Last updated on March 26th, 2023 at 11:21 pm
The Ambient Weather WS-2902 review starts with some history of owning the weather station now for three years, becoming familiar with the features and benefits of owning it.
I was looking at home weather stations that were WiFi-connected without wires and not a complicated install. My considerations include the Davis equipment I owned that equipment several years ago. Additionally, it was a little out of my price range.
My particular setup will have the sensor unit mounted over 100 ft from the display, which was a concern. Being the WS-2902 communicates via RF (915 MHz) from the console to sensors, I would not have a clear line of sight, and signals would pass through multiple walls to the outside sensors.
It would be stretching the Ambient Weather WS-2902 capabilities. Still, I decided to give it a shot and purchased the home weather station in 2019.
The Ambient Weather WS-2902 checked all the boxes for what I was looking for, and it did not disappoint. The bottom line, the personal weather station did not disappoint. Currently, there are over 10,000+ reviews with 4.5 stars.
- LCD Display
- Easy to Install Sensor Osprey
- Wireless Sensors
- Internet Connection with Weather Networks
- Solar Powered Backup Battery
- Both Indoor and Outdoor Temperatures
- Weather Forecast
- 300' line of sight RF
- Limited by walls, metal, the distance of sensors
- Internet drops
Lots Of Exciting Features For Most Weather Stations
The Ambient Weather WS-2902 includes monitoring features for the most discerning weather watcher. The LCD has a bright backlit screen viewable from most locations. It does fade when viewed from the side, but very doable for personal weather stations. Here’s a list of monitoring weather sensors;
- Wind Speed Cups
- Measure Wind Speed and Direction
- Rainfall/Rain Gauge Funnel Type
- UV
- Solar Radiation Sensor
- Barometric Pressure Sensor
- Indoor and Outdoor Thermometer (Temperature F & C)
- indoor/outdoor humidity
- Display Console
- Connectability to Smart Devices
- Ambient Weather App/Software for smartphone
The best weather stations also calculates dew points, barometric pressure, wind chill, and heat index. So as you can see you get more than just the wind speed.
There are additional sensors that are available for the updated WS-2902 display. I have not added any to mine yet. So I did not include it in this Ambient Weather WS-2902 review.
Monitor Weather Conditions via Weather Underground
My configuration allows me to connect to the Ambient Weather Network or Weather Underground, which will retain my data for yearly, monthly, and daily totals; in addition, I can easily refer back to weather report data.
The weather station installed on my ranch is accessible from anywhere with Internet connectivity. Using their website or app. I can also compare my rain totals or outdoor temperature ranges with neighbors. Using the WS-2090 and Ambient Weather’s cloud storage, one could store a wealth of weather data.
I often check the indoor temperature when I’m out of town to make sure my HVAC is working properly. I detected the house getting warm once and had an appointment lined up with a service company before returning home.
The best part is ambientweather.net. And Weather Underground are totally free apps.
Installation of the Ambient Weather WS-2902
The sensor suite is an all-in-one sensors suite and the majority come pre-assembled. Even though there are mechanical difficulties there should be no problems when you put it together.
The ambient weather ws2902 station is accompanied by one of the most understandable weather station manuals I had seen. We typically recommend using the ambient weather EZ30-12 stable assembly kit to get the most accurate measurements from your sensor.
My Ambient Weather WS-2902 Setup
I am a Ham Radio Operator and had some top section on Rohn 25g tower section available and used that to mount the sensors. Using High Quality 5′ Long Mast Pipe, it’s secured with bolts to the top of the tower section.
There are several options one could use to mount The Osprey Sensor Array. Chimney or any method to install to get a little past the roofline for wind speed accuracy. The LCD Display is in my Ham Shack which is about 150 feet from the outside unit.
As you can see in Figure 1, my unit is in the air about 30 feet; in addition, this gives me a clear zone, free of any obstacles. The one downside is that it can get breezy, affecting the accuracy of the funnel gauge. Check out my previous post on the best place to locate the most accurate readings
The Good
The ease of installation is a definite plus for the Ambient Weather WS-2902 WiFi smart weather station.
