Showing posts with label wireless weather station. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wireless weather station. Show all posts

4/07/2012

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

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

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1/25/2012

La Crosse Technology Weather Channel WS-1611TWC-IT Professional Weather Center Review

La Crosse Technology Weather Channel WS-1611TWC-IT Professional Weather Center
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Pros:
Price less than $100.
Fewer batteries, 5 - AA's
Battery only, no wall wart required
Long Battery Life, ~2 Years
Detailed, illustrated manual
Altitude adjustment for the barometer
Impressive wireless range
* Rain gauge more useful than expected
Cons:
Mixed reviews
No radio receiver for WWV's Atomic Clock
Temp sensor not weather proof
No inside temp reading
No PC Connection
*Painful Max/Min reset procedure
Looking at the product picture, one sees The Weather Channel logo, yet if you go to their store, nothing approaching this product exists. My conclusion is that after six-months at the TWC, they wanted no part of the headaches and shipped their inventory back to Lacrosse for sale on Amazon. So this price disappears with that inventory.
* I no longer believe the above, I've seen this exact model for sale at Wal-Mart.
In researching the triple sensor (temp, wind, rain) market I was primarily interested in temp and wind. Since its always windy in the winter, now I'll know how windy. It rains so seldom that why bother measuring, besides it won't measure snow, and humidity is always so low it's at the fringe of dry sensor measurement. I'm not a weather hobbiest, so PC connection was unimportant, besides being impractical in my solar-electric home. I'll just do the same as the last 10-years, write down the daily min and max in the monthly wall calendar, how crude, pen and paper.
I considered Oregon Scientific, better reviews, more features, but much more expensive and it needed 10 batteries and a wall wart. Also Zephyr and Davis, the first had no reviews or downloadable manual and the latter was out of my price range. I read many positive and negative reviews for the 1611/1612 and I downloaded several manuals. In the end, I decided on the "devil I knew", my $20 La Cross wireless thermometer, 9013, had been reliable for many years. I'll keep it around for its atomic clock.
Like all La Crosse weather instruments, the top line of the display is the time and date, on a weather station? Then the date field is so tight, mine now reads 11209, unlike the time field there are no spaces or delimiters. The single most important reading, the outdoor temp, is buried in the fourth group, duh. Since you can get an atomic clock on $15 units, one has to wonder why its not included on the 1611? Having all that in mind, I was price driven, so the 1611 is it.
A clever feature of the 1611 is one pair of AA's inside the temp sensor powers it and both the rain and wind sensors, all wired together. Now it gets strange, if all these sensors are outside and wirelessly connected to the base station, why is the temp sensor not weather proof? It has to be protected from rain and sun, Duh? So I made a "bird house" to protect the "outdoor" sensor from the weather.
I have the sensors roughly 200-feet from the base, the signal has to pass through a 12" solid wood wall and the base is sitting on a table with a wireless b/g router and a wireless mouse, no problems. I'm impressed.
I've attached two photos, may help to visualize setup. *Added three more pics.
Edit (*)July 10, 2009
After the wind blew over my original mast and smashed the wind sensor into too many pieces to count, I bought a second used unit. I guyed the mast with four steel cables, see pic. I now have two working base stations and a few spare parts.
I have two more complaints about the user interface:
1) Resetting the max/min readings. Press Max/Min to scroll through all the possible values > press Set, then press + for every value you wish to reset. Theirs no master reset.
2) The Beaufort wind speed scale is meaningless unless you live on the ocean and own a boat. I'd much prefer the MPH value be inside the wind rose.
Edit: 2-Year Update, Feb 2011
Reliability and battery life (a least one year) have been excellent, even worked at -26F. The new battery install is no problem, I simply carry both base units outside, remove all batteries, insert the sender then the base batteries . . . done! All my previous comments about the display organization and resetting max/min values is still true, much room for improvement. Overall very satisfied features vs. price.

