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Oregon Scientific WMR968 Cable Free Complete Weather Station by Oregon Scientific
Product DetailsManufacturer: Oregon Scientific Brand: Oregon Scientific Edition: Kitchen Model: WMR968 Publisher: Oregon Scientific Studio: Oregon Scientific Music Label: Oregon Scientific Product features: - More than 20 different weather conditions displayed on touchscreen monitor
- Displays one indoor, one outdoor temperature/humidity
- Completely wireless: outdoor solar-powered sensors simple to install
- PC-link software/cable kit available separately
- Outdoor temperature/humidity sensor
Accessories:
Description of Oregon Scientific WMR968 Cable Free Complete Weather Station- Oregon Scientific wireless weather station- Large LCD HiGlo backlit touch screen on base- 12-24 Hour weather forecast- 7 Channel capability, accepts up to 3 additional sensors (sold separately) - Solar powered remote sensors- 433MHz wireless transmission upto 328ft.- Memory function for weather measurements with time stamp feature- Weather alarms- Simple touch screen operation- Display all measurements including weather forecast; current temp and relative humidity (indoor/outdoor); memory for min/max temp and relative humidity; barometricpressure history bar; wind speed; compass wind direction; wind direction; rainfall rate- Calendar clock with daily alarm- User-selectable metric or imperial display units- Table stand or wall mount- Low battery indicator for main and sensor units- RS232 serial port for data output- 4 AA batteries required for backup on main unit- 4 AAA batteries required for baro-thermo-hygrometer- 2 AA batteries required for backup on anemometer-thermo-hygrometer-rain gauge (main power on this unit is solar)- Indoor unit is black- Multiple sensors included - WGR968 Anemometer measures wind speed and direction - RGR968 Self-emptying rain gauge measures rainfall - BTHR968 measuresindoor temperature, humidity and barometric pressure and features an on-board LCD screen - THGR968 measures outdoor temperature and humidity - PC Compatible (with optional RS-232 serial cable andsoftware, not included) ORWMR968 Completely wireless and simple to install, this home weather station tracks and stores data about more than 20 weather conditions and displays them on a touch-screen LCD monitor that measures only 8 inches wide by 5-1/2 inches high. The instruction booklet accompanying the weather station is easy to comprehend, making the station accessible to children, as well as adult hobbyists, gardeners, campers, and fishing enthusiasts. There are three outdoor sensors, each powered by a solar cell: an anemometer that attaches to a building, fence, or roof to measure wind speed and direction; a thermo-hygrometer to measure temperature and humidity; and a self-emptying rain gauge. (At least six hours of sunshine are needed to operate the solar cells for 24 hours. Each sensor has a backup battery-power unit that requires two AA batteries--not included.) A 4-1/4-by-2-3/4-inch baro-hygrometer measures indoor temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity, and mounts on a wall or stands on a desk. (It requires four AAA batteries--not included.) The touch-screen monitor keeps track of the indoor and outdoor sensors, and also displays local weather/barometric pressure forecasts. Additionally, it has a calendar/clock, an alarm that sounds when sensors detect conditions beyond parameters set by the user, a memory button for retrieving past data, and an AC power adapter. (Its backup battery-power unit requires four AA batteries--not included.) The system can support three additional remote sensors and can interface with a PC. Additional sensors, the PC-link software/cable kit, and a long-term data-memory accessory are all sold separately. --Fred Brack
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Oregon Scientific WMR968 Cable Free Complete Weather StationCustomer Review: A good weather station Summary: 5 Stars
I bought the OS WMR968 system 2 years ago, and have been very happy with it's performance and reliability. Installation was easy, and it worked fine right out of the box. All the sensors are made of plastic parts, so don't expect the highest quality, but they work...and work well for the money. With the right software, you can upload your data to the Weatherunderground, and other public weather data systems.
There are some odds and ends that folks need to be aware of about this system, or any weather system.
-Wind direction and speed are strongly affected by nearby buildings and obstructions. It's best to locate these sensors some distance from other structures. While the "official standard" is 10 meters (about 33 feet) above ground, mine is only about 12 feet, so the accuracy is probably not as good as it could be.
-During freezing rain conditions, the anemometer and wind direction will likely freeze solid. It's a problem with most weather systems, and unless you have power and heat available, it's just something you just have to live with. Normally all it takes is some sunny days, and the ice will melt and it returns to normal.
-The temperature sensor is sensitive to direct sunlight exposure. It is recommended that you find a shady spot to install it, or install a solar radiation shield. Otherwise your daily high temps will spike above what they should be.
-Each solar unit includes a set of rechargeable and AA alkaline batteries. You can expect them to last a couple of years, but they will eventually die and need to be replaced. This is especially true if you have some really cold (sub zero) temps.
-The rain guage is really sensitive to debris...so you need to keep the debris screen cleaned. Also, I had a spider decide to set up shop inside mine, and it prevented the rain bucket from emptying properly. So if your readings look low, you should check the cleanliness of the sensor.
-The advertised range of the wireless transmitters is probably accurate, as long as you don't have walls in the way. If you can, locate the transmitters as close to your base unit as possible. My temp and wind sensors are about 125 feet from my base unit, which is plugged into my PC. The signal has to go through a wall, and I occasionally have trouble getting a good signal. I also have a second remote temp sensor in my barn, about 150 feet away, and through two walls. I've tried just about everything and have been unable to get a good signal from that sensor. If you have aluminum siding, or stucco with metal lathe, forget about getting a signal through them.
While you could spend a lot more for a professional weather station, I've found the WMR968 lives up to my expectations and does a good job. It's one of the most popular weather stations, and you can't go wrong with it. This system is also sold under several other brand names, including Radio Shack and John Deere. In fact, the Radio Shack instruction manual (which you can download) is MUCH better than the one that comes with this unit.
In summary, with weather stations, you get what you pay for. Those that expect this to be as reliable and robust as a professional weather station will likely be disappointed. This is probably the best and most popular low cost weather stations on the market, and I highly recommend it for those starting out. I have found it's accuracy and dependability to be equal to even the best professional systems.
Edit: January, 2009. The advertised low temp of the sensor is -4. Recently, we had temps in the -15 range. My system stopped recording at -9.9, where it flat lined till the temps rose again. It happened several days in a row, so I know it wasn't a fluke. If you buy this weather station, make sure that limitation is something you can tolerate.
Weather Monitors
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