For the first time, the thought of buying a home weather station arose in the summer of 2010, when we all experienced the abnormal heat, the blocking anticyclone and the smog from peat fires. For two months this was the main topic of our conversations. At first it seemed that the weather was about to return to normal, the temperature would drop a little and it would rain, but every new day brought us another temperature record, and it seemed that it would never end.
To be honest, at that time I didn’t care what to buy: a simple electronic thermometer or a weather station. The ability to see a specific temperature value was important to me. All other indicators, such as humidity and pressure, were not particularly important. However, for myself I chose not a “two hundred ruble” thermometer, but a rather expensive weather station. Why? There was only one reason then. Unlike simple thermometers, which were equipped only with a wired external temperature sensor, the weather station that I chose for myself was equipped with one wireless sensor. For me this was a fundamental moment. Later it became clear that the wireless sensor is far from the only reason to pay attention to this particular weather station. Unlike an electronic thermometer, including models equipped with an additional humidity sensor, which simply display the received data on the screen, a weather station collects and analyzes data on temperature, humidity and pressure, tracks changes and builds a weather forecast based on them. As a result, we not only see numbers on the screen, but understand what the weather awaits us for the next 12 hours.
Perhaps someone doesn’t really understand why all this is needed if we can always look at the smartphone screen and get approximately the same information? There are at least two points that distinguish a weather station from weather services. Looking at the smartphone screen, we see the temperature value and a certain forecast. For example, we see that it is -5°C outside the window, and light snow is expected. We think this is enough. If we look at the screen of the weather station, we will see not only more accurate values of temperature, humidity and pressure, as well as the forecast, but also the trend of change. This is a very important feature that allows us to understand what weather awaits us in the coming hours.
Selecting a weather station...
When the idea of buying a home weather station first arises, we are not entirely sure what to look for first. Some base their choice solely on design, for others price is important, and still others pay attention to some additional options. But, my personal experience suggests that in addition to this, there are many, invisible at first glance, features that determine whether the selected weather station will become a useful and popular gadget, or whether it will be just another dust collector that will work exactly as long as it lasts. until the batteries run out.
Eight weather station models from Oregon Scientific, EA2, La-crosse, RST, Carrin, Uniel, Hama and Vitek were selected for this review. All models have approximately the same capabilities and belong to the same price category.
When I first set myself these models, the only thought that arose was that in these conditions, the choice should depend solely on the design and accuracy of measurements. However, after trying each model, I was able to discover completely different criteria that you should pay attention to when choosing. So, let's take a closer look at the features of the models under consideration and figure out what you should pay attention to when choosing a home weather station?
Oregon Scientific BAR208HG…
I want to start studying the capabilities of home weather stations with a model from the company Oregon Scientific. Just as Xerox is associated with copiers, Oregon is associated with weather stations. This is one of the oldest companies that produces the widest range of home weather stations: from the simplest and most affordable models to semi-professional models with a large number of external sensors and Internet access. Recently, the company has been paying great attention to the integration of a home weather station with mobile devices, allowing the received data to be displayed on the screens of our smartphones and tablets.
Such a wide range made it somewhat difficult to choose a model for this review. At first I wanted to choose an advanced model with Bluetooth, but due to the fact that other manufacturers do not have similar models, it was decided to limit myself to a more traditional model BAR208HG (from 1,700 rubles). Please note that all prices in this review are indicated at the time of its preparation.
This is one of the most popular models. It supports the functions of measuring temperature and humidity indoors and outdoors, for which the kit includes an external wireless temperature and humidity sensor THGN132N, can make a weather forecast for the next day, displays the phases of the moon and trends in temperature, humidity and pressure, supports radio synchronization of clocks and informs about various weather phenomena. In other words, it supports everything a modern weather station should be able to do.
I’ll start getting acquainted with the weather station with its design features. This is the first weather station in my practice with a vertical design. So far I have tried to avoid such models. They seemed a little strange to me, but after trying the BAR208HG, it became clear how wrong I was. Vertical design has one important advantage. It takes up minimal space on the table, bedside table or shelf. At the same time, information on a vertically located screen is perceived much easier.
The BAR208HG model has a very interesting design. Its plastic body, painted matte silver, matches perfectly with the glossy black insert on the front side, most of which is occupied by a monochrome LCD screen with a pleasant orange backlight. The choice of orange lighting is not accidental. Unlike other options (blue, green or white), the orange backlight does not irritate the eyes.
Below the screen is the control panel. To be honest, I always thought that the buttons on the front side of the weather station were not very beautiful and convenient, but in the case of the BAR208HG I had no such thoughts. Apparently it's all about the design of the control panel, which is an extension of the screen, the size and shape of the buttons, as well as the incredible ease of pressing.
The control panel includes only five buttons. To set the clock, you use only three buttons (Mode to select a setting option and the up and down arrows to change the value). The MEM button allows you to view the minimum and maximum temperature and humidity values for the last 12 hours.
At the base there is a green ICE ALERT LED. It starts flashing when the temperature outside the window fluctuates between -2°C; up to +3°C;. These are the most favorable conditions for ice formation. In theory, it is difficult to evaluate the usefulness of this option, but in practice, the use of a green flashing LED turned out to be a very smart step on the part of the developer. Imagine the situation: waking up early in the morning, yawning and rubbing your sleepy eyes, you can hardly see anything on the screen, and you certainly won’t be able to analyze these numbers. But a flashing green “light” will definitely tell you that it’s frozen outside and you’ll need to be extremely careful.
Let's look at the back of the BAR208HG. Please note that this model of weather station only supports battery power, for which there is a special compartment in the back where three AA batteries are installed. On the one hand, the inability to connect the BAR208HG to a power outlet could be regarded as a drawback, but given the low power consumption of this model, due to which one set is enough for several months of battery life, this feature is rather a plus, allowing you to freely choose the installation location of the weather station, without being tied to an outlet.
Inside the battery compartment there are two buttons responsible for resetting the device and selecting the temperature unit, as well as an EU/UK switch. It is required when using the radio time synchronization function on signals from a transmitter located in Great Britain (UK) or Germany (EU). The signal from the transmitter spreads over a radius of 1500 km, and is normally received in the European part of Russia, where you need to select the EU value.
Now let's look at the design features of the THGN132N wireless temperature and humidity sensor, operating at a frequency of 433 MHz and providing a range of 30 meters.
According to the specification, the wireless sensor is capable of measuring temperatures in the range of -40°C; up to +60°C; with a resolution of 0.1°C;, and humidity ranging from 25% to 95% with a resolution of 1%.
The wireless sensor is made in a small plastic case, allowing it to be installed on a horizontal surface or hung on a wall. On the front side of the sensor there is a single LED that blinks during data transmission, which occurs every 40 seconds.
The battery compartment is located at the back of the sensor housing. Its complex design provides a high degree of protection for the battery from moisture. Inside the battery compartment there is a frequency channel switch and a reset button. A total of three frequency channels are supported, which allows you to connect up to three external sensors to the BAR208HG.
Someone may notice that using an external sensor powered by a single AA battery outdoors is not a good idea. High humidity and strong temperature changes will quickly lead to battery failure. I can't agree with this. The wireless sensor is designed to operate over a wide range of temperatures and humidity. The main thing is to choose the right power source. Do not use regular alkaline batteries or Ni-Cd batteries. In the cold they will quickly become unusable. It is best to use disposable lithium batteries, such as Energizer Ultimate Lithium. According to the specification, they are capable of operating in a wide temperature range: from -40°C; up to +60°C;. At the same time, a competent sealed design of the battery compartment will maximally protect the battery from moisture. As a result, one battery can last for a year, regardless of the conditions in which it is used. Here, by the way, a balanced circuit design plays a significant role. Let me remind you that the sensor transmits information about temperature and humidity every 40 seconds, which allows you to use battery power more economically.
It's time to talk about the real capabilities of the BAR208HG weather station. The built-in temperature sensor allows you to measure temperatures in the range from -5°C; up to +50°C; with a resolution of 0.1°C;. The humidity sensor operates in the range from 25% to 95% with a resolution of 1%. An attentive reader has most likely already noticed the humidity readings on the screen of my weather station, which are only 2-3%. It's worth giving some clarification here. Similar readings appear on the weather station screen when the relative humidity in the room does not exceed 20%. In particular, now the temperature outside has dropped to -10°C;, and the temperature in the heating radiators has risen, forcing me to ventilate the room more often; in such conditions, the room is quickly dried out, and the relative humidity drops below the operating range of the built-in sensor. Some weather stations display a minimum value of 20%, in others, the low humidity value is replaced by dashes, and in others, an incorrect value is displayed. The BAR208HG weather station belongs to the third type. Its screen displays an incorrect humidity value. At first this bothered me a little, but later it became clear that it doesn’t matter what you see on the screen: 20%, dashes or 3%. All of them mean that the humidity in the room has dropped too low and it's time to take measures to increase it.
The process of setting up the BAR208HG weather station is extremely simple and straightforward. First of all, you need to connect external sensors. In most cases, this does not require any action at all.
When using multiple wireless sensors operating on different frequency channels, I noticed one feature that is worth mentioning as part of this material. Oregon weather stations are common enough to cause problems with neighborhood sensors. In this case, you can select a different frequency channel, but it is better to force your sensor to the channel on which the neighboring sensor operates. To do this, you need to reset your sensor immediately after resetting the weather station itself and switching to the search mode for external sensors.
