Buying Guides

5-in-1 vs 7-in-1 Weather Station: How to Choose Your FT Series Model

Every NicetyMeter FT series weather station is a combination of two parts: an indoor console and an outdoor sensor suite. The model number tells you both — FT0310-019T, for example, pairs the 0310 console with the 019T outdoor sensor.

That naming system also maps exactly onto how you should choose. There are three decisions, in order:

  1. Do you need UV and light measurement? → this picks a 7-in-1 or 5-in-1 sensor
  2. Which outdoor sensor generation? → this picks mounting style and solar charging design
  3. Which console screen size? → this picks the indoor unit

This guide walks through each step, then decodes the model numbers and compares all 13 current combinations.

Three decisions to your FT series weather station model: measurements, sensor generation, console screen

The complete FT series decision path: measurements → sensor generation → console screen size.

The 30-second answer

Your situationWhat to choose
You grow plants, manage a greenhouse, own solar panels, or work outdoors7-in-1 sensor (adds UV index + light)
You only want temperature, humidity, wind, rain, and pressure5-in-1 sensor
You want the proven, compact unit with its own mounting bracket includedGen 1 sensor (019T / 020T)
You want to mount on any 30–45 mm pole at any heightGen 2 (030T / 029T)
You want pole mounting plus the best solar charging efficiencyGen 3 (025T / 026T)
Console choicePick by screen size — features are nearly identical across consoles

Step 1: Do you need UV and light measurement?

This is the only question that changes what your station actually measures.

A 5-in-1 outdoor sensor measures five elements: temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, rainfall, and barometric pressure. For most home weather watching, that is the complete picture.

A 7-in-1 sensor adds two more: UV index and light intensity (lux). These two matter more than they first appear:

  • Gardeners and greenhouse growers use light levels to judge whether plants are getting enough usable sun, and UV to avoid scorching sensitive crops.
  • Solar panel owners can correlate light intensity with panel output to spot shading or soiling problems.
  • Anyone planning outdoor work or exercise gets a local UV reading instead of a regional forecast guess — useful for scheduling and sun protection.

If none of those apply, a 5-in-1 station gives you the same core accuracy for less. Everything else in this guide applies equally to both.

Step 2: Choose your outdoor sensor generation

NicetyMeter outdoor sensors come in three generations. All measure the same elements with the same accuracy — the differences are mounting and solar panel design.

Gen 1Gen 2Gen 3
7-in-1 model019T030T025T
5-in-1 model020T029T026T
MountingIncluded base + bracket (fixed ~30 cm height)U-bolt clamp, fits any 30–45 mm poleU-bolt clamp, fits any 30–45 mm pole
Solar panelSide-mountedSide-mountedFlat (top-facing) — higher charging efficiency
Track recordIn production 10+ yearsCurrentCurrent

Gen 1 (019T / 020T): the proven veteran

Compact, proven across more than a decade of production, and the simplest to install because the mounting base and bracket come in the box. The base works in two orientations — flat-mount on top of a post or deck rail, or vertical-mount against a wall or post side. The trade-off is that the bracket holds the sensor at roughly 30 cm above the mounting point.

Gen 1 outdoor sensor flat-mounted on top of a wooden post

Gen 1 base, flat-mount: screwed down on top of a post.

Gen 1 outdoor sensor with vertical-mount base plate

Gen 1 base, vertical-mount: the same base fixes against a wall or post side.

Gen 2 (030T / 029T): mount it your way

The bracket is gone. A U-bolt clamp replaces it: find any round pole between 30 and 45 mm in diameter — a mast, a fence post, a railing — and mount the sensor at whatever height your site needs.

Gen 3 (025T / 026T): the best solar charging

Gen 3 keeps the U-bolt mounting and moves the solar panel from the side to a flat, top-facing position, which captures more sunlight across the day and improves charging efficiency. If your site is shaded part of the day or you want the most maintenance-free power design, this is the generation to pick.

U-bolt clamp fixing a Gen 2 / Gen 3 outdoor sensor to a metal pole

Gen 2 / Gen 3: the U-bolt clamp grips any 30–45 mm round pole.

