La Crosse Technology WS-9520U Wireless Projection Forecast Station with Oscar Outlook Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased the LaCrosse WS-9520U last week. As usual, the transaction and shipping with Amazon was excellent. I very rarely return online purchases, but this one is going back. In general, the unit is as advertised - and others may find it completely satisfactory - but, after two nights of use, I have found the following specific things to be unacceptable:
1. The backlight cannot be set to remain on continuously - it only lights when a button is pushed - regardless of whether you're powering with AC or batteries. I think alarm clocks are always more convenient when you can see them at, well, uh, night. Yes, the on-ceiling projection shows the time, but nothing else. This is less than convenient.
2. General build quality is iffy at best - the buttons are clunky, loud and awkwardly placed. The entire unit seems flimsy - like it's just barely holding itself together. It's extremely light and does not have a very steady base, which will make it prone to being knocked over (like when reaching for the snooze button - which you can't see because it's not illuminated and there's no backlight) and I'm not sure this thing would survive being knocked over. Sorry to say, but for $70, this just seems very cheaply built from the mechanical side of things.
3. I guess this is obvious in hindsight, but the actual time display is tiny, maybe an inch tall. Granted, you have the projector, which works as advertised (only when it's dark in the room - projection is photo-sensitively switched on/off - no other option), but seeing the clock from across the room during daylight (when the projector is not on) is not really possible unless you've got astronaut eyes.
4. There are no alarm options and the only existing tone is - IMHO - obnoxious and too loud - a sort of high-pitched staccato double-chirp. I realize this is a personal issue, but a few buzzer options would have been nice.
5. There is absolutely no way that the battery cover on the outdoor sensor will keep the elements out of the sensor. Maybe this isn't an issue if you have a protected outdoor place to locate the sensor - but if there's any moisture at all, this thing won't last one winter here in Michigan.
In summary:
Electronics: Acceptable and as advertised, tho the few things I mentioned could be better
Mechanical: unacceptably cheap, shoddy assembly fit & finish for this price point.


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From The Weather Channel by La Crosse Technology, this versatile projection weather station shines the outdoor temperature and time in large, red digits on the ceiling or wall for easy nighttime illumination. The radio-controlled clock regularly resets to match the US Atomic Clock and adapts for daylight savings time. Based on temperature and barometric pressure, the weather station gives the forecast using 24 graphic icons and tendency arrows. The weather station even provides a personal weather boy, Oscar, who models what one might wear given current outside conditions.
The weather station\'s LCD screen displays the time, date, perpetual calendar, US time zone map, and weather conditions. Pushing a button temporarily engages the EL backlight for dimmer settings. To wake sleeping users, the weather station offers a dual alarm with an adjustable snooze. The station monitors indoor humidity levels and indoor temperatures from 14.2 to 139.8 degrees F. Celsius readings are also available. For outdoor conditions, an included TX7U sensor communicates at a 433 MHz frequency from up to 330 feet. The sensor registers humidity levels and temperatures ranging from –21.8 to +157.8 degrees F. The unit also records minimum and maximum readings for indoor and outdoor temperatures and humidity percentages. For the most accurate results, install the sensor in a covered location away from direct rain or sun. The base accommodates up to three sensors. Place the freestanding base at least six feet from intended projection surface. To enable constant projection, the weather station comes with a 120-volt AC adapter. The separate purchase of five AA batteries is required. Covered by a limited one-year warranty, the weather station monitor measures 6-2/3 inches wide by 2-9/10 inches deep by 4-1/2 inches high, and the sensor measures 1-3/4 inches wide by 1 inch deep by 6-1/4 inches high.

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Coleman Taos Extreme-Weather Mummy Bag Review

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(More customer reviews)I am an old NW camper and needed a bag for several trips this summer. (2007)
This is a skimpy 2 pounds of fill bag. Comfortable at night with fleece pants and top at 40 degree nights.
I went camping at 3000 feet in June, wore polar fleece to bed, had to put on polar fleece jacket and hat at 1 am. Out side temp 35 degrees.
so this is good for very warm weather, RV camping, I was not comfortable and I am 5 '4 150 lbs and I found the bag tight.
spend a little more money if you are going to sleep out side, and yes i had a very good air mattrress.