After connecting external sensors, you need to configure the basic parameters, where you can adjust the time (used only when the radio clock synchronization function is enabled), set the time format, current time and date. In general, from a setup point of view, the BAR208HG weather station can be called one of the simplest and most understandable. You can figure out the settings even without reading the user manual, but it’s still better to read it. In it you will find a description of some of the features of the weather station. One of the features is that immediately after the reset the weather forecast icon will not correspond to reality. Over the course of several days, the weather station will collect information about changes in temperature, humidity and pressure, compare them with data collected over several decades, which are stored in the device’s memory, and only then will it be able to issue a forecast with a probability of 75%.
Now let's look at the screen. Traditionally, the design is divided into blocks of different sizes, which display outdoor and indoor temperature and humidity, moon phases, weather forecast for the next 12 hours, warning messages, as well as the time and day of the week. Comparing different models of weather stations, I came to the conclusion that the design of the screen is of particular importance when choosing a weather station. Not only the location of the blocks matters, but also the size of the symbols. This is what determines whether you can get the information you need by glancing at your weather station, or whether you will have to stare at it for a long time to understand what is happening outside.
The screen design in the BAR208HG model, if not a standard, is definitely one of the most convenient. An instant glance is enough to understand what is happening outside the window and what forecast awaits us for the next 12 hours. The arrows that display trends in temperature and humidity changes deserve special attention. As for pressure, in this model the developers abandoned the traditional histogram of changes in atmospheric pressure, replacing it with an arrow in the weather display block, which tells us that the pressure is rising, falling, or stable. I think it's very convenient. For example, now I see that the temperature outside is rising and will become a little warmer by lunchtime, while the pressure and humidity remain stable, which does not foretell any sudden changes in the weather. At the same time, the temperature in the room has dropped below a comfortable 23°C, and it’s time to close the window.
Can you trust the weather forecast on the weather station screen? Quite. It feels like the probability of a correct forecast fully corresponds to the stated 75%. In addition, I noted for myself an expanded set of icons. For example, if in most weather station models precipitation is displayed with an icon depicting clouds and rain, then in the BAR208HG model the image changes depending on the current temperature. At negative temperatures, precipitation is displayed in the form of clouds with snow, and at positive temperatures - in the form of rain. This may seem like a small thing to some, but I don’t think so. These winters can surprise us with rain, and I wanted, looking at the pictogram, to more accurately understand what awaits me today: rain and snow or a nice snowball.
I would also like to note messages that warn me of frost, fog, storm, high winds or heat, as well as a green flashing LED indicating a high probability of ice. I have already spoken about it above.
Please note that by default, only the current time and day of the week are displayed on the screen. The developers did not bother to make it smaller and add a date to the screen. Many thanks to them for this. If the user needs to clarify the date, he just needs to press the Mode button.
There is only one thing that confuses me about the screen design - all the inscriptions on the screen are in English. They are not difficult to understand. Even if a person does not know a single English word, he can figure it out by looking at the pictograms. This could be written down as a disadvantage of this model, but it is worth noting that none of the weather stations participating in this comparison support the Russian language. So we will treat this as a certain feature of the current generation of weather stations.
It's time to draw the first conclusion. Among the advantages of the Oregon Scientific BAR208HG weather station, I want to note its practical and stylish design, ease of operation, long battery life, the ability to connect up to three wireless temperature and humidity sensors, accurate and informative forecast, separate frost indicator (special thanks for that), and of course, an intuitive screen, thanks to which a quick glance is enough to understand what awaits me outside the window. The disadvantages of the BAR208HG include the incorrect display of indoor humidity at values not exceeding 20%, as well as the lack of Russian-language captions on the screen, which is fully compensated by visual icons and a detailed Russian-language user manual. In addition, I personally really miss the built-in alarm clock. But the developers have their own opinion on this matter.
La Crosse WS9057
Today, about a dozen home and professional weather station models are presented under the La Crosse brand. Model La Crosse WS9057, which I chose for this review, is one of the most affordable in the line, but it is also more than double the price of the Oregon Scientific BAR208HG model. According to Yandex.Market, today it can be buy for 4,400 rubles. Of course, I could not leave this model without my attention, especially since the manufacturer claims a number of unique features, among which it especially highlights Swiss measurement accuracy. Let's see why we are offered to pay such a serious amount.
The design of this model is more reminiscent of a “photo frame” with a beautiful chrome-plated baguette. It combines the advantages of horizontal and vertical weather station design. The user can choose between a desktop installation option and wall mounting, for which the rear of the case has all the necessary fasteners and retractable stands. The relatively large size of the weather station is a little confusing. If you hang the weather station on the wall, then its size seems optimal, but in my case, when I want to install it on the bedside table, the large size becomes a problem. The La Crosse WS9057 takes up twice the space of the Oregon Scientific BAR208HG.
The control panel is located on the back of the case. It includes five buttons. The control panel is used to set basic weather station parameters, control the alarm clock, view minimum and maximum temperature and humidity values, and select a frequency channel for wireless sensors.
You've probably already noticed the absence of a button to turn on the backlight. The La Crosse WS9057 model does not have a backlight, which limits its use in the dark. I tried to find at least some explanation for this, but alas. I don’t understand the reason for such an illogical step on the part of the manufacturer. It seems to me that it is extremely unreasonable to equip the device with an alarm clock, hide the SNOOZE button on the back of the case and at the same time not implement such a seemingly banal option as screen backlighting.
At the base of the case there is a battery compartment where two large R14 batteries are installed. This is a somewhat atypical solution for weather stations. Batteries of this type are relatively large, but in the case of the La Crosse WS9057, their size does not really matter. At the same time, they provide a noticeably longer resource than conventional AA batteries. Although, I don't see any particular advantage in this. There is no separate Reset button in this model. To reset the weather station, you need to remove the batteries and return them to their place after about a minute.
Now let's look at the design features of the TX29DTH-IT+ wireless temperature and humidity sensor. The sensor is housed in a relatively compact, elongated plastic housing. The universal stand included in the kit allows you to install the sensor on a horizontal surface or hang it on the wall.
According to the specification, the external sensor allows you to measure temperatures in the range from -39.9°C; up to +59.9°C; with a resolution of 0.1°C;, and humidity ranging from 1% to 99% with a resolution of 1%. In terms of temperature range, the TX29DTH-IT+ sensor is not much different from the Oregon Scientific THGN132N sensor, but its humidity measurement range is wider, which can be considered an advantage of the La Crosse WS9057.
The sensor transmits data once every 4 seconds. On the one hand, this allows you to more dynamically update information on the weather station screen, but on the other hand, such frequent updates are not fundamentally important for a home weather station, and energy consumption increases. The developers combated this by installing two AA batteries in the wireless sensor.
To be honest, I’m not so concerned about the energy consumption of the wireless sensor as I am about the poor protection of the battery compartment from moisture and dust. It uses a simple cover without a rubber seal and other structural elements that protect the batteries. However, after two months of using the sensor installed outside the window, I did not find any problems with oxidation of contacts and other batteries. Let's see, perhaps all my assumptions are in vain.
It's time to get acquainted with the real capabilities of the La Crosse WS9057. First of all, let's figure out how to connect external sensors. This weather station model allows you to connect up to three external temperature and humidity sensors. The connection process comes down to sequential binding of external sensors. This is done immediately after the weather station is reset. The user must supply power to the connected sensors in series. The main thing to remember here is that the first one should be the sensor that you plan to install outside the window. The data received from it will be used to forecast the weather for the next 12-24 hours.
The setup process is relatively simple. The user is asked to set the display contrast level, clock shift for correct time display when using the radio synchronization function, control of the time synchronization function via radio channel, format and current value of time and date, units of temperature and pressure. There is nothing complicated about these parameters. Some difficulties may arise when setting the reference value for relative atmospheric pressure. The default value is 1013 hPa (1 atmosphere or 759 mmHg). For more accurate measurements of atmospheric pressure for the conditions in which the weather station is used, adjustment of this value is necessary. To do this, you need to know the normal atmospheric pressure for your location, and also take into account the height (floor) above ground level. If such an adjustment is too complicated for you, I recommend leaving the default value. In addition to setting the base barometric pressure, the weather station allows you to change the sensitivity to the weather forecast. The manufacturer recommends choosing a higher sensitivity for areas with rapid changes in weather conditions. Please be aware that if you select a higher sensitivity, the weather forecast may change due to slight or momentary changes in pressure, temperature or humidity. If the weather station is used in temperate areas, it is better to use the default sensitivity value. Otherwise you will receive false predictions.
Now let's look at the screen. Thanks to its large size, the developers managed to place a lot of information, divided into four blocks. The top line displays the current time, date or alarm settings and moon phases. To turn the alarm on and off, use the ALM/DATE button. Pressing this button causes the alarm time or date to be displayed on the screen. When the date is displayed, the alarm is automatically turned off, and vice versa.
