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35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
Great features and works well if you set it up correctly
I have another automatic time adjusting atomic digital wall clock with a large display that I purchased a few years ago at Radio Shack that is similar but only has the indoor temperature. I liked the remote outdoor temperature sensor feature and the moon phase displays so I decided to purchase this La Crosse brand as an upgrade. The automatic updating and self adjusting...
Published 20 months ago by SoCalReviews
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Eh... It's decent
First time i got this clock the external temperature gauge was bunk.
Amazon did a great job of getting me a new one ASAP. +1 for amazon but not for La Crosse
Second time around I noticed i'm not getting time updates from the air, so my time and date are
not correct.. whatever i can manually set that. at least the remote temperature works...
Published 7 months ago by G. Tiu
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35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
Great features and works well if you set it up correctly, December 23, 2008
This review is from: La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase (Kitchen)
I have another automatic time adjusting atomic digital wall clock with a large display that I purchased a few years ago at Radio Shack that is similar but only has the indoor temperature. I liked the remote outdoor temperature sensor feature and the moon phase displays so I decided to purchase this La Crosse brand as an upgrade. The automatic updating and self adjusting nature of these extremely accurate digital atomic clocks is what makes them really different from less accurate traditional quartz clocks. After going through the process myself I must emphasize how important it is that the directions in the provided instruction booklet are followed exactly when setting this clock up.
Here are some tips for obtaining the best results. Install the remote temperature sensor batteries before installing the batteries on the main unit. I have read in other reviews that Energizer lithium or similar non-rechargeable lithium batteries work the best for a longer life and to hold up during colder freezing outdoor weather. Start by placing the outdoor sensor within a few feat of the main unit so they can sync and so you know the outdoor sensor transmission works properly. What I did was manually set up the clock first and the atomic auto-time feature is supposed to adjust the time later but make sure you have the correct time zone and the daylight savings set for your location. I manually set the time two minutes faster than my other atomic clock and sure enough had adjusted the time automatically and it exactly matched my other atomic clock by the next day.
Make sure the clock is in a location where it can receive the atomic clock radio signal. Thick concrete walls, basements, extreme weather, and the time of day can alter the ability of the atomic radio signal transmission (which bounces off the atmosphere) to reach this clock. If it doesn't update right away make sure you have exited the setup mode (usually done by pressing the snooze button once after being in setup mode). Give it at least a day to see if it it does in fact auto update the time from the radio signal it is is supposed to receive. If it doesn't adjust to the correct time then try placing the clock in another location that has less potential obstructions in the direction of the sky so that the atomic radio signal readings are not inhibited. There will be a small digital symbol of a radio signal in the LCD display above the time after it has updated and has been able to properly receive the signal.
Choosing a good location for the outdoor temperature sensor is also important to its proper function. After you have confirmed that it works near the clock and the clock has been properly set up try placing the remote temperature sensor outside in a location you believe the signal will be able to reach the clock. The directions say the remote sensor's maximum range is 300 feet but I would recommend setting it up closer or within fifty feet if possible. Before mounting the sensor make sure it is in fact properly updating the outside temperature reading on the clock inside. Thick concrete walls and metallic window blinds can block the signal strength so try to install the remote outdoor temperature sensor as close to and in line of sight to the clock as you can while being aware of possible obstructions that could block its radio signal.
The quality of the outdoor temperature reading will be determined by having a good location for the outdoor remote sensor. The sensor is not waterproof so it should not get wet, should not have direct sunlight, or be in a location with excessive direct wind or weather. Here are some ideas about finding a good location to mount the sensor. You will want to choose a shady covered location on the side of your house with a location underneath cover. Its the end of December in California and I first installed my remote temperature sensor not too far from the inside wall where the clock was but just outside above a large glass window. It was a good location to avoid direct sun and it was protected from rain by the top of the window frame but I found that there was enough heat escaping from the glass window to increase the sensor's temperature by at least five degrees F. I took it down and placed it on a chair outside the window and the temperature dropped to its proper reading. I searched for a better location that would not be effected by heat from the house. I found one around the corner of the house that was still near in distance to the indoor clock and just below the roof overhang but protected from rain, wind, and sun, etc.. and used the screws provided to mount it into the wooden siding of the house. The plastic mounting hardware keeps the sensor floating more freely in the air. I also placed a separate wooden screw directly underneath the sensor for it to sit on just to make it more secure.
This seems to be a good product with great features for the money. The indoor clock readings are easy to see. The moon phase display was a little confusing at first. Apparently it displays the black shading to correspond to the brightness of the moon. My older atomic clock has the setup buttons on the back while this model has them on the front. This made the setup and adjustments of this La Crosse brand clock much easier than my other atomic clock. I will find out if the claims of longer battery life and reliable function are true within the coming months but so far this seems like a good product. The only other issue I would like to note is that I first noticed the indoor temperature sensor on the clock reading about one to one and a half degrees higher than my older atomic clock. This difference might be explained because the La Crosse clock is capable of displaying the temperature in tenths of a degree F of accuracy while the my older clock displays only within a single degrees F of accuracy. The La Crosse clock is also capable of updating more frequently which means that you will sometimes see the temperature display vary from half of a degree F to one degree F several times per minute. The temperature of the air inside a living space often changes and varies as the air moves around from the activity of fans, air conditioners, heaters, doors opening, etc..
