AcuRite Lightning Detector Atlas Weather Station

Second one I have owned. First station and detector failed in a little over a year. Bought a new sensor suite then found the original detector was also bad so ordered this one. It works and is simple to install. Seems to be fairly accurate for distance on short range strikes based on real time lighting maps on the internet. During a storm about 50% of the time it says it can't detect lightning so you don't get a total count of strikes. Only does this during a storm.

A fun addition to your weather station

The lightning detector counts the number of lightning discharges within 20-25 miles. It does give an accurate sense of the intensity of a weather system but no indication of which direction the storm is located or its movement. A typical thunderstorm could have 400-800 strikes, many cloud to cloud. It does show the distance to the last lightning strike, very useful, but the closest it will indicate is one mile. Overall, a nice addition to a reasonably priced weather station.

With the Atlas system, it has counted HUNDREDS of strikes within 25 miles of me during a storm!

12/27/19 - So far liking it, it was easy to install.TIP: If you are using a telescopic flag pole make sure you disconnect your access and take out their batteries so you don't get accidental rain reading.04/11/20 UPDATE: This lighting sensor is awesome and does the job well. I have had it pick up lightning strikes as far as 15 miles away.

I sure like having my own weather station but with this AcuRite Atlas you need to have internet connection in order to see any of the readings. This lightning detect dies work but only under 25 miles and only measurements I’ve seen was 6 miles and 1 mile away. Had one hit in my front yard and this device still says 1 mile and it only ever says 1 mile and 6 mile. Also after getting this installed in the Atlas the whole thing quit working. Their sever was down or not reporting accurately or even close. Never got any support response. I read someone claiming to hacked them and I’d course they’d say no but all the resets and removal/installs did NOT WORK. I must say I’m majorly disappointed and this lightning detect should’ve been included and NOT extra. They have now reset but still not as accurate as once was. I can no longer depend on this as first or even second source for data of a viable nature. Basically I see this as a novelty at best and living in an area where weather is everything having sensors that half work or can’t be depended on is NOT a good thing but a major waste. My daughters purchased this for me for Father’s Day so even more major disappointment.

works 2% of the time

very easy to install this add on for AcuRite Atlas Weather Station. Detects lighting strikes near by and displays the reading on the wireles display or on their app if you have the Acurite hub.