The second line displays the temperature and humidity obtained from the internal sensor. It measures temperatures ranging from -9.9°C; up to +59.9°C; with a resolution of 0.1°C;, and humidity ranging from 20% to 95% with a resolution of 1%. La Crosse WS9057 belongs to the category of weather stations in which, when the humidity of the internal sensor decreases, the value displayed on the screen freezes at 20-22%. For users who have no idea how important the relative humidity parameter is, the La Crosse WS9057 screen has two emoticons that display the level of comfort in the room. If the humidity value is less than 40%, then a sad emoticon is displayed, indicating an uncomfortable environment in the room. If the humidity is above 40%, a smiling emoticon is displayed, indicating that the humidity level is at a comfortable level.
The third line displays the weather forecast and the dynamics of pressure changes over the past 24 hours. Here I would like to note three points. Unlike the Oregon Scientific weather station, which displays precipitation as snow, the La Crosse WS9057 displays any type of precipitation as a rain icon. Personally, I don't like it. The second point is two arrows showing the weather trend. You've probably already noticed that the screen doesn't show temperature and humidity trends. The developers decided to somewhat simplify this feature and implement only the weather trend. Some may find this solution very reasonable, but I prefer to see separate trends for the main parameters. And finally, the third point is the use of unusual units of pressure measurement. The La Crosse WS9057 allows the user to use hectopascals or inches of mercury. Millimeters of mercury are closer to us.
And finally, the fourth line displays temperature and humidity values from external sensors. There are no features here that I would like to draw attention to.
Despite the successful grouping of parameters, I cannot call the screen design successful. Using a font of the same size makes it somewhat difficult to perceive information. Personally, I didn't feel intuitive using the La Crosse WS9057. Every time I glance at the weather station screen, I have to strain and remember where the information I need is displayed.
Among the advantages of the La Crosse WS9057 model, I only noted the interesting design of the case and the large range of wireless sensors. Otherwise, this weather station left me with mixed opinions. Personally, I really miss the backlighting of the screen and a more thoughtful design of the elements displayed on it. As for the Swiss accuracy of sensors, here I did not get the feeling that the La Crosse WS9057 sensors are better or worse than other weather station models discussed in this review. The external sensor, of course, has a wider humidity measurement range, but I will not say that this is an extremely important difference that would make me vote for this weather station model. As for the frequent updating of information from the external sensor (every 4 seconds) and from the internal sensor (every 15 seconds), I didn’t see much sense in this either - the temperature outside does not change so rapidly. So, the price of this model, to put it mildly, is not justifiably high.
Ea2 BL503
Next model from the company Eа2, specializing exclusively in weather stations. Today, Ea2 produces six models of weather stations, made in an identical design and differing in the range of capabilities and the amount of information displayed on the screen. For this review I chose the model Ea2 BL503 (900 rubles). Honestly, the model would be better suited for this comparison Ea2 BL508 (1,200 rubles). Unlike the 503 model, it additionally displays humidity on an external sensor and a histogram of the dynamics of changes in atmospheric pressure. But I only had the 503 model, so I will use it to form my opinion about the Ea2 weather stations.
The Ea2 BL503 weather station can be called perhaps the most compact and thin in this comparison. Like the Oregon Scientific BAR208HG, it has my favorite vertical design, but is slightly smaller in size, which gives even more freedom in choosing where to install the weather station. Personally, I identify the design of the Ea2 BL503 with a stylish tabletop device.
The front side of the weather station is a monolithic glossy panel, beautiful black. There is an LCD display with a pleasant blue backlight. I note that the blue backlight does not irritate the eyes in the dark, but the information against its background does not look as contrasting as, for example, in the case of the orange backlight used in the Oregon Scientific BAR208HG model.
The control panel is located at the rear of the case. It includes eight buttons and a hidden Reset button. There is also a compartment for three AAA batteries. The design of the weather station allows it to be installed either on a horizontal surface, for which a special stand is included in the kit, or hung on a wall.
The Ea2 BL503 kit includes one external wireless temperature sensor BL999, operating at a frequency of 433 MHz and providing a range of up to 30 m. This sensor model is capable of measuring temperatures in the range from -40°C; up to +50°C; which is slightly less than the range of measured temperatures of the two previous models of weather stations. But I don't see this as a big problem. I am sure that the upper value is +50°C; more than enough for most users.
On the front side of the wireless sensor there is a single LED that blinks when data is transmitted. Unfortunately, I do not have exact information about the frequency of information transmission, but, according to my observations, it is once every 30 seconds.
The design of the wireless sensor allows for installation on a horizontal surface or on a wall, for which there is a folding stand and a mounting hole in the rear of the case. The design of the battery compartment, where two AAA batteries are installed, deserves special attention. The frequency channel selection switch and the reset button are also located here. In addition to the durable screw fastening, the compartment has a rubber gasket that prevents moisture and dust from entering the compartment.
At first glance, the functional model Ea2 BL503 is not much different from other models of weather stations, but upon closer acquaintance, I noticed a number of unique functions that you will not find in other models.
I will traditionally begin the review of the real capabilities of the Ea2 BL503 with the features of connecting an external sensor and setting up basic parameters. The process of connecting an external sensor is somewhat different from that used in other weather station models. Ea2 BL503 supports two connection modes: automatic and forced. In automatic mode, the weather station begins to search for external sensors immediately after turning on. The sensors begin transmitting data immediately after selecting a frequency channel and applying power. The search process lasts 3 minutes. If later there is a need to connect additional sensors (the weather station allows you to connect up to 3 external sensors), then there is no need to reset the weather station. Simply press and hold the Channel button for three seconds, which will launch the forced search mode for external sensors. This is one of the unique features of the Ea2 BL503. Why? Now you will understand everything.
The process of setting up the basic parameters of the Ea2 BL503 is also different from other weather stations, and includes two stages. First, let's set up the weather forecast. To do this, you need to select the icon that most accurately matches the current weather outside the window. After this, the weather station analyzes the received data on temperature and pressure for 6 hours.
Next you need to set the clock. There is information on the official website that this model supports the radio clock synchronization function, but in practice I still don’t understand whether it is there or whether it’s an error in the description. The time is set manually. Moreover, the user can set not only the date, hours and minutes, but also seconds, and also select the language for displaying the day of the week. This is the only moment where the Russian language is supported.
The Ea2 BL503 supports a second clock, which will be useful for those of us who exist in multiple time zones. In the settings of the second clock, the user can only set the clock. Minutes and date, of course, remain unchanged.
In addition to the two clocks, the Ea2 BL503 has two independent alarms with support for the Snooze function, which allows you to delay the alarm going off again for another 8 minutes.
Now let's look at the screen design. If you carefully read the review, then most likely you can already independently evaluate the efforts of the developers. The first thing I noticed was the frost indicator, implemented in the form of a snowflake in the upper right corner of the screen. This, of course, is not as intuitive as the green LED in the Oregon Scientific BAR208HG weather station, but it is also convenient. In addition, depending on the temperature on the first external sensor, the design of the precipitation icon changes. For example, if it’s minus outside, then an icon of falling snow will be displayed on the screen. This model also has arrows that display changes in atmospheric pressure and external temperature. But for the internal temperature and humidity sensor, there is no trend, which, in general, is not fatal.
For additional ease of perception of information, the developers used different sizes of symbols to display the temperature inside and outside the window, time and date.
Like the other two weather station models, Ea2 BL503 is distinguished by a fairly high probability of weather prediction and measurement accuracy. In particular, the internal temperature sensor operates in the range of -9.9°C; up to +50°C; with a resolution of 0.1°C;, and humidity ranging from 20% to 99% with a resolution of 1%. At very low humidity values, the screen displays a minimum value of 20%.
Overall, the Ea2 BL503 weather station gave me positive emotions. Made in a miniature and stylish design, it will be an excellent addition to your desktop or bedside table. At the same time, it is distinguished by a fairly convenient arrangement of elements on the screen, supports the option of indicating frost and correctly displaying precipitation depending on the temperature outside the window. In addition, it is worth noting support for two independent clocks, an alarm clock with the Snooze function, and a very affordable price.
What didn't I like about this model? Firstly, the location of all the buttons on the back of the case, which causes a problem, for example, when using the Snooze function. Personally, such an alarm clock would have already flown away somewhere. It would be more reasonable to implement the Snooze/Light button on the front side of the device in the form of a kind of touch circle. Secondly, the blue backlight and not very high contrast of the image on the screen. In the dark, it can be difficult for me to see the image on such a screen. Thirdly, there is no possibility of measuring humidity using external sensors. The Ea2 BL508 is a better model for this, but looking at its photos, it becomes clear to me that displaying humidity on an external sensor had a negative impact on the overall ergonomics of the device. In order to fit the humidity values for the internal and external sensors on the screen, as well as a histogram of pressure changes, the developers had to place the elements more densely on the screen and reduce their size. As a result, the screen became almost unreadable.
Hama EWS-390
Studying the range of weather stations presented on the official Hama website, I got the feeling that this company could be a serious competitor to Oregon Scientific. It was not easy to choose the right model from the offered range, but I still managed to find a model that is ideal for this review. We are talking about the Hama EWS-390 weather station. According to the specifications, this model is very close in functionality to the Oregon Scientific BAR208HG and La Crosse WS9057, but at the same time it costs from 1,450 rubles.
Even though the manufacturer uses my favorite vertical design and clever placement of some control panel buttons, the overall design of this weather station left me disappointed. Its shape and large borders around the screen make it look like a thermometer in a bathhouse. It seems that when approaching it, a person must squint his eyes and tap his finger on the screen.