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Stay warm and comfortable on a chilly fall evening with the Coleman Taos mummy sleeping bag. The Taos, which offers a temperature rating down to 25 degrees F, is filled with 38 ounces of Coletherm insulation. This allows for a greater loft--a measure of the amount of space the insulation occupies and the amount of air the insulation can trap. The bag also offers several other features to fight the chill, including a double-batt, offset quilt construction that eliminates potential cold spots, a semi-sculpted hood that surrounds the head with warmth, and a full-length, insulated draft tube that locks out drafts. And to help the bag last through the years, Coleman added a durable polyester and diamond ripstop cover that resists tears.
Coleman's ComfortSmart Technology The best way to relax after a big day of camping adventures is to wrap up in a warm sleeping bag and drift off to peaceful sleep. Coleman is so committed to making sure you have reliable and cozy bedding that it backs its Taos sleeping bag with its ComfortSmart guarantee--a promise that the bag will deliver all-night comfort. Coleman can make this promise thanks to its third-party, scientifically tested temperature ratings; engineering features that promote thermal efficiency and durability; and the creation of different bag sizes to ensure a comfortable fit.
Coleman developed a number of warmth-enhancing features for its ComfortSmart system. The FiberLock insulation tailoring, for example, is designed to prevent insulation from shifting in the bag and developing thin or cold spots. By keeping the insulation in place, Coleman also lengthens the life of the bag. The ThermoLock feature contributes by reducing heat loss (and cold seepage) through zipper coils. This sets up an additional insulating barrier to stand guard along the length of the zipper, ensuring that the snug feeling campers get when zipping up the bag stays with them through the night. Coleman also added such features as a ZipPlow zipper tool, which prevents zipper snags by channeling fabric away from the zipper coils, and Zipper Glide tailoring, which makes it silky smooth to zip the bag at the corners.
Sizing The Taos is a tall sleeping bag, with dimensions of 82 by 32 inches. As a result, the bag fits most people up to 6 feet 2 inches tall. And despite the mummy bag construction, Coleman added a box-foot silhouette to give your feet extra wiggle room.
Also equipped with a two-way zipper for maximum ventilation, the Taos comes with a stuff sack and carries a five-year warranty.
About Coleman More than 100 years ago, a young man with an entrepreneurial spirit and a better idea began manufacturing lanterns in Wichita, Kansas. His name was W.C. Coleman, and the company he founded would change life in America. A man plagued with such poor vision he sometimes had to ask classmates to read aloud to him, Coleman saw a brilliant light in 1900 in a drugstore window that stopped him in his tracks. He inquired about the light inside and discovered he was able to read even the small print on a medicine bottle by the illumination. The lamps had mantles, not wicks, and were fueled by gasoline under pressure instead of coal oil. Soon afterward, Coleman started a lighting service that offered a "no light, no pay" clause--a big step forward for merchants who were burned by inferior products that rarely worked--and drew substantial interest from businesses that wanted to keep their lights on after dark.
In the ensuing years, Coleman expanded its product line well beyond lanterns. The company's current catalog is thick with products that make spending time outdoors a pleasure. There are coolers that keep food and drinks cold for days on end, comfortable airbeds that won't deflate during the night, a complete line of LED lights that last for years, powerful portable grills that cook with an authentic open-grill flame, and much, much more. Coleman has truly fashioned much of our outdoor camping experience, and expects to do so for generations to come.
Amazon.com Sleeping Bag Guide Sleep Well: Finding the Right Sleeping Bag Sleeping bag technology has come a long way from the days of cowboy bedrolls. These days, there are a number of high-tech materials and designs available to keep you warm during the coldest outings. Here's a short list of things to keep in mind when you're shopping for a bag:
Buy for Cold It's a safe bet that on at least one of your adventures, the nighttime temperature will drop unexpectedly. That's why it's smart to buy a bag that's rated for the lowest possible temperature you expect to face on your camping and backpacking trips. For summer trips, a bag rated at +35 degrees F or higher will likely do the trick. If you like to camp in higher elevations in the summer, or if spring and fall outings are in your future, consider bags rated from +10 to +35 degrees F. Winter adventurers should look for bags in the -10 to +10 degrees F range, while those on serious winter alpine climbs and expeditions will want a bag rated lower than -10 degrees F.
Keep in mind that sleeping bag manufacturers' temperature ratings only estimate the minimum temperature at which the bag will provide warmth. Take these numbers with a grain of salt, as different folks generate different amounts of heat when they sleep. If you're the type who likes to pile on the covers even on warmer nights, go for a bag that's rated 10 degrees colder. The opposite is true for "warm" sleepers--a 35-degree bag will probably work for you on a 25-degree night.
Goose or No Goose? The most important component of any sleeping bag is its insulating material. Modern sleeping bags offer two choices: goose down or synthetic. While both materials have advantages and disadvantages, down bags are considered superior because of their phenomenal warmth-to-weight and warmth-to-bulk ratios. While providing great insulation, down is extremely compressible and light. There's a reason why geese can fly and stay warm through the winter. Down also boasts great long-term durability and will typically retain its insulating properties after years of use.
All of that said, there are many high-quality synthetic bags on the market, and synthetic materials are getting better all the time. While a synthetic bag will weigh somewhat more than a down bag at an equivalent temperature rating, synthetic bags perform better when wet. (Yes, the Achilles heel of down is that it loses all insulating properties when wet.) If your trips take you to wet climates, you may want to consider a synthetic bag for this reason alone. Keep in mind, too, that many people are allergic to down, while synthetic bags are non-allergenic. Finally, down is considerably more expensive than synthetic, which might tip the balance for adventurers on a budget.
Bags for All Shapes Sleeping bags come in two basic shapes that reflect their intended use. Mummy-shaped bags offer the best warmth because they conform to the body's contours. This minimizes the amount of body heat the body must put out to maintain a constant temperature. Many mummy bags are offered in women-specific shapes and sizes, as well. Rectangular bags, while they do offer more room to toss and turn, are less thermally efficient because they contain more open air space. Also, they are typically heavier than mummy bags, and are generally not offered with down insulation, making them best suited for car camping or short backpacking trips.
Pad Yourself No matter what kind of bag you choose, a sleeping pad is a required accessory. Not only do they provide much-needed comfort when sleeping on the ground, pads also offer crucial warmth for your backside, as the weight of your body compresses--and renders virtually useless--the sleeping bag insulation that lies beneath you.

