array. We have moved the array closer, replaced the batteries, and finally, yesterday reset the array and then went through the very tedious process of forcing the console to look for the array. I will say that AW's customer support was responsive and sent me a video link to show me how to perform the magic with the console the same afternoon that I contacted them. I will also say that there are at least 3 different versions of how to reset the array out there (2 manuals and a video). I had to try all 3 before it worked. Bottom line? We still like the station but I'll withhold the final answer until we see if the array and console stay in touch. Stay tuned.... Feb 2024: so far, so good. The console and the array have been totally fine. Not sure what happened or why, but the procedure to reestablish the connection between them has worked perfectly.

I've had this WS-2000 for over 14 months now and love it!! It's not without flaws, but nothing is. The rain gauge stopped working after about 1 year, BUT I think that was my fault!! Continue reading for more details. Assembly: super easy. Ambient includes instructions that are easy to follow, and the WS-2000 does not require much assembly anyway. You basically attach the wind vane, cups, and mount the unit outside. Installation: Easy. I bought the steel tripod directly from Ambient, and am so glad I did! I used the "NHZ 16" Ground Rebar Stakes (8 pcs) Heavy Duty J Hook Ground Anchors" (see photo) from Amazon to anchor the tripod to the ground and they worked VERY well! Just use a small sledgehammer to pound them into the ground. That tripod will not go anywhere! (see photos) It is rock solid!! My weather station is located about 30-40 feet from my house. I would recommend the "spike kit" for the rain gauge (only about $6 from Ambient), that prevents birds from nesting in it. Electronic and network Setup: Easy. I followed Ambient's instructions and did not have any trouble getting my weather station to communicate with my console. There are a few extra steps required if you want to send your data to Weather Underground or to Ambient's website, but it's not too difficult. The outdoor weather station unit uses RF frequencies (not wi-fi) to communicate with the console, and the console uses wi-fi to send your weather station data to Internet websites (if you set it up for that). Console Display: Very good. Easy to see all relevant information at a glance and the color display is nice. I have mine sitting on an end table. The data most important to me are outdoor temp and humidity, baro pressure, along with wind speed, and rainfall amounts and rates. The console is not touch-screen (unless it's been updated since I bought it) and it's no iPad in terms of ease of use, but it's not bad either. A little clunky, but it does work. Power: the indoor console uses AC power. I keep mine plugged in all the time. You can set it so that the display comes on automatically at a certain time each day and goes off at a certain time each evening. (you can also turn the display on and off manually) Of course, if your house power goes out, so does the console power. It would be nice if it had a backup battery. The outdoor weather station uses two AA batteries and also solar power. I use Energizer AA Lithium batteries. Lithium batteries are highly recommended for this type of use, as they are not affected by high or low temperatures, and are guaranteed not to leak. The optional extra sensors (WH32B) also use two AA batteries. Reliability: overall, excellent. My rain gauge did stop working after about 1 year. However, I discovered that the Ambient user manual recommends occasional cleaning of the inside of the unit, which I did NOT do. (see photo) Mine had accumulated a lot of dirt and debris that probably caused it to stop working. I bought a replacement rain gauge from Ambient for about $30, and replacing it was pretty easy. You only have to remove a connector from the old rain gauge (see photo) and attach that connector to the new gauge. Ambient does provide instructions. I'll be sure to maintain this new rain gauge and it will hopefully last much longer. Rarely, the outdoor unit stopped communicating with my console for unknown reasons. But this typically lasted a very short time (minutes) and it restored connection all on its own. Sometimes, you may need to "reset" the outdoor transmitter, but you can do this from the console using the instructions in the WS-2000 manual, and it's not hard to do. Tech Support: I only had to call Ambient once, when initially setting up the unit. I don't remember what question I had, but I know they helped me and resolved my issue. Ease of Use: I'd give it 9/10 overall. Slight deductions for the console, which can be a little clunky to use, but once you get the hang of it, it's not bad at all. Otherwise the system is largely "hands-off" once it's up and running, and all you have to do is monitor the data when you want to. Speaking of data, I think you can save weather data records to a small memory card that you install in the Console. I've done this - but never actually did anything with that stored data - yet. I believe you can export it to a spreadsheet, etc. Overall thoughts: I'm very happy with this unit, and would buy it again! Considering that the weather station is outside 24/7, 365 days per year, it's been ultra reliable. (again, I think the rain gauge stopping was my fault for not doing any maintenance on it - as recommended by Ambient) We get some pretty cold temps here in Western PA, and the system didn't miss a beat. In my opinion, this unit gives the average person everything they want in a weather station, without anything unnecessary. I know indoor and outdoor temps, humidity, barometric pressure, rainfall rates and amounts, wind speed and direction, and other things like UV strength, etc. I bought a couple of the Temperature, Humidity, and Pressure Sensors (WH32B) and have one in my dining room (see pic), and one in my uninsulated garage to monitor temp and humidity. The console gives the info for these sensors, alternating from one to the other. Really handy. You could put a temp sensor in an attic, basement, or whereever you want one. I think the price is not bad considering what you get. I love the ability to add extra temp/humidity (and I think other types of) sensors. This system works well. I can see my data from the console, or from the Ambient or Weather Underground apps on my phone, from anywhere I happen to be in the world. (including optional WH32B sensor info using the Ambient app) You could be on vacation, for example, and still monitor weather conditions around your home AND the internal temp of your home if you use the WH32B sensors. This is great information to know and sort of a neat hobby. I highly recommend this system from Ambient!

