Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Was in the market for a basic wireless WX station and after reading the many reviews for both WMR100 (1st gen) and WMR100N (2nd gen) here and elsewhere, I pulled the trigger. For a buck fiddie, I figured it was worth the gamble.
I like to keep my expectation bar low so based on the reviews squared with law of averages multiplied by Murphy's I figured the station would:
1. Show up in a week to 10 days
2. Have at least 2 dead sensors
3. Be extremely frustrating to set up
4. Not interface with Weather Display
5. Be impossible to remedy with OS customer service
Boy was I surprised. First the station shows up a mere day and a half after the cha-ching mouse click. I open it up and confirm all the parts and pieces are there and begin to install the batteries in the sensors per the very easy to follow 'Quick Start Guide'. Plug in the console and it's reading wind and rain. No joy on the temp/humidity though so I go through the steps of verifying good battery, reset buttons etc but still no joy. So OK, the temp/humidity sensor is DOA. But I'm batting .666 at this point so not really that bummed.
Plug in USB cable and switch Weather Display from my old Davis unit to the new OS WMR100N and boom, it's got it. That was easy.
Now it's time to verify data. I stick the anemometer out the window and console registers 34.9 MPH. Dang, way high I think. So I check a NOAA station a couple miles down my beach (same fetch - the Pacific ocean!) and sure enough it's 28-37. Ok, cool.
Test the rain gauge and it reports dead on.
So now to deal with the temp/humidity. I could care less about humidity but temp is important. I figure I'll just pony up for a new sensor given the customer support horror stories but decide to give them a call for giggles.
Call the 1-800 number listed in another review and after navigating the one menu option (Press 9) I get the ubiquitous 'All representatives are busy now...' Here we go I think and put the phone on speaker while I head off to do some laundry. Take one step and I hear, "Hi, my name is Michelle, how can I help you?" Another WOW, ok, I 'splain the problem and expect the usual did you do this? did you do that? rube goldberg reply but she asks a couple basic questions then promptly issues an RNA and says a new unit will be sent out as soon as I email her the receipt. Dang! That was too easy.
Alright, so we will see how long it takes to receive the replacement but so far, I'm impressed especially vis a vis all the negative feedback on this station. Interesting the previous gen (WMR100 not 'N') received much better reviews when the 'N' actually uses redesigned sensors to correct some of the first gen bugs. So that is not squaring. Nor is the 'customer service' complaints. Just saying.
Ok, on to the review. Instructions + manual were very easy to follow, well written and accurate. Console is very easy to use, mostly intuitive and smart looking. My clock didn't sync but then I'm prolly violating the no-interference rule by having my base station too close to other 'electrical appliances'.
Installed wind sensor this morning on my roof. Fit perfect on an old windsurfing mast. It's approximately 25' directly above the base unit sending / receiving fine. Ditto for the rain gauge.
Bottom line: SURPRISE. Surprised about the quality given cost is 1/4 a Davis station with similar features. Surprised customer service was so responsive and accommodating. Surprised the thing showed up 36 hours after I pulled the sale trigger. Surprised how easy it was to get operational. Surprised how easy it interfaced with Weather Display software. And surprised that for the most part, experience DID NOT conform to the average negative review.
That said, fingers crossed on sensor replacement I'll post an update when temp sensor arrives or if something anomalous occurs.
Update October 2, 2009, 9:32 AM:
Another surprise > Just got a call from Michelle at OS with tracking number and ETA! New sensor should be hear early next week. Now THAT is customer service! BTW, station is online here:[...]
Update October 5, 2009:
Replacement temp/humidity sensor arrived this morning as promised and works fine. Kudos OS for the excellent and expedited service.
Note: I found the base unit will not receive a signal if it is within close proximity (a few inches) of my laptops transformer. Similarly you could probably extrapolate to similar electron sinks.
You can monitor this station on Weather Underground. Enter KCASANFR99 in the search bar.
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