Click Here to see more reviews about: La Crosse Technology Weather Channel WS-1611TWC-IT Professional Weather Center

Keep abreast of weather shifts just outside the front door with this professional weather center from The Weather Channel by La Crosse Technology. Complete with wind and rain measurements, the weather center allows users to assess up-to-date outdoor conditions to plan appropriately. The weather center also records up to 200 sets of weather data, minimum and maximum temperatures and humidity, and barometric pressure over a 12-hour period.
The sleek weather center base mounts on a wall or stands alone. On its LCD screen, equipped with eight levels of contrast and a push-button LED backlight for nighttime illumination, the base displays the weather and time information. Users manually set the date and time, and can also engage the buzz alarm for morning wake-up. To assess outdoor conditions, a thermo-hygro sensor communicates with the base at a 915 MHz frequency from up to 330 feet. This sensor measures temperatures from –39.8 to +139 degrees F, and humidity levels from 1 to 99 percent. Based on the sensor's barometric pressure readings, the base unit presents a 12-hour historical bar graph and an air pressure tendency arrow. A graphic icon depicts the forecast. In the event of storms, the weather center features a storm warning alert, and the user can create additional custom alarms. Connected by cables to the thermo-hygro sensor, a rain sensor records rainfall measurements and a wind sensor analyzes wind chill, speed, and direction. A mounting case comes with the thermo-hygro sensor. To ensure proper function, install the thermo-hygro sensor in a protected location out of direct sun or rain. The weather center requires the separate purchase of five AA batteries. Covered by a limited one-year warranty, the weather center base measures 4-3/4 inches wide by 1-1/5 inches deep by 6-9/10 inches tall.

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12/31/2011

La Crosse Technology Weather Direct WD-3209U 4 Day Internet Powered Wireless Forecaster with Forecast Alerts and E.L. Backlight Review

La Crosse Technology Weather Direct WD-3209U 4 Day Internet Powered Wireless Forecaster with Forecast Alerts and E.L. Backlight
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have looked far and wide for a decent & usable weather station and unfortunately this one was not it. From the list of features it seemed like it would do the 3 simple seemingly simple tasks I needed it to do:
1. Display the current Indoor & Outdoor Temperature at the same time.
2. Quickly give me a preview of the day's weather so I can dress accordingly.
3. Have a self-setting alarm clock that can be read at night.
Honestly for $120, I was amazed at how badly this unit failed at all three.
It does display the indoor temperature in the upper right hand corner, but the outdoor temperature is only displayed every 20 seconds or so. There is a button that you can press to briefly display the outdoor temperature, but you have to press fairly hard and since the unit is light weight, you normally have to pick it up to avoid pushing it across the table. The main display (where the weather is forecast) cycles through several different screens; telling you the temperature for the morning, the middle of the day and the evening. Then the unit cycles through the wind speed & directions, wind gusts, etc. You have to spend about a minute or so watching the thing hoping to catch the information you are interested in. Unfortunately there is no way to set it to display only the information you want to see and skip all the rest.
Finally I spent the extra money for this model because it has a backlight so that it can be read at night. You have to press a button for it to come on, but it is oddly placed so you have to fumble around in the dark, knock the thing over, pick it up, fumble & find the button to see what time it is. And on top of all that, the contrast on the LCD screen is not adjustable. This unit is meant to be placed on a countertop and read from a standing position. It is not visible from across the room or if you are at the same level as the display. So if you plan on sitting this on your night-stand, you won't be able to read it. (I have perfect 20-20 vision by the way.)
Bottom line: It takes so much time to find out the information you want from this thing, you might as well turn on the TV. What is supposed to be a wealth of information at a glance, is just frustrating to use.
I sent mine back after a week.


