SnowVue 10
SnowVue 10
OrderableDigital Snow-Depth Sensor
Overview
The SnowVue™10 is a digital, ultrasonic snow-depth sensor that provides continuous and accurate snow-depth measurements with its advanced spectrum analysis and best-in-class, wide-band transducer. With its low-power requirement and low-maintenance design, the SnowVue 10 is suitable for most alpine and remote installations. The SnowVue 10 also features Campbell Scientific’s total uptime diagnostic package to provide you with critical sensor performance measurements such as internal humidity, temperature, sensor level (tilt), measurement quality, and incoming voltage. An external air temperature sensor is required to correct for the changes in sound velocity due to changes in temperature.
This featured product was part of the Aconcagua expedition to install a weather station on South America’s tallest peak. Learn more about the expedition on our Extreme Application Series: Aconcagua page.
Key Advantages
For best-in-class performance
Technical Description
The SnowVue 10 uses a wide-band, ultrasonic transducer to create sound pulses that are reflected off the snow surface. By measuring the two-way travel time of the pulse, the distance to the snow surface can be precisely calculated using advanced spectrum analysis. Because the speed of sound through air varies with the air temperature, an accurate air temperature measurement is required to correct for this change.
Benefits
- Snow-depth measurements with low noise and high precision
- Low power usage for remote solar applications
- Exceptional reliability with advanced diagnostics
- SDI-12 v.1.4 output compatible with current Campbell Scientific data loggers
Specifications
- Power Requirements
- 9 to 18 Vdc
- Quiescent Current Consumption
- < 300 µA
- Active Current Consumption
- 210 mA
(peak)
14 mA(average at 20°C)
- Measurement Time
- 5 s
(typical)
20 s(maximum)
- Warm-Up Time
- 2 s
- Output
- SDI-12
(version 1.4)
- Measurement Range
- 0.4 to 10 m
(1.3 to 32.8 ft) distance from sensor
- Snow Depth
- 0 to 9.6 m
(0 to 31.5 ft)
- Accuracy
- Accuracy specification is for still air with uniform temperature between the sensor and a flat, solid target. Air movement, temperature gradient along the sonic path, snow density, and differences between actual and measured temperature can affect the accuracy. An external temperature compensation is required.0.2% of distance to target
- Resolution
- 0.1 mm
- Required Beam Angle Clearance
- 30°
- Operating Temperature Range
- -45° to +50°C
- Survivability Temperature Range
- -55° to +80°C
(will resume normal operation when sensor returns to operational temperatures)
- Humidity Range
- 0 to 100%
(non-condensing)
- Sensor Body Material
- Corrosion-resistant, type III anodized aluminum
- Sensor Connector
- M12, male, 4-pole, A-coded
- Cable Type
- Polyurethane sheathed, screened cable
- Cable Diameter
- 4.8 mm
(0.19 in.)
- Maximum Cable Length
- 60 m
(197 ft)
- Sensor Length
- 9.9 cm
(3.9 in.)
- Sensor Weight
- 293 g
(0.65 lb)
Accessories
(12)VueCBL1
Vue Sensor Cable
OrderableVueCBL2
24 AWG Extension Cable with Five-Pin to Eight-Pin M12 Connectors
Orderable19517
SR50A and SnowVue Mounting Kit
Orderable19484
SR50A and SnowVue Mounting Stem
Orderable109
Temperature Probe
Orderable17953
1- x 1-in. Nu-Rail Crossover Fitting
OrderableCM221
Right-Angle Mounting Kit
OrderableCM230
Adjustable Inclination Mounting Kit
OrderableCM230XL
Adjustable Angle Mounting Kit, Extended Length
Orderable39119
DIN Rail Terminal Kit with 2 Terminals and 4 Wires
Orderable33815
SDI-12 Terminal Bus Kit
OrderableCM410
Pile Mount Arm (no finish or matte black finish)
Orderable
Common Accessories
(11)VueCBL1
Vue Sensor Cable
The Vue™CBL1 is specifically designed to connect first-generation Vue™ family SDI-12 digital sensors to Campbell Scientific or other SDI-12-compatible data loggers.
OrderableVueCBL2
24 AWG Extension Cable with Five-Pin to Eight-Pin M12 Connectors
The Vue™CBL2 connects a sensor with a five-pin M12 connector to an eight-pin M12 connector. This cable is commonly used to connect Vue™ sensors to an Aspen™10 Internet of Things (IoT) Edge Device.
Orderable19517
SR50A and SnowVue Mounting Kit
Either a mounting kit or mounting stem is needed. This mounting kit is used to attach a sensor directly to a CM206 crossarm or user-supplied pole with a 1-in. to 1.75-in. outside diameter.
Orderable19484
SR50A and SnowVue Mounting Stem
Either a mounting stem or mounting kit is needed. This mounting stem attaches to a sensor, which is then attached to the CM206 crossarm or a user-supplied pole via a CM220 mount, 17953 Nu-Rail fitting, or CM230 Adjustable Inclination Mount.
