GRLevel3 vs. GRLevel2

[jgosney]

I downloaded GRLevel3 a few days ago and have been playing with it.  I love it!  But while I was on their website looking for documentation, I also noticed that they have a GRLevel2.  I'm not radar-technical enough to understand the differences in the software and I noticed that they are both the same price (yep, I plan on purchasing).

So my question for those more knowledgeable than I:  What's the difference?  What does one version give that the other version doesn't?  Would 2 be the basic and 3 be the professional version or the other way around?

[Timothy]

I downloaded GRLevel3 a few days ago and have been playing with it.  I love it!  But while I was on their website looking for documentation, I also noticed that they have a GRLevel2.  I'm not radar-technical enough to understand the differences in the software and I noticed that they are both the same price (yep, I plan on purchasing).

So my question for those more knowledgeable than I:  What's the difference?  What does one version give that the other version doesn't?  Would 2 be the basic and 3 be the professional version or the other way around?

GR2 has more storm data functions that GR3 does not have(meaning you can look at storms in different ways that GR3 does not allow),  in GR2 you have to add the radar data manually before you can start polling. Search google and you will find that url for polling.

[DocB]

GR2 has more storm data functions that GR3 does not have(meaning you can look at storms in different ways that GR3 does not allow),  in GR2 you have to add the radar data manually before you can start polling. Search google and you will find that url for polling.

Awww jeeze - I just bought GR3 thinking it was a better version. Wonder if they would let me swap licenses?

[DocB]

Also - I noticed my NMD markers in GR3 dropped using KOHX site a few hours ago now. When I switch to KHPX or KHTX they show back up.

Anyone else having NMD marker issues with OHX?

[Eric]

Awww jeeze - I just bought GR3 thinking it was a better version. Wonder if they would let me swap licenses?

I think you're OK.  GR2 was the older version that required manual inputting of radar data...as TNT mentioned.  There is a better version of GR3, IMO, and it's GR2Ae.  That software package can do everything GR2 AND GR3 can do.  For 80.00, the GR3 feed is well worth it.  You can also buy the "AllisonHouse" feed from AllisonHouse for $10.00/mo I think.  You can get mesoscale features through that (METAR data, frontal positions, CAPE values, dew points, etc.).  The license for GR2aE is $250 I think.

[DocB]

I think you're OK.  GR2 was the older version that required manual inputting of radar data...as TNT mentioned.  There is a better version of GR3, IMO, and it's GR2Ae.  That software package can do everything GR2 AND GR3 can do.  For 80.00, the GR3 feed is well worth it.  You can also buy the "AllisonHouse" feed from AllisonHouse for $10.00/mo I think.  You can get mesoscale features through that (METAR data, frontal positions, CAPE values, dew points, etc.).  The license for GR2aE is $250 I think.

Yeah, I blew through the 21-day trial of GR2a and liked it - alot, but didn't want to drop the $250 and settled on the GR3. I blew through the GR2 trial this time last year and forgot what it was like and it wouldn't let me re-try (had to buy key), thus bit the bullet on GR3 yesterday.

[Eric]

Yeah, I blew through the 21-day trial of GR2a and liked it - alot, but didn't want to drop the $250 and settled on the GR3. I blew through the GR2 trial this time last year and forgot what it was like and it wouldn't let me re-try (had to buy key), thus bit the bullet on GR3 yesterday.

The only thing that GR3 won't do that GR2 can is the storm-slice deal.  Other than that, GR3 is much more superior and loads easier to configure with color pallettes and such.

[toastido]

I think you're OK.  GR2 was the older version that required manual inputting of radar data...as TNT mentioned.  There is a better version of GR3, IMO, and it's GR2Ae.  That software package can do everything GR2 AND GR3 can do.  For 80.00, the GR3 feed is well worth it.  You can also buy the "AllisonHouse" feed from AllisonHouse for $10.00/mo I think.  You can get mesoscale features through that (METAR data, frontal positions, CAPE values, dew points, etc.).  The license for GR2aE is $250 I think.

Uhmm.. not exactly. 

GR2 uses the level 2 high resolution data from the radar.  While you still have to manually enter the polling location to use it live, and you can load in the radar data for analysis.  It's like GR2AE, without the in-depth analysis features.   it is in no way an "older version".

GR3 uses level 3 data from the radar.  While most of the Level 3 data is now high-resolution, you also don't get the fine grained controls you get with level 2 data. 

Borrowed text from NWIASpotter over at theweathervane.info:

Level 2 radar is essentially your raw images of the radar. You have each individual scan of the radar at different elevations, giving you reflectivities, velocity and spectrum width as the only 3 types of images available. These images also become available in near real-time, as each individual scan comes onto the server it is released to view.

Level 3 radar is only available after every elevation scan has been completed by the radar. As once all of them are done it is then processed using algorithms to give you your cell data such as hail probabilities, storm movement and its' highest reflectivity, etc.

That's the best way to explain the differences between level 2 and level 3 data.    I will note that level 2 data has improved to include things like NROT and a couple other products that are now in there as well. 

If all you're wanting to do is track storms and look at their formations and velocities, then GR3 is perfect for that.  I'm gearing more into "how do these things on the radar correlate to what's happening on the ground" mode, and nothing can top GR2AE and the level 2 radar data for that.

[Eric]

Uhmm.. not exactly. 

GR2 uses the level 2 high resolution data from the radar.  While you still have to manually enter the polling location to use it live, and you can load in the radar data for analysis.  It's like GR2AE, without the in-depth analysis features.   it is in no way an "older version".

GR3 uses level 3 data from the radar.  While most of the Level 3 data is now high-resolution, you also don't get the fine grained controls you get with level 2 data. 

Borrowed text from NWIASpotter over at theweathervane.info:

That's the best way to explain the differences between level 2 and level 3 data.    I will note that level 2 data has improved to include things like NROT and a couple other products that are now in there as well. 

If all you're wanting to do is track storms and look at their formations and velocities, then GR3 is perfect for that.  I'm gearing more into "how do these things on the radar correlate to what's happening on the ground" mode, and nothing can top GR2AE and the level 2 radar data for that.

Thanks for seting the record ( i.e. ME ) straight.