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W-8681 MK1 or MK2 ?

Discussion specific to Fine Offset and similar rebadged weather stations
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Paul-G0HWC
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W-8681 MK1 or MK2 ?

Post by Paul-G0HWC »

Hi,
I got a W-8681 from Ebay that was sold as a MK2
first how can you tell if its a MK1 or 2
and whats new in the MK2 ??

Paul
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fadiaz
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Re: W-8681 MK1 or MK2 ?

Post by fadiaz »

Hi Paul,

I can not say for sure, since I do not have the solar version of a FO, but for what I have read before (specially around here) seems the mk1 are the solar version with the old buggy solar pod; and the mk2 seem to be the new fixed solar pod. Seems the way to distinguish the mk1 from an mk2 FO with solar pod is to look for a gold star under the solar pod.

Well hope that what I told you is right and not wrong, and that what I told you also helps... :)


Francisco
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AllyCat
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Re: W-8681 MK1 or MK2 ?

Post by AllyCat »

Hi,

It's complicated because there are (at least) THREE current versions of the FO hardware (not necessarily with different model numbers), certainly the Amazon description is confusing.

The original version has a touchscreen console and runs (only) on AA cells with the most common number WH1080 or 1081 (the latter has no Radio Controlled Clock). Perhaps a couple of years ago FO added Solar charging with a "Pod" on the top of the external transmitter sunshield. I though this was numbered 109x (but the Signatrol ebay advertisement makes no reference even to solar charging) or named "solar" for the "Watsons" and maybe "Mk.2". These still had a touchscreen console display.

Most recently FO have introduced the Solar Data (UV/Lux + charging) models numbered 3080/1 which have a similar-looking external Pod, etc., but the console is less "curved", has buttons instead of a Touchscreen and UV/Lux on the display. AFAIK none of the numbers give any indication of the radio frequency which might be 434, 868 or 915 MHz (depending only partly on the locality).

The Amazon Text (which refers to being Mk.2) talks only of solar charging but the one review talks of the UV/Lux (not working properly) and the picture shows the later non-touchscreen version. Some of the ebay listings seem similarly confused.

So I think perhaps the "Mk.2" should have solar charging (IMHO an almost useless feature anyway) but still a touchscreen and no solar data. However the Signatrol advert only suggests that the LCD contrast is adjustable, whilst Amazon that it might have solar data (if you look at the pictures rather than reading the words). :?

Cheers, Alan.
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mcrossley
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Re: W-8681 MK1 or MK2 ?

Post by mcrossley »

My understanding of the models, with no attempt at release order...

WH1080/1081 - Touchscreen
WS1080/1081 - Touchscreen + Solar charging
WH1090/1091 - 'Tablet' shape touchscreen
WH2080/2081 - Buttons
WA2080/2081 - Buttons + Solar charging
WH3080/3081 - Buttons + Solar & UV
WH3080/3081 - Buttons + "fixed" Solar & UV
Last edited by mcrossley on Tue 01 May 2012 6:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Paul-G0HWC
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Re: W-8681 MK1 or MK2 ?

Post by Paul-G0HWC »

Many thanks for all the replies :clap:

Paul
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