Ambient Weather WS-1201-IP Observer Reviewed-A Close Look
After looking closer, the best thing about the Ambient Weather WP-1201-IP Observer is the things that it can connect to.
In the world we live in today, being connected is very important to many people for many reasons.
So what I’m saying is you are supplied with ongoing weather stats like current temps, current wind speeds, current barometer readings, current wind direction, and the UV and solar radiation as well.
All of those from outdoors, then you will also get your indoor temperature, your barometric pressure, and relative humidity as transmitted to you from your indoor array.
Please see below our look at the display console and what it presents to you. A very attractive colored screen that brings to you a screen filled with interesting weather readings, that will keep you updated often throughout your day. 
I believe the remote updates the readings every 14 seconds to the console, as it always is monitoring and talking to your console.
Types of Instruments
This weather remote sensor is transmitted back to the weather console inside your home without having to deal with any wires. The transmission is totally wireless and is transmitted at 915 MHz RF.
The instruments in the array remote sensor unit are the following, a weather anemometer, a temperature sensor, a barometer, and a rain gauge which is automatically self-emptying.
It also collects UV rays and solar strength through the solar charging panel on the sensor unit.
Display Console of the Observer
The remote sensor unit is updating your console with information from these sources. the provided instruments and sources of information are the wind vane, wind cups, the solar collector battery compartment, the LED transmitter indicator.
It also possesses a reset button Thermo-hygrometer with solar radiation shield UV sensor, Solar radiation sensor, Rain collector (self-emptying), and a bubble level used for installation purposes.
All of these are behind the scenes providing you with the following information on the screen in the comfort of your home.
What the Console Displays
It gives you a graph that provides detailed trends for barometer, temperature, and humidity
It gives you the minimum and maximum conditions with time and date stamps, historical archived data, the sunrise, sunset, and moon phase are also displayed to keep you informed daily on these happenings around you.
Furthermore, on the lower-right side of the screen, you will see the temperatures presented as outside current, with relative humidity levels, the temp both indoor and outdoors.
Then at the bottom of this area is the dew point spelled out for you in percentage currently with the temperature at 99%.
Software
The sensor array updates every 14 seconds. The maximum wind speed (gust) and average wind speed are continuously sampled within the 14 second time period,
It connects easily with all of the following
Ambient Weather Network
The AmbientWeather.net service connects to IFTTT, the platform that allows devices and services to work together seamlessly for you in your home.
Here are a few things you can do with IFTTT
- Turn off your Rachio sprinklers when it rains, there is too much wind, or below freezing.
- Close your Hunter blinds when the sun is too intense.
- Close your garage door when it is too windy.
- Blink your hue lights when it starts raining.
- Connect to other web services, such as Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest
For more information on the IFTTT connection please go to IFTTT Ambient Weather.
The Ambient WS-1201-IP also will connect well with the following three services as well.
- Google Assistant
- Amazon Alexa
- Weather Underground Network
Manufacturer Support
You may call them Monday-Friday 8 am to 3 pm Arizona time
for Returns and Exchanges call 1-480-346-3388
Or email to support@AmbientWeather.com
Also, they have an extensive contact us (for whatever) page which may be found by going here, Ambient Customer Care.
Dimensions of the Ambient Weather WS-1201-IP Observer
Display Console: Frame Dimensions (LxWxH): 7.75 x 5.75 x 0.75″
LCD Dimensions (LxW): 6.25 x 3.5″
Outside Sensor Array: Is approximately (HxLxW): 14 x 12 x 6″
How Powered
- Base station: Input 5V DC; 110V-240 V 50-60 Hz wall charger included Power Consumption: 7.5 Watts
- Indoor Remote sensor: Uses 2 AAA batteries
- Outdoor sensor array: uses 3 AAA alkaline batteries
Energizer Ultimate Lithium AAA Batteries, 8 Count
Batteries that are needed are not included in the purchase. They will need to be purchased separately.
