Conant Custom VRG7 Brass Jeffersonian Float-and-Lever Rain Gauge

Great rain gage...looks really nice and it's so different than most. It's a great conversation piece and definitely an eye catcher. More than worth the money and I'm very happy I purchased it.

Easy to fathom just by looking at the photo: ball rises, needle points to inches of rain. The gauge is brass, thus appropriate and attractive (I will use an exterior Poly spray on it to keep it shiny). Other reviewer's comments about the wood base are legit, though I plan to remount it on a more elaborate and festive pole, much taller. So . . . did Thomas Jefferson actually have anything to do with the design? The mfgr. is vague. I would like to think so. Certainly is reminiscent of something he would have invented (somehow I suspect the concept must go way back, perhaps to the Greeks). The rest of the assembly is stainless steel, thus weather resistant, but not compatible with the desired "atmosphere" in my mind. Perhaps they could have powder-coated it in, say, a pale blue or green, or come up with a more satisfying finish. I am adding an antique finial from a weathervane to the top, which will enhance the visual appeal, added to my new base. I bought two extra glass tubes. Who knows how long this will be in production and it seems likely I will break a tube sometime (thank you, though, for glass and not using plastic-- ugh!). Suggest you spring for a couple, too, just in case. It is a nice size, such that I will be able to place it away from my window and let it become an attractive item of lawn art.

This is a great rain gauge. It is easy to see from a distance. I have a very large area, decked, on the back side of the house and the rain gauge stands about 24ft from the kitchen window. I can easily see the gauge from that distance. And, not only is it easy to see, it works well and is accurate. If it had to have a negative it would be the price.

Very wobbly where metal rod attaches to wooden stake. Lever and ball sticks so gauge is worthless. I have oiled the pivot point and manually worked many times and it is still tight. I would never buy this gauge again.

The gauge is a nice piece to add to a garden as an art object, but is not accurate for small amounts of rain. People think that it rains all the time here in the Pacific NW, and it is true that we get rain, but usually in very small quantities like a 1/10 of an inch or less. This gauge has 5 notches between each inch so the smallest amount that you can accurately measure is 2/10ths of an inch. When it rains, I usually try to guess how much rain is recorded by looking at this gauge than checking on an inexpensive plastic gauge, that records in more minute measurements. Sometimes I can get close, but usually have to depend on my plastic gauge. If you are looking for a nice piece that attracts attention and have another gauge for more accurate measurements this is nice to have. My wife is a Jeffersonian and likes having a little touch of one of his inventions in our yard.

This is such a cool rain gauge and looks so old fashioned. We have one at our residence and one at our cabin. I write to tell those who are interested in this to beware one problem. A strong wind can whisk the vial tight out of it's 'socket'. I was accusing people of taking the vial out and not putting it back until I saw a big gust of wind take the replacement, never to be seen again. It admittedly has to be a very STRONG wind. Otherwise, I love it - especially because I can stay inside when it's pouring rain and still see how much rain we've had from afar.

Got one of these for my wife. It is OK, but certainly nothing special. The wood seems to be pressure treated pine and the rod doesn't ffit snugly inside it. The whole contraption wobbles a lot. I wouldn't buy it again.

This seems to be a good quality product. It is quite sturdy, and looks just as pictured. I hope we get some rain soon, so I can watch it work.