Orderable109
Temperature Probe
The temperature probe is required to correct for the temperature impacts on time of flight. The 109 is a rugged, accurate probe that measures air, soil, and water temperature for a variety of applications. It consists of a thermistor encapsulated in an epoxy-filled aluminum housing. The housing protects the thermistor, allowing you to bury the 109 in soil or submerge it in water. The 109 measures from -50° to +70°C, and it outputs a 0 to 2.2 V signal when using 2500 mV excitation.
Orderable17953
1- x 1-in. Nu-Rail Crossover Fitting
If a mounting stem is used, one of four mounting options is needed. The 17953 is one option. The 17953 can be used instead of the CM220 to attach the SR50A to a CM206 crossarm. The 19484 mounting stem is also required.
OrderableCM221
Right-Angle Mounting Kit
The CM221 mounts a pipe or tube at 90° to another pipe or tube. It is typically used to attach a sensor with a vertical pipe (including most wind sensors) to a crossarm. The cast aluminum, right-angle mounting bracket has 3.8 cm (1.5 in.) U-bolts and hardware and will accommodate tubing with a 1- to 1.5-in. outer diameter.
OrderableCM230
Adjustable Inclination Mounting Kit
If a mounting stem is used, one of four mounting options is needed. The CM230 is one option. If the surface is at an angle, the CM230 can be used to position the SR50A so that is perpendicular to the ground.
OrderableCM230XL
Adjustable Angle Mounting Kit, Extended Length
If a mounting stem is used, one of four mounting options is needed. The CM230XL is one option. The CM230XL provides the same functionality as the CM230, but the CM230XL places the SR50A further from the pole or crossarm.
Orderable39119
DIN Rail Terminal Kit with 2 Terminals and 4 Wires
The 39119 is used when ordering the -PF option and it is desired to have the product wired through DIN rail terminals. The 39119 provides the needed DIN rail terminals, separator, and wires to connect any product to a data logger or other peripheral that requires four wires for connection. This kit provides the following wires: black, brown, white, and clear. The color-coding of these wires matches the wire coloring of the product for ease in connection, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
OrderableCM410
Pile Mount Arm (no finish or matte black finish)
The CM410 is used primarily to mount a pair of pyranometers to a driven pile, leveraging the CM275 Albedometer Mounting Kit. The included 15.24 cm (6.0 in.) hook bolts accommodate an I-beam style pile with flange dimensions 7.6 to 12.7 cm (3 to 5 in.), such as a W6x12. Albedo is a common measurement parameter selected for a SunSentry Solar Operational Meteorological Monitoring Station. Installation details, including the recommended pile exposure height and orientation, are found in the SunSentry Installation Guide. To minimize localized glare and reflections that can adversely influence albedo measurements, the all-black version of the CM410 is recommended for albedo.
Orderable
Replacement Parts
(2)39471
Transducer Maintenance Kit for SnowVue 10
The 39471 kit includes a transducer housing, desiccant, and a replacement O-ring for the SnowVue™10 Digital Snow Depth Sensor. Campbell Scientific recommends replacing the transducer housing assembly every three years, or annually in high-humidity environments.
Orderable42945
1 g Bag of Desiccant (quantity of 10)
The 42945 consists of 10 1-g bags of desiccant for drying the air in the area above an instrument. Purchase of additional bags is recommended to use as spares or to rotate bags with time.
Orderable
Ships With
(1)- Product Test Report
Similar Products
(1)Compatibility
The SnowVue 10 adheres to the SDI-12 version 1.4 protocol standard. The sensor is compatible with all SDI-12 data recorders, including all Campbell Scientific data loggers that support SDI-12.
The operating system for the SnowVue 10 is updated over SDI-12. (See the product manual for details regarding XLOADOS.) Note that the CR800, CR1000, CR3000, and earlier data logger models do not support XLOADOS for the purpose of updating the SnowVue 10.
Related Resources
Documents
- Manual
SDI-12 Terminal Bus Kit Getting Started Guide
May 2026
View Document - Manual
SnowVue 10 Product Manual (online)
September 2026
View Document - Document
SnowVue 10 and SR50A Product Comparison
October 2022
View Document - Technical Paper
SDI-12 Sensor Troubleshooting
November 2023
View Document
Showing 4 of 10 results
See all DocumentsDownloads
- SnowVue Program Example for GRANITE-Series, CR6, CR1000X Dataloggersv1Login required
November 3, 2021
Software ApplicationsTwo programs that read the SnowVue 10 sensor. One program performs temperature compensation to provide snow depth. The other program uses extended commands to send the air temperature and distance to ground to the sensor and the sensor calculates the snow depth. Both example programs are compatible with the GRANITE-series, CR6, and CR1000X dataloggers.
- SnowVue 10 OSv1.24Login required
April 3, 2026
OS and FirmwareCurrent SnowVue 10 operating system. Note: OS update must be performed using the aXLOADOS! SDI-12 command. Please refer to the SnowVue user manual for details on the update process.
Videos and Tutorials

Unboxing the Campbell Scientific Aspen 10
February 9, 2024 (1:02)
Unboxing video for the Aspen 10
Watch
Aspen™10 Explainer Video
March 5, 2024 (2:26)
Animated introduction to the Aspen 10
Watch
Aspen 10 IoT: Bridging Network Gaps with Smart Solutions
April 8, 2024 (40:59)
Episode 1 of the Field to Cloud webinar series
Watch