La Crosse Technology WS-9520U Wireless Projection Forecast Station with Oscar Outlook

by La Crosse Technology

Product Features

• Freestanding projection weather station from The Weather Channel by La Crosse Technology; with radio-controlled clock for precise time
• LCD screen with EL backlight on base unit; projects time and outdoor temperature in red digits on wall or ceiling up to 6 feet away
• Base powered by 120-volt AC adapter; Swiss-precision outdoor sensor transmits temperature and humidity data from up to 330 feet
• Also features alarm, barometric pressure, and 24 forecast icons with virtual weather boy, Oscar; requires 5 separate purchased AA batteries
• Base unit measures 6-2/3 inches wide by 2-9/10 inches deep by 4-1/2 inches high; limited 1-year warranty

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 7 x 4 inches ; 1.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000EMBK76
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,191 in Home & Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home & Kitchen)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

From The Weather Channel by La Crosse Technology, this versatile projection weather station shines the outdoor temperature and time in large, red digits on the ceiling or wall for easy nighttime illumination. The radio-controlled clock regularly resets to match the US Atomic Clock and adapts for daylight savings time. Based on temperature and barometric pressure, the weather station gives the forecast using 24 graphic icons and tendency arrows. The weather station even provides a personal weather boy, Oscar, who models what one might wear given current outside conditions.

The weather station’s LCD screen displays the time, date, perpetual calendar, US time zone map, and weather conditions. Pushing a button temporarily engages the EL backlight for dimmer settings. To wake sleeping users, the weather station offers a dual alarm with an adjustable snooze. The station monitors indoor humidity levels and indoor temperatures from 14.2 to 139.8 degrees F. Celsius readings are also available. For outdoor conditions, an included TX7U sensor communicates at a 433 MHz frequency from up to 330 feet. The sensor registers humidity levels and temperatures ranging from –21.8 to +157.8 degrees F. The unit also records minimum and maximum readings for indoor and outdoor temperatures and humidity percentages. For the most accurate results, install the sensor in a covered location away from direct rain or sun. The base accommodates up to three sensors. Place the freestanding base at least six feet from intended projection surface. To enable constant projection, the weather station comes with a 120-volt AC adapter. The separate purchase of five AA batteries is required. Covered by a limited one-year warranty, the weather station monitor measures 6-2/3 inches wide by 2-9/10 inches deep by 4-1/2 inches high, and the sensor measures 1-3/4 inches wide by 1 inch deep by 6-1/4 inches high.

Product Description

The La Crosse Technology Wireless Projection Weather Station with 24 Advanced Forecast Icons help you prepare for your day and help you decide what to wear. This unit also displays indoor temperature/humidity and outdoor temperature/humidity with atomic time. It projects time or outdoor temperature onto your wall or ceiling. Transmission range 330 feet.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

117 of 127 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not horrible, but not worth the money either -, September 27, 2007

By 

GRM (Plymouth, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: La Crosse Technology WS-9520U Wireless Projection Forecast Station with Oscar Outlook (Kitchen)

I purchased the LaCrosse WS-9520U last week. As usual, the transaction and shipping with Amazon was excellent. I very rarely return online purchases, but this one is going back. In general, the unit is as advertised - and others may find it completely satisfactory - but, after two nights of use, I have found the following specific things to be unacceptable:

1. The backlight cannot be set to remain on continuously - it only lights when a button is pushed - regardless of whether you're powering with AC or batteries. I think alarm clocks are always more convenient when you can see them at, well, uh, night. Yes, the on-ceiling projection shows the time, but nothing else. This is less than convenient.

2. General build quality is iffy at best - the buttons are clunky, loud and awkwardly placed. The entire unit seems flimsy - like it's just barely holding itself together. It's extremely light and does not have a very steady base, which will make it prone to being knocked over (like when reaching for the snooze button - which you can't see because it's not illuminated and there's no backlight) and I'm not sure this thing would survive being knocked over. Sorry to say, but for $70, this just seems very cheaply built from the mechanical side of things.

3. I guess this is obvious in hindsight, but the actual time display is tiny, maybe an inch tall. Granted, you have the projector, which works as advertised (only when it's dark in the room - projection is photo-sensitively switched on/off - no other option), but seeing the clock from across the room during daylight (when the projector is not on) is not really possible unless you've got astronaut eyes.

4. There are no alarm options and the only existing tone is - IMHO - obnoxious and too loud - a sort of high-pitched staccato double-chirp. I realize this is a personal issue, but a few buzzer options would have been nice.

5. There is absolutely no way that the battery cover on the outdoor sensor will keep the elements out of the sensor. Maybe this isn't an issue if you have a protected outdoor place to locate the sensor - but if there's any moisture at all, this thing won't last one winter here in Michigan.

In summary:

Electronics: Acceptable and as advertised, tho the few things I mentioned could be better

Mechanical: unacceptably cheap, shoddy assembly fit & finish for this price point.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A DEFINITE BUY AT $45; ALL IN ALL I HAVE MIXED REVIEWS:, December 26, 2008

By 

Joel (PORT WASHINGTON, NY, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: La Crosse Technology WS-9520U Wireless Projection Forecast Station with Oscar Outlook (Kitchen)

If you have not already figured out, you can easily get a headache trying to determine which is the BEST wireless weather station for your needs. I spent hours upon hours comparing and finally decided on this one. Read the other reviews for this item for a full take, I am only reporting on what I see to be missing or needs to be fully emphasized:

PROS:

1. Ceiling projection. I originally thought this was a gimmick. In fact it is not so bad.. I am nearsighted and am always asking my wife what the time is in the morning/night... not any more :-) ... and YES you can have the unit alternate BOTH the time and outdoor temp. Take note that this is to be read ONLY at night in darkness. You will see nothing if the light is on.

2. I am putting this one as a PRO: While I have heard and agree with other reviewers out there that the outdoor remote sensor is not designed to withstand Michigan winters, consider however the fact that the remote sensor is actually two pieces. One piece that you mount to the house or wherever you wish and the other piece is the actual remote sensor. In other words, if the sensor goes bad... buy a new one and you do not have to drill any new holes, just pop out the dead sensor and replace. If you are not happy with this and think the remote sensor should have been designed better (I agree with you); then a $45 La Crosse weather station is not for you.

3. Excellent range. I have the remote sensor in the front of my house and the display ALL the way in the back corner of my house. The signal must beam through the exterior of the house, my living room, kitchen, bathroom and to the corner of our bedroom. Quite impressive.

CONS:

1. Come on folks (La Crosse). If you provide an A/C cable to plug in the unit, why not then provide an option to keep the backlight display on? Who wants to fumble around the room trying to press the button to turn it on?

IN SUMMARY:

Don't waste your precious time. If you need a weather station that: (1) tells BOTH outdoor and indoor temperature and humidity then this unit is for you.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this clock!, April 10, 2008

By 

J. Hannah "Radio Junkie" (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: La Crosse Technology WS-9520U Wireless Projection Forecast Station with Oscar Outlook (Kitchen)

Until recently I had the little brother to this unit and really loved it. My needs recently changed and I wanted to be able to view the clock at night without having to reach over and tap a button. I chose this unit because it projects the time and outside temperature on the ceiling so all I have to do is look up and see the time.

It gives a fairly accurate forecast depicted by Oscar Outlook (the little man in the display). Oscar will dress according to the weather conditions to give you an idea of what to expect. I've found that the forecast is about 90% accurate!

The clock sets itself via radio waves from the atomic clock in Boulder, CO. It is very accurate and I never have to worry about setting it.

Overall I'm extremely pleased with my purchase and I would do it all over again if I had to.