La Crosse Technology WS-811561-W atomic digital wall clock with solar-powered sensor Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Not much to say except that it does exactly what it's supposed to do. I love the solar powered sensor that shows the temp and the clock picked up the "atomic" time within just a few minutes. Setup was a breeze and I had everything up and running really quickly. The only reason for 4 stars is that something inside the clock seems to have come loose/broken and rattles around inside, but it still seems to work fine.

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This WS-811561 atomic digital wall clock and temperature station from La Crosse Technology not only conveys the precise time and date, but also informs users of current indoor and outdoor temperatures. Radio-controlled by WWVB radio transmissions from the national atomic clock in Fort Collins, CO, the clock regularly resets time for increased accuracy and adapts automatically for daylight savings time. A solar-powered TX61U-IT outdoor sensor transmits temperatures at 915 MHz from up to 200 feet from the clock's wireless display.
Housed in white plastic, the clock display benefits hanging holes for easy mounting, as well as fold-out legs for free-standing tabletop placement. The LCD relates the time in either a 12-hour or 24-hour format. Along the bottom of the screen, the clock reports the date, day of week, current indoor temperatures ranging from 14.2 to 99.9 degrees F, and current outdoor temperatures ranging from -39.8 to 139.8 degrees F. English, French, German, and Spanish languages are available for day display, and temperatures can be viewed in either Celsius or Fahrenheit degrees. Using the function buttons on the back, the user selects the appropriate time zone, deactivates the auto DST feature, and sets the alarm and its 10-minute snooze. To ensure accurate outdoor temperatures, do not place the sensor in direct sunlight as that skews its measuring capabilities. The sensor's built-in rechargeable battery pack maintains a full charge with minimum indirect light to its solar panel; install in an east-facing location if possible, and shelter from rainfall. For display operation, the separate purchase of two AA batteries is required. A limited one-year warranty covers this item. The clock measures 9 inches wide by 1 inch deep by 7-1/5 inches high, while the sensor measures 1-3/4 inches wide by 1 inch deep by 4 inches high.

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Oregon Scientific BAR339PA Projection Atomic Clock with Weather Forecaster Review

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(More customer reviews)I had an older Oregon Scientific clock (atomic, projection, weather) that works perfectly. It projects the time in crisp red which is the right brightness - you can clearly see it at night, and it does not illuminate the whole room. Also one can rotate the displayed image 360 degrees. My only complaints with that clock were the lack of temperature display on the ceiling and the hard to read clock face (old style LED - dark gray on light gray). One can illuminate the clock face by pressing a button but cannot permanently turn illumination on.
I needed another clock so I decided that this one should be much better, especially with the temperature being shown on the ceiling. That new clock was a huge disappointment. First it is indeed too bright - it is like a projector that illuminates the whole room, although one can get used to it. The image cannot be focused very well, and it has only two positions at 180 degrees from each other. Because of that I can either have the image on the ceiling right (but cannot see well the clock face), or have the clock turned so that I can see it (but the image on the ceiling is at an angle). Another huge problem is the illumination of the clock face. When turned off it is difficult to read but unlike the old model you can turn it on. And there the problems begin. Some designer kid has had fun designing the display with animations and color changes that are supposed to track better the weather changes. So at night, while you are trying to sleep and get used to the bright bluish light from the projector, suddenly color flashes start playing around. My wife almost got a heart attack when this happened for the first time.
The verdict - just returned it.

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A multi-function graphical gadget, this projection clock from Oregon Scientific combines unfailingly accurate time with a color-coded weather prediction system and handy temperature gauge. Working with an included wireless remote sensor, the unit displays color-coded weather predictions and projects both time and outdoor temperature onto the ceiling or wall for easy checking in the dark. Options include 12- or 24-hour forecasting, 180-degree projection rotation, and memory function for daily high and low temps. The clock also includes a crescendo alarm and an 8-minute snooze feature. Using a radio signal, it checks itself regularly against the U.S. Atomic Clock and resets automatically for Daylight Savings Time. Batteries for the base unit and the sensor are included; the base can also be run with the included AC adapter.

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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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Timex T150G Weather Alarm Clock (NOAA Instant Weather Band,Nature Sounds) Review

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(More customer reviews)I really like the convenience of having multiple alarm settings on this clock; it's handy for weekdays and weekends, or just random days when I need to get up at different times. The clock is also smart enough to set itself to go off only on weekdays, weekends, or every single day at the push of a button.
The nature sounds are, unsurprisingly, pretty tinny sounding and not terribly pleasant to try to fall asleep to. Waking up to them isn't bad, though. The beeping alarm is a pleasant beep, not something that'll yank you headlong out of your slumber, and the weather information is a very nice way to wake up, too, so you can know what to expect from the day.
Its compact size fits just about anywhere, and the large time display is easy to read, day or night.
If you're looking for a soothing sound machine, this may not be quite the right beast for you, but if you're looking for a hugely versatile alarm clock, this is it.