There are other models of atomic clocks from La Crosse available in different looks (desktop sizes, wood styling, traditional analog styling, etc.) with more features including weather prediction capability, more sensors, humidity, second remote sensor, etc. but this basic model with indoor and outdoor temperature sensing, moon phases, time and date does seem to work well. Because of the finicky nature of setting up the outdoor sensor and the fact that the outdoor sensor is not water proof I lowered my rating one star from the highest five star rating. I still recommend this large display La Crosse atomic clock and think it is an excellent value for the money.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Outside Temp, Atomic Time, Great Value - Recommended, November 30, 2008
This review is from: La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase (Kitchen)
The "La Crosse Atomic Digital Wall Clock" is a very attractive device that can be hung from a wall or placed on desk/table/counter with the included folding legs.
The unit comes with an outside transmitter for reading the temp and the inside unit displays both the inside and outside readings. We have found it to be very accurate and it has a very good range (over 100' from the house).
Our unit keeps perfect time and also displays the date, day of the week, and phase of the moon.
The clock and transmitter each take 2 AA batteries (not included).
This has been a handy device and is well worth the price. Recommended!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Immaculate Time!, August 29, 2008
This review is from: La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase (Kitchen)
This clock keeps immaculate time and is good looking as well. The only thing I would do is add an anti-glare covering as it is hard to read when the sun hits it. It looks good with the rest of my furniture. The time is easily read at any distance, but you need to get closer to see the date, day and temperatures. The moon phase is a cool little conversation piece and it's fun to see which phase the moon is in as it moves across the clock face.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Accurate, Good Build Quality & Sleek Design, October 28, 2009
This review is from: La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase (Kitchen)
I first saw this clock at the shelves of Walmart but opted to get it through amazon because they were the only one who sold the dark brown wood trim at the time. Off the bat I noticed the excellent build quality and design. I suggest you read through the entire manual first before actually doing the setting procedures so you would be able to synchronize the remote unit with the main clock properly. After I had everything set up I double checked the accuracy of the indoor and outdoor readings by comparing reading from a separate thermometer. I even went out to our patio area the confirm the moon phase indicator. They were all on the money. Btw, the clock has two neatly hidden pull out legs which allows you to set it as a desk clock. I'm pretty satisfied with this product and recommend it to anyone.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
It Works, First Time., November 14, 2009
This review is from: La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase (Kitchen)
The clock arrived 4 days ahead of the scheduled delivery date. The 5 minutes I spent reading the Owners Manual was all that was needed.
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS, and the only thing you really have to wait on the WWVB to kick in. In my case, the 30 second error in the minute time was erased when the clock picked up the midnight time hack, since then every thing is working fine.
Had I designed it... I would have used a LED or two to back light the unit, of coures it would have a light/dark sensor.
Good looking, well designed, so far reliable unit. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Mrs, November 4, 2008
This review is from: La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase (Kitchen)
My daughter loved it. It runs smoothly and doesn't make any sound at night time. I don't have to adjust time when daytime saving time ends. I like it
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
La Crosse atomic digital wall clock, March 1, 2010
This review is from: La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase (Kitchen)
Works great easy to read in daylight. Cannot read in the dark though. Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Just as advertised., February 15, 2010
This review is from: La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase (Kitchen)
I purchased this item for the features that it listed in the description. It works as billed and is a functional and useful tool. If I had to ask for any additional improvements on the item I would recommend larger characters for the temp, date and day on the bottom display and both displays to be backlit for viewing at night. Of course these improvements would force the clock size to be much larger which may not be a desire of other purchasers. All in all a good product.
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Very nice clock, easy to read., August 27, 2010
This review is from: La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase (Kitchen)
I ordered this clock to replace an older atomic clock that wasn't working anymore. This clock was priced right, and has all of the features I was looking for.
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Nice large numbers, easy to set up, August 11, 2010
This review is from: La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase (Kitchen)
We bought this La Crosse clock about a month ago to replace a La Crosse weather station that had lasted for about 10 years, but whose external sensor was no longer working. So far it's worked perfectly.
It's important to read the instructions carefully as you do need to insert the batteries in the proper order. Our clock is hung on a kitchen wall. The sensor is close by outside on the porch, mounted on the inside upper wall of the porch, out of sunlight and weather.
The clock picked up the atomic time within an hour or so of having batteries inserted, but it can take up to 24 hours.
The display is very large and easy to see from at least 20 feet away in the dining room. It's a wonderful tool to have on hand especially on school mornings - never miss the bus again as this clock is never fast or slow! Plus you can quickly decide whether the kids need a sweater or jacket based on the outdoor temperature.
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