La Crosse Technology WS-9520U Wireless Projection Forecast Station with Oscar Outlook Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased the LaCrosse WS-9520U last week. As usual, the transaction and shipping with Amazon was excellent. I very rarely return online purchases, but this one is going back. In general, the unit is as advertised - and others may find it completely satisfactory - but, after two nights of use, I have found the following specific things to be unacceptable:
1. The backlight cannot be set to remain on continuously - it only lights when a button is pushed - regardless of whether you're powering with AC or batteries. I think alarm clocks are always more convenient when you can see them at, well, uh, night. Yes, the on-ceiling projection shows the time, but nothing else. This is less than convenient.
2. General build quality is iffy at best - the buttons are clunky, loud and awkwardly placed. The entire unit seems flimsy - like it's just barely holding itself together. It's extremely light and does not have a very steady base, which will make it prone to being knocked over (like when reaching for the snooze button - which you can't see because it's not illuminated and there's no backlight) and I'm not sure this thing would survive being knocked over. Sorry to say, but for $70, this just seems very cheaply built from the mechanical side of things.
3. I guess this is obvious in hindsight, but the actual time display is tiny, maybe an inch tall. Granted, you have the projector, which works as advertised (only when it's dark in the room - projection is photo-sensitively switched on/off - no other option), but seeing the clock from across the room during daylight (when the projector is not on) is not really possible unless you've got astronaut eyes.
4. There are no alarm options and the only existing tone is - IMHO - obnoxious and too loud - a sort of high-pitched staccato double-chirp. I realize this is a personal issue, but a few buzzer options would have been nice.
5. There is absolutely no way that the battery cover on the outdoor sensor will keep the elements out of the sensor. Maybe this isn't an issue if you have a protected outdoor place to locate the sensor - but if there's any moisture at all, this thing won't last one winter here in Michigan.
In summary:
Electronics: Acceptable and as advertised, tho the few things I mentioned could be better
Mechanical: unacceptably cheap, shoddy assembly fit & finish for this price point.


Click Here to see more reviews about: La Crosse Technology WS-9520U Wireless Projection Forecast Station with Oscar Outlook

From The Weather Channel by La Crosse Technology, this versatile projection weather station shines the outdoor temperature and time in large, red digits on the ceiling or wall for easy nighttime illumination. The radio-controlled clock regularly resets to match the US Atomic Clock and adapts for daylight savings time. Based on temperature and barometric pressure, the weather station gives the forecast using 24 graphic icons and tendency arrows. The weather station even provides a personal weather boy, Oscar, who models what one might wear given current outside conditions.
The weather station's LCD screen displays the time, date, perpetual calendar, US time zone map, and weather conditions. Pushing a button temporarily engages the EL backlight for dimmer settings. To wake sleeping users, the weather station offers a dual alarm with an adjustable snooze. The station monitors indoor humidity levels and indoor temperatures from 14.2 to 139.8 degrees F. Celsius readings are also available. For outdoor conditions, an included TX7U sensor communicates at a 433 MHz frequency from up to 330 feet. The sensor registers humidity levels and temperatures ranging from –21.8 to +157.8 degrees F. The unit also records minimum and maximum readings for indoor and outdoor temperatures and humidity percentages. For the most accurate results, install the sensor in a covered location away from direct rain or sun. The base accommodates up to three sensors. Place the freestanding base at least six feet from intended projection surface. To enable constant projection, the weather station comes with a 120-volt AC adapter. The separate purchase of five AA batteries is required. Covered by a limited one-year warranty, the weather station monitor measures 6-2/3 inches wide by 2-9/10 inches deep by 4-1/2 inches high, and the sensor measures 1-3/4 inches wide by 1 inch deep by 6-1/4 inches high.

Get 22% OFF

Click here for more information about La Crosse Technology WS-9520U Wireless Projection Forecast Station with Oscar Outlook

Read More...

OREGON SCIENTIFIC RM313PNA Self-Setting Projection Clock Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For the money, this clock is a really good deal. However, it has it's shortcomings that left me a little disappointed.PROS: First off, I've never had a projection-style clock before, so I find this feature to be really cool. The projector is set to project a digital display of the time onto the ceiling above you, which it does with surprising clarity and brightness. You won't be able to see the display at all in even a low-lit room, but that's fine, because you'll only really be looking at in when lying in bed. And the fact that you can switch it to project constantly, rather than having to slap a button, is really nice.
The next thing I like most about the clock is the size. My previous alarm clock was an RCA PoS that was huge, heavy, and had a non-functional CD player in it shortly after using it. Though that clock had its pros, this Oregon Projection Clock is nice because it takes up less space on the desk next to my bed, and it's basically only what you need, with no shiny bells and whistles you don't need.
The thermometer is a nice add-on to the clock. Obviously I didn't buy it just for that, and it's doubtful that will be the deciding factor for anyone, but it's a pretty accurate thermometer that displays to the tenth place, and it's useful for seeing just how hot or just how cold it actually is in your room, which can help with setting the thermostat.
Though I liked the constantly low-lit display on my previous alarm clock, which wasn't too bright or dark, this clock makes up for not having a constant back light by having the constant projection feature. Now you don't even have to roll over to see the time, as they advertise! And the back-light this clock does have, while a bit too bright to someone half asleep in a dark room, is nice and easy to read.CONS: My biggest complaint is that the projector is fixed into position in the clock; you can't adjust where or at what angle it projects. This wouldn't be so bad in and of itself, except that for some reason they fixed the projector so that it projects the time parallel with the face of the clock. In other words, it's displayed at a 90 degree angle to your viewpoint when lying in bed looking up at it. The only way that the display would be a normal, right-side-up view would be if it was positioned behind you, say on a headboard. But then you couldn't easily get to the clock in the morning. Maybe it's petty, but the lack of an ability to adjust the projector is a bit frustrating.
The next thing that disappointed me is the self-setting feature, via radio communication with the Atomic Clock in Colorado. I'm not sure how well that feature works, because I can't get my alarm clock to pick-up a signal. Now, in all fairness, I live in a bunker of an apartment, on the bottom floor, which is half underground, but I couldn't even get it to pick-up a signal when I forced a manual search while holding it up to the window, and I can usually get even my GPS to work doing that. I'm sure it's a nice feature to have . . . if you can get a signal.
The final thing that disappoints me a little is that there is only one alarm, and it has a pre-set 8 minute snooze. Now, obviously, it does advertise that it has only one alarm (or at least, doesn't have two), which is okay, but not being able to shorten the snooze time is a little disappointing. I'm not sure about others, but I can be deep in sleep again in an 8 minute time span. I used my previous clock's dual alarms to create two alarms set 5 minutes apart to ensure I woke up, so the lack of any alarm customization in a clock billed as an alarm clock is a bit frustrating.
Final verdict: for about $30, this is a good deal for a clock, and a great way to enter into the projection-style clock market. The atomic clock feature, if you can get it to receive a signal, is a sweet deal for the price too, and so is the indoor thermometer built-in. However, there's some things that, even for this low price, could be improved without changing much.