I had a different brand for many years. But I was looking for something with better sensor options and overall functionality as well as app features. The ws-2000 fits the bill for me. I’m very happy with it and have had no problems so far. I also bought a Abient Weather Window which is pretty cool. Setup with everything was pretty easy.

When LaCrosse discontinued the system I used for years to monitor various temperatures in and around my mountain cabin (from over a hundred miles away), I tried to change to their more current system. However, it required the use of a smart phone or tablet -- no access from a laptop. The WS-2000 does exactly what I need and has internal and external storage and display capabilities that far exceed my old system. I didn't really want the wind speed and direction stuff and couldn't care less about sun intensity, but the rain measurement is useful, especially compared to my old method of filling (and emptying) a graduated cylinder. The temperature data (I added two sensors) is exactly what I need, and the CSV data lets me continue to fill a table I've maintained for the last 15 years. The display panel is easy to read and configure. The system allows tons of customization, and getting it set up can be daunting, but I had very good experiences with the help line. The people were clearly extremely familiar with all the features, spoke English fluently and were patient -- 5 minute or less wait times. This is probably the most satisfying purchase I've made in the last decade.

First impressions: I just opened the box. Assembly of the sensoris straightforward and instructions are decent (not fabulous, but okay). The display set up is a nightmare. Yes, the instructions are thorough, but absolutely everything has to be entered (date/ time/ longitude/ latitude/ time zone, on and on and on. It's been 90 minutes and I'm just finishing. Even my alarm clock can find the date, time, and location without having to enter it all. Also the display will ONLY work if it is plugged in. There are batteries elsewhere in the system, why can't the display become mobile, either by a charger or batteries? If you unplug the display, it goes black and you are out of luck. I THINK (don't know yet) it will retain the previous settings when you plug it back in There is a port for USB connecction, but it is ancient and that cable no longer exists. While (painfully) trying to enter all the choices, there is a way to link it using the MAC address. There is a "click here to find out how to locate the MAC address" but it goes to a non-existent connection. The operating manual is 79 pages long! It's all in black and white, but spends 3 full pages telling you that the color rings mean different things, with the note that you just have to go on line to see the actual colors. If they would modernize the display set up, they could probably cut their printing costs in half. Having done all that complaining (buyer beware!), once it is set up, it appears to be a very robust system that has a ton of data. There are also a bunch of doodad accessories you can buy (lighting detector, soil moisture,etc) and add to the display. I will send an update after the system has been in use for awhile.

Magnifique. Installation facile et liaison aux réseaux mondiaux aisée. Seul reproche: l'affichage est en anglais (ce n'est pas très grave, mais on aurait pu espérer plusieurs langues)

Works well as stated. Excellent product for price point

Wirklich tolle Wetterstation die sämtliche Stückchen spielt. Es ist alles wie angegeben da, sämtliches notwendiges Equipment inkl. Schraubenzieher und Schraubenschlüssel zur Montage. Ein Mast oder eine vergleichbare mastähnliche Halterung muss jedoch extra besorgt werden. Die Anleitung ist gut verständlich, macht man alles lt. Anleitung, ist die Wetterstation rasch korrekt in Betrieb zu bringen. Das Display ist in der Bedienung zwar etwas altbacken und rudimentär, verbindet man die Wetterstation allerdings mit dem Internet und der App sieht das ganze schon viel schöner aus. Eine Einbindung in Smart-Home Umgebungen wie bspw. Home Assistant ist dann sehr einfach umzusetzen. Die Wetterstation liefert zahlreiche Sensoren mit Daten die für verschiedenste Automatisierungen oder Anzeigen genutzt werden können. Neben der Herstellereigenen Webplattform/App können auch alternative Webplattformen genutzt werden um die eigenen Wetterdaten zu veröffentlichen (alles optional), vor allem natürlich kann auch die breit genutzte Plattform wunderground. Vorsicht beim Nachkauf von Sensoren, es gibt je nach Kontinent unterschiedliche Varianten mit unterschiedlichen Funkfrequenzen. In Europa haben die Sensoren üblicherweise die Frequenz 868Mhz, also beim Nachkauf unbedingt sicherstellen das man Sensoren mit der entsprechenden Frequenz kauft, da andere wie bspw. mit der in Amerika üblichen Frequenz nicht kompatibel sind. Zusätzliche Sensoren sind einfach zu integrieren, entweder sie werden automatisch erkannt, oder können über die ID hinzugefügt werden.

This is my second Ambient PWS. I received this as a Christmas gift. Easy to run through the instructions but the user should use the video based tutorial rather than the printed instructions. Accuracy seems perfect but I had to spend a bit of time calibrating the baramoter. I would recommend this model for any weather enthusiast.

Product works fine, but do know it uses frequency 868 MHz, while all its accessories are on 915 MHz and are thus not usable. Better go for an Ecowitt Weather station.