Hardware good, software not so much
To be fair, this review is being written by someone who uses Mac computers. Maybe the software is better on the PC side, but I’m having a devil of a time getting the software to work properly between the AMBIENTCAM2 solar camera, my base station, my laptop and my smart devices. For starters you have to know which software to use (NOT the Ambient VMS, but the AWN VMS), only it’s not included on the downloads page for the product on the Ambient website. Once you do find the software, and if you get it to recognize your device, then the fun starts with trying to configure the device and/or to remove/change parameters as you work thru problems on connectivity.
I am a seasoned tech person, and if I’m having trouble with this setup I’m guessing others will, too. You have a good base to start from, Ambient … please do something about this awful software. It will be your undoing if you can’t make this more user friendly. For starters, hire someone who knows about UI consistency across platforms and devices, model out some use cases, and prove to yourself that your product is friendly to the common user.
Today it is not.
I am a seasoned tech person, and if I’m having trouble with this setup I’m guessing others will, too. You have a good base to start from, Ambient … please do something about this awful software. It will be your undoing if you can’t make this more user friendly. For starters, hire someone who knows about UI consistency across platforms and devices, model out some use cases, and prove to yourself that your product is friendly to the common user.
Today it is not.
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WiFi issues
Had a very hard time setting this up thru the app, took around 2 hours but I got it to work after tons of trials and errors.
Difficult
After trying about 1000 times, I finally connected to Wi-Fi. I disabled my 5 GHz network. Using an iPhone. I went to settings, tapped wifi, tapped the i on my 2.4 GHz, scrolled down, and turned off private wifi address. Then, I followed the set-up instructions on this app. Finally, success!
Doesn’t work anymore
I could not get this to work after multiple attempts using an iPhone 17 Pro and iOS 26 and the WS-2902B station.
Luckily, I had an old Android device laying around (Pixel 3 with Android 12), so I downloaded the app on that, and it worked on the first try.
Luckily, I had an old Android device laying around (Pixel 3 with Android 12), so I downloaded the app on that, and it worked on the first try.
192.168.4.0/24 Network Issues
It is true, this app is not very good. However, I did eventually get it to work. I ran into a particularly challenging issue and I thought I would describe my findings here.
My home Wi-Fi network is broadcasting 192.168.4.0/23. The device’s Wi-Fi is also on 192.168.4.0. This causes a conflict so that, even after you correctly configure the device, it cannot then connect to your Wi-Fi.
The solution was to set up a separate Wi-Fi network with a different address space. I was then able to configure the device.
My home Wi-Fi network is broadcasting 192.168.4.0/23. The device’s Wi-Fi is also on 192.168.4.0. This causes a conflict so that, even after you correctly configure the device, it cannot then connect to your Wi-Fi.
The solution was to set up a separate Wi-Fi network with a different address space. I was then able to configure the device.
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GUI doesn’t work
Got rude advice from AW staff on updating to a new router. I went a year without being able to connect. Finally ordered a new display unit because they said that must be the issue. NOPE. It was the GUI on the AWNET app. Finally was able to update on the web. Wasted $85 on an unnecessary display unit.
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Agree with most others
This app is horrible. Updated my WiFi and have not been able to reconnect since. Followed everything in manual. All troubleshooting suggestions. Have switched off 5.0 over a dozen times, nothing. Hours of frustration and still not back on line.
Avoid This App
Avoid using this app at all costs. I recommend the following if you have problems.
1) Put your weather station into wi-fi mode
2) Connect to the stations wifi
3) Type in the router address of the weather station (Mine: 192.168.4.1)
4) Click login, there is no password
5) Scan and connect to your wifi network
6) Done and you avoid the app
1) Put your weather station into wi-fi mode
2) Connect to the stations wifi
3) Type in the router address of the weather station (Mine: 192.168.4.1)
4) Click login, there is no password
5) Scan and connect to your wifi network
6) Done and you avoid the app
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Doesn’t work .
Doesn’t work. I’ve tried multiple apps, devices. It keeps giving me failed password
Doesn’t work.
Used to update wifi firmware. Doesn’t work. Won’t connect to my WS-5000 console. Multiple calls to customer service, waste of time. Guess I’ll never update the wifi firmware…
Needs updating
I was able to add my weather station, but afterwards the station is not showing up on the device list. I removed and reinstalled the app, still not working. The weather station is working fine and does show up on the ambient.net webpage.
Here is the problem
I want to try and save everyone the massive amount of time I wasted. I tried all the potential solutions that people recommended here, and also as a network professional tried several others. I had a long conversation with a tech from ambient weather, he pointed out that AWnet is a third-party app that they ‘do not have control over’. Sometimes when updates are made to the app it stops working for the WS – 2000. When that happens, there is nothing you can do to connect. The only option is to try back at a later date and see if the application has been updated, and the update resolves the issue. As there is no version number on the app, there’s no way to know specifically if this has happened. As of January 2, 2025 it is not working.
Update: It worked via an android device.
Update: It worked via an android device.
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Here is the problem
I want to try and save everyone the massive amount of time I wasted. I tried all the potential solutions that people recommended here, and also as a network professional tried several others. I had a long conversation with a tech from ambient weather, he pointed out that AWnet is a third-party app that they ‘do not have control over’. Sometimes when updates are made to the app it stops working for the WS – 2000. When that happens, there is nothing you can do to connect. The only option is to try back at a later date and see if the application has been updated, and the update resolves the issue. As there is no version number on the app, there’s no way to know specifically if this has happened. As of January 2, 2025 it is not working.
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Not had any problems
I downloaded and used this app. I have had no problems. WiFi was easy to setup and it connected with no problems…only thing I wish is I could replace my apple widget with one from ambian of my own weather station…
Poor Connection
Connected several times with weather station, but the app loses track of the device
Unusable App
For iPhone, I’ve found this app to be totally unusable. Hours of doing the same thing over and over to get no result. I’ve connected in the past but it was totally random that it connected. When I can once again afford a weather station it will not be from Ambient Weather.
Ugh!!! Many Failed Attempts
This software must have been written by a sister or brother-in-law. Absolutely trash. No feed back just failure after failure. This should not be difficult.
Just shameful
They make such great weather but haven’t bothered to update the app in 2 years to address the legitimate complaints? Shameful. I am an IT guy with 25 yr experience and I still wasted 45 min just trying to get it to join WiFi. I finally followed the advice of another one star review to turn off cellular when going through the setup and that seemed to work. They REALLY need to update this app to address all of problems that everyone is having.
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Works great when it works..
Recently got new internet service. I remember when I first got it I had issues connecting to my internet then as well. Now I’ve followed different options from ambient customer service and ensuring through my internet company I had indeed switched the dual band router to 2.4. Still will not connect.2902c is the model I’ve had. Was about to buy another one for a gift until this happened. I don’t think I will
Now unless there’s some kind of solution to this problem.
Now unless there’s some kind of solution to this problem.
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Turn of Cellular data…
Could not get my weather station to connect at all, I tried for 30 minutes with countless attempts. Found a note about turning of your cellular data. I did that and my weather station connected on my first attempt with this app. Again TURN OFF YOUR CELLAR DATA and it will work on your first attempt.
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