The Weather Channel Wireless Weather Stations

[Steve Mehs]

Anyone here have or know anyone that has had experiences with The Weather Channel/ La Crosse weather station gadgets found at Best Buy and a few other places. I’d love to play around with these things and if it turns out to be a dud I can always return it but I’m just looking for some general feedback. I know a few people who bought similar items from Rat Shack and WalMart, but I want something bit more advanced.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?type=category&id=pcmcat23300050006

I guess what I’m asking is are they relatively hassle free and how strong is the wireless signal?

I’d be most interested in the $200 model that is sold out online due to the external rain gauge that’s not included in the $130 model.

I’m just looking for a completely geeky gadget and since I returned that Caller ID Digital Globe/Clock thingy that I got from Radio Shack a few months ago I haven’t really gotten anything to take it’s place. :)

[DonLandis]

"I’m just looking for a completely geeky gadget and since I returned that Caller ID Digital Globe/Clock thingy that I got from Radio Shack a few months ago I haven’t really gotten anything to take it’s place. "

I have two weather alerts and info sources I use here. Since I carry my ipaq everywhere, I don't need yet one more little box to remember. One is enough so I have two weather alerts on my Ipaq-

Storm Chaser-

Storm Chaser is a small program that goes on the internet and aggregates the NOAA weather station (in the Buffalo area KHUE) and displays a real time radar map of the patterns. You can get this info free with a web browser but the Storm Chaser software for $12 makes the collection and display of the data on the internet more intuitive and just quicker. It works great with GPRS internet connection and even better when you are in a wifi hot spot.


The second program I have is an IP broadcast of The Weather Channel itself. This available as part of a service I added to my iPAQ called Smart TV. Cost $12 per month and it has a bunch of "cable" TV channels such as The Weather Channel (this includes special loop broadcasts of major cities, Tha main station, and special programs looped video on demand) CNBC, MSNBC, Fox News Sports Network. IFC, Las Vegas Sports, Epic Sports, Wrestling, Cartoons, Little Rascals loops, E!, ABC Entertainment, and a bunch of others, plus some premium channels including porn you can add to your base package. It works with GPRS with a smaller picture size and full screen with wifi.


So, when I want to know the weather, I just grab my IPAQ and check either of these two.


Right after I got the Storm Chaser software we were in DC on an out door interview shoot and a storm kicked up. The director was ready to call the shoot for another trip which would have meant big delays and possible loss of the client. I pulled up the Storm Chaser and with a GPRS connection, tracked the storms movement and predicted we would be in sunshine in about 45 minutes. I nailed it almost to the minute to the amazement of everyone there. That prediction alone paid for my Storm Chaser and my SmartTV service for the whole year!

The LaCrosse home weather station is fascinating too. Next time I have a few hundred bucks to spend and can't figure out what to buy, that would be on top of my list. Always wanted one like that. Now that's Geeky! :)

But for just reports on the go, I like my ipaq with internet info.

[Phil T]

I’m just looking for a completely geeky gadget and since I returned that Caller ID Digital Globe/Clock thingy that I got from Radio Shack a few months ago I haven’t really gotten anything to take it’s place. :)

Hey, I got one of those!! It doesn't get much use though. I should have taken it back!!

I am now searching for my next geeky gadget!!

[Bogy]

I don't have one of the really fancy ones like your link shows, but I have two of the atomic clocks from LaCross, with indoor and outdoor temperatures, one with the moon phases and the other with a barometer. I wanted a really accurate clock, plus the indoor/outdoor temp is nice, and I didn't have to run a wire. We just got the second one for upstairs, so that when we get dressed in the morning we can see what the temp is. The barometer is neat to watch, keeping track of the rising and falling pressures, and it does give an indication of improving or deteriorating weather.

I'm using the same outdoor sending unit for both of them. They say they work up to 300 feet away, and I'm sure they do, if you are outside with no obstructions. I had the sending unit under the eave on my garage, perhaps 75 feet away, but the signal had to go through 3 or 4 walls, plaster, not drywall. It kept losing the signal, so I found a new place on the house out of the sun. It works fine now, with the signal perhaps having to travel 25 feet. The atomic clock took a while to pick up the signal, but the second one was up and running with the signal in a matter of minutes. The Barometer does take 24 to 48 hours to establish the pressure trends, but any barometer will.

Go for it, I wouldn't mind having one of the units with more options myself, perhaps for my office...

[Steve Mehs]

Hey, I got one of those!! It doesn't get much use though. I should have taken it back!!

Wow Phil, I thought I was the only one brave enough to admit that I bought one of those. :D

I made up my mind, I’m taking Bogy’s advice and I’m am going to get it, but I have to wait until next month, between the iPod, some surgery on my truck and my Sirius subscription being renewed I don’t want to cut myself close.

The outside components will probably go right outside my bedroom window on what used to be our clothes line poles, maybe about 30 feet away from the main unit with drywall in the way.

I would have loved to have something like this on Sunday. We had massive winds, rain and tornado warnings.

[ntexasdude]

Put the clothes line back up. That's kind of geeky. :D

I have the one (or similar one) that Bogy decribed. I bought an extra wireless sensor. A while back a relay went out on the refrigerator and it quit cooling. After I repaired it I put the extra sensor in the freezer to make sure it was getting cold enough. :lol:

The atomic clock is nifty. But as Don pointed out there are always alternatives like www.time.gov ;)