Oregon Scientific WMR200 Professional Weather Center

Easy Installation & Connection – PC connection not evaluated yet., September 23, 2009

By 

C. Pitts “life amature” (Southern Maryland) –

  

I purchased the WMR200A to replace my La Crosse Professional wireless weather station. The La Crosse had worked well, but the sensors use solar cells to keep the internal batteries charged. Unfortunately after about 5 years of satisfactory service, the sensors’ batteries began dying. Since the batteries are SOLDERED into each sensor’s motherboard, they cannot be easily replaced. The rain gauge went first. Unable to find someone to replace the battery, I actually purchased another one – but it sent signals exactly once and died. When the temp/hum sensor quit sending, I decided to find a battery operated wireless system and after reading a lot of user reviews, selected the WMR200.

THE GOOD:

1. Setup – the instructions are fairly good and the order is easy to follow. It took only 90 minutes. Following the suggestions of a reviewer of another product, I first activated all the sensors on my kitchen table. Initially, the outside temperature/humidity sensor did not link to the base station. The trouble-shooting instruction said to replace the batteries – I did and the sensor linked immediately.
2. Sensor Installation – Very easy. I particularly like the alternate location of the temp/hum sensor – this allows it to be placed in a shady location so it will show air temperature without solar heating. The temp/hum sensor is on a post of a north-facing porch (on the house where it would pick up some heat) and the other sensors are in the open at the end of 100′ dock.
3. Base Station Battery Back-up – I thought this was only a nice touch, but it allows me to move the base station without losing my settings.
4. Base Station Location- I have been able to move the base station to several location inside the house with no loss of sensor signals. We’ll see how sensitive the location may be when the batteries weaken – especially the temp/hum sensor since it isn’t plugged into the solar unit.
5. Base Station Lighting – I really like touching the screen causes the display to light up.
6. Base Station Auto-Clock – nice touch.

THE BAD:

1. Installing batteries in the rain gauge sensor – there are too many screws. FIRST two screws holding the base to the cover have to be removed. Fine but once the base is set and leveled, those screws will be easily lost. THEN there are eight (8)! more screws for the battery compartment – and the unit is still attached to the base! FINALLY, the instructions did not mention the 8 screws – where the batteries go is obvious, but how to open the case is not. All this means the only intelligent way to replace the rain gauge batteries will be to remove the sensor from its location and take it inside. I STRONGLY recommend using NEW batteries (not the supplied ones) because they are so hard to change.
2. The sensor poles – these are heavy plastic. How long will they last in a hot, sunny, UV-intense location. And I can sense some minor fluttering of the top even in light winds, despite being firmly screwed to a piling in three places for about 2/3 the pole’s length.
3. Instructions – Much is lacking, especially for those new to weather stations or who are mechanically challenged.
a. Did not mention the 8 screws for the rain gauge battery compartment.
b. Did not mention that placing the temp/hum sensor in direct sunlight will make the sensed temperature be too high. The design of the system encourages placement of the temp/hum sensor with the other sensors so the solar panel can be connected.
c. The instructions to point the wind vane to North does not clearly show that the bent stem of the wind vane `aluminum pole’ is what needs to be pointed North.
d. Setting the date/time manually is less than straightforward, as is explanation of setting/resetting date/time for accumulated rain,
4. Data Logger- when the data logger is full, it apparently does not overwrite earlier values (need to evaluate after use).
5. Computer Connection – no CD, just a note saying that you need to download the latest PC weather program. It’s 50MB and the download is VERY slow. There only information on the PC program comes from downloading the users guides and other info from the same site. No mention of passing data to services like Weather Underground.
6. Base Station Backlight – Stays on too short a time. It’s about 5 seconds, not enough time to check out more than a single reading. Should be able to set the ON time or give at least 30 seconds.

INITIAL ASSESSMENT – Setup went well and quickly. All sensors linked in. Physical installation was easy. Readings are consistent with other sensors. Like the display. Wait and see about battery life. Would recommend for a mid-price range station but jury is out about PC connection. Will update in Nov, 2009.

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