Such strange associations arise not only because of the design of the weather station, but also because of the large amount of information displayed on the screen, which required a very dense placement of elements, which does not allow one to assess the weather situation with a quick glance at the screen. At night I have to turn on the backlight twice to see the time and understand what is going on outside the window. By the way, about the backlight. Here I would really like to say that the screen has a pleasant blue backlight, but I didn’t find anything pleasant in it. In addition to the fact that it is difficult to distinguish black images of symbols and pictograms against a blue background, when it is turned on, a quiet but clearly audible buzzing sound is heard.
In addition to the screen, the main control panel is located at the bottom of the front side of the case. With its help, the user can configure basic parameters, set or view the alarm time, display the minimum and maximum values of temperature and humidity, change the channel to view data from several external sensors, and also set the temperature range beyond which the weather station will issue a warning.
The quality of the control panel caused me a couple of comments. The buttons are very hard with a sharp and loud click. This applies not only to the buttons on the front side of the device, but also to the Snooze/Light button located on the top edge of the case. In my opinion, such devices should use buttons with a very soft, silent action.
Now let's look at the back of the weather station, where there is a battery compartment for two AA batteries and an additional control panel designed to configure the barometer parameters. With its help, the user can select the pressure unit, adjust the base value taking into account the altitude, and also view the history of pressure changes.
The design of Hama EWS-390 provides for the possibility of desktop installation of the device, for which there is a removable stand in the rear part of the case, and also provides the possibility of wall mounting.
The wireless sensor has a familiar design. On its front side there is a small LCD screen, which displays temperature and humidity values, frequency channel number and battery charge status. There is also an LED indicator that flashes approximately once every 40-50 seconds.
The external sensor can be installed on any horizontal surface or hung on the wall. In the back of the case there is a battery compartment for two AA batteries, a frequency channel switch, buttons for selecting temperature measurement units and resetting the external sensor. Pay attention to the design of the battery pack, along the perimeter of which there is a rubber gasket that protects the batteries from moisture and dust.
According to the specification, the external sensor measures temperatures in the range of -10°C; up to +60°C; with a resolution of 0.1°C;. I am somewhat confused by the lower limit of the temperature range. It seems to me insufficient for full use of the external sensor. This may be a typo in the operating instructions, but it is not possible to verify this yet. The temperature outside has not yet dropped below ten degrees below zero.
The humidity measurement range is from 25% to 95% with a resolution of 1%. This is a typical value for most hygrometers found in most home weather station models.
Despite the not very successful design, too dense placement of information on the screen and a strange font that makes it difficult to perceive, the Hama EWS-390 weather station has quite interesting capabilities. First of all, I would like to draw your attention to the features of the built-in barometer. Unlike the La Crosse WS9057 model, the Hama EWS-390 weather station supports display of atmospheric value in mm. mercury, and also offers a simplified option for setting the base value, in which the user must specify the altitude value above sea level. The accuracy of weather forecasting depends on how accurately the base value is set. As with other home weather station models, the Hama EWS-390's weather forecasting accuracy is 75%. The screen displays an expanded set of weather icons, including separate precipitation as rain and snow, as well as weather trends. For weather-dependent people, it will be important to see the dynamics and history of changes in pressure and phase of the moon.
The built-in temperature sensor operates in the range from -5°C; up to + 50°C; with a resolution of 0.1°C;. The built-in hygrometer allows you to measure humidity in the range from 25% to 90% with a resolution of 1%. The weather station screen displays not only values from internal or external sensors (it is possible to connect up to three sensors), but also trends in changes in these parameters.
Next to the indoor humidity value, an icon of the indoor comfort level is displayed, determined by three states: COM (pleasant (maybe “comfortable” is better?)), WET (too humid) and DRY (too dry). The comfort level is determined by temperature and humidity. For example, conditions at a temperature of 20-25°C are considered comfortable (COM); and relative humidity ranging from 40 to 70%.
I consider the warning when the temperature goes out of the set range to be quite a useful function. This function is only available for external sensor. By default, the minimum value is -50°C;, and the maximum is +70°C;. What confuses me here? Let me remind you that in the specification for the external sensor the minimum temperature is only -10°C;. Against this background, the minimum value is -50°C; seems strange. So, there is a feeling that the minimum temperature value in the specification of the external sensor is indicated with an error.
The clock used in the Hama EWS-390 supports the radio synchronization function. If desired, you can disable this feature and set the clock manually. The built-in alarm clock deserves special attention. The user can set the alarm to go off at once, to go off on certain days, or select the frost warning mode by triggering the alarm early. On the one hand, support for frost warnings can be considered a plus for this model, but the implementation of this function is not entirely clear to me. I don’t understand why you need to wake me up in advance if the temperature outside has dropped below -2°C;?
If the developers of the Hama EWS-390 model had taken a more careful approach to the design of the weather station, the design of some of its elements, and also implemented a more intuitive arrangement of elements on the screen, then, thanks to a rich set of capabilities, it could have been put on a par with the best weather station models. But for now this model occupies one of the last places in my rating. Still, it is extremely important for me to be able to see and analyze the weather conditions outside the window by taking a quick glance at the weather station screen. This is not the case here. Even after two months, I still haven’t gotten used to it, constantly confusing the temperature and humidity values. In addition, for me personally, the function of displaying the history of atmospheric pressure values and moon phases turned out to be absolutely useless, and the implementation of the frost warning function seemed so strange that now I am walking around racking my brains, trying to answer the question: how are frosts related to the alarm clock? But with all this, I want to note that the Hama EWS-390 is not the worst option.
Carrin MC-108 BLACK
Another roughly unsuccessful approach to weather station design is the no-name weather station. The box only says MC-108 BLACK. But upon closer inspection of the box, it became clear that this model is from the Hong Kong company Carrin Electronics, which represents a fairly large line of home weather stations, although its official name is Carrin KW9008W-SM. By the way, it is under this name that it is listed in Yandex.Market, where it can be bought for about 1,400 rubles. I will not go into all the tricks with the name of this model, and will use the name indicated in the box.
Looking at the design of this model you immediately understand where it comes from. The black glossy body with strongly rounded edges, combined with a silver insert on the front side and chrome buttons, tells me of a unique idea of what a modern home accessory should look like. Regardless of what features the developers have built into this model, I don’t want to see it in my home.
Despite the relatively large size of the screen, in order to see anything on it, you need to peer for a long time. The screen has a green backlight. Readability against its background is noticeably higher than against a blue backlight, but in the dark the bright green light is more irritating to the eyes than, for example, the pleasant orange light in the Oregon Scientific BAR208HG model.
Below the screen is the main control panel, functionally similar to the control panel in the Hama EWS-390 model. With its help, the user can configure basic settings, turn the alarm on and off, control the Snooze function and the backlight. I note that, despite the use of chrome buttons, from an ergonomic point of view, this control panel made a good impression on me. It uses buttons with a soft and almost silent action.
There are six additional buttons located on the back of the case. With their help, you can configure the weather forecast, select temperature measurement units, enable the display of absolute or relative atmospheric pressure, view the history of pressure changes and maximum/minimum temperature and humidity values, select an external sensor channel and set parameters for calculating sunrise/sunset times and moon.
Here, on the back side of the case, there is a battery compartment for installing three AAA batteries, a retractable stand and a loop for mounting the weather station on the wall.
The external wireless sensor operates at a frequency of 433 MHz and has a range of 30 meters. Information is transmitted approximately once every 40 seconds. The external sensor has a wider temperature range. It allows you to display external temperature in the range from -50°C; up to +70°C;. The humidity measurement range is typical for devices of this class (from 20% to 99%).
There is a small LCD screen on the body of the external sensor, which displays the temperature and humidity values, as well as the frequency channel number. The design of the external sensor allows for desktop or wall mounting.
On the back there is a battery compartment for two AA batteries. Its design provides protection against moisture and dust. Inside the compartment there are: a frequency channel switch, a button for selecting temperature measurement units and a reset button.
One of the features of the external sensor is the ability to connect a wired sensor with a length of about 1.5 meters. The manufacturer recommends installing a wireless sensor outside a window only at temperatures above 0°C; up to +50°C;. At subzero temperatures, it is recommended to use a wired sensor and install the external unit indoors. The main reason for such a strange approach is the problem of using alkaline batteries at low temperatures, but we have already raised this issue above and found out that when using lithium batteries, the wireless sensor can work normally even at -30°C;. So a wired sensor can be useful in two cases. Firstly, when it is not possible to attach an external sensor outside the window, and secondly, when the temperature drops below -40-50°C;. But it is not very clear whether a wired sensor can cope with such low temperatures.
While studying the capabilities of the Carrin MC-108 BLACK weather station, I noticed that functionally it combines the capabilities of the Ea2 BL503 and Hama EWS-390 models, but at the same time it also has its own individual characteristics.
The Carrin MC-108 BLACK weather station uses exactly the same forecast setting method as the Ea2 BL503 model. Having set the date and time, the user must select the icon that best matches the weather outside the window. This is a fairly simple and effective way to link the weather forecast mechanism to a specific area. When displaying the precipitation icon, the weather station takes into account the temperature on the external sensor. If it is above zero, then rain is displayed. At sub-zero temperatures, snow is displayed. This model also has a frost indicator, which is displayed in the form of a “snowflake” on the weather station screen. I have already noted above that this method of informing about frost and possible icing is extremely ineffective.
