Getting an accurate measurement of a downpour for a particular duration is not easy. It requires a good rain gauge that can measure both light and heavy rain very accurately, particularly the level of rain intensity. Generally, homeowners, farmers, government agencies, professionals, and educational institutions use wireless rain gauges. Purchasing the most accurate rain gauge relies on several factors, all of which you should consider. But if you are bored or have no time to do that, our list is probably a good alternative! You can count on this because we have considered every possible factor before top-listing the products, described throughout the ongoing best wireless gauge review. Although our best overall is Ambient Weather WS-29024, followed by the second-best Davis Instruments 6250, we suggest reading the full analysis before buying your one.
Best Wireless Rain Gauge
1. Ambient Weather WS-29024 Wireless Rain Gauge Weather Station
The Ambient Weather WS-29024 is not just a gauge - instead, a full weather station! It is a perfect gadget to measure indoor and outdoor temperatures, capable of offering very understandable information. This unit can withstand and adjust with all-weather conditions of the day, at all locations. What about its rainfall measurement part, gauge?
The gauge has an all-in-one integrated sensor array that measures rainfall, self-emptying, temperature, speed, and direction of the wind and humidity. These sensors can give up to a range of 330 feet wireless.
You can connect it to wi-fi, enabling the gadget to send collected data to the Ambient weather network online. Your unit must be within your home so that it can connect easily to your wi-fi.
It has a brilliant and easy-to-read display of LCD color that enables the user to monitor his backyard and home easily. The clear display with bright colors makes data more visible. An AC adapter gives power to the gadget. Measuring rainfall has also been made easy by the tipping bucket that prevents the fluctuation of readings. The gadget also has a UV light alertness that warns the user regarding hazardous conditions.
How do you install this unit?
Ambient WS-29024 has a unique look as compared to other wireless rain gauges. It has a mounting bracket which you use to mount your weather station by sliding its end on a pipe of 1 to 2 inches. It is easy to install since the only vital parts you need for the installation are wind speed cups, rainfall funnel, and wind direction vane. For the outside array, the usage takes 2AA batteries. Conversely, for the inside array, the usage takes 3AAA batteries. There is a manufacturer manual book that should help you with the installation process.
2. Davis Instruments 6250 Wireless Rain Gauge Weather Station
This wireless rain gauge gives accurate and reliable weather updates. It is easy to install and has mounting hardware with a mounting pole that you purchase separately. It also has an outdoor sensor array with a tough outdoor integrated suite and a comprehensive console. The sensor starts sending data once installed to the console and can transmit up to 1000feet range.
Home and educational use are the primary purposes of the weather gauge station. The unit gives current weather updates of outdoor and indoor temperature, speed, and wind and rainfall direction. A user-friendly keypad senses easily when pressed. Users can use the device throughout day and night. One can set an alarm that warns the user on some dangers such as flood warning and rain rate. The unit has a waterproof cover that offers corrosion resistance, making the gadget extremely durable.
How to take readings on this unit?
Many people love this rain gauge for its accurate data collection. In most cases, when users notice that their gadget is giving inaccurate readings, the problem might stem from their ignorance. This is especially when the user is ignorant of the need for regular cleaning of the tipping bucket. Again, the user may fail to give the unit correct exposure. However, if your rain gauge completely fails to collect data on rainfall, you may need to consult the Davis firm.
If it is the first time to record data with your unit, remember that daily rainfall goes back to zero at midnight, automatically. Ensure your gadget is well cleaned and leveled to give an accurate measurement. Your rain gauge must face directly from the sky without any hindrances such as trees or buildings. The least amount of rain that can be measured is either 0.01 inch or 0.2 mm.
3. AcuRite 00899 Self-Emptying Wireless Rain Gauge
AcuRite 00899 offers reliable and accurate rainfall data. The device is highly durable with a weather resistance construction. It has a flood indicator feature that notifies the user in case there are flood conditions. It also has a collector cup that is self-emptying. The AcuRite 00899 can give a transmission signal of 100 feet with a transmission real-time of every 16 seconds.
The gadget has a simple and easy-to-read LCD screen display. The presence of rainfall alarm notifies the user when it begins to rain. It can strongly transmit signals of up to 433 megahertz. The gadget needs to be handled and exposed appropriately since so many unwanted objects can fill it. But don't worry, a one-year warranty is there with it.
It lacks a temperature sensor but has a short transmission distance compared to other rain gauges such as the Oregon model. Users can set the unit to collect total rain of one day, seven days with two resettable totals of references. The unit requires batteries.