Click Here to see more reviews about: La Crosse Technology Weather Direct WD-3209U 4 Day Internet Powered Wireless Forecaster with Forecast Alerts and E.L. Backlight

Weather Direct by La Crosse Technology gives you easy access to the same quality weather as meteorologists 24 hours-a-day without turning on a TV or a computer! It works without Wi-Fi, there is no software to install, and the forecasts are totally free. no subscription required.
Choose the forecast information that you want from a list of over 60,000 locations in the United States and Canada including your hometown, golf courses, parks, sports venues and more. Weather Direct provides you with the complete weather picture for each morning, afternoon, evening and night for today and three succeeding days. You'll know to pack your umbrella for an afternoon shower, or bring a jacket for a cool evening at the game.
The wireless display features a large LCD with E.L. backlight for easy nighttime viewing, automatic time and date, time alarm with snooze, indoor temperature and forecasts for the daily high and low temperature. free forecasts alerts with audible alarms are included that allow you to receive a text message or E-mail alert when the chance of rain/snow, hi/low humidity, or hi/low outdoor temperature is outside of your desired range. The 4 Day Weather Multi-line toggles the % chance of precipitation, rain amount in inches, hours of sunshine, wind gust, wind speed, wind direction and barometric pressure. The bottom LCD line scrolls your wireless outdoor temperature, selected location name, sun rise/set and forecast.
The included wireless temperature sensor monitors your backyard temperature. You can also monitor your backyard temperature from anywhere in the world with your free membership to theweatherclub.com.
The weather gateway connects to your network router with the included LAN cable to send secure wireless forecasts to the display - 24 hours a day without turning on a TV or computer. A wireless range of 330 feet allows you to put the display device almost anywhere you want. A PC is only required for one-time easy set-up or to customize features. High-speed Internet and network router are required.
Change the way you get weather with Weather Direct by La Crosse Technology. Visit www.weatherdirect.com/places for a full list of forecast locations.
Full Features • free Forecasts for the Location of Your Choice – Provides Around-the-Clock Weather without Turning on a TV or Computer • Choose from over 60,000 locations in the United States and Canada Including Your Hometown, Parks, Sports Venues, Golf Courses and More. no Subscription Required. • 4 Day Forecasts with Specific Forecasts for Each Morning, Afternoon, Evening and Night • Included Forecast Alerts Allow You to Receive a Text Message or Email Alert When the Chance of Rain/Snow, HI/LOW Humidity, or HI/LOW Outdoor Temperature is Outside of Your Desired Range. The Wireless Display Will Also Sound Audible Alarms. • 4 Day Weather Multi-line Toggles: Chance of Precipitation (0-95%), Rain Amount (Inches), Sunshine Forecast (Hours Per Day), Barometric Pressure, and Wind Gust/Speed/Direction • Scrolling Lower LCD Section Scrolls Wireless Outdoor Temperature, Selected Location, Sunrise, Sunset, and Selected Location Forecast • Forecasts for Daily HI / LOW Temperature • Indoor Temperature (°F/°C) • Wireless Outdoor Temperature (°F/°C) • Monitor Your Backyard Temperature from Anywhere In The World • Upper-Right Corner of LCD Toggles Date, Seconds and Indoor Temperature • Time Alarm with Snooze • Time and Date Sets Itself • E.L. Backlight For Easy Nighttime Viewing • Battery Life Up to 2 Years (Batteries not Included) • no WiFi or Software Installation Necessary • High-Speed Internet, Network Router and Computer for Web-Based Set-Up are Required • 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty • 330 Ft Wireless Range

Expandable Want to View Forecasts for More than One Location at a Time or Receive Weather Alerts? Visit http://www.weatherdirect.com/3209.

View Forecasts for 4 More Locations on Your Wireless Display (Total of 5): In addition to your standard location, Weather Direct allows you to monitor four more forecast locations on your Wireless Display, for a total of five. This option now allows you to can keep an eye on other the weather in other places in addition to your primary location, like where your daughter goes to school, your favorite vacation spot, your parents' house and more.

Add Severe Weather Alerts: Keep your family safe with Severe Weather Alerts issued by the National Weather Service. This valuable information will help you prepare for upcoming weather events. Choose which types of severe weather events you want to receive for up to three locations. Even be alerted via e-mail or SMS text message when you are away from your Wireless Display.

