鶹
Customer Review
- Reviewed in Canada on November 17, 2024This is a really interesting "weather clock", and I like most of the design decisions. My biggest complaint is that it's a bit tricky to get all set up the way you like it, only for your settings to inevitably be lost when the AA batteries in the main unit go out. Granted, they'll probably last a long time, maybe even a year or more, but it's still a nuisance when it inevitably happens. Because you'll have to re-pair the remote sensors, figure out which one is which, etc. The instructions are extensive, but not really easy to follow.
That aside, which I feel would be fixable with something like an EEPROM in the base unit to store the settings, or the ability to plug the base unit into the wall, I do really enjoy having this thing around. While it does take a bit of work to setup, the remote sensors work really well. It's simple but nice to have data from different parts of the house. Instead of having to ask "what's the temperature upstairs?" or "what's it like in the garage?" you can tell at a glance. Provided you remember which one is which of the remote sensors.
I also like that it tries to sync with WWVB for the time signal (if in range). It worked for me, and it's in step with other WWVB-compatible clocks in the house, which is nice. I'm pretty sure it also accounts for DST and that stuff automatically, too.
Other things like the moon phase, barometer, or "forecast" (based on changes in barometric pressure, which isn't as bad of a metric for rough estimates of what type of day it's going to be) are a bit unnecessary, in my opinion. Just the time/date, temperature/humidity, and alarm clock functionality would have been good enough for me. But it's alright. Fills the screen and it's vaguely interesting I guess.
The remote sensors are neat, though. They run off two AAA batteries, and have a little LCD screen showing the current temperature and humidity. Every now and then they blink red to show they're transmitting to the base unit. They don't do it too often, so the battery life will probably be reasonable.
The base unit LCD screen isn't the easiest to read, I'll be honest. The viewing angles, even with the backlight (which you can press the button to turn on/off) aren't the greatest. It's best if you can look straight at it, or slightly up at it, like if it's on a shelf or the wall or something. At least in my experience.
I haven't tried mounting it on the wall, but there is a hole in the back of the base unit that could theoretically be used for placing on a nail in the wall. Although I don't mind the little fold-out legs of the base unit. And personally I've just stuck the sensors wherever, like standing up on a table. But I could see how more mounting options for the base unit and the sensors would be nice.
It's not clear whether the remote sensors are meant for outside or not. It might be fine, but I don't know if they're waterproof, etc. and it doesn't seem like they're rated for that. With the impressive range of the system (which should be good enough for a whole house) it'd be nice to see outdoor-rated sensors. But that's just a thought.
Overall, taking everything into consideration, even with my few qualms with it, I can still say I enjoy this weather station, and it's not a bad choice.
This is a really interesting "weather clock", and I like most of the design decisions. My biggest complaint is that it's a bit tricky to get all set up the way you like it, only for your settings to inevitably be lost when the AA batteries in the main unit go out. Granted, they'll probably last a long time, maybe even a year or more, but it's still a nuisance when it inevitably happens. Because you'll have to re-pair the remote sensors, figure out which one is which, etc. The instructions are extensive, but not really easy to follow.
That aside, which I feel would be fixable with something like an EEPROM in the base unit to store the settings, or the ability to plug the base unit into the wall, I do really enjoy having this thing around. While it does take a bit of work to setup, the remote sensors work really well. It's simple but nice to have data from different parts of the house. Instead of having to ask "what's the temperature upstairs?" or "what's it like in the garage?" you can tell at a glance. Provided you remember which one is which of the remote sensors.
I also like that it tries to sync with WWVB for the time signal (if in range). It worked for me, and it's in step with other WWVB-compatible clocks in the house, which is nice. I'm pretty sure it also accounts for DST and that stuff automatically, too.
Other things like the moon phase, barometer, or "forecast" (based on changes in barometric pressure, which isn't as bad of a metric for rough estimates of what type of day it's going to be) are a bit unnecessary, in my opinion. Just the time/date, temperature/humidity, and alarm clock functionality would have been good enough for me. But it's alright. Fills the screen and it's vaguely interesting I guess.
The remote sensors are neat, though. They run off two AAA batteries, and have a little LCD screen showing the current temperature and humidity. Every now and then they blink red to show they're transmitting to the base unit. They don't do it too often, so the battery life will probably be reasonable.
The base unit LCD screen isn't the easiest to read, I'll be honest. The viewing angles, even with the backlight (which you can press the button to turn on/off) aren't the greatest. It's best if you can look straight at it, or slightly up at it, like if it's on a shelf or the wall or something. At least in my experience.
I haven't tried mounting it on the wall, but there is a hole in the back of the base unit that could theoretically be used for placing on a nail in the wall. Although I don't mind the little fold-out legs of the base unit. And personally I've just stuck the sensors wherever, like standing up on a table. But I could see how more mounting options for the base unit and the sensors would be nice.
It's not clear whether the remote sensors are meant for outside or not. It might be fine, but I don't know if they're waterproof, etc. and it doesn't seem like they're rated for that. With the impressive range of the system (which should be good enough for a whole house) it'd be nice to see outdoor-rated sensors. But that's just a thought.
Overall, taking everything into consideration, even with my few qualms with it, I can still say I enjoy this weather station, and it's not a bad choice.Images in this review