4. Netatmo Wireless Anemometer Rain Gauge
Netatmo rain gauge is a part coming with the Netatmo weather station, although you can buy it separately for your gauging purpose. It is a unique gadget since one can pair it with a smartphone, desktop computer, or tablet. This quality enables one to get the phone notification when the rain starts, even if he is not near the gadget. The device can help you know the amount of water you need to give your plants by getting a notification from the app. This is especially the case when the rainfall is not sufficient.
Owner can put the rain gauge either in the garden or on the balcony, connecting it to the smartphone or a tablet remotely. The device's module feature measures the amount of air that occupies a room or the whole house. Remember one thing since the gauge is a part of a weather station that the Netatmo weather station can only connect to one rainfall gauge. You can not add two or more gauges to the station, even if you purchase the additional ones separately.
5. Acurite 01012 small weather station with rain gauge
Acurite 01012 is a small weather station and rain gauge that can detect lighting and also forecast. A vibrant color display, along with the entire body, makes the garget look very beautiful. This rain gauge has remarkably unique forecasting icons that are only visible at the top of the AcuRite devices line. The gadget has a self-emptying rain bucket and can give the readings of outdoor humidity and temperature shown. Needless to mention that the barometric pressure readings have an aesthetic display.
The gadget can give a history of a rainfall record of the 48-hour, 1-week, 1-month, and even 1-year. It can also view previous year records. Acurite 01012 is a wireless gadget with the transmission of up to 100 feet and has calculations of the heat index and dew point. Although the rain gauge has all the impressive features, it does not have the indoor temperature and humidity sensors. It also lacks the mounting pole.
6. Oregon Scientific Wireless Rain Gauge Weather Station
The trusted company Oregon makes this gadget. It is a unit that can give indoor temperature readings and an accurate rainfall record of up to 1.02 millimeters. The gadget has a wireless range of rain gauge of 300 feet with a self-emptying rain collector and temperature sensor of 100 feet. It can collect data and store it for up to 10 days, enabling the user to collect the data anytime. The user can also check rain after one week, hence enabling one to determine what your garden needs.
The device is ideal for farmers, homeowners, conservationists, agriculturists, orchardists, and water departments. It has a four-line display that helps in viewing outdoor temperature, current, and total collected rainfall and time quickly. The unit can also monitor your garden's moisture and the content of water that your soil needs. But it needs proper maintenance since it can be filled with an unwanted element that can highly affect the readings.
7. Ecowitt WH5360B High Precision Digital Rain Gauge
The Ecowitt WH5360B is one of the ten best wireless rain gauges that measure the rain precipitation resolution of 0.1 mm. This capacity gives an accurate indoor temperature and humidity measurements. It also allows you to monitor your garden’s rain condition for up to 300 feet of wireless transmission range. This gadget is not expensive and comes with all the required features for homeowners and professionals.
It runs by 4 AAA batteries. For professional rainfall data, the device can display rain rate, rain, and rainfall records of daily, weekly, yearly, or even more. It has a wireless funnel-shaped collector, which is self-emptying and is very easy to install. A mounting pole is there to enhance overall performance. The gauge does not come with outdoor temperature and humidity sensors.
8. La Crosse Technology 724-1710 Wireless Rain Gauge Station
This model is cheaper than its peers. Though it is very affordable, it comes with high-quality features that attract the buyer. And, it has a durable and weather-resistance construction feature that makes the unit long-lasting. For accurate and actual-time measurements from 0 to 9999 mm, you rely upon the device. It operates with the help of a 4 AA battery. It gives a transmission of up to 300 feet, giving a rainfall alert and precipitation alarm, anytime and anywhere.
The unit can also monitor both indoor and wireless outdoor temperature. It gives a rainfall history graph for the past one week or a month. It has a self-emptying rain bucket that empties through an internal tilting cup. There is a cylinder graph that enables one to have a convenient way of gauging rain levels. Though this unit has very appealing features, you should be very careful when handling it. The gadget’s tech support can have complications due to the changes of the day. Again, some of the units do not give clear information when adjusting the gadget.
9. Acurite 01089M Rain Gauge with Thermometer
The unit is a self-emptying rain collector that takes your rainfall data with a transmission reading of up to 100 feet within the 30 meters range in an indoor digital display. It also measures temperature and humidity with the sensor of up to 330-foot and a 100-meter range. It gives an accurate total rainfall of a day, the previous day or year, the current week, and a month. It can also detect the oncoming storm and warns users in case of flood conditions or when the sprinklers need to be turned on. The gadget also features the Intelli-time clock, humidity, and also indoor temperature with both low and high records and timestamp.