The built-in temperature sensor has a range from -20°C; up to +50°C; however, the description for this model indicates a range from 0°C; up to +50°C;. The humidity measurement range on the internal sensor is the same as on the external one and ranges from 20% to 99%.
The weather station screen displays the temperature and humidity parameters for the internal and external sensors, the trend of the external sensor parameters, and the comfort level based on the internal sensor values. Here I first encountered lies on the weather station screen. Today, when the indoor humidity level has dropped below 20% and all weather stations indicate unfavorable conditions, the Carrin MC-108 BLACK indicates that everything is fine.
The Carrin MC-108 BLACK model only supports manual time and date setting and has two built-in alarms. In addition, the screen displays the dynamics of pressure changes over the last 12 hours, the Carrin MC-108 BLACK weather station displays the time of sunrise/sunset of the sun and moon, as well as the duration of daylight hours. For this function to work, you must set the date and time correctly, as well as set the region in which you are located. The weather station database does not have such a large list of cities. For example, for Russia only St. Petersburg is present. For this city, the sunrise and sunset time calculation function works stably, but for other cities it cannot be used. So we can assume that a fifth of the screen is wasted. It would be better if the manufacturer used this space to create a more ergonomic presentation of information.
Without paying due attention to the design and ergonomics of the weather station, the developers decided to surprise us with its capabilities. To be honest, I wasn’t surprised. On the contrary, by implementing a lot of unnecessary functions, they managed to create one of the most inconvenient and uninteresting weather station models I have ever seen. Even if among my readers there are those who find the design of this model interesting, they will soon understand that they cannot use it normally. The too small size of the symbols and their dense arrangement will force even a person with good eyesight to look closely at the screen, not to mention those who wear glasses.
VITEK VT-3533 SR
A dozen models are presented under the VITEK brand. Among them there are models made in a beautiful design and with interesting features. But for this comparison it is the model that is suitable VT-3533SR. According to its capabilities and price ( about 1,300 rubles) it is closer to the models included in this material.
VITEK VT-3533 SR is the only model in this review with a horizontal design. At first glance, its matte black body matches well with the aluminum insert around the screen. In my opinion, the overall impression is slightly spoiled by the chrome control panel buttons located below the screen.
The relatively large screen has a pleasant blue backlight and more or less ergonomic placement of elements on the screen. However, in my opinion, this placement is more suitable for watches with an electronic thermometer. For a weather station, it would be wise to increase the size of the weather forecast icon and make the readings from the external sensor larger. But that's just my opinion. Some may like the size and placement of various elements. The real disadvantages include the small viewing angle. The numbers on the screen are clearly visible only from a certain viewing angle. If you place a weather station just above or below eye level, the image fades or disappears altogether.
Let's look at the back of the VITEK VT-3533 SR. There is a battery compartment for installing three AAA batteries, a stand for installing the weather station on a horizontal surface, and two loops for placing the device on the wall.
In general, the design and construction of the VITEK VT-3533 SR could be called quite satisfactory, but the stand on the back of the case somewhat spoiled my first impression. It provides a large tilt angle for the weather station. Combined with the low viewing angles of the screen, this somewhat limits the choice of where to install this weather station. For example, if you put it on the bedside table, then in order to see at least something on the screen, you have to lift your head very much. In general, very inconvenient.
The wireless temperature and humidity sensor in the VITEK VT-3533 SR model operates at a frequency of 433 MHz and has a typical range of 30 meters. On the front side of the external sensor there is a screen that displays temperature and humidity, as well as the selected frequency channel.
The temperature sensor operates in the range from -40°C; up to +60°C;. The operating range of the humidity sensor is from 20% to 90%. When the outside temperature is below -20°C; The manufacturer recommends installing the external unit indoors and placing the wired sensor outside the window. In this case, only the external temperature will be displayed on the weather station screen. Humidity readings will be read from a sensor installed inside the external unit, i.e. indoors. This applies to all models of external units equipped with an additional sensor. Is this important or not? If the device is used at very low temperatures, then measuring the humidity outside the window is not as important as at low negative temperatures. During severe frosts, the air freezes so much that the air humidity drops below the air humidity in the desert. If it’s down to -10°C outside, then the humidity value will allow you to assess how comfortable it is outside. For example, with low humidity you will feel comfortable even in severe frost. If the humidity is high, then discomfort will be felt even at - 5°C;.
At the back of the case there is a battery compartment for two AA batteries. There are also buttons for changing the frequency channel and selecting the temperature measurement unit.
A special feature of this external sensor model is an external wired temperature and humidity sensor. This solution may seem interesting to some, but not to me. A dangling wire that cannot be disconnected from the external unit will definitely interfere.
The VITEK VT-3533 SR weather station supports a basic set of functions, including displaying temperature and humidity from external and internal sensors, temperature trends on both sensors, indoor comfort level, weather forecast and moon phase. In addition, there is a warning function when the temperature goes beyond the set range.
The clock and date can only be set manually. VITEK VT-3533 SR does not support radio synchronization mode. I didn’t find any interesting features in the clock mode, alarm clock mode, or weather station mode. I will draw your attention to just a few points that cause me misunderstandings. The weather forecast function works according to the same algorithm as in most other weather station models. The calculation is carried out based on changes in pressure, temperature and humidity on the external unit. I note that if the user decides to use a wired temperature sensor, the weather readings will be erroneous. The fact is that in this case, humidity measurements on the external unit are made indoors. When displaying the weather forecast, the manufacturer limited itself to a standard set of icons (sunny, partly cloudy, cloudy and precipitation). Moreover, precipitation is always displayed as rain, regardless of the actual outside temperature. The last point concerns the implementation of a function that warns when the outside temperature leaves the specified range. It monitors changes in temperature on the external unit and, if it goes beyond the limits set by the user, emits a short beep every minute until the temperature returns to normal. I can't really imagine a situation in which this feature would be useful. I can understand if we were talking about the temperature in the room, when a weather station would allow us to control the temperature, warning us about the need for timely ventilation, but I don’t understand why we need to control the temperature outside.
In my opinion, VITEK VT-3533 SR is not the most successful attempt to make a weather station that is convenient to use. On the one hand, the use of different sizes of symbols on the screen, in combination with some functions inherent in modern weather stations, distinguishes this model from the Hama EWS-390 and Carrin MC-108 BLACK weather stations, but on the other hand, a somewhat strange approach to placing information on screen, low viewing angles, and the unclear purpose of some functions make this model more like a watch with an advanced electronic thermometer and hygrometer. I cannot consider it as a weather station.
Uniel UTV-81
The Uniel brand presents a rather interesting line of weather stations that support basic functionality and are distinguished by an unusual design. Looking at them, you immediately understand that when developing these models, the manufacturer devoted a lot of time to ergonomics. Thanks to this, Uniel weather stations allow you to assess weather conditions by taking a quick glance at the screen of your weather station.
The model I chose for this comparison was called Uniel UTV-81 (1,890 rubles). She surprised me with her simplicity and brevity. The miniature design and functional set make this model similar to the Ea2 BL503 weather station, but from the point of view of ease of perception of information, it evoked in me associations with the weather station from Oregon Scientific.
The Uniel UTV-81 model has an unusual slim design. Its body, painted in a beautiful matte gold color, goes well with the black insert that frames the screen. The main part of the case is only 15-17 mm thick. This was achieved thanks to one trick. The developers moved the battery compartment outside the main part of the case, placing it centrally at the rear of the case.
The housing design allows for installation of the weather station on any horizontal surface or wall mounting. In this case, the table stand, which acts as a battery compartment cover, must be replaced with a cover with a loop for wall mounting.
The weather station control panel is located under the battery compartment cover. It includes only two buttons responsible for switching to the setup mode and changing parameters.
The external temperature and humidity sensor operates at a frequency of 433 MHz and has a range of 30 meters. According to the specification, the wireless sensor is capable of measuring temperatures in the range of -40°C; up to +60°C; with a resolution of 0.1°C;, and humidity ranging from 25% to 95% with a resolution of 1%.
A distinctive feature of this model of the external unit is a wired temperature sensor. I have already expressed my opinion more than once regarding the use of a wired sensor. In this case, I want to note that there is no option to disable it. I don't really like this. When placing the external unit outside the window, you need to make sure that the wired temperature sensor does not dangle in the wind and does not come into contact with the wall, ebb or window frame, which can negatively affect the temperature readings. If you want to place the outdoor unit indoors, placing only the wired sensor outside the window, then it is worth remembering that the hygrometer is located inside the body of the outdoor unit, so it will measure room humidity, which will negatively affect the accuracy of weather forecasting.
At the back of the external sensor there is a compartment for installing two AA batteries. Inside the compartment there is a frequency channel switch and a reset button. The compartment design and screw fastening protect the batteries from moisture and dust.
