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If you have been looking to buy an Acurite color weather station, you’re probably surprised by all of the choices.
It seems like the various models are presented kinda randomly. Sure makes comparing them difficult.
Here you can compare the most popular 5 in 1 and better Acurite color weather station models with other similar Acurite models.
Sorta like apples to apples and oranges to oranges.
If you need an excuse to buy a weather station, this page is for you.
How to Compare Acurite Weather Stations
Acurite weather stations can be sorted into four categories relating to if and how they connect to the internet.
- Connect with the Acurite Access
- Connect with a WiFi-enabled display
- Connect through your computer with PC Connect
- Do not connect at all
Here are four comparison charts of Acurite weather station models listed by the different categories.
Each category has a different background color to make it easier to keep everything separated.
Take a good look at the pictures and you’ll get a good idea of what you’re getting. The phones in the pictures are to show you what the app looks like, phone not included. Darn…
Following the Acurite weather station comparison charts you’ll find a description of the features compared.
Connect Using the AcuRite Access Hub
One of the main benefits to the Acurite weather stations that use the Acurite Access for internet connections is that you can add additional remote sensors. The remote sensor data does NOT show up on the display but instead is shown on your MyAcurite page. MyAcurite is a password protected app so nobody but you and people you give the password to can see it. Update: As of Oct. 1 2019 the Acurite Access can now pick up the lightning detector signal and send it on for your viewing on MyAcurite. See the lightning sensor here.
Connect with AcuRite WiFi
The nice thing about the WiFi connection is there are no wires and cables to clutter up the place.
Well, almost no clutter; the TFT display must be plugged in…
Get Online with AcuRite PC Connect
Acurite With NO Internet
Don’t pay for what you don’t want or need.
If you decide later that you’d like to connect to MyAcurite and Weather Underground, grab yourself an Acurite Access.
Well, did you see a weather station here that appeals to you?
You may have noticed that the weather station prices are all over the map and that sometimes a weather station with more features occasionally cost less than one with fewer features. Go figure… Well, definitely look around!
Details on Acurite Color Weather Station Features
Connectivity
Four categories cover all off the Acurite weather stations. These categories have to so with internet connectivity. They are:
- Acurite Access
- Wireless WiFi
- PC Connect
- Not connected at all
Connect with the Acurite Access
This is the most popular choice. The Access replaces the earlier Smarthub.
The Access operates by receiving the wireless signal from the weather station and then sending that data to your router for uploading to the internet.
Your Acurite Access can also receive signals from the additional remote sensors you may add. The additional sensors can be seen on the password-protected MyAcurite app.
Your indoor display also receives the data signal from the outdoor sensor but it doesn’t send it anywhere. When you buy a weather station with Acurite Access you don’t even need an indoor display at all, your weather info is all available on MyAcurite app.
Connect with WiFi
Connecting by WiFi offers you the cleanest wire free installation.
With WiFi, the indoor display receives the wireless signal from the outdoor weather station and sends the data wirelessly to your wireless router. No additional parts or cables needed.
All of your weather data can be seen online with the MyAcurite app and Weather Underground, however, you cannot add more remote sensors.
Connect with PC Connect
With the PC Connect option, you connect your indoor display to a USB port on your computer.
By using your computer internet connection you can use 3rd party software and upload to more places than just MyAcurite and Weather Underground. For some examples of sites other than Weather Underground that you can publish your weather data to check out my post here.
You also have control of your weather station data. Are you a data geek? Then maybe PC Connect is for you.
The downside to this is you need a computer that’s always on. If you have an old Windows XP machine laying around, that’s all you need.
This option is my favorite. But again, like the WiFi option, there is no way to add more sensors.
No Internet connection at all
Of course, you can run any weather station offline if you wish simply by not setting the internet up, but why buy the stuff you don’t need?
Acurite sells weather stations that do not include the extra stuff needed to connect.
These non connected weather stations are ideal for portable use. Grab a tripod and an awesome tent and you’re in business. Keep in mind that only the weather stations with battery operated LCD displays will work.