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The Timex T150G is a weather alarm clock with nature sounds. It features a triple alarm system with battery backup, a one-touch instant weather button, and a large custom LCD display with a soft amber back light.
The T150G provides all the conveniences of a modern alarm clock. Custom one-touch alarm settings let you choose the period of the alarm from seven, five, and two days. You can choose to wake or sleep to weather reports or nature sounds (ocean, forest, brook, wind), and there is also a buzzer option for waking. A programmable sleep timer is also provided, along with a large, top-mounted snooze button.

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Philips AJ260 Weather Station Clock Radio Review

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(More customer reviews)After reading all the other reviews I wasn't too sure. But reading between the lines I decided to take a chance. I bit the bullet and bought it and so far I am happy I did. I did find one thing I would like changed, one thing I would like enhanced.
The negative and needing changed is that the dual alarms will both sound by the same method. Either both by buzzer or both by radio. I personally like to use one alarm by radio, one by buzzer. That gives me a gentle wake up and then a reminder alert a little later.
To make the clock better, it would be nice if you could dim the weather LED. It is bright, no doubt about it. You can set it so that it only comes on for 10 seconds when you press a button, but I'd still like to see it dimmable.
As far as the other complaints... almost all the bad reviews could be corrected and attributed to user error. If people would RTFM before moaning, life would be easier.
Time resets to central but you live in the west, well read the manual. Not getting the auto time update, RTFM. Weather indicator light stays lit and keeps you up at night, read the manual. Outside temperature sensor giving inaccurate readings, read the flipping manual and mount the sensor in an appropriate place. As far as the sensor only measuring barometric pressure indoors and not outside, well unless you live in a submarine or a minute-man missile silo and use the airlock, the pressure inside and outside your house are the same. Humidity might be different, but pressure is the same, and that is what gives the clock its rudimentary weather predictions. Yes, it is really basic weather predictions, but what do you expect. It's a clock radio, not a meteorologist. Turn on the radio if you want more details.
I'd buy one again, but I would prefer separate buzz/radio selections for each alarm.


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Midland ER102 Emergency Radio Review

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(More customer reviews)I hope I can give you some useful information about this radio and give you new ideas on simplifying your emergency items. I have been reviewing emergency radios for too many days, I think for most of us we want something portable for emergency AM or FM weather information and NOAA information and alerts during a loss of power that might last for a few hours or several days, I'm not looking for equipment to survive without power for months in the wilderness, just keep in touch and out of the dark during the emergency. I was considering the Eton RH500 (cool factor) but after reading about all the Eton radio models, I could not help but notice one serious concern with all of them, most reviewers said the Eton radio reception was not very good indoors... which is where I'm going to be during bad weather; an emergency radio without excellent radio reception has little value in my opinion. I opted for the Midland ER102 and I am very pleased. I like having the Dynamo feature, but I do not put a lot of value in it as my thinking is that all the emergency products I purchase must use AA batteries; they have a shelf life for 6+ years and they are cheap... aprox. $10 for 24 name brand batteries at W. Mart... The idea; one battery that fits everything! As for this radio; I live outside of the city and the AM and FM reception inside my house is excellent even without extending the antenna it picks up well, I can pick up 3 NOAA weather channels, two of them loud and clear, and one NOAA channel loud and clear without extending the antenna. Some reviewers complain about sensitive tuning; as for the tuning... the tuner is an analog (not digital) tuner with a digital display and it scrolls very smoothly (all the emergency radios that I have found use analog tuners.) To get clear reception it is not necessary to hit your station exactly (but is easy to do), as with analog tuners we have always tuned into the general area of the station then moved the knob back and forth until the station is clear, you never thought about it being sensitive since you just listened for the best spot without observing a digital display. Is the dial sensitive... no more than any other analog tuner, it might seem that way if you are looking at the digit to the right of the decimal point while rapidly scrolling, however a light touch when fine tuning and I find the tuner actually easier and much quicker to tune than if the display was the old analog type display other emergency radios have. The 3 LED flashlight is surprising bright, the backlit LCD display is very bright, AC adapter is included, the alarm is easy to use and it's kind of neat to look at the display and see the current temperature constantly displayed. I will note that I have a newer Nokia cell phone and although the radio comes with several adapters mine was not in the mix. Again this is not important to me as I don't want to crank the Dynamo for 5 minutes to make a very brief call.... Better idea; buy a portable emergency cell phone charger that fits your phone. This $5-$20 device (you guessed it.... works on AA batteries) will allow you to start using your phone within 30 seconds of plugging it into a dead cell phone and talk say 2 hours on one AA. If you want to go all out you can purchase Lithium batteries which last longer than Alkaline and have about a 15 year shelf life. Storms and power outages are stressful enough and lots of work, I say keep it as simple as possible... and a bonus, all my stuff fits easily in a small drawer in the kitchen.
My 3 watt LED flashlight (about 80 lumens) lasts 2 hours on high, my Sylvania LED Mini Lanterns (L562) last up to 200 hours on 4 AA's and they are as bright as many large lanterns, and this Midland Radio all use the same cheap AA batteries.... $20 buys 48 AA batteries and will last me a long time, how about 72 AA's on hand at a cost of $30.... I can go for weeks.