RF(915) makes installation much easier than wired units, but there are some disadvantages that I will discuss in the next section.
Stream weather data directly to the internet to view anywhere with their Ambient Weather App. Handy when comparing month over month and yearly totals.
Integration with smart homes using Google Assistant or Amazon ” Amazon Alexa ” for checking current conditions with the “Hey Alexa, ask Ambient current weather conditions.”
To include the smart home technology at a very affordable price. Put this at the top of one of my lists for the Best Home Weather Station on the market.
Also, the battery on the sensor array is solar power. I have not changed the battery in two years.
A Couple Of Things You Should Know…
Ambient Weather has released a few different models of the WS-2902.
This is not to be confused with the Ambient Weather WS 2902A or the popular Ambient WS-2902b weather station that was also released. This weather station is no longer available for sale.
The Ambient Weather WS-2902C is the upgrade to the popular Ambient weather WS-2902a vs WS-2902 b. The new version, the WS-2902C, supports 8 thermo-hygrometers and 2 air quality sensors (1 indoor and 1 outdoor). The new LCD on the WS-2902C is much improved. The weather station LCD screen for displaying data, weather forecast, etc. Puts it into an elite class as one of the most expandable home weather stations available.
The Ambient Weather WS-2902 manual is a valuable resource for its good detail.
The WS-2902c weather station is the current version of the Ambient Weather WS-2902 weather station that is available for purchase.
Not So Good
My number one negative would be the dropped data from both the Osprey to display. I can’t blame the overall unit because I am stretching the recommended site distance.
It’s not too critical for my application, but I would recommend keeping the sensors of the weather station within specs if you need uninterrupted data.
Make sure the funnel for the
The accuracy of the rain gauge is fair but not precise moreover, many conditions will sometimes affect the data you will collect. If installed in a fairly windy location, it will affect rainfall totals.
In many installs, you will have a trade-off between distances and being far from obstacles. In other words, set realistic expectations for the unit.
Is there any better Alternative Weather Station?
The WS-2902 list of features throws all other good weather stations at that price range out of the water. If you’re looking for accurate readings I’d recommend the more expensive Ambient Weather WS-5000.
It features an ultrasonic anemometer to deliver faster and more accurate wind readings and a wireless rain gauge with a larger funnel, ensuring rainfall accuracy. See all available Ambient weather stations.
Additionally, if you’re looking for a simple solution to monitor temperatures remotely, there are cheaper solutions to accomplish this on the market.
Final Thoughts
I’m a weather geek and fascinated with the subject. I wanted a robust weather station the Ambient Weather WS-2902 checked all the boxes.
All the sensors for weather data collection and connectivity with the internet make this a terrific unit for your home.
After two years of real-world application with the Ambient Weather WS-2902, I’m pleased with its performance and durability!
FAQ
What is the difference between Ambient Weather WS 2902A and WS 2902b?
In 2018, the Ambient Weather WS-2902a took its place as the replacement for the WS-2902. The addition of direct console Internet access to the WS-2902 makes it easier to connect to a dual-band router. To connect with your router, the WS-2902 employs AmbientTool, which is a mobile app. This is the biggest change in the ambient weather ws-2902a osprey.
Where are Ambient Weather products made?
Ambient Weather is a weather station and software developer based in Arizona that specializes in personalized solutions and goods for the home, business, schools, resorts, government, and the media. In 2019, Nielsen-Kellerman, a manufacturer of weather stations, ballistics and weather instruments, and sports performance goods, acquired Ambient Weather.
How Do I Clear the Rain On The Ambient Weather WS-2902c Series?
To switch between the different types of rainfall data, press the RAIN button. You can select Rain Rate (in/hr), Rain Event, Rain Day, Rain Week, Rain Month, or Rain Total.
Reset the rain totals on ambient weather WS-2902, tap the RAIN button and hold for two seconds. This will reset the weekly rain totals and the daily rain totals.
