Oregon Scientific WMR200 Professional Weather Center Review

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(More customer reviews)Pro's: Nice looking display unit (at first glance, read further).Con's: Outdoor sensor quality chintzy, accuracy, customer service, limited history data without hooking up to a computer, set up time, no energy storage for solar, update frequency.I purchased this weather station to replace 3 separate aging weather units to enable all weather data on a single unit.
Upon unpacking the 200WMRa I noticed all of the outdoor sensor units feel like they could break just handling them. After setting everything up indoors to test connectivity, I could not get a reading from the outside temp/humidity. The first time I called customer service they had me run through a battery of tests and instead of sending me just the one sensor (none available), I had to pack up the entire unit and send it back. Two weeks later, I again have everything set up indoors as a test; again no outdoor temp or humidity. This time I order a second unit online so that I can have it quicker and the third sensor was bad as well. Second call to customer service "please send back the entire unit...". I waited an hour and called again and luckily got someone on the phone who let me know that they did have a problem with the sensor (now discontinued) and that they could send me the redesigned sensor. This replacement sensor worked fine, but didn't have solar hookup which defeats one of the advantages of this system.
A note on the solar power on this system; it doesn't have any means of storage, so any time it's cloudy or at night you are running on batteries.
The main console unit looks nice at first glance, but really gives very little data without hooking to a computer via some VERY outdated and glitchy software. The unit's graph is only usable for pressure, rain and wind history. For instance, you cannot see the temp trend for the last few days, only highs or lows from when you first powered up the unit.
Accuracy: At one point I had purchased two systems and had them both set up indoors at the same time trying to work the bugs out of the sensors. Every bit of data was different from both units and not by just 1 degree or 1 percent, it was off by as much as 5 degrees/percent in each field. Sure enough if you read the published specifications, it states about that much as far as accuracy. To me, if you are going to spend this much money on knowing whats happening outside, you might as well have REAL DATA to go by.
Update frequency: If you hear a really big wind gust outside, you may be standing there a minute or two before seeing how high it actually was.
I didn't initially want to spend another hundred on the Davis unit; after my experience thus far I figured I could sell this on ebay and put the extra toward the Davis.
BY CONTRAST: The biggest differences on the Davis unit is that all the outdoor sensors are mounted in one reasonably sized very sturdy unit; that utilizes true solar with storage that only resorts to batteries if it hasn't seen light in 3-4 days. The main display is built like a tank in comparison; the graph can be used to watch any data you choose over whatever time period you choose, such as: last 24 hours, 24 days, 24 minutes (rain) or even 24 years. Highs and lows can also be seen for ALL DATA for any time you choose: Daily, hourly, monthly or even yearly. Now you can see at a glance "What was the coldest day last year?" or "What was the highest wind gust last year?", etc.
The Davis units update every 2-10 seconds depending on data; basically real time. Published accuracy is 0.6 of a degree!!
I went with the Davis ISS (integrated sensors) with the ProVantage 2 console/display. These together cost $360.
Save the time & frustration and buy any one of the Davis units the first time, it is money well spent.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Oregon Scientific WMR200 Professional Weather Center

The local meteorologist has nothing on this highly sensitive professional weather center from Oregon Scientific. Equipped with a temperature/humidity sensor, a wind sensor, a rain gauge, and a solar panel—and with the ability to communicate with six additional remote sensors—the weather center assesses a host of weather conditions to help the user better prepare for the outdoors. The weather center's LCD touch panel screen displays icons and indicators to relay: time of day via the US atomic clock; weather forecast; current moon phase; indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity readings; wind chill, speed, and direction; barometric pressure; rainfall rate; dew point; heat index; and optional UV index. Several weather alert alarms notify of more problematic weather conditions.
The weather center wall-mounts or stands on a tabletop. A 6-volt DC AC adapter powers the base. With five language options (English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Dutch), the weather center also offers 12-hour or military time display, and temperature readings in Celsius or Fahrenheit. The centermeasures indoor temperatures ranging from 32 to 122 degrees F, and outdoor temperatures from –58 to 158 degrees F. The outdoor sensors transmit data to the base at a 433 MHz frequency from up to 325 feet away. To track weather trends, the center features a data logger function and data can be uploaded to a computer using free PC software and provided 6-foot USB cable. Ten included AA batteries power the sensors and the base; the user benefits from separate low battery indicators for the base and each sensor. For mounting, a host of poles, attachment brackets, and screws accompany the weather center. A limited one-year guarantee covers this item. The weather center base measures 5-9/10 inches long by 7-8/10 inches wide by 1-9/10 inches high.