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Midland's ER102 radio is constructed to be water resistant, so it can be used in most any environment, and has a dynamo power crank to recharge its batteries without access to electricity. This radio runs on a Midland rechargeable NiMH battery pack that can be recharged while in the radio, and includes the ability to recharge devices that use a USB port including your cell phone.With a USB connector cable (not included), device may be charged either by rotating the Dynamo Crank, or when the AC Adapter is plugged into an AC source.This radio comes in a stylish black and silver color scheme, and is backed by a manufacturer's three-year warranty..
What's in the Box ER102 radio with dynamo power crank, rechargeable battery pack, AC wall power adapter, user's guide, and warranty information.

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Lacrosse Projection Alarm Clock with Indoor/outdoor Temp Review

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(More customer reviews)I love projection alarm clocks and was excited to get one that allows me to view outdoor temp and time via projection. I have been disappointed with this clock though.
First, at night I can only see what time it is on the ceiling. The blue backlight only comes on if you hit any button and stays on for a few seconds, otherwise there is no backlighting on this clock. So if you wake up in the middle of the night and are facing the clock you have to roll over onto your back to view the projection on the ceiling or hit a button to view the numbers on the clock itself. There is no way to adjust the settings to have the backlight stay on. This is a poor design and should be redesigned to give you the option to have the clock lit at night.
Second, the buttons on the front of the clock that are used to turn on the alarm clock and make adjustments require that you hit them multiple times for them to work. Plus it is really akward to hit the buttons on the front of the alarm clock while you are lying in bed. At least the snooze is on the top, is easy to hit, and is responsive each time you hit it.
Overall, I like that I can see the outdoor temp and time on my ceiling but wish the buttons were more responsive, were not on the front of the clock, and wish it had backligting so it can be viewed at night without hitting a button. I would buy a different clock if I could do it again.


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HP DreamScreen 100 10.2-Inch Wireless Connected Screen Review

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(More customer reviews)The HP DreamScreen is at its heart, a digital photo frame that's begging to be much more.
As with so many of 2009's consumer electronics, the DreamScreen is yet another example of a company trying to bolt on extended connectivity to popular sites. This time around, we have access to Facebook, Pandora, and Snapfish via built-in wired and wireless networking.
Setting up the DreamScreen is fairly painless. It quickly found and connected to my WPA2 network without any problems, and the built-in applications all ran as I had expected them to, albeit, very slowly. I thought that the slowness may be due to the product being so new, and immediately checked for a firmware update. Sure enough, there was one. However, it didn't seem to improve the response time.
The DreamScreen is quite large. Probably larger than what I'd want on my desk, and a bit too large for a normal end table. And while the back has slots to accept every type of flash media under the sun, it also makes the unit itself quite deep, making wall mounting an unattractive option.
As I had said previously, the included applications all work pretty much as I had expected them to. Facebook is a passive stream of status updates or photos. Snapfish can be pointed to someone's account, and Pandora seems to do the right thing if you already have a Pandora account with stations set up. The weather application updates quickly and often, and is visually appealing. The inherent problem with all of these, is that they aren't integrated or well executed.
So, mixing photos between any of the applications is just not possible without navigating between the different applications. On one hand, I can understand that the DreamScreen doesn't claim to do it, but if you're going to bundle multiple photo options, being able to see them all in a rotation seems like a natural function to me. And while Pandora works, the controls are not well thought out (e.g. making the music stop) and as you'd probably expect from a device like this, the audio quality is not very good.
Ultimately, you end up with a product that you'd normally "set and forget", but that really needs a lot of interaction to make any of the features work. I could see having this mounted somewhere that I could enjoy glancing at the pictures, and notice every once in a while that it's telling me what the weather's like, or that one of my friends has posted new pictures on Facebook. But in execution, I'd need to go find the remote, and navigate to each function. If I'm going to take the time to do that, why wouldn't I just grab my computer? (Or if I didn't have one, why wouldn't I spend about as much money on a netbook?)
The image quality is decent, but not nearly as good as what you'd see on the similarly sized Sony DPF-V900 9-Inch Digital Photo Frame (and a popular choice, now that I see it on another review). Again, it does what HP says it does, but it doesn't do it as well as it could, and seems almost an afterthought.
The DreamScreen really begs the question: "What need does this fulfill?"
If you're looking for a photo frame, you have better options from Sony, Kodak, and others.
If you're looking for an easy link to Facebook, the interface and one-way nature of the device puts a wet towel on that.
If you're looking for a portable media center, the audio quality is a serious barrier.
If you're looking for a "keep Grandma updated with something easy to use" device, you're hitting limitations with the interface (and wireless availability).
I just can't think of a single reason to buy this over another product, other than to say "Hey, check out this frame. Look at everything it can do."

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The HP 10-inch DreamScreen makes it easy to enjoy photos, music, video, as well as weather, clocks,calendars, Facebook, and more.

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