Customer Reviews

La Crosse Technology WS-8117U-IT-OAK Atomic Wall Clock with Outdoor Temperature

5 star:		(229)
4 star:		(112)
3 star:		(31)
2 star:		(21)
1 star:		(46)

 

 

I checked very carefully, and this *is* the model I have. This is a GREAT, easy to set up, easy to use product that I wouldn't trade for anything. It has been prominent in my kitchen for over a year now, and I love it!

There is a slight catch: you do have to read the directions. Apparently, this a far more daunting challenge for most people than I would have guessed, as they only took me about five minutes to read.

Yes, the moon phases can appear backwards, but the illuminated portion of the clock matches the illuminated portion of the moon. This is a very minor complaint and after I got used to it (again, about five minutes), it hasn't thrown me off since.

Again, yes, you have to put a thermometer outside to have the outside temperature. I'm not sure what the other reviewer was expecting. On the plus side, I've always found it extremely accurate, and what's more, the signal appears to be able to pass through an entire house with no problem.

But, no, this clock adjusts itself and I haven't had to worry about resetting it for a long time.

I love this thing and never plan on replacing it with anything else. After reading these other reviews, I guess my only complaint is that it doesn't have a drink ready for me when I get home.

BTW, I find myself using the moon phases a lot more than I would've guessed.

My husband and I purchased two of these clocks two years ago. I LOVE this clock, but it does have two major flaws.

First, the Moon phases ARE correct, as anyone who reads the instructions will discover. When the clock gets information about the moon phases, it fills in each space with color, which translates to the visible parts of the moon being dark on the clock. So when the display is completely black, it is a full moon. When the display is empty, the moon is not visible. Still, it would be nice if the display were changed so the white parts of the display corresponded with the white part of the moon, so that it is more intuitive.

Secondly, the temperature reading is wonderful, WHEN it works! The indoor temperature is always accurate, and useful for gauging how long to keep the heat on, etc. The outdoor temperature will be accurate as long as it is placed appropriately - no direct sunlight, no boxed in overhangs; basically no place where there would be excessive heat or cold, as this would give an inaccurate reading. The *best* place for the sensor would be on the north side of a tree, which would be out in the open yet would also be shady (obviously, this would only be true in the northern hemisphere). However, the sensor only attaches with screws, and I wouldn't screw it into a tree.

The problem with the sensor is the poor design. The whole unit is dependent on a tiny, Y-shaped piece of metal, about 3 or 4 mm in size. It is souldered to a circuit board, yet it is also attached to the plastic casing of the sensor. Meaning, if the unit drops, the metal piece detaches, and the sensor no longer works. The parts are not servicable - my husband ripped the plastic case open with pliers to examine the pieces. We're currently trying to repair it with a souldering gun and having spotty luck, but as it stands our outdoor sensor has not worked since a few months after we bought it. The other clock that we purchased as an xmas gift had the same problem - the sensor stopped working in only a few months.

IF one were to screw the sensor into a good place and never touch it, it would likely work for much longer. But if La Crosse Technology would design a more sturdy product, that would be even better.

Even without the outdoor temperature, this clock is still quite useful and has many awesome features. You can choose what shows up on the display - seconds, the day of the week, the date, etc. Daylight savings time can be turned off (which is VERY useful for Arizona, one of the few sensible places in the world that doesn't change times twice a year). It does have an alarm; however, the buttons for setting the alarm and turning it off are on the back of the clock, and if you have it mounted to the wall, it's not worth the hassle to use the alarm. The time sets itself and is accurate, and the clock uses batteries reasonably - we've changed them once in two years.

All around, I recommend this clock, IF you can be careful with the temperature sensor, and if you are reasonable with your expectations (the clock isn't psychic, it needs the sensor to tell the temperature, obviously).

I've noticed a couple of people have had issues with the moon phases display,and I had the same confusion myself when I first got it, but it DOES correctly display the phases correctly! When the display is fully black, it's a new moon.When there is nothing in the phase display, it's a full moon. It makes sense once you get used to reading it.