Functionally, the Uniel UTV-81 weather station is very similar to the Ea2 BL503 model. The screen displays the time and date, weather forecast and changes in atmospheric pressure, as well as temperature and humidity from external and internal sensors. The screen design deserves special attention. The developers used fairly large images of symbols and pictograms, which makes it easier to perceive information from the screen. A quick glance is enough to see the current time and weather forecast for the next 12 hours. As for the temperature and humidity inside and outside the room, there is some confusion. The same size of symbols and their location do not allow for a quick assessment of the weather situation. The only thing that helps to distinguish the temperature readings on the external and internal sensors are small icons with a picture of a house and the inscriptions IN and OUT. But, to be honest, they don’t help much either.
To set up a weather forecast, the user does not need to make any preliminary settings. The weather station independently analyzes changes in temperature, humidity and pressure over several hours and issues a weather forecast. As with other weather station models, the forecast accuracy is 70-75%. The Uniel UTV-81 model uses an expanded set of icons to display the weather forecast. Not only does it include separate image icons for rain and snow precipitation, but it also has a separate image for storm rain.
The internal temperature sensor operates in the range from -5°C; up to +50°C; with a resolution of 0.1°C;. Based on temperature readings from an external sensor, the Uniel UTV-81 model has a frost warning function. True, unlike other models, the “snowflake” appears in conditions when the temperature drops to +3°C;. Personally, I don't see much point in such warnings. Still, the warning function is implemented most effectively in Oregon Scientific.
The hygrometer allows you to measure humidity in the range from 25% to 95% with a resolution of 1%. It is worth noting here that at lower humidity values the real value is displayed on the screen, not exceeding 20%.
Overall, the Uniel UTV-81 weather station leaves me with a very good impression. Stylish design combined with high quality production, as well as a well-thought-out screen design, make this model quite interesting for home use. But it is not without its shortcomings. I consider the most significant drawback of this model to be the lack of backlighting, which makes it impossible to use it at night. In addition, Uniel UTV-81 does not have an alarm clock and does not show the trend of changes in temperature and humidity. In my opinion, these are very important parameters for a more accurate understanding of the current weather and what awaits us in the coming hours.
RST 02555
According to Yandex Market, today the RST brand offers the largest line of weather stations made in different designs and with different capabilities. For this review, I chose a very interesting model, RST 02555. It attracted me with its combination of design and expanded functionality, which makes it most similar to the Oregon Scientific BAR208HG weather station, which I consider one of the most competent models in this comparison.
Externally, the RST 02555 weather station resembles the Uniel UTV-81 model, but has even more compact dimensions. On the front side there is a large LCD display with excellent contrast, which allows you to clearly distinguish the image from any viewing angle.
At the back of the case there is a compartment for installing two AA batteries, and a control panel that includes four buttons used to configure the basic parameters of the weather station.
The design of the weather station implies the possibility of wall mounting and installation on any horizontal surface, for which a small stand is included in the kit.
The external wireless temperature sensor included in the RST 02555 kit is perhaps one of the thinnest, but it has one unusual design feature, which I will draw your attention to a little later. The external unit operates at a frequency of 433 MHz and has a range of 30 meters. On the front side there is only a bright LED that blinks during data transmission, approximately once every 48 seconds. External temperature sensor operates in the range from -40°C; up to +60°C; with a resolution of 0.1°C;.
The manufacturer recommends using the wireless sensor outside the window at a temperature not lower than - 20°C;. At lower temperatures, it is recommended to use a remote wired sensor hidden behind the back cover of the external unit. This is the very feature that I promised to talk about above. Unlike the external unit of the Uniel UTV-81 model, the design used in the RST 02555 provides more neat and convenient storage of the wired sensor.
Speaking about the use of a wired temperature sensor in the RST 02555 model, I want to note that, unlike other models, here it is completely justified. The fact is that the external unit does not have a humidity sensor, which, on the one hand, is a disadvantage of this model, but on the other hand, this allows you to freely use a wired temperature sensor without worrying that an external sensor placed in the room will give incorrect readings humidity.
The functionality of the RST 02555 is somewhat different from other weather station models discussed in this comparison. The fact is that RST 02555 is not exactly a weather station. The manufacturer calls it a barometric station with a temperature measurement function. There are no humidity sensors or alarm clocks. The main emphasis is on measuring pressure and temperature, thanks to which it was possible to implement the weather forecast function well. In fact, its implementation is very similar to the Oregon Scientific BAR208HG model. Only in the BAR208HG, the developers separated the main icons and warnings for high winds, heat and other special weather conditions. Here everything is implemented in the form of a large number of icons. It's difficult to say which option is more convenient. Oregon Scientific's implementation makes more sense to me.
The manufacturer paid great attention to displaying atmospheric pressure values. In addition to the absolute pressure value in mmHg, a differential barometer is displayed on the screen, allowing you to see the dynamics of pressure changes over the last 3 hours. Thanks to this data, the user can make an updated weather forecast.
The built-in thermometer operates in the range from -10°C; up to +60°C;. Minimum and maximum temperature values are stored for each sensor. For added convenience, the developers used different symbol sizes for the external and internal sensors. Thanks to this, a quick glance at the screen is enough to understand what awaits you outside the window. In addition, the external sensor supports displaying a trend of temperature changes, as well as a frost warning, which appears when the temperature outside the window is in the range of -3°C; up to +1°C;.
Overall, thanks to the successful combination of design and correct presentation of information, the RST 02555 model leaves me with a positive impression. However, when choosing it, you must remember that its functionality is somewhat limited. You will be able to use it only for weather forecast, while for time, date and indoor comfort, you will have to use some other gadget.
Conclusion
It's time to take stock and find out what you need to pay attention to when choosing a home weather station? If you carefully read the review, then most likely you have already made certain conclusions for yourself. Obviously, from the point of view of the accuracy of measuring temperature, humidity, pressure and weather prediction, all modern models are very similar to each other and differ only in the sensitivity and inertia of the sensors used and the algorithms for displaying information on the screen. Some models, such as the La Crosse WS9057, update information every four seconds, while all other models do so every 30-60 seconds. As a result, the La Crosse WS9057 sensor appears to be more sensitive and accurate. In fact, this is not true. It just changes the value on the screen more often.
The design of a weather station is certainly important, but a very individual selection criterion. Here it is worth paying attention not only to the appearance of the device and the angle of inclination when installed on a horizontal surface, but also to the implementation of the control panel, the ease of placement of buttons and the absence of clicks. In this sense, I really liked the Oregon Scientific BAR208HG model. The balanced design of the case, the correct buttons and a pleasant orange backlight make it very convenient for everyday use. Models from Ea2, Uniel and RST also seemed interesting, but the not very successful control panel in Ea2 BL503 and the lack of backlight in Uniel UTV-81 and RST 02555 make them not as interesting as the Oregon weather station.
Is it worth paying attention to the large amount of information displayed on the screen? Definitely not. The set of information displayed must be balanced. Using the Hama EWS-390 and MC-108 BLACK models as an example, you could see that most of the additional data is not particularly valuable and simply takes up useful space on the device screen. It is much more important to pay attention to how the information is presented on the screen. Did the manufacturer pay special attention to this issue or arrange everything as it fits? In my opinion, this is one of the main points to pay attention to. Remember that how well the information is presented on the screen will determine whether you will be able to use this weather station or whether it will turn into another useless gadget in your home. In this sense, I have identified three models for myself. The best information is located on the screen of the Oregon Scientific BAR208HG. The manufacturer carefully thought out the placement and size of the symbols, allowing you to get a complete picture of the weather even with a quick glance at the device. In addition, they abandoned the standard frost indicator on the screen, implementing it in a video of a small green LED that blinks if the outside temperature is in the range from -2° to +3°C. This made it much easier to perceive important information. It is enough to notice the blinking LED with peripheral vision and you already understand that it can be very slippery on the street. Besides the Oregon Scientific model, I really liked the display layout of the RST 02555, but the lack of humidity information made it not as interesting as the BAR208HG.
The presence of a wired temperature sensor is not an argument for choosing one model or another. Quite the contrary. An external unit with a wire sticking out of it can be a good reason to exclude this model from comparison. Above, I have repeatedly said that when using the right batteries, the external sensor will be effective even at very low temperatures. If the presence of a wired sensor is fundamentally important for you, then I recommend paying attention to the MC-108 BLACK model. I have many complaints about this model. I don't like its design, the green backlight of the screen and too dense placement of information, which makes it difficult to perceive. But from the point of view of implementing an external sensor, there is a lot to learn from it. No less interesting was the RST 02555 model, the wired sensor of which is hidden inside the housing of the external unit. But here it is worth remembering that this model cannot measure humidity.
The high price is also not an argument in favor of one model or another. We have witnessed that significantly more expensive models cannot offer anything special, and in some cases they are even inferior to more affordable models of weather stations.
Probably, every person has found himself in a situation where, having hoped for good weather predicted by weather forecasters, you find yourself caught in a downpour, and with a strong wind to boot. Indeed, the situation is not pleasant, especially when you go to work and have to sit in wet and wrinkled clothes all day.
Such a useful gadget called a home weather station has appeared on the modern climate technology market for quite some time now. This device shows basic weather characteristics and accurately predicts the weather for the next 12-36 or 48 hours.
Today, there are many manufacturers of home weather stations of different levels and price categories. Most of our compatriots find it difficult to choose the best weather station for their home in their price category. This publication will discuss what a good weather station is and what functionality and capabilities it should have.
What a good weather station should be able to do
All potential buyers of home weather stations know that weather stations are divided into two large groups: analog and digital. The set of functions that a good weather station should have depends on the type of device.
