The 2D-Video-Distrometer (2DVD) is a ground-based point-monitoringprecipitation gauge. From each particle reaching the measuring area frontand side contours as well as fall velocity and precise time stamp arerecorded. In 1991 the 2DVD development has been started to clarifydiscrepancies found when comparing weather radar data analyses withliterature models. Then being manufactured in a small scale series the first2DVD delivery took place in 1996, 10 years back from now. An overview onpresent 2DVD features is given, and it is presented how the instrument wascontinuously improved in the past ten years. Scientific merits of 2DVDmeasurements are explained, including drop size readings without upperlimit, drop shape and orientation angle information, contours of solid andmelting particles, and an independent measurement of particles' fallvelocity also in mixed phase events. Plans for a next generation instrumentare described, by enhanced user-friendliness the unique data type shall beopened to a wider user community.
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