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(More customer reviews)I bought this product (Oregon Scientific EW91) to replace the original Oregon Scientific "cable free thermometer", which had become flaky in its wireless operation after some years. All I wanted was a min/max indoor/outdoor thermometer -- no hygrometer, no atomic-radio-controlled clock, etc.
There are two hardware components -- the sensor (typically placed outdoors) and the receiver (placed indoors). Each takes two AAA batteries (not included). Lithium batteries are recommended if the unit will be used in temperatures well below freezing. The sensor has a keyhole slot in back that lets you mount it on a screw or nail (not included). The sensor transmits the temperature every 60 seconds. The receiver simultaneously displays two temperatures -- the local temperature, and the temperature sent by the sensor.
Note: The sensor included with this unit is also used with other "Elements" products sold by Oregon Scientific. Therefore, the sensor-specific parts of this review apply also to those products.
I'm very satisfied with the two basic functions -- accuracy and wireless transmission. I've placed the sensor and receiver about 18 feet apart, separated by a window. (The line between the two forms a 45-degree angle with the normal to the sensor. The instructions don't say whether the transmitted beam is omni-directional.) The instructions claim a transmission range of 30 meters (98 feet).
There are a number of design details that could be improved. Here's the list, in order of decreasing importance to me.
1) According to the manual, the min/max feature displays the min/max over the last 24 hours. There are two problems. First, if you go away for a week, you won't have a record of the extreme temperatures. Second, it doesn't truly show the extremes over the last 24 hours. Instead, it uses an inscrutable algorithm, so you're never quite sure to what time-span the min/max values apply. (It's roughly 24 hours, give or take quite a bit.) It would have been much better, and easier to understand, if it simply displayed the min/max since the last reset.
2) The instructions say not to place the sensor where it is exposed to the rain. I'd gladly pay extra for a waterproof sensor. As a kludge solution, I placed a plastic bag around the sensor before mounting it.
3) The snap-on case for the sensor battery compartment was extremely difficult to remove -- so much so that I almost returned the unit as defective. After I installed the batteries, the case was also very difficult to snap back in place.
4) The digits are only 17 mm high, and the digits used for displaying tenths of a degree are only 8 mm high. (The old unit had digits 28 mm high.) Therefore, you have to be relatively nearby to read the temperatures. The illustration shows a nice backlight, but that backlight is on only briefly when you press a button on the back.
5) The receiver has a trapezoidal cross-section, so it's reasonably stable on a flat surface, but could easily be tipped over. There's no "outrigger" to stabilize it.
6) The sensor transmits the temperature wirelessly, but does not display the temperature. If the wireless connection fails, you can't read the outdoor display as a back-up.
The receiver can receive temperatures from up to three different sensors. Additional sensors (Oregon Scientific product EW99) can be purchased separately. Note that this sensor is compatible only with the Oregon Scientifics "Elements" line, and not with their other products.
After six weeks, I've raised the rating from three stars to four, because the unit is working flawlessly. The only item which really annoys me is #1. To get the daily min/max, the best procedure is to manually reset the min/max each evening. The only drawback is that you won't get the true min/max values if you go away for a few days. (Item #3 will also be an annoyance when I have to replace the batteries.)
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Oregon Scientific EW91 Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer with Ice AlertWireless Indoor/ Outdoor Thermometer with Ice Alert; Simple and essential. The "Elements" collection emphasizes the simple and the essential in home accessories. A simple design, easy to read and operate, they are of great value, and essential to daily living both indoors and outdoors. Ranging from a thermometer clock to a multi-functional weather station, they have it all. A large, clear LCD screen displays the indoor and outdoor temperature. Ice Alert feature lets you know when temperatures near freezing. Features: Displays indoor and outdoor temperature. Ice Alert function: LCD icon display and LED light blinks when outdoor temperature nears icy conditions. Wirelessly transmits sensor data from 100-feet away. LED backlight.
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