Oregon Scientific

Projection Clock with Indoor / Outdoor Temperature.

A few weeks ago I was asked by Oregon Scientific if I would like to review one of their projection clocks. I thought it would be good to give one a trial and so a few days later my clock arrived.

So as you do I had a look on Oregon Scientific’s web site to see their description of this particular clock. Their description is posted below:

PRYSMA Projection Clock
Add touch of style to your home with new PRYSMA Series of multifunctional and innovative projection clocks! 

Combining contrasting textures in a sleek slim-line modern design, with a unique red projection you will never have to fumble in the dark or switch the light on again. The clock projects the time and alarm directly onto the wall or ceiling. The time is radio controlled which is precise to the second and adjusts automatically to and from British Summertime, meaning you will never have to set the time again. 

Warm or cold, inside and out? The PRYSMA Projection Clock also measures both indoor and outdoor temperature and includes a remote sensor to place outdoors, so you know how cold or warm it is without even leaving your bed! 

A dual alarm function allows you to set two alarms time on a single clock, one for you and one for your partner, and with a crescendo alarm with 8-minute snooze function and snooze touch technology you decide whether it’s time to get up or perhaps have a little snooze especially on those cold and wet winter mornings!

http://store.oregonscientific.com/uk/time/prysma-projection-clocks/prysma-projection-clock-with-indoor-outdoor-temperature.html

Delivery & Packaging

The despatch and delivery of the clock was very efficient. Like most things these days it came well packaged for its journey in the postal system and arrived in good condition and undamaged. 

In the package are the clock, power adaptor, an outdoor temperature sensor, instructions and a couple of batteries for the sensor. The system operates wirelessly so there aren't any wires to connect up for the outdoor sensor.

Setting Up

I only had a quick look through the instructions and there didn't seem to be anything very complicated to setting up the equipment. It’s suggested that for optimum results the clock should be placed away from any computers and microwaves to avoid signal interference.

The mains adaptor was plugged into a spare socket in the bedroom and once connected the clock burst into life with a time showing 00:00. The two batteries were fitted into the sensor and the tiny reset button on the sensor was pressed. It didn’t take more than a few seconds for the wireless connection to be made and the temperature appeared on the clock screen. At this stage the clock was showing a few minutes had elapsed as the time showed 00:04. Another quick scan of the instructions confirmed that the clock time should set itself to the correct time from a radio signal but that this would normally take between 2 and 10 minutes. The instructions suggest that if this signal is weak this process might take up to 24 hours.

I decided that a watched clock was never going to set the time quickly and left it to do its own thing for a little while. It was about half an hour later when I checked the clock and the time indeed had updated and was now showing the correct time and date.

The above photos shows the clock set up displaying the time and the temperature registered by the remote sensor and the indoor temperature. I've chosen °C but the option is available to show the temperatures in °F if you prefer.

Positioning the Outdoor Sensor

After getting the clock up and running the next decision to be made was where to put the outdoor sensor. The recommendation is that it should be placed outside not more than 1.5m high shielded from direct sunlight and wet conditions. This was a bit of a dilemma for me as I already have a fully functioning weather station measuring and recording outdoor temperatures and rainfall. My weather station also has an extra remote sensor measuring the temperature in my greenhouse.

After a bit of thought I decided it would be useful to monitor the temperature inside our summerhouse too. We store a few vegetables and frost tender plants in there through winter. There’s no heating in the summer house so in the winter I suspect it gets pretty cold. It would also keep the sensor dry. It’s been positioned just inside the doorway on the floor so it will be measuring the temperature at winter squash level.

I should note here that this equipment is primarily a clock with a remote temperature sensor and doesn't substitute for a weather station. It displays the outdoor temperature but doesn't store that information or download it to a computer. However if you’re looking for something that gives an indication of the temperature in a garage, greenhouse or other outdoor building this might be just what you are looking for. The remote sensor is supposed to work up to a range of 50m depending very much on the obstacles in between the sensor and the clock. The clock can work with up to 5 remote sensors although only one sensor is supplied with the clock.

Projecting Time & Temperature

It you’re still wondering why this is called a projection clock, as I have to admit I hadn't come across this term before, it’s because it will project the time and outdoor temperature onto a ceiling or wall.

So in a darkened room this is what you will see on the ceiling with the projection function working. It’s possible to adjust the direction of the projection and flip it through 180° so you should be able to find a suitable area of ceiling or wall for the projected image. I have to admit it isn't as bright as the picture I took suggests and if left projected onto the ceiling it won’t light up the room or keep you awake at night if it’s located in a bedroom.

The clock comes with a couple of alarms which have an 8 minute snooze button which can be repeated three times. I haven’t tested the alarm. 

The Verdict

This clock might be just the thing for you if you’re in the market for a new alarm clock or fancy a change to something a little bit different to wake you up in the morning. The clock picks up the time from a radio frequency and so should always be accurate and is able to monitor a temperature in a remote location. I notice that this clock is also available with a few extra bells and whistles too if you fancy a few extras like adding a weather forecast or even incorporating a radio.

Would I buy one is a bit of a tricky questions as being retired I'm not really in need of the alarm function but I have to admit that after a week of waking up in the morning to a quick glance at the ceiling to find out the time and outdoor temperature I’d miss it if it had to be returned.

From an aesthetic point of view I would have preferred a more neutral colour or the black option as the orange surround doesn't fit in with our décor. Others colours are available but unfortunately we were sent the orange version.

Copyright: Original post from A Gardener's Weather Diary http://ossettweather.blogspot.co.uk/ author M Garrett