030T outdoor sensor mounted on a rooftop mast

A 030T (Gen 2) on a rooftop mast — height is your choice.

Shared by Gen 2 & Gen 3: a replaceable temperature-humidity module

If the temperature-humidity module inside the radiation shield ever fails or drifts out of spec, you swap the module instead of the whole sensor suite:

  1. Remove the 2 screws at the bottom of the radiation shield.
  2. Gently lift off the four detachable shield plates (the top plate stays in place).
  3. Pull out the old temperature-humidity module and plug in the new one — seat it fully so the black waterproof ring fits flush, and keep the interior dry while working.
  4. Rinse the shield plates if needed, let them dry completely, then reinstall them in the marked orientation.
Step 1: remove the two screws at the bottom of the radiation shield

1 · Remove the 2 screws at the shield bottom.

Step 2: lift off the four detachable shield plates

2 · Lift off the four shield plates.

Step 3: pull out the old temperature-humidity module and plug in the new one

3 · Pull the old module, plug in the new one.

Step 3: Choose your console by screen size

FT series consoles are functionally very close to one another — same core measurements, same sensor compatibility. The deciding factor is the LCD size, so choose for where the console will live:

Console seriesScreen sizeBest spot for it
0310 / 0320170 × 125 mm (largest)Living room wall — readable across the room
0355165 × 75 mm (wide, slim)Shelf or desk where depth is tight
0860139.6 × 93 mmKitchen counter, office desk
0366 / 0365 / 036A / 0360130 × 80 mmBedside table, study
0345112 × 94 mm (compact)Small desk, crowded spaces

A few consoles add specialist features worth knowing:

  • 0320 adds 8-channel thermo-hygro expansion — monitor extra rooms, a greenhouse, or a wine cellar from one console.
  • 0366WF connects over WiFi for remote monitoring; 0366RF is the same console hardware without WiFi, for off-grid sites. (0366A, WF, and RF share one console mold and near-identical displays.)
  • 0345 stores up to 5,000 records on the console itself and ships with PC software — the pick for offline data logging.

WiFi, app connectivity, and cloud platforms deserve a guide of their own — we will publish a dedicated article on connected models. This guide covers the hardware choice.

Decoding the model number

Once you know the three decisions, FT model numbers read themselves:

Model = FT + console series + outdoor sensor code

FT0310-019T = 0310 console (170 × 125 mm screen) + 019T sensor (Gen 1 · 7-in-1)

Two exceptions, both fixed combinations sold without a sensor suffix:

  • FT0366A / FT0366RF / FT0366WF — one console mold paired with a 5-in-1 sensor; choose by WiFi preference (WF = WiFi, RF = no WiFi).
  • FT0860 — the 0860 console paired with the 020T (Gen 1, 5-in-1) sensor.

All 13 models at a glance

ModelOutdoor sensorSuiteMountingConsole screenStandout
FT0310-019T019T (Gen 1)7-in-1Included bracket170 × 125 mmIntegrated one-mast install, largest screen
FT0310-025T025T (Gen 3)7-in-1U-bolt170 × 125 mmFlat solar panel, split sensor group
FT0320-019T019T (Gen 1)7-in-1Included bracket170 × 125 mm8-channel expansion
FT0320-025T025T (Gen 3)7-in-1U-bolt170 × 125 mmSplit sensors + 8-channel expansion
FT0355-019T019T (Gen 1)7-in-1Included bracket165 × 75 mmSlim wide console
FT0360-025T025T (Gen 3)7-in-1U-bolt130 × 80 mmFlexible professional install
FT0365-030T030T (Gen 2)7-in-1U-bolt130 × 80 mmDebris filter for dusty or leafy sites
FT036A-029T029T (Gen 2)5-in-1U-bolt130 × 80 mmDebris filter, low-maintenance installs
FT0366A5-in-1 (fixed combo)5-in-1—130 × 80 mmWiFi, dual-platform upload
FT0366WF5-in-1 (fixed combo)5-in-1—130 × 80 mmWiFi remote monitoring
FT0366RF5-in-1 (fixed combo)5-in-1—130 × 80 mmRF only — off-grid sites
FT0345-026T026T (Gen 3)5-in-1U-bolt112 × 94 mmPC software + 5,000-entry storage
FT0860020T (Gen 1)5-in-1Included bracket139.6 × 93 mmStraightforward home station

Looking for long-range or specialty monitoring? The FT0370L covers up to 1,500 m over LoRa for farms and large properties, and our specialty line handles rainfall logging, pools, and tanks — those sit outside this guide's 13 core combinations.

