Updated 31 Jan 2025 by Dan Olmstead
For Purchasing a Weather Station to Link with the Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA)
Criteria | KestrelMet | HOBO |
---|---|---|
Vendor NEWA Page | KestrelMet NEWA Page | HOBO NEWA Page |
Features | ||
Supports Cellular Communication (recommended; annual data plan required) |
✅ |
✅ |
Supports WiFi Communication (not recommended) | ✅ | ❌ |
Solar-powered battery recharging | ✅ | ✅ |
Hourly Data Through Winter Months | ❌ | ✅ |
Independent Sensor Placement | Not available | Highly customizable |
Typical Lifespan (years) | 4 | 5+ (with maintenance) |
Customer Support | ✅ | ✅ |
Installation and Maintenance | ||
Ease of Installation | Easy | Moderate |
Sensor Replacement | Entire system must be sent in for MOST repairs, resulting in downtime | Individual sensors can be replaced without overall system downtime |
Required Sensors | ||
Temperature/Humidity | ✅ | ✅ |
Wind Speed/Direction | ✅ | ✅ |
Rain Gauge | ✅ | ✅ |
Leaf Wetness | ✅ | ✅ |
Solar Radiation | ✅ | ✅ |
Optional Sensors | ||
Soil Moisture Sensor |
✅ (Water tension - KPa) |
✅ (Water volume - M3/M3) |
Soil Temperature Sensor | ✅ | ✅ |
Baseline Costs | ||
Initial Cost (Required sensors only; excludes mounting hardware; cellular enabled) | $1,647 (Cellular enabled) | $2,346 (RX2100 model) |
Annual Cellular Plan | $99 | $199 (RX2100 only) |
Annual Maintenance (estimated) | $100 | $100 |
Amortized Annual Cost (initial cost / lifespan; annual cellular plan; annual maintenance) | $610.75 | $768.20 |