Oregon Scientific Alarm Clock with Weather Forecast

Price: $39.99
Manufacturer: Oregon Scientific


Features: Digital AM/FM radio. Operating range: 23F - 122F; resolution: 0.2F. Temperature display unit: Farenheit or Celcius. Alarm clock with eight-minute snooze function. Outdoor Temperature receiving cycle: 39 seconds. Illuminated with HiGlo electroluminescent backlight. Displays outdoor temperature from up to three wireless sensors. Number of remote unit: Maximum three remote sensors can beconnected. Automatically sets itself to the US Atomic Clock and adjusts for Daylight Saving Time. Memory for Maximum and Mininimum temperature readings fromboth main and remote units. Splash-proof design (IP3X) with LED indicator which blinksduring signal transmission. Forecast the weather 12 to 24-hour in advance using graphical icons. Displays indoor and outdoor temperature using wireless sensor. Great design coupled with touch-controlled technology. Shows weather trends as well as current conditions. Ice Warning Temperature for channel 1. RF Transmission Frequency: 433 MHz. RF Transmission Range: 30 meters. Unit dimensions: 3.75" x 6.5" x 2.5". Sensor dimensions: 3.6" x 2" x.9". Number of channel selectable: 3. Forecast uses graphical icons. Software protocol: version 2.1.

Information

• Amazon Sales Rank: #100809 in Lawn & Patio
• Brand: Oregon
• Model: BARM699A

• Displays indoor and outdoor temperature using wireless sensor
• Automatically sets itself to the U.S. Atomic Clock and adjusts for Daylight Saving Time
• “Touch” technology
• Features an alarm clock with eight-minute snooze function
• Displays outdoor temperature from up to three wireless sensors

Product Reviews

a good find
I really enjoy the touch face front and the blue back glow of the clock. I also like that the light is off unless the interface is touched. The alarm is great since it gives accelerating beeps instead of an annoying honk or a fuzzy radio. I also love that it gives the temp outside so I know how to dress in the morning for my run instead of running downstairs to check out the weather. It is a great find. The packaging was also very good and delivery was quick.

The (almost) perfect alarm clock
After having tried several "atomic time" clock radios and alarm clocks, I have finally found what is for me a nearly perfect unit.

The clock easily synchs up with the time signal from WWVB, even during the daytime, when many other units can't (assuming you orient the antenna properly).

The digitally tuned radio works well on both AM and FM, being one of the few radios that I have tried that doesn't get swamped by the nearby radio towers.

A big plus on the alarm clock feature is that you can set the alarm to a particular station and volume, and then go to sleep with the radio set for a different station and volume. So you can go to sleep with a classical station on a low volume and wake up to a news station on a very loud volume.

Even without the HiGlo turned on, the display is very high contrast and easy to read in even moderately dim light.

I happen to prefer that the HiGlo isn't on full-time, since I try to avoid light pollution in my bedroom at night (several medical studies have shown surprising health differences that seem to be related to the light levels during sleep!).

Some people have complained that the surface touch controls are too sensitive. I have not found that to be the case. The unit locks out the controls after one minute, so you have to touch a control twice in order activate it. As long as the clock is left on a table or dresser, this prevents accidental changes quite adequately. The only way this could be a problem was if someone was to pick up the clock and hold it in their hand such that they were bumping one of the controls.

Only three minor changes that prevent this from being perfect.

The first is that when set to wake to buzzer instead of radio, the clock only beeps for two minutes (albeit quite loudly in an increasingly annoying pattern) before giving up. Since I wake to radio, which plays for two hours, this isn't a problem for me.

Another feature that could use improvement would be a switch to toggle the HiGlo between its current behavior and being on full time (although this would throw off the accuracy of the inside temperature reading due to heat generation).

The only thing on the unit that I could call a real flaw is the lack of having a backup battery. The unit will hold its settings for several seconds during a brief outage, but if the outage lasts longer than that all settings (saved stations, alarm time) are lost. The clock will reset itself from WWVB once power is restored, but you will have to reprogram your favorite stations and reset your wake-up time.

Seriously Flawed Design
I got this clock as a Christmas gift, now I have to contact the giver to find out where to return this. I was excited at first, till I tested it.

There is one serious flaw that alone is enough not to buy. This clock does not save your settings in case of loss of power! That makes it useless as an alarm clock. I tested by disconnecting power for only 10 seconds. My timezone setting and alarm settings were erased. I confirmed with the company's tech support. So, if the power goes out for a few minutes at night during a snowstorm: The alarm won't go off. When I wake up the clock will be displaying Pacific time(not my time zone), and I will get to work rather late.

My old alarm clock didn't set itself, but I had the option of putting in a battery for backup so the alarm would still go off in the morning after a power outage. If a battery wasn't in, you wake up to the dreaded flashing 12:00 and know you have to get up and find your watch. With the BARM699A, it sets itself back to Pacific time and pretends nothing happened.