FAQ

Can I replace the outdoor temperature/humidity sensor if it fails?

Yes — on Gen 2 and Gen 3 outdoor sensors (029T, 030T, 025T, 026T) the temperature and humidity module is user-replaceable. Remove the radiation shield plates, unplug the old module, plug in the new one, and the station is back in service.

What pole do I need for Gen 2 / Gen 3 sensors?

Any round pole between 30 and 45 mm in diameter. The U-bolt clamp is included; height is your choice. Gen 1 sensors come with their own base and bracket instead, which mounts flat on a post top or vertically against a wall.

Is the 7-in-1 sensor less accurate at the basics?

No. All generations measure temperature, humidity, wind, rain, and pressure the same way. The 7-in-1 simply adds UV and light channels on top.

Do I need WiFi?

Only if you want to check readings remotely or upload to cloud platforms. RF-only models like the FT0366RF run station-to-console with no network at all. We will cover connected models in a dedicated WiFi & app guide.

What about returns and support?

All stations ship with a 15-day return window and warranty coverage as stated in our store policies. Support answers urgent questions within 24 hours.

Still deciding between two models? The decision is almost always settled by Step 1 (UV and light) and Step 3 (screen size) — the sensor generation mostly decides how and where you mount.
Where to Meet NicetyMeter: Global Trade Shows & Exhibitions

FT0310-019T Professional WiFi Weather Station with 7-in-1 Outdoor Sensor

Regular Price $119.10
Sale Price $119.10 Regular Price $0.00
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FT0310-025T Professional WiFi Weather Station with 7-in-1 Split Sensor Group

Regular Price $132.90
Sale Price $132.90 Regular Price $0.00
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FT0320-019T Professional WiFi Weather Station with 8-Channel Thermo-Hygro Expansion

Regular Price $127.10
Sale Price $127.10 Regular Price $0.00
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FT0320-025T Professional WiFi Weather Station with 8-Channel Thermo-Hygro and 7-in-1 Split Sensor

Regular Price $146.00
Sale Price $146.00 Regular Price $0.00
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FT0345 Weather Station with PC Software and 5000-Entry On-Console Data Storage

Regular Price $94.00
Sale Price $94.00 Regular Price $0.00
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FT0355-019T Professional WiFi Weather Station with 7-in-1 Sensor and Slim Console

Regular Price $103.10
Sale Price $103.10 Regular Price $0.00
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FT0360-025T Professional WiFi Weather Station with 7-in-1 Split Sensor Group

Regular Price $112.00
Sale Price $112.00 Regular Price $0.00
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FT0365-030T Professional WiFi Weather Station with 7-in-1 Sensor, UV and Debris Filter

Regular Price $112.00
Sale Price $112.00 Regular Price $0.00
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FT0366A Professional Wireless WiFi Weather Station with 5-in-1 Sensor and Dual-Platform Upload

Regular Price $91.10
Sale Price $91.10 Regular Price $0.00
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FT0366RF Professional Wireless Weather Station with 5-in-1 Sensor (No WiFi Needed)

Regular Price $83.10
Sale Price $83.10 Regular Price $0.00
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FT0366WF-020T Professional Wireless WiFi Weather Station with 5-in-1 Sensor and Dual-Platform Upload

Regular Price $91.10
Sale Price $91.10 Regular Price $0.00
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FT036A-029T Professional WiFi Weather Station with 5-in-1 Sensor and Debris Filter

Regular Price $98.00
Sale Price $98.00 Regular Price $0.00
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FT0860 Professional Wireless Weather Station with 5-in-1 Sensor

Regular Price $78.00
Sale Price $78.00 Regular Price $0.00
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