11/10/2010

Honeywell TE322ELW Long Range Weather Forecaster with Atomic Clock and Dual Alarm Review

Honeywell TE322ELW Long Range Weather Forecaster with Atomic Clock and Dual AlarmI was initially delighted with this product when I bought it six months ago.It looks very nice and functions well.The display is easy to read.The alarms work (though as another reviewer noted you don't get two alarms per day).The gentle back illumination works nicely to let you read the display at night.I haven't paid much attention to the weather display except for the temperature and humidity functions, so I won't comment on those.But I have a few comments worth recording.

First, the unit has two parts.The remote temperature/humidity sensor unit that you hang outdoors isn't shown in the product picture on Amazon.It's about half the size of a pack of cigarettes and it has its own small temperature/humidity display.This unit requires two AAA batteries.If the temperature outside will ever drop below freezing, even for just an hour or two, these must be expensive lithium batteries (8 Energizer Lithium AAA 1.5V High Energy Lithium e2 Battery. 2 X Card 4AAA for example).That's because normal alkaline and titanium batteries deliver less voltage at low temperature, whereas lithium batteries give much more uniform voltage output down to about -40 degrees.If the voltage supply to the outdoor sensor drops too much, it will lose synchronization with the indoor unit and you'll have to "connect" them again.

That brings me to why I think this device is too complicated.When the device is new, or whenever the outdoor unit loses its radio connection to the indoor unit, the two units must negotiate which radio channel they will use to communicate.That's a useful process, because it allows them to choose a radio frequency that has minimal interference from other nearby devices.However, the process for doing it is maddening complex.You must remove the batteries from both units, then insert the batteries in the remote unit, then use an unbent paper clip to press the reset switch on the outdoor unit, then bring the units close together and insert the batteries in the indoor unit.After a minute or so they negotiate a frequency and the temperature of the outdoor unit is displayed on the indoor unit.You can then move them apart.

But you're not done.Having removed the batteries from the indoor unit, you must reset the date, choose a time zone and a bunch of other settings, using a combination of button pushes that is too complex to remember: I printed it out in very small type and taped it to the back of the device so I would not have to find the instruction book each time.

Finally, the atomic clock, like all such devices, synchronizes to the broadcast signal from NIST during the early morning hours, typically midnight to 5 AM local time.That time is chosen because the radio signal is much easier to receive at night.To get my unit to synchronize I had to put it on a window sill; it could not receive a strong enough signal from my night stand.That requirement is typical for so-called "atomic" clocks and watches.Fortunately it only needs to synchronize once a month or so to keep good time.

All in all, I'm glad I bought this remote thermometer, and I'm willing to live with the restrictions noted above.But you should be aware before you buy that this is not a "set it and forget it" device.

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Product Description:
With a new double-tool design, the Honeywell TE322ELW Long Range Weather Forecaster with Atomic Clock and Dual Alarm boasts an elegant glossy finish that is perfect for modern decors. The Honeywell TE322ELW is the quickest, most accurate, and most convenient way of keeping track of the weather in and around your home or office.
The TE322ELW allows you to monitor temperatures in up to three remote locations at the same time, while simultaneously providing you with the most accurate timekeeping available. This system comes with a compact main display unit and a single, water-resistant Honeywell TS15C remote temperature sensor that can be used both indoors and out. And with an effective transmission range of up to 328 feet, you can install the remote sensor virtually anywhere in or near the house. If you need to know the temperature in multiple locations, you can purchase up to two more TS15C remote sensors and use them all with the same main display unit. The main unit even includes a remote channel auto-scan function so you don't have to cycle through multiple sensors manually. And not only does this system display the temperature, but provides you with a 12- to 24-hour weather forecast with easy-to-interpret graphical icons, such as clouds, rain, sunshine and more.
The TE322ELW utilizes easy-to-read digits on a bright, blue backlit LCD display that allows you to read its information at a glance day or night. The screen displays the current temperatures at both the main display, and the remote sensor location in either Celsius or Fahrenheit depending upon your selection. As an added convenience, this system contains a programmable ice warning alarm, which lets you know when a frost is predicted so you can take precautions. Users will also delight in this system's wide outdoor temperature range, which can range from -38 to 158 degrees F when powered by lithium batteries, making it suitable for virtually any application. And for those who like to keep track of the highs and lows, the TE322ELW has a memory that stores minimum and maximum temperatures for both the main display and remote sensor locations.
More than just a personal weather station, the TE322ELW includes a built-in clock that can display the current time in 12- or 24-hour format. And this clock really will display the current time, since it receives radio signals from the U.S. Atomic Clock in Fort Collins, Colorado. Not only does this consistently adjust the clock to within one second of official U.S. government, but automatically adjusts the time for Daylight Savings Time as well. What's more, this clock comes with dual alarms that feature a crescendo tone and a snooze function, as well as a calendar with month and day readings in English, Spanish, French, German or Italian. As convenient as it is accurate, the display unit can be mounted on the wall so you always know right where to look, or sit on your desktop and go wherever you do. Both the main display and the remote sensor each run on two AA batteries (not included), and are backed by a manufacturer's one-year warranty.
What's in the Box
Honeywell TE322ELW long-range weather forecaster and clock, 1 x Honeywell TS15C remote sensor, user's guide and warranty information.

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