[.ca] Oregon Scientific BAR638HGA Weather Forecaster with ...

• Weather station with US Atomic Clock
• Displays kinetic weather forecast icons using barometric pressure readings
• Displays outdoor temperature and humidity from up to 3 remote sensors (1 included)
• Minimum/maximum temperature and humidity memory
• Crescendo alarm with snooze function

Strange design choices and non-waterproof sensor:
The first unit I received had the remote sensor malfunction after three days but it was enough to get a feel for this unit. First of all the LCD is designed is a strange way. The humidity is listed first, temperature second. Every other digital thermometer with a humidity sendor lists temperature first. In fact, that's how the remote sensor displays it! Second, the seconds are displayed on the same line as the month and date! Weird. The radio-controlled clock doesn't work but that was expected in a large city. Unlike another review, the barometer works exactly as my older weather center, I had them on next to each other. I bought this to replace an old Radio Shack weather center that was starting to malfunction. On that unit you had to run a wire out the window to get outside readings so I was happy to get something that was wireless. Then I discover that the wireless unit is not waterproof and has to be mounted in a protected spot away from direct moisture! I'm in an apartment and that's not possible. The rain hits all of our windows, especally during winter storms. The replacement unit just showed up. I'll figure a way to use it.

There are Better Forecaster's Out There:
It tells time and the temperature without a problem. However, the forecaster function is always wrong. It will be in the 80's without a cloud in the sky for days, and the clock will be showing rain clouds on the screen.

Useful for indoor temperature and humidity:
We use this to monitor the temperature and humidity in our child's room, it seems to vary from the rest of that floor of the house. What's nice is that little remote unit (not shown in the picture) can be placed almost anywhere, so for example we keep it on a bookshelf near the crib and at the same height, so we get a reading that's very specific to where our child is. That's important, as readings can vary greatly even within a room. There are a few minor issues: - The little wire stand used to keep the remote unit upright could be improved, it falls out some of the time if I pick up the unit to read the temp and humidity. - It's a little confusing to set up, but hasn't needed attention in a long time since then. - I think we have the contrast turned up to maximum on the base unit. The little light is useful (and often necessary) to read the display. But it's been very useful, reliable and accurate (as far as I can tell) hence the high rating for our needs. But our needs may vary from yours, so consider that: - We don't use the weather forecast, if we need weather we just check the internet. - We also don't bother with the atomic clock, I'm not sure it works well in the northeast anyway. - Since we use it indoors, we haven't run into any issues others have with the sensor being outdoors in the weather. It can support up to two remote sensors, plus the base unit. (Only one remote sensor is included.) It can be set to display any two of the three locations. Battery life seems long on both the main unit and the remote unit, given that they are essentially on 24/7/365. The remote sensor is a Oregon Scientific THGR122NX Wireless Temperature/Humidity Sensor, if you're wondering what it looks like or you want a second one.

OK, but....:
Nice looking unit, just the right size. But to view max highs and lows requires taking off the battery cover. Resetting the max highs and lows was a pain. If you are not interested in the max min feature, it's OK.

Great product:
Great to get inside and outside temperature and humidity, batteries last long enough, signal reception of outside sensor is very good. For weather forecast, my Tissot T-Touch watch is a lot more accurate. The Oregon may not be fit for tropical weather. The atomic clock sync does not work in Brazil, we do not have the required radio stations.