Rain Gauge Definition
A rain gauge is an instrument used by meteorologists, hydrologists, and any other interested person to get the measurement of the precipitation, such as rain or snow over a specific period. The unit measures precipitation depth in mm within a unit area. An mm measured by a rain gauge is equivalent to one liter of a meter square of the rainfall.
How does wireless rain gauge work
A wireless rain gauge has a cylinder that is placed on an electronic scale that collects the water. This increases the weight and gives an indirect measurement of rainfall.
Benefits and shortcomings of rain gauge
Using a rain gauge comes with so many benefits. One of the benefits is accessibility to accurate readings. It is not a must for one to take measurements manually. A wireless rain gauge saves time and also increases productivity because they are automated. These gadgets have self-emptying raindrop collectors that transmit the collected data to the console units wirelessly. The gadgets can be reset manually.
Also, the best thing about this gadget is that it is unnecessary to wait for the rain to stop for you to take measurements. On the contrary, one can track real-time data from his comfort zone. Again, the measuring device can take other weather measurements such as humidity and temperature. Nevertheless, the devices are quite costly. One needs to take proper care when handling them. The gadgets can easily be filled with unwanted elements that can affect the readings. Moreover, to take accurate data, ensure your rain gauge is placed in an open place away from any obstacle.
Why Rain Gauge is Important
A rain gauge is vital for homeowners and farmers since, based on the gauge's information, they can determine the type that best suits the circumstances.
Best Rain Gauge Brands
There are varieties of rain gauge in the market. Choosing the best model might take a lot of time. Here are some of the features you need to check when selecting the best wireless rain gauge.
The best rain gauge should come with a simple cylinder that has markings for measuring raindrops. You also need to consider the one that is compatible with wi-fi. This helps you when taking data since you can monitor your measurement in the comfort of your room.
Type of Rain Gauge
There are several types of rain gauge that give accurate and reliable rainfall data. These are:
Standard Rain Gauge: This rain gauge is also called manual rain gauge. It is one of the most accurate and reliable. However, one must endure being rained on as the data information is obtained in real-time. The gadget reads off the rain accumulations if the user waits for the rain to stop.
Weighing Rain Gauge: This unit contains a container with a scale and a data logger that takes the rainfall record. This gadget does not give the volume of the rain rather the weight. It then calculates the volume from the weight taken.
Tipping Bucket Gauge: Professional meteorologists and serious weather enthusiasts commonly use. It is expensive and comes with many features as compared to other types of rain gauges. It is used to record precipitation data for a long duration.
Acoustic: this type of rain gauge takes the rain measurements by recording the number of drops with a piezoelectric sensor.
Rain Gauge Accuracy
Rain gauge accuracy is shown per percentage concerning the amount of rain measured. This way, the user can know if the unit is providing reliable datasheets. The buyer needs to have a vast knowledge since many meteorological units have their rain gauge accuracy exaggerated, concerning outdoor accuracy or real-world accuracy.
The Durability of Rain Gauge
No one would like to keep on going back to the dealer to buy a rain gauge now and then. A durable gadget saves money and time. A powerful rain gauge with a frost-resistance material and UV-resistance should serve you for a long time. You also need to avoid a unit that has metal parts as they are prone to rust.
Capacity of a Rain Gauge
Several units use millimeters of height for rain measurements, for every square meter. The measurements are done within a specific time interval. This equals to one liter per square meter. Sometimes back, rain used to be recorded in inches. One point is equivalent to 0.254mm or 0.01 inch.
Ease of installation
Installing a wireless rain gauge is very easy as most of them come with a mounting bracket and a manufacturing manual.
Where to place rain gauge?
The rain gauge should be placed in an open field away from any obstacle such as trees or buildings to get the correct measurements.
Measuring Rainfall- How to Use Rain Gauge?
The user should place the rain gauge at least 2-5 feet above the ground. The gauge should also be at any of the sides of the pole. The cylinder should be several inches above the pole to ensure there is no splashing back of the water. Always ensure that the top of your rain gauge is level for an accurate recording.
Can You Make a Rain Gauge at Home?
Yes, one can have a homemade rain gauge by using a plastic disposable water bottle. Measure a ½ inch with the help of a ruler on the bottle. The measurements help you know how much rain has been received.
Concluding Remarks
Having a personalized rain gauge will help you get real-time weather updates that are specific to your locality. This best rain gauge review will also help you make the best choice when purchasing. It also helps the buyer use less time shopping.
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