Weather Stations?
 

Does anyone have any recommendations? Altronics Easy to use?


Thanks in advance
Chris Whitney

Re: Weather Stations?
 

Chris, check with "Alta-Lab" many racers use that product.

Re: Weather Stations?
 

Chris, also note; while a weather station is valid to help understand performance changes, it is just another tool. There is no substitute for keeping good records and paying attention to how your car changes with conditions.

Go into the usage of a weather station expecting it to give you a guide but not to be dead-on in all situations.

Re: Weather Stations?
 

I like the Altronics stuff. I had the hand held for a year or so. Then came on a good deal on a weather station with pagers and more options. They have a feature that will show bad runs that are entered. Which helps keep the junk runs out of your data base but you still need to pay attention to what you are putting in it. I think the best part is the customer service. Always willing to help and if you ever have a problem with it. As soon as they get it in they get it fixed and right back out. I messed up the keyboard on mine. Sent it in on a Monday and had it back by Friday. Not sure if she still works there as its been a long time since I needed their help. But when you get in a real bind and cant figure something out ask for Kate. If she cant fix it over the phone you broke it real good. LOL And if you ever have a chance to go see Fred do his sales pitch and explain how weather stations work. Go see it no matter what brand you get. I saw it at the drag expo years ago. He gives away alot of good info.

Re: Weather Stations?
 

Computech

Nick Morris
FGT/F

Re: Weather Stations?
 

We use and stock the Computech Race Air Pro. Their product is great and their contingency checks are nice too.

Re: Weather Stations?
 

Altalb and Crew Chief Pro if you can afford it.

Bought a used Altalab trailer station sent it to them for evaluation it was updated, checked and fixed everything for a more than fair cost, only sold me what I needed just very honest people.

Don and Michele from Crew Chief Pro are very helpful and easy to contact for help.

Not a big fan of Altronics as a company.
Have had a trailer station for over 10 years sent it back for calibration and updates at least every 2 years.
Last season the humidity sensor was acting up so sent it back to check, calibrate and update. The young man who worked on it was very nice called letting me know what it was going to cost, called back with the problem and fixed it without parts or additional charges.

My issue is the cost: An additional $100 dollars because it was old.
A good customer who sent the weather station back regularly was charged a penalty fee because their product was still useable after 10 years.
The young man was doing what he was told I could sense he was uneasy about the penalty charge am sure not everyone handled it as well as I.

Nice way to do business charge a customer extra for using their product too long a customer who paid to keep it in good condition. What a slap in the face. Of course they offer a discount on a new weather station.
Am sure I am not the only one with this experience.

Re: Weather Stations?
 

We received our contingency check from Computech this week, three weeks after the race! They are the first to pay! Great company and product!

Nick
FGT/F

Re: Weather Stations?
 

[QUOTE=

Not a big fan of Altronics as a company.
Have had a trailer station for over 10 years sent it back for calibration and updates at least every 2 years.
Last season the humidity sensor was acting up so sent it back to check, calibrate and update. The young man who worked on it was very nice called letting me know what it was going to cost, called back with the problem and fixed it without parts or additional charges.
.[/QUOTE]


Sorry you are not happy with the service on your 10 YEAR old electronic system. Yes we do charge more for systems over ten years old because the components used back 10+ years ago have been replaced with newer and better electronic components and now we must pay a premium to source the type used 10+ years ago. I am sorry if you feel we are over charging, but go try to get your 10+ year old TV or PC repaired and let me know what they tell you.

Re: Weather Stations?
 

Hey Fred maybe you should follow up on the particular transaction before making a comment.

There were no parts required the weather station was sent in to be checked out and calibrated/updated. There was a problem with the humidity sensor which some cleaning took care of.
Your tech did not install any parts as a matter of fact he was very nice as well as apologetic for the additional "$100 old still working unit extra charge" and assured me there would be no additional fee. Your company policy is to charge extra to service your products if they last too long............

I was charged an additional fee because it is old.Plain and Simple.
I want to continue using this item I paid good money for, sent back to you for calibration and updates regularly.
I "was" your customer.