Mechanical weather control stations
A classic analog weather station includes three main devices:
- Thermometer.
- Hygrometer.
- Barometer.
Barometers, which are used in analog instruments, can be mercury and pointer. An aneroid barometer (pointer instrument) has two arrows: one shows the current pressure, the other is set by the user to the value of the previous measurement. The dynamics of changes in the position of the needle relative to the previous value will most likely make it possible to create an adequate short-term weather forecast for the next 3-5 hours.
Mercury barometers are dangerous for use in everyday life; moreover, it is difficult to calculate the dynamics of pressure changes using them.
Conclusion 1: A good analogue weather station must have an aneroid barometer.
The thermometer in a weather station can be alcohol, mercury or mechanical. The mercury device was mentioned above, so we do not consider it. The alcohol thermometer has a good response time to changes in room temperature, but is not the best design. The dial thermometer, which uses a bimetallic spring as a sensor, responds perfectly to any changes in air temperature, and also has a wonderful retro-style design.
Conclusion 2: A good analog weather station must have a dial thermometer.
A hygrometer, in mechanical climate control devices, works in the same way as a thermometer, but with a difference in the material. Instead of a bimetallic spring, modern devices use a synthetic hydrophobic material that changes its size depending on air humidity.
Nature does not have bad weather, as we know. There are clothes that are not appropriate for the weather. And every morning before leaving the house, we determine how to dress for the day.
To do this, someone intensely peers out the window, trying to make out the approaching clouds and at the same time the temperature of the window thermometer, someone looks on the Internet at their favorite weather site, someone, in the old fashioned way, listens to weather forecasters on the radio or TV. And often these actions do not save us from the fact that global cooling suddenly gives way to global warming, contrary to forecasts (we know that weather forecasters make mistakes only once, but every day). Or the lack of precipitation promised for the coming week is filled with record-breaking rain, once again tarnishing the reputation of weather services. And we suffer from this - again finding ourselves in the rain without an umbrella, or in the snow in light shoes...
Weather forecasting - for a day, a week, a year - has occupied the minds of people since ancient times. But only in the 16th and 17th centuries, with the invention of the barometer and thermometer, instrumental observations began to be recorded. Scientists established a clear connection between fluctuations in the "height" of the barometer and changes in weather, and this marked the beginning of synoptic forecasts.
It was observed that the wind always blows from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure, forming an air vortex with winds moving towards the center, counterclockwise - this phenomenon was called a cyclone. In the central part of the cyclone, the air rises, expands, cools and condenses into steam - this is how clouds form. Therefore, in the area where the cyclone passes, cloudy, stormy weather prevails: cool in summer with rain, warm in winter with snow.
But everything is not so simple - based on pressure fluctuations alone, one can only judge that the weather will change. To predict the weather, you have to take into account several parameters: changes in atmospheric pressure and air temperature, time of year, wind and cloudiness. And this is exactly what it will help you with weather station .
There are two types of weather stations - analog and digital. This review is dedicated to the second type - smart little gadgets that replaced the extensive arsenal of control devices: thermometer, barometer, hygrometer, anemometer. Now all these functions are performed by one device. In addition, in addition to displaying current readings, they remember readings for a given period, and based on additional measurements they build a forecast for weather changes. And thanks to its compact size, it can easily be placed in a place convenient for you: on a bedside table, desktop or on the wall.
BASIC FUNCTIONS OF WEATHER STATIONS
Manufacturers offer many models of weather stations, varying in functionality. Some devices only measure the temperature and humidity in the room (thermal sensors), others will not only record the microclimate of an apartment or office, but also show complete information about what the weather expects outside. By analyzing the measurements received, the weather station generates a forecast of possible weather changes, so it is important that as many values as possible are recorded.
Basic measurements:
- determination of wind speed and direction
The weather station receives the results of measurements of climatic values from sensors , the number of which reaches up to 5. Sensors can be either built into the body of the weather station or remote. Remote sensors are divided into:
- wireless – designed as a separate device in a housing, powered by batteries or rechargeable batteries . The operating radius is several tens of meters;
- wired - made in the form of a thermal probe connected by a wire to the body of the weather station. The wire is about a meter long.
Wireless sensors are more convenient to use because they operate over a greater distance than wired ones. It is not difficult to place the wireless sensor in the right place (it is equipped with special grooves for fastening), and the housing will protect it from external influences.
Weather stations working with 3-5 wireless sensors are suitable for those who need to control the microclimate of several places besides the house and the street - for example, a greenhouse, cellar or garage. With such a device, unexpected drops in temperature will not go unnoticed. When purchasing a device, pay attention - most often, the weather station includes 1-2 sensors, the rest, as needed, are purchased separately.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
In addition to measuring climate indicators, weather stations are often equipped organizer , displaying additional information: weather indication, moon phases, calendar, clock, alarm clock. Thanks to these options, you get a multifunctional device that will wake you up, remind you what day of the week and date it is, and tell you the weather. And if you consider that there are units with a built-in radio, then we can safely say that the weather station more than replaces half of the usual desktop instruments.Information output appears on the screen in several versions: in the form of numbers and symbols (the weather mode is shown as a picture: sun, cloud, raindrops, snowflake). The most convenient option is if the device supports manual configuration, and you can select the desired view.
Some models are equipped light or sound indication . This function will help you not to miss the moment of changing an important parameter. Once you program it, you will be notified of pressure surges, changes in humidity, and changes in temperature.
The backlight will help you see the characters on the screen.
When choosing a device, pay attention to food type :
- Batteries or accumulators . This type of power supply will free you from unnecessary wires and make the device independent from the whims of electricians (turning off the lights will not leave it without power);
- From the mains . With this type of power supply, you do not need to remember to replace batteries, but the device will have to be placed close to an outlet (which affects mobility).
No less interesting are models that actually do without a screen - weather information is displayed on the body itself:
The most modern weather stations have a USB interface (for connecting to a computer and analyzing measurements) and the ability to connect to the Internet - for transferring information to a smartphone or email.
QUESTION PRICE
Conventionally, based on cost, weather stations are divided into:- models in the inexpensive price segment, up to 2500 rubles. Such devices are mainly focused on use for monitoring temperature and humidity; the functional features are not very wide: the organizer of almost all models includes only a clock, an alarm clock, and a calendar. The maximum number of connected sensors is up to 3.
- mid-price segment models, from 2,500 to 10,000 rubles. Almost all devices in this category can be called personal weather centers, which, in addition to recording temperature and humidity, measure pressure and help predict the weather. The functionality is different, but for most devices it can be said that: the organizer includes all possible functions, the information output is programmable, the maximum connected number of sensors is up to 5. Measurement data is stored and can be displayed both digitally and graphically. Some models can record wind strength and speed. There are models with interesting design solutions and a built-in projector.
- models in the expensive price segment, from 10,000 rubles. Devices in this segment differ not so much in the number of functions as in the quality of measurements; the main feature is high accuracy.
The world is developing at a fast pace: not only computers have small prototypes in the form of laptops, but also ordinary thermometers have improved their functions. A thermometer is now a weather station that can show not only the temperature outside the window, but also the air humidity inside the house, as well as the weather forecast for the day. How to choose a weather station when nothing is really known about it? To do this, you need to understand all its types, qualities and advantages, and also pay attention to the disadvantages.
Types of weather stations
There are several types of weather stations. First of all, you need to distinguish between analog and digital devices. Analog weather stations are modern devices, but they take up a lot of space in an apartment or house. They need to be hung on a window or door frame to see the temperature outside. At the moment they are not very practical, but their significant advantage is their low cost.
Digital weather stations are winning the championship race. The following types of weather stations are distinguished:
- wired weather station (with a sensor placed outside and connected via a wire);
- wireless device;
- professional devices;
- Internet weather stations.
Let's take a closer look at the first two types of digital weather stations - wired and wireless. These weather stations are designed for home use. The difference between a wired and wireless weather station is the presence or absence of a wire from a temperature measurement sensor. A wired sensor is attached to the outer glass of the house, and a wire runs from it into the apartment directly to the weather station. The disadvantage of such a device is that the device cannot be carried far from the sensor - it must be placed near a window.
The wireless weather station has a battery-powered sensor and can be hung anywhere outside your home.
Which weather station should you choose?
The first thing you need to pay attention to when choosing a weather station is its functionality with various programs.
The best weather station for use at home is a medium-sized device, since a small device may not have the necessary functions, and it is difficult to place a large device in a small apartment. It is advisable that the device measure the temperature both outside and in the house. In addition, a humidity meter is a necessary feature for people who are dependent on natural changes. So, if the humidity in the house is about 60-65%, a person will understand that it will rain soon and will take appropriate measures.
Display
The next important criterion for choosing the right weather station is the visual display of information on the display. There is a choice in different models: for example, in some weather stations the numbers are simply displayed on the monitor, while in others the numbers are supplemented with a visual picture of the current or predicted weather. Some devices even have options for weather modes: clouds with snow/rain, just clouds, clouds with sun and sun with birds. Of course, a device with a visual addition is more attractive.