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Chaney Instrument 17-Inches Galileo Thermometer Review

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(More customer reviews)I've wanted one of these for many years, and saw Amazon had them for sale at reasonable prices. I will admit I was worried about them shipping a glass/liquid container across the country and getting it in one piece. Turns out the nerves were unfounded as it is a pretty sturdy piece of glass, and doesn't feel thin or cheap. Nice looking thermometer, and for a respectable price. I couldn't be happier with my purchase.

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Galileo thermometers offer a unique decorative alternative to the traditional thermometer instrument.Galileo thermometers are filled with a clear liquid that suspends multiple colored weights.As the liquid within the weights changes temperature their density changes allowing the weights to rise or fall.The lowest weight at the very top of the Galileo reflects the temperature.

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Hamilton Beach 54614 Wavestation Express Dispensing Blender with 48-Ounce Jar, White Review

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(More customer reviews)I read the reviews on this and decided to try it. My other 2 blenders just died ugly deaths and I was reluctant to buy another one. I thought I didn't really need it as I don't use them very often. I started reading about the smoothies people are making and the adult beverages that turned out so well, so I took the bait and purchased it. I'm glad I did. I am making smoothies and milkshakes more often and truly enjoying it.
I would have given this item 5 stars but 2 things worried me. First is the noise. I realize that with the speed and power this little machine has it will be noisy. A small price to pay for such a nice machine. Second is the spigot seems flimsy. I'm trying to coddle it so it won't break. It might be stronger than I think, but it just feels weak.
When the drink you make is thick you need to turn on the dispense feature, come to fine out the thickness is thinner than expected. It's difficult to pour through the spigot no matter what the consistancy - unless it's quite watery. It doesn't take up much room on my counter - a feature I now keep because I use it that often.
All in all I think you'll be happy with this blender! Good price.

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Wavestation Express blender features the revolutionary wave-action blendingsystem that forces mixture down into the blades for smooth results . 48 oz Dishwasher safe durablend high strength plastic jar- with 500 watts of peak power to easily crush ice - convenient dispenser valve is removeable & replaced by a cap for standard blending operation .3 year warranty

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