WeatherCat

Question: in order to use this application you need to have a hardware weather station ? is that correct ?

WeatherCat 2.0 has just been released. I participated in the pre-release Beta testing of this excellent software. There's a lot of improvements under the hood, but the visual improvements are stunning. In addition to the strip charts, which didn't get changed, you now have an oasis of gauge creation ability in the software. Gauges can be scaled to any size on the screen you're comfortable with, can track as many as 4 parameters, or can track a single parameter with pointers for daily high, low and average. Just select 'Custom Gauges - New' from the Tools menu, choose your variable parameter from the pop-up menu choices (for each of 4 possible pointers), and if you like custom set the color of the pointers, scale text, scale and labels. With 5 different gauge bodies to choose from, it's easy to create gages that match a certain criteria. For instance, all of my temperature gauges have a black case; all of my rain gauges have a wooden case; and all of my wind gauges have a gold case. In addition to the new gauges, you can now create up to 5 synthetic channels. An simple example would be if you wanted to create a gauge and/or chart to track the difference between inside and outside temperature. There can be as many as 5 parameters referenced in your formula, which you write using Applescript functions. The simple example above would be written "return param1-param2" where param1 is External Temperature and param2 is Internal Temperature. Nearly all software involves compromise, and for the life of me, I wish I could think of some to document in this review. But, the fact is, WeatherCat was already a great program for weather data management, and now with gauges and synthetic channels, it's excellent! This now is a weather program good enough to warrant changing platforms to get. Have you been thinking about owning a Mac, but your weather station software is holding you back? It's time to step up.

Considering how robust the WeatherCat forum community is, I'm really surprised it's been so long since this superb piece of weather software for the Mac has been reviewed. I guess people don't come to visit when everything works as it should and the software is updated regularly to support the most current Apple OS. Validates the PR folks who always say the complainers skew the stats...you never hear from those who are satisfied. WeatherCat is now up to version 1.2.4 and making good progress toward version 2 (expected late summer/early fall). This literally is a turn key operation, load the software, make the applicable connection with your weather station console or sensors and you're in business with weather graphing, statistics and archives right on your Mac desktop. And want to join the network of Personal Weather Station owners who flow their station data into the national grids (Citizen Weather Observation Program, Weather Underground, WeatherBug, PWS Weather, and others)? WeatherCat is pre-programmed to do it for you...set up an account, enter your UserName and Password and you're live. It's that simple. In fact, for several of the services, an account can be established from right inside the WeatherCat application! Doesn't get any simpler than that. Plus, the software supports Rapid Fire reporting...updating every 2.5 seconds...so it's near-real-time data flow to the national grid. Highly customizable as well for advanced users. One tip for Davis Instruments weather station owners who use the WeatherLinkIP data logger, determining the WeatherLink IP address so WeatherCat recognizes your station is a bit cumbersome. So what you want to do is download the free LanScan app from right here on MacUpdate. Fire LanScan up, click on "Lan your Scan" and it'll instantly display the IP address for the Davis WeatherLink hardware. Drop dead easy! And, of course, WeatherCat users don't need to use the antiquated Davis software when using Davis hardware on Apple computers. To configure the Davis data logger without loading & running the Davis software, merely "Quit" WeatherCat and then type the Davis IP address in your browser search window which will open up the Davis data logger window. That's a one-time step. The reason why WeatherCat has to be shut down while the Davis data logger is configured is because the data logger can't be accessed by two apps at the same time. Highly recommended weather app for Mac users. Supported by a developer who cares about his customers and answers e-mail questions/problems promptly.

Just a GREAT application for your Weather Station.

If you are using a mac and want the best weather software for retrieving your weather data from your weather station to your mac then WEATHERCAT is the one you want, it's continuing development by it's creator Stu Ball will give the most you can get from any weather software out there I been using it from the beginning stages and it has performed like no other on the market I had tried others but they just did not keep up with what you needed, here you can ask for request and if it is up to the needs of others it gets add, this software is being used around the world and all of the ones that use it gives it two thumbs up and more I tell you give it a try its the best

For Weather enthusiasts with a Mac, this is by far the best program to view, present and log your weather data. Extremely flexible and reliable, full of features, easy to use. Only one gripe (that will hopefully be resolved in a future release): it is not possible to import my 10 years of data, in my case Davis .WLK format.

This is a great weather station app. Read Elagache review for more.

WeatherCat is the sports sedan of Mac weather programs. It is slick, very fast and nimble. Still, it is comfortable enough to be used in a wide range of conditions. WeatherCat is the latest creation of developer Stuart Ball who has been working on Mac weather software since 2004. It rests upon the modern Xcode development environment and doesn’t suffer from any legacy Mac code or Windows/UNIX porting inefficiencies. It is easy to set up and run with any weather station it supports. It can import data from a number of other weather station programs if you have been using something else. At the same time, it has advanced features that you will appreciate as your interest grows. It has a robust custom alert system to keep you informed of changing weather that interests you. It has an extensive graphing system to allow you to display the changing weather conditions. If you want to share your data with others via Internet weather websites, it supports uploads to Weather Underground and CWOP. There is a free add-on available to upload to 3 additional web services and web templates that support several more upload services. For the adventurous, WeatherCat allows you to create your own weather website. There is a simple website built-in or you can create your own custom website. It is even possible to have real-time weather displayed using the custom CGI feature. There are a number of website templates using this capability that can be freely downloaded on the WeatherCat forum. For the truly bold, it is even possible to extend WeatherCat using the AppleScript interface. WeatherCat’s “secret weapon” it is enthusiastic user-community that can be found on the WeatherCat forum. There you can find anything from troubleshooting hints to advice on setting up your weather station instruments. Trying to set up a home weather station can be really bewildering. Finding passionate and friendly Mac users comfortable with weather station hardware is reason enough to check WeatherCat out.

I've been using the beta version of this software for over a month now, and I must say I'm impressed! I have the Davis Vantage Pro II Weather Instruments package, and WeatherCat has done an excellent job of catching and storing the data, while displaying live views of the most eye popping custom charts on any computer today. And price? For what it does, this software is a real bargain! In addition to charting your data, it seamlessly sets you up with weather underground and Citizens Weather Observer Program, then goes a long way toward enabling the management of your own custom weather web pages. There are some missing wish list items, but then this is version 1.0. Expect it to get even better with each new iteration. If you do weather on the Mac, or you want to do weather on the Mac, there is no better choice! http://trixology.com/weathercat/

Excellent piece of software and so easy to use and setup. uses a wide range of weather stations and functions very well with my Oregon 928. Great support in place through the forum or through macweather.net. A great looking interface which is highly configurable to your own needs. takes very little computer resources too. All in all a bargain at the price, and a must for any serious mac weather enthusiast.

This is a GREAT weather app to go with your weather station. It works with Davis, Oregon Scientific, and other weather instruments. The developer is great to work with. Check it out!