Click Here to see more reviews about: OREGON SCIENTIFIC RM313PNA Self-Setting Projection Clock

Housed in high-tech blue plastic, this alarm clock is far moresophisticated than its cute appearance may lead one to believe. Whetheryou check on the time by consulting the clock's LCD screen or bylooking at a large red-light projection of the time beamed onto a wallor ceiling, you'll know it's accurate. That's because the clock isequipped with a radio receiver tuned to the U.S. Atomic Clock, andkeeps time with split-second accuracy by automatically adjusting, ifnecessary, to the Atomic Clock's signals six times every 24 hours. Fromthose signals, the 5-1/4-by-4-1/2-inch clock (2-1/2 inches thick) notonly shows the precise time, but also displays the date and day, withautomatic adjustment for daylight-saving time and leap year, accordingto the North American time zone for which the clock is set. (The daycan be shown in English, Spanish, or French.) \r\n The red-light projection makes it possible to check the time withoutsquinting. If the clock is in battery mode (two AA batteries requiredbut not included), pressing the clock's snooze bar will beam the timeonto the ceiling for five seconds--and also backlight the LCD screen.If the clock is plugged into a wall socket with an AC adapter(included), the projection and backlighting will be available eitherfor five seconds with the snooze bar or continuously if acontinuous-beam control is set. As a backup, you can set the time, day, and datemanually as well as automatically.--Fred Brack

Get 9% OFF

Click here for more information about OREGON SCIENTIFIC RM313PNA Self-Setting Projection Clock

Read More...

Oregon Scientific RM313PNA Self-Setting Projection Clock Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This clock is great! I bought it for my 11 year old son for a Christmas gift. He loves it. It supposedly takes 2 to 10 minutes to automatically set itself. Ours took twelve (our kids were in a small panick) but was worth the extra wait. The time shines in red on your ceiling in nice, large numbers... probably 6 inches by 15 inches and is very clear and easy to see, even when it is not completely dark in the room. I only wish that the blue back-light would stay lit. When you press the the button, it only stays lit for 5 seconds. I have to say that the red numbers on the ceiling scare our 5 year old son, but he doesn't mind it when we position the clock to shine on the wall. All in all, I wish I had thought to buy a second one for my room. It is a real bargain and definitely worth buying.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Oregon Scientific RM313PNA Self-Setting Projection Clock

From technology leader Oregon Scientific, this versatile clock shines the time on the bedroom wall with its projection function. The radio-controlled clock regularly resets to the US atomic clock in Boulder, CO for the utmost precision and adapts automatically for daylight savings time. Additionally, the clock monitors indoor temperatures for enhanced climate comfort.
The LCD screen displays time by the hour, minute, and second, along with an AM/PM notification indicator. In the upper right hand corner of the screen, an icon depicts the continental United States, shading the time zone where the clock presently is located. The display also informs the user of the date and the indoor temperature, and benefits from a HiGlo EL backlight for 5-second nighttime illumination. The projection feature offers another alternative for monitoring the time in the dark, displaying the time in large, easy-to-read red numbers on the ceiling or wall. If operating on batteries, the clock will project the time for 8 seconds. Use of the enclosed AC adapter enables continuous projection. For early morning wake-up, the clock provides a crescendo alarm with 8-second snooze. The separate purchase of two AA batteries is required for wireless operation. The clock comes in silver and blue. Covered by a limited one-year guarantee, this item does not automatically set in Alaska, Hawaii, or elsewhere outside the continental United States. The clock measures 4-1/4 long by 2-1/2 inches wide by 4-1/2 inches high.

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about Oregon Scientific RM313PNA Self-Setting Projection Clock

Read More...

Big Screen Clock with Weather Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The weather aspects of the clock are worthless, but the light is bright and it's nice for a battery-operated clock. Probably not worth over $10.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Big Screen Clock with Weather

Rise and shine to the daily weather forecast! Accurate readings every morning at your bed side. No TV or radio necessary! Features large screen, easy read weather icons, minimum and maximum temperature, humidity, moon phase, LCD alarm clock, day calendar, snooze and backlight. Requires two AAA batteries, not included. Plastic, 5 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 3 1/2".

Click here for more information about Big Screen Clock with Weather

Read More...