The good thing here is that if you ever decide you would like to publish your weather data online, you just need to buy and set up the Acurite Access and away you go.
Outdoor Sensor Arrays
The outdoor sensor is the heart of your weather station. The sensor detects:
- Outdoor temperature
- Outdoor humidity
- Wind speed
- Wind direction
- Rainfall
- Lightning
- UV Light
- Sunlight intensity
The first 5 measurements are what the 5 in 1 sensors measure. Some or all of the next 3 measurements are available on the more advanced weather station models.
There are 5 variations of outdoor sensors available
- Single solar panel 5 in 1
- Double solar panel 5 in 1
- 6 in 1 with lightning detector
- 7 in 1 with UV and Solar radiation detectors
- 8 in 1 with UV, Solar, and Lightning detectors included.
The indoor display is what measures indoor temperature, indoor humidity, and barometric pressure. So with the 3 indoor measurements, even the 5 in 1 is actually an 8 in 1 weather station.
What’s up with the solar panels?
The solar panels on the Acurite weather stations are for running a fan to circulate air across the thermometer in the daytime. So while the sun may heat up the body of the weather station, the fresh air blowing on the thermometer keeps your temperature accurate.
Acurite has three styles: 1 panel which is aimed South, 2 panels that are positioned a little east and west of south, and a 3 panel unit with the panels aimed east, west, and south.
If you are in an area that receives intense sunlight in the morning or late afternoon you may be better off with the 2 or 3 paneled models. There is an upgrade from a single solar panel to a double solar panel replacement available.
On the Acurite weather stations, the solar panels run a fan to circulate ambient air over the thermometer. This provides a much more accurate reading.
The solar panels do nothing else; they don’t run the station, they don’t charge the batteries, they just run the fan.
The Acurite weather station sensors are entirely battery powered.
This gives the Acurite weather stations a big advantage over their competition. Your weather station will keep working in places with long winter nights or extended periods of cloudiness.
Lots of indoor display options
Choose from a simple black and white display to high definition TFT displays to Hi-Def touchscreen displays.
- High Definition TFT Touchscreen This is Acurite’s top of the line color display that is provided with their Atlas weather stations. TFT displays are known for their sharpness and wide viewing angle.
- High Definition TFT (thin film transistor) A crisp and clear display that can be seen from almost any angle. The power required to operate the TFT displays will wear batteries down quickly, so this kind of display is plugged in.
- Color LCD This display is the most popular and has the most variations.
- Black & White LCD There is a blue on blue variation.
Your indoor display is where your indoor temperature, indoor humidity and barometric pressure are detected.
You need a barometer to calculate your weather forecasts. No barometer, no forecast. You can always get your forecast from another local weather station.
This is something to keep in mind if you are undecided whether you need an indoor display at all.
Additional Sensors and Accessories
Remote sensors only work with weather stations that have the Acurite Access.
The most popular remote sensor is the temperature / humidity detector. Acurite has several sensors so make sure you get the 06002M sensor that connects to the Access. You can place these sensors around your house and property, any place that you want to monitor specifically.
Remote battery packs for your Acurite weather station are available for the 5 in 1 stations models. And for the Atlas weather stations you’ll need this one. These battery packs have a 30′ long cable so you can change the batteries closer to the ground.
This accessory can be a life-saver if your weather station is mounted high up. Why doesn’t every company have this option?
An extension coupler for Atlas models allows you to separate the wind sensors from the main body of the weather station and install the anemometer up in clear air. This ability removes a big compromise that all in one home weather stations have. You can learn more about mounting and siting your Acurite weather station at my page here.
Well, there you have it.
I hope you can see how to compare Acurite weather stations. It’s easier than it looks at first.
You have probably noticed the modular nature of these weather stations with different combinations of displays and outdoor sensors being used.
If you would like to see how Acurite fits in with other weather station brands, check out my page here.
I hope you found this page helpful.
Thanks and Have Fun!
Paul