They really need to build a device that can count tips (pulses) and send the info to the hub. I have Davis but use a TE unit with it for rain.(https://texaselectronics.com/products/rain-gauges.html ) In my location I am not too fond of plastic rain gauges in ice and snow and trying to heat them. Let there be in interface that users can use with there device.
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Best idea yet. A battery powered pulse counter that communicates with the Hub. Add that as a Feature request and Iāll vote for it.
So if I understand it, such a device could then be used with any tipping bucket which outputs pulses and all the WF App would need would be a capacity per pulse field to integrate it with the rest of the system. Maybe also a signal from the Hub for a relay in the device to turn on a heater or other device based on temperature.
Yes, actually most use dry contacts.
Exactly why bidirectional communications is needed. And most any tipping bucket could be used.
It would not need to be solar powered. It would use less power than the Air.
In fact, as @vreihen suggested the Air could have this additional feature added to it. I think there is still a good demand for the Air as a lot would like an Air in a shaded area. If you desire a tipping bucket, you are not the average consumer.
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Iām sure that there must be one spare I/O pin available somewhere on the Airās logic board. Hook up a tipper, program it to send 0.01" (or 0.254mm) to the Hub for each pulse, problem solved.
Since many pro-sumer PWS setups (like Davis VP2) have the rain gauge and temp/hum sensor co-located near ground level, recycling the old Air electronics (or entire case!) with a radiation shield and tipping bucket kills several birds (criticisms) with one stone.
For the small quantity that would be selling as add-on devices for the Tempest stations, it probably doesnāt make sense to pay for molds to make a bucket. If they can work out a licensing deal to buy buckets from Rainwise or someone else and put Tempest decals on them, that would simplify things. If not, a āBYOBā (bring your own bucket) 
Air with a two-pin connector on the side would get the job done and let everyone chose their own bucket du jourā¦
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Howābout a arduino broadcasting to the same UDP port and do a simple event-like message. Something like evt_tip ?
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I already do that to some extent. The idea is to get it pushed up to WeatherFlow. Consider how that will help with local calibration.
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I personally think a weighing gauge would be perfect for the Tempest station.
It seems like combining data from a device like this with the haptic sensor in the Tempest should allow for it to be the best of both worlds. Iād be onboard, Iām pretty sure.
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Give me a winter tipping bucket and Iāll be very happyā¦
Good luck with inventing the technology for back yard use 
Currently doing 2nd set of tests with Tempest wind and Support. Even the new Tempest wind sensors are sensitive to reflective interference. Nothingās perfect.
Something I proposed time ago
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Should make Rain check for everyone one with one work good
could you enlighten me? Never have read anything about interference in relation to the windsensors.
They were words from WF staff in looking at my data. Both outside in completely silent air, and in dead air space (e.g., sealed closet) something was interfering with the wind sensors. We donāt exactly know but those are some of the conclusions regarding the sensors.
Saw this on another site. Looks interesting, and seemed to fit the Weatherflow ideology of alternative take on various weather monitoring technologies, and also the no-moving parts aspect.
Wow better tech than the Tempest, I would pay extra for something like this on tempest and would be the perfect station, even beating Davis.
The only letdown on Tempest is rain indication and if had an optical rain sensor like described would be better than a rain bucket.
big disclaimer on that website saying they donāt clame to be accurate - at which why bother at all ?
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That device is far less accurate than the Tempest.
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Depends if you want to measure rain, or monitor rain I guess. It seems (if it works as claimed) that it detects condensation, so I presume it would detect drizzle and fog. Personally that would be of more interest to me, than the amount of rain anyway.
My Skyās are good at telling me when it is properly raining, and to a point how heavy the rain is, but quantity wise I just ignore it these days (hence my interest in the tipping bucket option), but one of the biggest complaints after the measurement accuracy, is the inability to detect very light rain/drizzle.
I just thought it was another interesting take on rain monitoring.
If we can add many sensors to our tempest, why keep updating it? Better off offering different sensors, like the optical sensor, wifi camera integration, dedicated screen, indoor temp sensors, etc