Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Timex TX7002 5-Inch Rain Gauge/1-Inch Sprinkler Gauge Combo Review


I was pleased when the product arrived so quickly. Then I opened the package and found a crack in the upper plastic housing. Disappointed, I applied some "crazy glue" and now I have the product in use. I didn't think I should bother trying to return it, since the postage cost more than the product itself.
It is a nice item but very fragile!!

Buy it here now!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Midland ER102 Emergency Radio Review


I got the radio (new) for the weather alert, alarm clock and flashlight. I didn't expect excellent radio performance. I did, however, expect it to actually work.

First off, the quality of the parts are horrible. The switches don't work, you have to jiggle them and then, the radio periodically shuts off. It feels like a short. Great for the "emergency alert" because it may be in "wig out mode" when the weather service sends out the alert, you'll never get it. At least you won't be disturbed by those pesky weather alerts!

You can really tell they used the cheapest parts available to build this thing. The thin plastic volume knob really demonstrates this. I'm surprised Midland put their brand name on it in such a pronounced font, if I were them, I'd be kind of ashamed of this product.

As far as the radio itself, I'm a bit of a radio geek, I own a panasonic RF-2200, radio shack DX-392, several antique radios, etc.. I didn't expect this one to even come close to the RF-2200, but the truth is, it doesn't even come close to a cheap $2.00 clock radio or novelty transistor. For AM, it is simply awful.

It pulls in some strong local stations but thats about it. I can't speak for the FM, I only listen to one FM station and it's OK for that.

Tuning AM is awkward, it is an analog radio with a digital display. The tuning really needs a fine tuning knob. (even a cheap clock radio is easier to tune than this thing) it drifts quite a bit too.

Assuming you survive the tornado despite the cheap weather alert failing.. all you really need is the local powerhouse station anyway, I guess. Don't get this if you want a good radio.

The weather radio (when it works...) is good. I was able to get more weather stations on this than I did on an SW-100 multiband. Moreover, the weather radio uses PLL circuitry, so, it's bound to be better. (again, this depends on whether the thing "feels like" being on)

Battery life..

The manual said to charge it for 12 hours. I did this, in fact, I exceeded 12 hours of charging.

This gave me about 1.5 minutes of power...

The flashlight is great, produces more light than I'd expected.. well.. except that the battery dies immediately. (even with 12+ hours of charging)

I'm stuck with it. Can't really afford to buy weather radios all the time. Hoping the switches clean themselves off so that at least I get the alarm to work.

I can't say for sure, but I really doubt the thermometer is accurate.

The feature set is great, it's a good concept radio but it would appear to need a lot of refinements in quality.

Avoid it if you can.


Buy it here now!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Timex TX5800 Digital Photo Frame with Temperature, Alarm Clock and Calendar Review


i really like the frame/clock. it's small enough to not clutter up my desk, but holds a lot of pictures! i would've given it 5 stars, but i don't think the temperature has been accurate yet! fortunately the photo viewer, clock and date work just fine cause it's all i really needed anyway!

Buy it here now!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Weather forcaster, BAR122/BLRGR-J Review


OREGON SCIENTIFIC BAR122/BLRGR-J WEATHER FORCASTER







Buy it here now!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Royal mx2 2-pound (1.0 kilogram) Mechanical Postal/Kitchen Scale Review


Despite what it said on the outside of the box, the postal rates enclosed were three years out of date. The correct rate card insert is downloadable from the manufacturer website, but the image is blurry and poor quality.

I checked it's ability to weigh properly, by using an object whose weight was know. It was wrong.

Buy it here now!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Chaney Instrument Wireless Weather Forecasting Station with Remote Review


I use it daily and the interior temperature is probably fairly accurate. But the outside reading can be all over the place. I have it on the shady side of my home, so no direct sunlight hits the remote unit. Yet, it will display temperatures a good 10+ degrees hotter than actual. Also, at times, the unit will not show a reading from the remote.

Overall, this thing is okay but you might be better off spending a little more for something more accurate.

Buy it here now!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Honeywell TE653ELW Complete Weather Forecaster with Indoor/Outdoor Temperature and Humidity Review


The Honeywell TE653ELW Complete Weather Forecaster with Indoor/Outdoor Temperature and Humidity is great to look at, works really well; however, it has one drawback--the inability to change to the correct time zone. Instructions--both in the accompaying instruction book and online--do not provide for changing the time zone. When the time is viewed here on the east coast--3 hours must be added for it to be correct. It's not a serious problem once it's understood; however, accurate time really is preferred.

Buy it here now!