Selecting a sensor to connect to the device
An important point in choosing a weather station for your home is the presence of a wire from the sensor to the weather station. The best choice is a wireless device, since you do not need to look for a suitable place to mount the weather station next to the window. The wireless weather station can be moved from place to place in any direction, and the sensor will hang quietly in your favorite place. Another advantage of a wireless device is that you can buy as many of them as you like, placing them in different places, and each of them will transmit a signal to the display of the temperature measuring device. However, there is a significant drawback to using such a weather station - if the sensor becomes detached from the glass, it will fly away in an unknown direction. To eliminate this drawback, there is a little trick: the sensor needs to be placed on a rope and secured to the wall. Then neither a hurricane nor thunderstorms will be scary - even if the sensor becomes detached from its home, you will not have to purchase a new one, because the old one will be held suspended by a rope.
If you are purchasing a wireless weather station, you need to consider the maximum distance you can move from the sensors. This question is important, since the radius can vary from 30 to 100 meters.
Nutrition
When purchasing, you should pay attention to how the device operates – from batteries or electricity. Each of the options is good in its own way. If the weather station runs on batteries, this is not a very profitable option, since they sooner or later run out, and up to 6 of them are required in the device. On the other hand, the device can be placed anywhere, regardless of the power source. If from electricity, then there is no need for the cost of batteries, but direct access to electricity is required.
As for wireless sensors, when choosing, you should pay attention to which battery they operate on - regular salt or solar. Advantage should be given to solar.
Some modern models of weather stations have a photo frame function: weather information alternates with photographs recorded on a flash card. This function of weather stations is not for everyone, but when choosing it is also worth paying attention to.
A good weather station must meet at least all of the above requirements, and, at a maximum, contain some more useful and important functions.
Rating of weather stations
- HAMA EWS-840
- HAMA EWS-860
Reviews on weather station ratings
We recommend comparing with (opens in a new window):
You should consider each of the weather station models presented in the list, based on people’s reviews.
The first weather station on the list, HAMA EWS-850, is very easy to use, wireless, radio wave reception radius is 30 m, and has wall mounts. The downside is that the main unit is unstable and there is no air humidity meter.
The second is another variation of the previous brand - HAMA EWS-840. The display shows large, clear numbers that can be seen from afar, and, unlike other weather station models, the temperature rarely fluctuates. However, an unregulated error has occurred, and now the temperature outside is 300 C higher on the display screen, and it is not possible to return to normal. But it shows the internal temperature correctly.
The next model from the same HAMA brand is EWS-860 in 3rd place. One of the most purchased devices: the advantage of this model is its inexpensive price. However, the device has a significant drawback - the display is of different colors. It's hard to look at the colorized display: the temperature is displayed on a green background, and the pressure is a rich purple with splashes of blue. There is also no stand for the main unit, meaning it only needs to be hung on the wall. The lack of a humidity meter and interface in Russian can be added to the disadvantages.
Dilutes the list with HighStar 7730B. This is an excellent weather station - it has a backlight, humidity measurement, and even an alarm clock. At the same time, it marks the temperature to the nearest tenth – not essential, but nice. The only drawback is the wired sensor.
In fifth position is the HAMA EWS-280 model. Everything is good about this weather station, there are no particular shortcomings. Clear, large numbers display the air temperature both inside and outside. Disadvantages - does not predict the weather, there is no function for measuring atmospheric pressure.
The sixth and seventh positions are occupied by weather stations from Ea2, model EN203 and BL508, respectively. Model EN203 measures indoor temperature with enviable accuracy. There is both a table stand and a hanging hook on the device itself. One of the disadvantages is that there is no protective case from external factors. This drawback significantly affects the accuracy of outdoor temperature measurements. The BL508 model is equipped with additional graphics when forecasting weather conditions. The screen also displays all the main indicators: air temperature, humidity, date, time and barometric pressure chart. Of the minuses, it should be noted that the weather station overestimates the readings by a couple of degrees, and the forecast accuracy is 50%.
In eighth position is the leading company in this ranking, HAMA, model EWS-800. The advantages of the purchase were the versatility of the device, as well as the clear interface of the display itself. However, after the weather station worked for 2 months, for no apparent reason it turned off and did not turn on again - an unreliable model.
The penultimate position is listed by the HighStar 1146B weather station - an interesting and original model. There is an additional display that shows the weather forecast. There is an auxiliary function - the ability to remember maximum and minimum values. This model distinguishes itself from all other competitors in terms of quality in the performance of its direct functions. No shortcomings have been found yet.
Last but not least on the list is the Oregon Scientific TW369 measuring device. A special feature is the projection of the display data – for example, onto the ceiling. However, there are also disadvantages: it does not predict the weather, does not display air pressure and humidity - that is, a minimum set of functions is provided.
Thus, when choosing a device, it is necessary to take into account not only the advantages and disadvantages, but also rely on reviews of people who have already purchased various digital weather stations.
A weather station is sometimes a useful gadget for the home that allows you to effectively control the indoor microclimate. Humidifiers and air conditioners will help create it, but weather stations will help control it.
1st place – Oregon Scientific BAR208HG
Characteristics:
- Temperature measurement range: from -40 to +60 degrees;
- Measurement of air humidity in the range from 25 to 95%;
- Barometer;
- Functions: weather forecast, clock, calendar, saving values;
- Wireless remote sensor (reception radius 30 meters);
- Powered by AA batteries;
- Backlit display.
In principle, good parameters for a digital weather station for the money. Judging by the reviews, buyers like this model: it’s inexpensive and reliable, a big plus is the large numbers on the display, as well as the amount of important information simultaneously displayed on the display: humidity, air temperature inside and outside, weather forecast.
However, it is worth noting that the weather station is not without its drawbacks. The largest of them is a humidity sensor. Many buyers complain that it does not work correctly, and sometimes it is completely nonsense. So, if you decide to buy this model, make sure that the humidity sensor is working properly. Otherwise, you will have to exchange the purchase or take the money, which is not always pleasant.
2nd place – Oregon Scientific BAR808HG
Oregon Scientific BAR808HG deservedly takes second place. This is a digital weather station priced at 1250 hryvnia or 3300 Russian rubles.
The only way this model differs from the previous one is the design. Its technical characteristics and functions are exactly the same, so it is not entirely clear why the company produces almost identical devices. Perhaps there is some technical difference, but after reviewing the characteristics, we did not find any differences.
In any case, customers respond well to this weather station, which means it has a place in our rating. The device is made of quite high quality, made of good materials that are perfectly assembled - this can be seen even visually. The indicators on the display are easy to read and, as in the previous model, the display itself is quite informative: just look at it and you will immediately receive the necessary information about the weather outside the window.
FAIR: not all buyers praise the device. There are negative reviews about weather forecasting. Despite the fact that the sensors are very accurate and correctly show the parameters of air humidity and temperature, often the weather forecast is simply absurd. Although this is just one of the customer reviews, it would be worth taking into account.
3rd place – La Crosse WS9057
Relatively expensive digital weather station La Crosse WS9057 at a price of 1900 hryvnia or 5000+ rubles.
Characteristics:
- Temperature measurement (from -40 to +60);
- Humidity measurement (range from 1 to 99%);
- Barometer;
- Comfort level;
- Functions: weather forecast, clock, lunar calendar, saving temperature values, simple calendar, alarm clock;
- Remote sensor with a receiving radius of up to 100 meters;
- Autonomous battery power supply R
The advantages of this model are obvious: excellent workmanship and materials, accuracy of temperature and humidity measurements, the presence of various useful and not so useful functions, as well as design.
Disadvantages: the remote sensor is not very convenient to “pair” with the weather station itself. You can’t just take it outside - it might get flooded with water. Therefore, you will have to build some kind of casing that will protect the sensor from precipitation. Some weather stations come with special accessories, but not this one.
Essentially: this is a very, VERY good model for the money. In any case, it justifies the price, so we confidently recommend it.
4th place – La Crosse WS9257UIT
Another model from La Crosse. This time is prettier, although the previous one also looked great. It also costs 1900 hryvnia or 5000+ rubles.
Technically, it is almost no different from the previous weather station, but visually there is a difference, albeit a small one. Perhaps there must be a technical difference, but we couldn’t find it.
This model is of very high quality, measures and displays accurate parameters and resembles a more professional device, which cannot be said about other cheap Chinese models. The screen is quite large and informative: it contains all the necessary data. There is no screen backlight, but by and large it is not needed: it consumes a lot of energy. Speaking of energy, the batteries last for a whole year!
Disadvantages: the sensors supplied in the kit are not waterproof, so they must be hidden from the sun and rain. And one more thing: in the settings there is no option to select a Russian city.
Overall, a great digital weather station that's worth the money. It has collected a lot of positive customer reviews, which means it has a place in our rating.
5th place – ITEK VT-3539
Inexpensive weather station from ITEK costing 555 hryvnia. In Russia it is approximately 1500 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Temperature measurement in the range from -30 to +70 degrees;
- Humidity measurement from 15 to 95%;
- Clock, weather forecast, calendar, alarm clock, temperature storage;
- Remote wireless sensor with a receiving radius of 40 meters;
- Autonomous power supply from AA batteries;
- Backlit display.
In fact, this is a banal and inexpensive device that copes with its task - informing a person about the weather outside the window. You can’t ask for more from a device for that kind of money, because it’s really cheap. This means there are a lot of positive reviews about it and, therefore, we can recommend it.
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