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La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase Review

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(More customer reviews)I have another automatic time adjusting atomic digital wall clock with a large display that I purchased a few years ago at Radio Shack that is similar but only has the indoor temperature. I liked the remote outdoor temperature sensor feature and the moon phase displays so I decided to purchase this La Crosse brand as an upgrade. The automatic updating and self adjusting nature of these extremely accurate digital atomic clocks is what makes them really different from less accurate traditional quartz clocks. After going through the process myself I must emphasize how important it is that the directions in the provided instruction booklet are followed exactly when setting this clock up.
Here are some tips for obtaining the best results. Install the remote temperature sensor batteries before installing the batteries on the main unit. I have read in other reviews that Energizer lithium or similar non-rechargeable lithium batteries work the best for a longer life and to hold up during colder freezing outdoor weather. Start by placing the outdoor sensor within a few feat of the main unit so they can sync and so you know the outdoor sensor transmission works properly. What I did was manually set up the clock first and the atomic auto-time feature is supposed to adjust the time later but make sure you have the correct time zone and the daylight savings set for your location. I manually set the time two minutes faster than my other atomic clock and sure enough had adjusted the time automatically and it exactly matched my other atomic clock by the next day.
Make sure the clock is in a location where it can receive the atomic clock radio signal. Thick concrete walls, basements, extreme weather, and the time of day can alter the ability of the atomic radio signal transmission (which bounces off the atmosphere) to reach this clock. If it doesn't update right away make sure you have exited the setup mode (usually done by pressing the snooze button once after being in setup mode). Give it at least a day to see if it it does in fact auto update the time from the radio signal it is is supposed to receive. If it doesn't adjust to the correct time then try placing the clock in another location that has less potential obstructions in the direction of the sky so that the atomic radio signal readings are not inhibited. There will be a small digital symbol of a radio signal in the LCD display above the time after it has updated and has been able to properly receive the signal.
Choosing a good location for the outdoor temperature sensor is also important to its proper function. After you have confirmed that it works near the clock and the clock has been properly set up try placing the remote temperature sensor outside in a location you believe the signal will be able to reach the clock. The directions say the remote sensor's maximum range is 300 feet but I would recommend setting it up closer or within fifty feet if possible. Before mounting the sensor make sure it is in fact properly updating the outside temperature reading on the clock inside. Thick concrete walls and metallic window blinds can block the signal strength so try to install the remote outdoor temperature sensor as close to and in line of sight to the clock as you can while being aware of possible obstructions that could block its radio signal.
The quality of the outdoor temperature reading will be determined by having a good location for the outdoor remote sensor. The sensor is not waterproof so it should not get wet, should not have direct sunlight, or be in a location with excessive direct wind or weather. Here are some ideas about finding a good location to mount the sensor. You will want to choose a shady covered location on the side of your house with a location underneath cover. Its the end of December in California and I first installed my remote temperature sensor not too far from the inside wall where the clock was but just outside above a large glass window. It was a good location to avoid direct sun and it was protected from rain by the top of the window frame but I found that there was enough heat escaping from the glass window to increase the sensor's temperature by at least five degrees F. I took it down and placed it on a chair outside the window and the temperature dropped to its proper reading. I searched for a better location that would not be effected by heat from the house. I found one around the corner of the house that was still near in distance to the indoor clock and just below the roof overhang but protected from rain, wind, and sun, etc.. and used the screws provided to mount it into the wooden siding of the house. The plastic mounting hardware keeps the sensor floating more freely in the air. I also placed a separate wooden screw directly underneath the sensor for it to sit on just to make it more secure.
This seems to be a good product with great features for the money. The indoor clock readings are easy to see. The moon phase display was a little confusing at first. Apparently it displays the black shading to correspond to the brightness of the moon. My older atomic clock has the setup buttons on the back while this model has them on the front. This made the setup and adjustments of this La Crosse brand clock much easier than my other atomic clock. I will find out if the claims of longer battery life and reliable function are true within the coming months but so far this seems like a good product. The only other issue I would like to note is that I first noticed the indoor temperature sensor on the clock reading about one to one and a half degrees higher than my older atomic clock. This difference might be explained because the La Crosse clock is capable of displaying the temperature in tenths of a degree F of accuracy while the my older clock displays only within a single degrees F of accuracy. The La Crosse clock is also capable of updating more frequently which means that you will sometimes see the temperature display vary from half of a degree F to one degree F several times per minute. The temperature of the air inside a living space often changes and varies as the air moves around from the activity of fans, air conditioners, heaters, doors opening, etc..
There are other models of atomic clocks from La Crosse available in different looks (desktop sizes, wood styling, traditional analog styling, etc.) with more features including weather prediction capability, more sensors, humidity, second remote sensor, etc. but this basic model with indoor and outdoor temperature sensing, moon phases, time and date does seem to work well. Because of the finicky nature of setting up the outdoor sensor and the fact that the outdoor sensor is not water proof I lowered my rating one star from the highest five star rating. I still recommend this large display La Crosse atomic clock and think it is an excellent value for the money.