System Includes • Wireless Display (5.9"L x 1.18"W x 7.4"H) with Indoor Temperature Range: 14.1°F to 100°F (-9.9°C to 37.7°C) • Secure Weather Gateway (6.6"L x 1"W x 1.6"H) with AC Adapter and LAN cable • Wireless Temperature Sensor (1.5"L x .8"W x 5"H) with Outdoor Temperature Range: -39.8°F to 139.8°F (-39.8˚C to 58.9˚C); includes mounting hardware

2 "AA" Alkaline Batteries (not included) 2 "C" Alkaline Batteries (not included)


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10/30/2011

La Crosse Technology WS-9160U-IT Digital Thermometer with Indoor/Outdoor Temperature Review

La Crosse Technology WS-9160U-IT Digital Thermometer with Indoor/Outdoor Temperature
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This wireless thermometer works extremely well and is easy
to set up - but you absolutely must follow the directions exactly.
Range is excellent - but just make sure that some large object such
as a metal shed or a large oak tree is not in line-of-sight between
any of the transmitters and the receiver.
I am using 3 of these temp sensors with the 915 MHz receiver. One
sensor came with the receiver, and I just purchased two more, since the
receiver can display up to three different temperatures from three
sensors. However be advised that if you carry one or more of these
sensors out of range and the receiver loses track of it, you absolutely
must take the batteries out of all three sensors and out of the
receiver and re-initialize all of them. This is not a difficult step,
since I did it several times while playing around with the sensors to
see how much range they had - which resulted in the receiver losing
track of one of them.
When you first see the instruction booklet that comes with the receiver,
it looks daunting, but not to worry, since only a tiny part of it is in
English, with all the rest in other languages. Once all the temp sensors are
initialized, then it takes only a few seconds to set the clock.
I read in other reviews that some buyers had problems getting their
receiver to respond to some sensors, but that is because the buyers failed
to properly re-initialize their units. Also be advised that if you buy
a display unit that receives transmissions at 915 MHz, then you absolutely
must buy sensors that also transmit at 915 MHz. Several of the sensors
that are sold by Amazon look alike, but not all of them use 915 MHz, so
carefully read the tech specs to make sure that both the transmitter and
the receiver operate at 915 MHz.


Click Here to see more reviews about: La Crosse Technology WS-9160U-IT Digital Thermometer with Indoor/Outdoor Temperature

Monitor temperatures indoors and out with this sleekly designed wireless thermometer from La Crosse Technology. The thermometer system includes an indoor display console and a remote wireless temperature sensor, though the console can receive temps from up to 3 sensors. Temperatures are displayed in either Fahrenheit or Celsius with minimum and maximum temperatures displayed with the push of a button. Bold, easy-to-read digits display time as well with both 12- and 24-hour time display options.
Wall-hanging or free standing the display looks great in the hallway on the mantle, windowsill or desktop. The wireless thermometer can be stationed up to 330 feet away from the display console; easily transmitting accurate temperature data across any city lot, so you know conditions in the greenhouse, garage, wine cellar, and more. The receiver requires 2 AAA Alkaline batteries while the sensor requires 2 AA Alkaline batteries.

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9/17/2011

Zephyr Instruments Touch Screen Pro Wireless Weather Station w/ Datalogger Review

Zephyr Instruments Touch Screen Pro Wireless Weather Station w/ Datalogger
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've owned one of these for over 2 years. Works great. Only changed batteries once. Use it with free Cumulus software that uploads to my weather website. Company was great to work with, very good customer service.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Zephyr Instruments Touch Screen Pro Wireless Weather Station w/ Datalogger

ò Large LCD Touch Screen Displays Activate with Slightest Touch ò Includes Mounting Mast & Sensor Mounts ò Atomic Time/Date with Perpetual Calendar ò Indoor / Outdoor Temperature with MIN/MAX (?F or ?C) ò Indoor / Outdoor Humidity with MIN/MAX (%RH) ò Outdoor Wind Chill and Dew Point Temperature (?F or ?C) ò Wind Speed (mph, km/s, m/s, Knots, Beaufort) ò Wind Direction with LCD Compass ò Barometric Pressure and Trend Display ò Total Rainfall ò Wall Hanging or Free Standing ò EL Backlight ò PC Software and USB Cable for Data Transfer. PC NOT included

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7/22/2011

Big Screen Clock with Weather Review

Big Screen Clock with Weather
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".

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