It is highly recommended to use Lithium batteries for the outside remote unit. Lithium batteries have a much longer shelf life than regular alkaline batteries. They will stay charged much longer in the very cold weather.
Specifications:
-
- Indoor Temperature
Indoor Temperature Range: 32 to 140 °F
Indoor Temperature Accuracy: ± 2 °F
Indoor Temperature Resolution: 0.1 °F
- Outdoor Temperature
Outdoor Temperature Range: -40 to 140 °F (with lithium e2 Energizer batteries)
Outdoor Temperature Accuracy: ± 2 °F
Outdoor Temperature Resolution: 0.1 °F
- Indoor Humidity
Indoor Humidity Range: 10 to 99%
Indoor Humidity Accuracy: ± 5%
Indoor Humidity Resolution: 1 %
- Outdoor Humidity
Outdoor Humidity Range: 10 to 99%
Outdoor Humidity Accuracy: ± 5%
Outdoor Humidity Resolution: 1 %
- Barometric Pressure
Barometric Pressure Range: 8.85 to 32.50 inHg
Barometric Pressure Accuracy: ± 0.08 inHg (within range of 27.13 to 32.50 inHg)
Barometric Pressure Resolution: 0.01 inHg
- Solar Radiation
Solar Radiation (Light) Range: 0 to 400,000 Lux
Solar Radiation Accuracy: ± 15%
Solar Radiation Resolution: 1 Lux
- UV
UV Range: 0 to 15
UV Accuracy: ± 1
UV Resolution: 1
- Rain
Rain Range: 0 to 394 in
Rain Accuracy: ± 10%
Rain Resolution: 0.01 in
- Wind Direction
Wind Direction Range: 0 – 360º
Wind Direction Accuracy: ± 1º
Wind Direction Resolution: 1º
- Wind Speed
Wind Speed Range: 0 to 100 mph (operational)
Wind Speed Accuracy: ± 2.2 mph or 10% (whichever is greater)
Wind Speed Resolution: 0.1 mph
Wind Speed Calculation: Average wind speed in 16 second update period
Wind Gust Calculation: Peak wind speed in 16 second update period
Pros for the Ambient Weather WS-1201-IP Observer
Has an automatic Daylight Savings Time setting. It can be either on or off. For the US only
Bubble level included for accurate mounting
Can be viewed from different angles
The colored screen which many people find as a big plus
Is easy to set up
Consistent accurate readings (please see specifications section)
Connects to 2 different weather communications situations. Weather Underground and Ambientweather.com
Can be used with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Can be used with ITFFF App
Cons
It has a very weak design for hanging it up. It uses two very small screws which aren’t large to hold the console. It will work better as a desktop or shelf sitting situation
It doesn’t have a battery backup on the console, so you lose some settings when the power goes.
A word of warning, some customers report a very hard time connecting with on the telephone, they had to use voicemail a lot. Not satisfied with that.
Best customer service comes from email. A bit leery of that. Be aware of this situation has occurred to some people.
Consumer Ratings
Often when I am looking to buy something, I will read a few reviews from people who have purchased the product already. Sometimes I am surprised by what I find.
I often have to remind myself of my reason for considering this product. Is it important to have every review match well with a 4 or 5-star rating? Maybe? or Maybe not?
I find that the lower-priced items will receive many more reviews because many more of them are sold and thus many more people are willing to share their experiences.
With this Ambient product, I have found that it has a reasonable amount of reviews for how much it will cost you. Then I find, the price does compare favorably with other personal weather stations which provide the same range of services and instrumentation for the customer.
I believe as long as we are comparing other brands with the Ambient WS-1201-IP, I will take the Ambient based on the strength of all of the positive things it is giving me.
All of these features are tremendous and the icing on the cake is the software abilities that come along with it. It is a winner.
I rate this Ambient Weather WS-1201-IP Observer unit at a personal 4.2 stars. I believe it rates out well because of the large things it can do for me.
Then as a very psyched-up weather fan towards this excellent weather station, I am well pleased.