The only "problem" I have had with this is having to replace the batteries in the clock and transmitter every 6 to 8 months. For that reason, I highly reccomend a quality battery. (I'm partial to Duracell myself). And I have no beef with having to place the OUTDOOR tempature sensor OUTDOORS to get an OUTDOOR tempature reading. I would think the phrase "outdoor sendor" might be a clue! Anyway the outdoor sesnor works fine, and is always within 1 or 2 degrees of the local news or online reports.

As far as the clock itself, it's great having the correct time (almost) all the time. I say "almost" because every once in a while it will lose the radio signal, and it will display the wrong time and year. Leave it alone and it will usually correct itself within a couple of hours.

If it's not against amazon policy, you'll now see a link to the official U.S. time http://www.time.gov/timezone.cgi?Eastern/s/-5/java The link will show you Indiana time, but you can change your time zone once you get there.Indiana will begin to illegally observe DST next spring. (illegal because we, the citizens, did not get to vote on it)Anyway, about that link, once you get the clock set up, it's almost always perfectly synced with the time displayed on the link. Très cool!!:D

I have had this unit for about a month and so far, am completely satisfied with it. I just ordered a smaller model for the bedroom, (with projection on it). I am delighted to be able to look up at the kitchen wall and see both the inside and outside temps, it sure beats peering out the window at the thermometer hanging on the tree.

You do have to read and follow the directions for setting it up though. This unit is really too big to sit on a table or nightstand and use as an alarm, it is a wall clock, so the alarm is really useless.

I just put the outdoor temperature sensor in a freezer weight zip top bag and stuck it out in the bird feeder until I get around to mounting it on the underside of the deck rail.

I bought this clock and it worked well for about 4 months. Now, it just does what it wants - when it wants - even though I changed the battery .It's in the same location as always, so I can't figure out what is wrong, somethimes the date doesn't show up, or, all of a sudden the time changes, different things at different times. I really liked it at first, but think I'll spend a little more money for something that is more reliable (hopefully)

When we were given one of these, it didn't really go at all with any decor in my home. However, so as not to offend the gift-giver, we set it up and found a little corner for it. Well, in no time everyone in my home became so dependent on this clock! We soon moved it into an easily and widely viewed corner of the kitchen where everyone would see it everytime they entered the room. The entire family can't seem to pick their attire for the day until they check 'the clock'. They also monitor if I'm being cheap with the heat. We love the clock! So, I ordered three of these as Christmas gifts for friends and family.

I remember reading somewhere in 1996 that it is absurd that we should have to tell a clock what time it is. They're supposed to tell us what time it is.

Now, in 2006 I can finally get a clock that does just that.

Be forewarned, in some locations the Atomic Clock radio signal won't come in strong enough during the day to set the clock. Just manually set it and overnight it should pick up the correction. Neat.

Needed an accurate clock for our master bathroom and ordered this one because of its additional indoor/outdoor temperature feature. Nice looking, easy to read large numbers and no issues in regards to atomic clock signals or temperature signals. I placed the temperature reader on the other side of our house at the front door and the clock has had no problems reading outside temperature. Clock is working great, no problems or issues, I'd highly recommend it.

If La Crosse made this clock with any care it would be a really nice product. For several years, I've had a slightly different model with wood accent panels instead of brushed aluminum and when the remote temperature sensor is working, it's quite useful. I've gone through several remote sensors, however, at $16 plus shipping apiece, and the clock seems to be unable to pick up the signal from the sensors in many cases even when the sensor is less than 10' away in line of sight through a window. Then the sensors stop working altogether for no good reason. Not optimal performance. The unit is well designed, lovely to look at it, but its remote temperature sensor and the corresponding receiver in the main unit are shabbily manufactured and unreliable. Anyone interested in a remote temperature sensor would be well advised to look for a different manufacturer.

This is a great clock. It works like it's supposed to. Time is easy to read even from across the room (but I have good vision). Love the temp sensor, and REALLY love looking at the moon phases! Just make sure you use NON rechargeable batteries. I put them in everything else, but for some reason they mess up with this clock. Other than that, a great clock at a great price.