Yachting_Monthly_2016-01

GEAR TEST

JANUARY 2016 http://www.yachtingmonthly.com 73

Ytora TPW899 £100

Oregon Scientifi c WMR89Using the same wireless sensors as the WMR86, the £145.95

WMR89 has a different display that can be mains-powered (power plug supplied) and

it also sports a USB port for downloading data to a PC for later analysis, using one of many dedicated weather

logging software packages.

This unit has a white desktop base station with

mounting. The portrait format pull-out stand and keyholes for bulkhead

display is large and clear with big symbols and numerals, and a blue backlight with a button that’s easy to fi nd in the gloom.

is radio-updated and shows the current moon phase. The large clock and calendar

There are no rise or set times for the sun or moon, though.Next down is barometric

pressure: a clear bar graph and a ‘current weather’ icon. To the right is a 16-point wind direction compass, with current wind

speed (mph or kph only) in the centre. The rainfall measure (mm/in) shows the last hour’s worth, or a 24-hour total.

and humidity, indoors and out, with trend indicators and ‘comfort factor’ icon.Two lines show temperature

The rainfall and wind sensors plug into humidity sensor the temperature/

the base station. The sensors are all (leads provided), which transmits to

reasonable degree.weatherproof, to a

good contrast, a wide viewing angle and large numbers. It It’s easy to read, thanks to

(^8) / 10 shows all the primary data we’d want at a glance, without having to toggle various buttons. It’s a real shame it doesn’t give wind
Supplier Tel Web 01243 558280 http://www.weathershop.co.ukThe Weather Shop
The display is small and neat, with all the primary information such as time (radio-controlled),
wind speed/direction, weather, indoor/outdoor temperature and humidity, moon phase and time permanently displayed. The
viewing angle is wide and the contrast is good, so the data is easy to read and it also has an
orange backlight on an easy-to-fi nd bar switch on the top for gloomy surroundings. Once
again, learning which button does what takes a while – I wouldn’t put the manual away for a
few weeks.the most costly model we tested is What makes this
partly the ease with which the completely wireless 100m-range transducers can
partly in its ability be installed, and
The Ytora’s sensors are all reasonably weatherproof
If you want to run weather-logging PC software, this
unit comes up trumps
speed in knots. It also boasts max/min readings on all data. It’s simple to install (pole and
mounts included), provided you want all the sensors in the same place, as the cables are very short.
Supplier Tel Web 01243 558280 http://www.weathershop.co.ukThe Weather Shop
the current moon phase. out, with trend indicators and ‘comfort factor’ icon.The rainfall and wind
Supplier The Weather Shopreasonable degree.
It’s a real shame that this unit
doesn’t give wind speed readings in knots
orange backlight on an easy-to-fi nd bar switch on the top for gloomy surroundings. Once
again, learning which button does what takes a while – I wouldn’t put the manual away for a
few weeks.the most costly model we tested is What makes this
partly the ease with which the completely wireless 100m-range transducers can
partly in its ability be installed, and
7 / 10
to connect to a PC using a USB lead and software that can be downloaded from the OS website. The base station
records the past seven days’ weather data, which can then be downloaded to a PC running compatible weather logging
software. This means the PC can be disconnected and taken away, except when it is briefl y transferring its data.
required data for semi-pro use.This is a nice unit with all the
Small and need, with all key data displayed