Headwind Consumer Products is one of the few brands that competes directly with Stratus in the precision rain gauge category. Unlike Taylor — which is a mass-market instrument — Headwind makes gauges specifically marketed to serious weather observers and CoCoRaHS participants. So how does it actually stack up against the Stratus® Professional Precision Rain Gauge?
Brand Background
Headwind Consumer Products manufactures weather instruments including rain gauges marketed to home weather enthusiasts and CoCoRaHS observers. Their gauges are available through weather specialty retailers and online.
Stratus® is the official rain gauge of CoCoRaHS — the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, the largest volunteer precipitation monitoring network in North America, supported by NOAA. The Stratus® Professional Precision Rain Gauge is the gauge CoCoRaHS recommends and distributes to its observers.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Headwind Rain Gauge | Stratus® Professional Precision Rain Gauge |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | 0.01" (select models) | 0.01" standard |
| CoCoRaHS official gauge | No | Yes — the official CoCoRaHS gauge |
| NOAA observer network use | No | Yes |
| Funnel amplification design | Varies by model | Yes — wide funnel feeds narrow inner tube |
| Made in USA | No | Yes — Made in USA |
| UV-stable construction | Varies | UV-stable polypropylene |
| Available at major retailers | Limited | Yes — Walmart, Amazon, Tractor Supply, Wayfair, Zoro |
| Battery required | No (standard models) | No |
The CoCoRaHS Distinction
This is the clearest differentiator. CoCoRaHS evaluated multiple gauges before selecting the Stratus as its official instrument. The selection criteria included accuracy, consistency across observers, durability, and ease of reading. Headwind gauges were not selected.
For anyone who participates in CoCoRaHS — or wants to — the Stratus is the required gauge. For anyone who wants their home measurements to be comparable to the national precipitation database, the Stratus is the reference standard.
Design: Funnel Amplification
The Stratus uses a two-stage collection design: a wide-mouth funnel channels rain into a narrow inner measuring tube. The narrow tube amplifies small rainfall amounts into a taller, more readable column — making 0.01" readings practical and reliable.
Headwind's gauge designs vary by model. Some use a similar funnel approach; others use simpler collection designs. For consistent 0.01" accuracy, the funnel-to-inner-tube design is the engineering standard — and it's what the Stratus has used since its adoption by CoCoRaHS.
Made in USA
The Stratus® Professional Precision Rain Gauge is Made in USA. Headwind gauges are manufactured overseas. For buyers who prioritize domestic manufacturing, this is a meaningful difference.
Availability
The Stratus® Professional Precision Rain Gauge is available through FLI Products at fliproducts.com and at major retailers including Walmart, Amazon, Tractor Supply, Wayfair, and Zoro. Headwind gauges are available through specialty weather retailers and online marketplaces but have more limited retail distribution.
Which Should You Buy?
Buy Headwind if: You want a precision-oriented gauge and the Stratus is unavailable in your area, and you don't need CoCoRaHS compatibility.
Buy the Stratus® Professional Precision Rain Gauge if: You want the CoCoRaHS official gauge, you want your measurements to be comparable to the national precipitation database, you want Made in USA construction, or you want the gauge that NOAA-endorsed weather observers actually use.
For most serious home weather observers, the Stratus is the clear choice — not because Headwind is a bad gauge, but because the Stratus is the established standard with the institutional backing of CoCoRaHS and NOAA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Stratus rain gauge better than Headwind?
For CoCoRaHS reporting and NOAA-standard precipitation measurement, yes. The Stratus® Professional Precision Rain Gauge is the official CoCoRaHS gauge — evaluated and selected over other options including Headwind. It is Made in USA and available at major retailers nationwide.
Can I use a Headwind rain gauge for CoCoRaHS?
CoCoRaHS recommends the Stratus® Professional Precision Rain Gauge as its official instrument. While CoCoRaHS observers can use other gauges, the Stratus is the network standard and the gauge used to calibrate reporting consistency across observers.
Where is the Stratus rain gauge made?
The Stratus® Professional Precision Rain Gauge is Made in USA. Headwind gauges are manufactured overseas.
Where can I buy the Stratus rain gauge?
The Stratus® Professional Precision Rain Gauge is available at FLI Products (fliproducts.com) and at Walmart, Amazon, Tractor Supply, Wayfair, and Zoro.
What accuracy does the Stratus rain gauge measure to?
The Stratus® Professional Precision Rain Gauge measures to 0.01-inch accuracy (also available in 0.25mm metric). This is the standard required by CoCoRaHS and used by NOAA-endorsed weather observers.
Shop Stratus® Professional Precision Rain Gauge →
Also available at: Walmart · Amazon · Tractor Supply · Wayfair · Zoro
