bit-tech Shopping: Oregon Scientific Cable Free Weather Station

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Distance it can send and recieve data and the amount of data it stores.

Weaknesses: Software disconnects from my computer and I have to reboot to get it to work again. Also the Almanac needs to be corrected, it shows sun rise at 1:01 AM and sun set at 1:08 PM how do you correct this.

Summary: I am impressed with the graphics on this system but there are some bugs, like I said the Almanac needs correcting or instructions to do so. I would and have recomended this station to friends.

Rating: 2

Time with product: 2 Years

Strengths: Easy Set Up!

Weaknesses: Everything after the setup

Summary: I have had this product for 2 years and the anemometer was the first thing to go. Called Oregon NO-customer service for assistance...the made it sound like it was my problem in operating it. It wasn't...it was a product failure and I was directed to replacing this item. I opted not to due to the price. I then bought a floatable pool thermometer. The gasket failed, water leaked in and shorted out. No replacement since it too was after the 30 day warranty. *** Also Oregon will not replace any item once it has been set up outdoors. How stupid is that, its a damn weather station...do they want me to set it up in my living room to record my ceiling fan wind speed? UUGGHHH! The rain gauge...well it went out after about the 5th rain storm. It stopped sending readings to the base station. After rebooting the base station it began to work again. Well, last nights rain did it in...no more readings! Two weeks ago, the Thermometer/Hydrometer went out. Replaced the batteries, got a signal, red light and still no good. Rebooted the base station...which loses all of the Year to date readings. All I can say is what a P.O.S this is. It was nice as a gift...but I will never spend another penny with any Oregon products.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 3 Weeks

Strengths: Decent quality sensors, Good interface, Good wireless transmitters, Nice RS232 output, Reasonable Price

Weaknesses: Pressure only accurate to .03" Mercury (one hPa) providing a VERY course indication of pressure. Horrible Instruction manual.

Summary: A decent manual can be found for a version of this system made by Radio Shack. Also, there is FREE software that does a nice job connecting the WMR to your Windows PC.Search for "FreeWX" with Google to get these.I would rate this systems 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Rating: 4

Time with product: 5 Years

Strengths: Ease of setup

Weaknesses: Just about everything else.

Summary: Well ladies and gentlemen round 2 with this box; first one vanished without notice so let?s hope this post goes. There are several methods for the problems you discuss above. Those issues are freezing conditions, and rain bucket problems. To adjusting your barometric pressure, here is a site for you to use for your barometric pressure.Look up tmax weather center on google and you will find the baropress site.As for the freezing anemometer, go buy yourself a super soaker water gun, load it with the hottest water from your tap, load that hot water with enough salt to choke a horse, and fire at your anemometer. I have beaten many South Dakota ICE storms with this method, and it has yet to re-freeze after I apply the first round. Rain bucket freeze is another nightmare. As this model does not come with a heater, it tends to freeze up, and basically that?s the end of your reading. I have tried several methods that have worked for me. However they are not foolproof methods. Installing a 12v light into the catch grate inside the bucket, often works but only if the snow is about 1.00 inch an hour, anymore then that and it cant melt it fast enough, also the temperature must be at or near the freezing point for this to work well. Lower then 26F and the melt water freeze?s the tipper and that?s it. Inside the bucket heaters are darn expensive and frankly a waste of good money. Your best bet is to build an enclosure for your bucket. Inside that enclosure have a 100watt light bulb, no more, no less. Make sure you leave at least 4 inches from the top of the box to the top of the bucket, or you will get fall in snow and it will offset your readings. However this is not foolproof either as birds like to make nests in this in the spring and summer, and who wants to chase the robins away. Let them nest then clean out during the fall. Also if you don?t have the rain bucket sealed at the top with some sort of either caulk, or liquid nails the bucket can often be moved or damaged by vermin, birds, or Mother Nature herself. You can remedy most vermin and bird problems with screens, metal screens on any open part of the box. You will have to have some sort of ventilation in the box or the box gets to hot and you could easily melt the bottom of your bucket. Small holes if any or you could let too much heat escape. These methods fail if the powers out, and you will have to again resort to manual inputs. I have had marked success with my WMR-968, and not once had to contact tech support to find out anything I couldn?t find via Google searching. Most veterans of this station have methods that would blow your mind for overcoming all sorts of issues and problems. If you have further questions email me at tmaxweathcenter@rushmore.com and I will get back to you as soon as I possibly can. I run an observation station for the NWS off this station so its not all bad.

Rating: 2

Time with product: 60 Days

Strengths: solar transmitters, temp guage

Weaknesses: everything else

Summary: Absolutely the worst written instruction manual I have ever read. Customer svc. blames this on translation to English by Chinese folks. Give me a break!Anemometer is shot after 2 months of use(summer). Have no idea how to calibrate barometer to local air pressure, and rain guage is not remotely accurate.Summary: Overpriced plastic Chinese junk. Back it goes to Costco.