Look No Further! Here are the Top 5 Rain Gauges

Rain gauges capture hyperlocal rainfall data. These are invaluable tools for users in both rural and residential areas. Rain gauges help farmers make well-informed decisions about when to plant crops, anticipate yields and decide when to harvest. In residential areas, rain gauges can assist avid gardeners in evaluating whether a particular area is suitable for a particular plant, and record precise hyperlocal rainfall statistics for insights about the local environment.

About Rain Gauges

Have you ever had rain predicted by your local weather station only to see grey skies? You must have noticed local weather reports that are not precise for your location. This disparity is because your local city weather station could be located a significant distance or even in another geographical range from you. 

Rain gauges are instruments that help address this problem.They are useful for obtaining accurate and reliable precipitation information from your home or farm. Precise and real-time rainfall information enables users to track, predict and plan future events.

Rain Gauge Examples

We have assembled what our team regard are the five best rain gauges that cater from basic to professional applications.

1. Digital Rain Gauge with Temperature
Product Code: IC-XC0430

The IC-XC0430 Digital Rain Gauge with Temperature features a wireless self-emptying rain collector that measures both rainfall and temperature. The rain collector transmits data up to 150 metres via a low power radio frequency to the main indoor display.The display unit has a HI/LO alert alarm, displays rainfall in terms of rain rate, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and yearly records and has a radio-controlled clock built-in. The system is a professional standard rain gauge you can use in your backyard.

Specifications

Rainfall Measurement Range: 0-29999 mm (max)

Rainfall Measurement Accuracy: <0.2 mm: ± 7% or 1 tip; 127 mm: ±7%

Output/Connection: Radiofrequency to the included indoor console.

2. Wireless Rain Gauge With Outdoor Temperature
Product Code: IC-RGR126N 

The IC-RGR126N features an indoor display console with a separate rain gauge and temperature sensor. The rain gauge transmits data up to 91 metres and the temperature sensor up to 30 metres.

The easy-to-navigate indoor console features a daily high rainfall alarm, a digital clock, and you can view historical daily, as well as ten-day total rainfall and temperature records.

Specifications

Rainfall Measurement Range: 0mm/hr – 9999 mm/hr

Rainfall Measurement Accuracy: <15mm/hr ±1mm; 15mm to 9999mm ± 7%

Output/Connection: Radio frequency to the included indoor console.

3. NETATMO Rain Gauge for the Weather Station
Product Code: IC-NRG01-WW

The IC-NRG01-WW Netatmo Rain Gauge is a rain gauge attachment to the Netatmo Urban Weather Station. The Netatmo rain gauge provides real-time rainfall and accumulated precipitation data straight to a smartphone or tablet. Track rain information precisely and conveniently, so you'll know when it's time to water your plants!

Specifications

Rainfall Measurement Range: 0.2 mm/h to 150 mm/h

Rainfall Measurement Accuracy: 1 mm/h

Output/Connection:Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n compatible (2.4GHz)/Supports Open/WEP/WPA/WPA2-Personal (TKIP and AES).WiFi router and internet access required, public hotspots are not supported.

4. rain[e] Weighing precipitation sensor
Product Code: IC-00.15184.000000

The rain(e) weighing precipitation sensor is a unique self-emptying collection system that enables the measurement of every single drop to an impressively high resolution of 0.001 mm/m2. The unit boasts full functionality all year round, without the need for antifreeze fluid, which makes the rain[e] environmentally friendly too.

The rain(e) has the following outputs; SDI-12, RS-485 (SDI-12 protocol, ASCII protocol, TALKER protocol, 2 Pulse-Outputs for a linearised, bounce-free output signal, Status-Output (configurable, e.g. rain yes/no or heating on/off) and Analogue output 0/4...20 mA (0...2.5/5 V).

Specifications

Rainfall Measurement Range: Without limitation; 0.005 to ∞mm

Rainfall Measurement Accuracy: ±0.1mm or ±1% at 6mm/min and ±2% at ≥6mm/min.

Output/Connection: SDI-12, RS-485 (SDI-12 protocol, ASCII protocol, TALKER protocol, 2 Pulse-Outputs for a linearised, bounce-free output signal, Status-Output (configurable, e.g. rain yes/no or heating on/off) and Analogue output 0/4...20 mA (0...2.5/5 V).

5. Precipitation Monitoring Station with Stainless Steel Rain Gauge
Product Code: IC-SNiP-SRG-A

The SNiP-SRG is a 'Sensor Node Integrated Package' for LoRa, LoRaWAN, FSK or CAT-M1 communication for real-time precipitation and rainfall measurements. We recommend this unit for continuous environmental monitoring of a particular site.The rain gauge kit includes 1 x SRG0 rain gauge, an AD-NODE with LoRaWAN communications, 3x AA LiFeS2 batteries and a node mounting bracket.

Specifications

Rainfall Measurement Accuracy:Accuracy of ±2% at 500 mm/hr

Output/Connection:SRG0 Rain gauge: 0.1-second switch closure suitable for any standard data logger. AD-NODE: A 24-bit ADC, the AD-NODE supports two RTDs, a 0–10V with compressing range and a 4–20mA input. Each of the four dry-contact digital inputs is capable of simultaneously sampling at 1 kHz, with periodic reporting. Settings on the device can be altered remotely via LoRaWAN or locally via USB.

Conclusion 

Rain gauges come in all shapes and sizes to accommodate your specific needs. The five top units listed above have varying specifications and communication methods to suit a variety of requirements.

If you need more information about rain gauges, including which rain gauge model will best suit your needs, contact an Instrument Choice Scientist, we're here to help! Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].