You have certainly assured that there is no reason to be a fan of your company your products may be good but your customer's satisfaction is placed well behind your ego.

Re: Weather Stations?
 

The older systems, because they use different sensor tech require a different calibration procedure that must be done manually. THis takes much more time to do, hence the additional service fee, which by the way, is clearly posted on the required "service form" that must be sent in with your system. The service form clearly states that systems manufactured before a certain date will be charged base service rate. We also verify this with the customer upon receipt of their shipment, so no work is done unless it is authorized.


Also, your system is 13 years old. I have records of it being sent in twice. Once in 2011 and in 2005....not every two years.


I am not sure what I have said here that justifies a comment on me personally "my ego"? I have dealt with electronics for over 25 years, both what I manufacture and product I use to manufacture and I can honestly say that most electronics of the age we are dealing with here are generally NOT serviceable at all or the fees are significantly higher then what we charge.


I am again sorry you are dissatisfied that we charged you too much for your 13 year old system that is STILL working today.

Re: Weather Stations?
 

Looking back at records:
Purchased in 2003
Have charges in 2004 & 2005 & 2011
Just paid $250 a few months ago.

So was I a customer? It was sent back when readings began to not look right or there was a real problem.
You've had it back 4 times where does that stand with you averages?
If it was sent back to you every year what would be different?

I'm not dissatisfied with the weather station it has served me well.

Every time it went back I was charged a fair price except for the last time.
I am dissatisfied with your company policy and how you are handling this.

Re: Weather Stations?
 

Frank,

You are free to be dissatisfied with our company policy and I am sorry you can not understand why we charge more to fix your older system.

As a business owner it is upsetting that we produced a product that has lasted for 13 years, is still working, and tried to give good support to that product for 13 years. And now we are receiving negative feedback and losing a customer.

I guess it would be better for us to tell you we no longer service your model and you are S.O.L., then again you might complain about being S.O.L.....?

But I do NOT understand why you made a negative comment about me personally?

Re: Weather Stations?
 

"The customer may not always be right....
But they are always the CUSTOMER"

Kinda has a ring to it.......

RJ

Re: Weather Stations?
 

It's real simple:
Sometimes you feel like you received a fair value for your dollar and your business was appreciated then sometimes you don't but continue to work with the company because you invested in them and there are no options.

"I guess it would be better for us to tell you we no longer service your model and you are S.O.L., then again you might complain about being S.O.L.....?"
Just a little condescending.
From your company perspective the only option is to charge double or not service the product at all.
Your strategy to keep a long time customer and convince them trading up is a good option is telling them what they own is no longer any good because it's been in service too long. Why not service the unit and leave the customer with a smile so when the cost to repair is not justified they naturally trade up to your new product because of the good experience and service.

I don't believe "the customer is always right" but the customer should always be serviced in a way that they feel they received value and their business is appreciated.

Re: Weather Stations?
 

I don't have a lot of experience yet with my Altronics Performaire (and none with any other), but it's definitely helped tip me off to some changes in the air I might have missed otherwise and has worked perfectly for the 3 years I've had it. So far I've been happy with it.

And my question I submitted via their website a little while ago was answered within about five minutes.

Re: Weather Stations?
 

I'm at Bristol and walked the pits and I noticed every single Pro Stock rig has a Computech Race Air Pro.

Re: Weather Stations?
 

I bought a used Computech RaceAir Pro a couple of years ago. Wasn't sure how old it was so I decided to have it up-dated. Called them and they were very friendly and said it would be I think $80. Sent it in and they called to say it was done. The guy told me it was the same now as if it were new. When I received it, they had even included a new carrying case. What a deal! Couldn't be happier. Great customer service!

Re: Weather Stations?
 

I bought a basic Computech "little box" unit about 15 years ago from Johnny De RC.
I had it out about a month ago, and compared it to my friend's high zoot, in and out , pager equipped deal, and my numbers were almost exactly the same as his.
It has never been back for service.
Can't complain about that deal.

Re: Weather Stations?
 

Every single fuel car has 2 altalabs for some reason. Weather station and crew chief pro are valuable tools but it all comes down to how much homework you do on your car. Logbooks and learning the trends of your combo are very important.