AcuRite Access integration

[A1cntrler]

I was a Beta tester for the new Acurite Atlas system including the new "SmartHub" called the Access. It is the only way to get the data from the Atlas to the internet, but it is also backwards compatible recieving the data from my older Acurite hardware and sharing it as well. The Access is reported to be available for purchase shortly (sometime in Jan I believe).

I believe there are a few testers that were able to look at the data coming out of the Access on the way to AcuRite and they said they believed it to be encrypted somehow. Stuff like that is way above my paygrade and I'm not sure how to verify that this is the case with it or not.

Typically how do you as the developer find the ways to integrate the various hubs to work with the Meteo software? Do you have versions of them on hand to engineer the ways to use the data? If this is the case are the hubs typically donated or do you have a page set up for donations to purchase for your testing?

Although the Access looks and functions well (saves data on-board in the event of a power or internet outage for upload later) it still does not allow the user to select which sensors they'd like to share with the world. The Atlas is still a all-in-1 unit, and despite their best efforts (aspiration) my shielded properly sited thermometer/hygrometer provides much better readings and is the initial reason I started to use Meteobridge so I could share that.

[admin]

Once it is on the market I might have a look. Accurite is not known to open up their products for 3rd party use, but we will see. Problem with Accurite is that they are available on US market only (at least that has been in the past as far as I remember), so they are not that much relevant for my world-wide products and they are hard to get here in Germany.

[A1cntrler]

Thank you for the answer. The "Beta Access" that the testers was sent is apparently different than the release version. They sent an email a day ago saying that the final version Access is on the way to me. Not sure what's different between this and the release version.

[melissaox]

The Access is available to the market now as I received mine today. Anything we can do to help or see if it works?

[jswnhart]

Any plans to look at supporting the Access?
You can use mine remotely if needed.
Thanks.

[admin]

I am active on the Acurite forum at wxforum.net, where all the Acurite experts exchange their insight.
Current version of the Atlas/Access is definitely not providing any weather data information in the LAN. While their former Aculink product also did not provide data to the LAN it was at least possible to sniff traffic to their servers when getting a Meteobridge in between the Aculink and the LAN/WLAN. The new product is sending SSL encrypted data so no avail.

I am currently trying to get a communication channel to inside Acurite to convince them that they are doing something very stupid and offensive in trying to lock-in their users and inhibiting the users to make direct use of the data out of the station they paid for. I guess they have heard from some consultants that "data is the new gold" and now they are digging for it. Having the users weather data in their cloud exclusively give them all the options to decide which data they give you back and what are the ts&cs (and may be fees) of usage. At least I don't see any other reason for such a move.

For the time being I CANNOT RECOMMEND TO BUY THEIR ATLAS/ACCESS PRODUCTS when you want to do more than watching your data on their exclusive cloud service. But these are just my very personal $0.02.

[p2808]

Apparently this guy has figured out how to parse data from the access. Im not sure its consistent with a method used by this product.


https://github.com/acuparse/acuparse/issues/17

[admin]

Yes, but only by faking the DNS in his LAN to direct traffic meant for "https://atlasapi.myacurite.com" to his own server and reading out the data there. In the end this is a "man in the middle attack", which I can do with my Linux infrastructure as well, but how many users out there will be able to fake their LAN DNS? Furthermore, the data will no longer be uploaded to the Acurite cloud, so it comes with the drawback of limiting the function of the Access.

I will do some thinking if this can anyhow be encapsulated in a way on the Meteobridge alone that the user does not have to mess with the DNS himself. For time being, PLEASE AVOID THIS STATION and tell Acurite that you want a station that can provide data in your LAN, not forcing you to use their cloud or "man in the middle" hacking.

[joegr]

Well, AcuRite now says they will stop accepting data from the hub this August, and everyone will have to "upgrade" to the access. Looks like I will have to upgrade to another brand of weather station.

[admin]

Please tell them that you are not amused and will drop their products. It is the only way to make them think, imho.

I also looked for a communication channel and finally found one, but they really seem to be rather stubborn on this lock-in issue. They still have the wet dream that they can completely control their users... which will not work out... not within the internet... bad idea...

[cfwiggum]

So apparently in August my setup will be dead. I either upgrade to access and hope Meteobridge adds support or seek out another solution. I was offered the reduced price and beta entry but declined. If I knew they were going to kill it this year I may have taken advantage.

[Montalvo]

From Acurite:

.."After reviewing feedback and speaking with a number of you, we are extending the end of service/support of the AcuRite smartHUB to February 28, 2019. Our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our customer base is as strong as ever, and we recognize discontinuing products can be an adjustment.

While we have already stopped both production and sales of the smartHUB, we recognize many of you have recently purchased the smartHUB and want to become better acquainted with My AcuRite prior to upgrading to the AcuRite® Access™."..

So at least for another year, we will have support for Acurite SmartHub.