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This large-display digital wall clock from La Crosse Technology not only keeps precise time, but also shares the date, day of week, current indoor and outdoor temperatures, and moon phase. Radio-controlled by the WWVB atomic clock, the clock regularly resets for accuracy and adapts automatically for daylight savings time. The thermometer provides climate information for indoor comfort and appropriate planning beyond the house walls.
Bordered by a sleek black frame, the silver clock face features two rectangular LCD screens and four small buttons for setting the clock and shifting modes. The top screen displays time in either a 12- or 24-hour format. A radio icon indicates the strength of the WWVB signal. Outside the signal's range, users can manually set the time. The clock also offers an alarm function with snooze. The lower LCD screen displays the indoor temperature and date on its left side, and the outdoor temperature and day of the week on its right. In the screen's center, one of twelve icons denotes the present moon phase. The day of the week can be presented in English, French, German, or Spanish, while degrees are conveyed in either Celsius or Fahrenheit. The clock measures indoor temperatures from 14 to 100 degrees F. For outdoor data, a TX37U-IT sensor is included, communicating at a 915MHz frequency from up to 330 feet. The sensor registers a range of –31.9 to +139 degrees F. To power the clock and sensor, the separate purchase of four AA batteries is required. Install the clock 6 feet from computers, TVs, or other interfering appliances. A one-year limited warranty covers this item. The clock measures 10-1/4 inches wide by 1-1/5 inches deep by 9-3/4 inches high and the sensor 1-1/2 inches wide by 4/5 inches deep by 5 inches high.

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Oregon Scientific THGR122NX Wireless Temperature and Humidity Sensor Review

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(More customer reviews)Product works as expected. From my experience Oregon Scientific Weather Stations are one of the best. The batteries last over a year and they are very accurate. After comparing different brands that people I know had I settled on a Oregon Scientific BAR388HGA and am very satisfied with it. I bought this sensor mainly to monitor the temperature in a second floor room. The sensor is approximately 60 feet away, up one floor and through several wall from the main unit, and it work very well.

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Compatible with over 50 Oregon Scientific products, this thermo-hygro sensor transmits temperature and humidity readings back to a main display unit, available separately. Most main units come with a single sensor; incorporating an additional sensor like this model makes it possible to monitor conditions in another point of interest. Readings can be taken indoors or out, so it is easy to tell at a glance the conditions in the backyard, the greenhouse, the wine cellar, the garage, or the crawlspace. Transmissions repeat every 40 seconds, so information is always current and accurate.
Centered around an easy-to-read LCD digital screen, the sensor displays the current humidity level as well as the temperature. It also indicates which of the three channels the transmission is currently set to. The unit's instruments are accurate within the range of -22 to 140 degrees F, and they travel up to 100 feet, barring obstruction, so finding a mounting location is easy.
To ensure accurate readings, the sensor should be mounted with the included hardware in a dry location and out of direct sunlight. Two AAA batteries, not included, are required for operation, and lithium batteries are recommended for use in sub-freezing weather conditions. Compactly built, the sensor measures a trim 2-2/5 by 3/4 by 3-2/5 inches, and Oregon Scientific backs it with a limited one-year warranty.

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