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(More customer reviews)LaCrosse recently migrated their servers from Germany to the US and during that whole time the device has not worked. I talked to the person who headed up the migration and he himself told me that he was the only one on the migration and that he had no extra help and that the company had no rollback plan or "plan b". Clearly this was a cost-cutting move that has rendered all of their "talking" devices useless and actually dangerous (socially not physically). What I mean is that my daughters were already late to school 3 times because the alarm not only failed to get the audio but the backup system (it was supposed to at least beep when no audio file was received) also was disabled by the error so the alarm does nothing. At least if they are going to mess up the audio file don't render the alarm completely mute.
To make matters worse is they have not been honest with their users. Their update messages on the site about system status all claim things like:
"We're very pleased to note that the WD customer base continues to grow, even faster this holiday season. If you have a Weather Direct model that offers audible forecasts, you may notice that although the visible forecast data updates regularly, a manual update is sometimes required to retrieve the spoken forecast (press and hold the SNOOZE button until the unit beeps). This is a side effect of increased volume on the system, and will be resolved as soon as possible. With most other issues, the Weather Direct units usually self-recover without user intervention if they remain connected.:
Well three things:
1. I've had this problem for months so unless the holiday season includes Labor Day I think this is just a thinly described excuse for the fact that they are still having server migration issues.
2. So how helpful is that that you need to manually update the audio. First of all should I have to make sure the device has the audio before I go to sleep? Second, even if I wanted the hassle it updates overnight and during the update it fails to get the audio update and the device goes silent (as per the note above) so you don't have an alarm anyway.
3. Their own instructions are wrong. You actually have to hold the SNOOZE button until the unit beeps TWICE. The first beep won't do it (yes I have read the instructions in detail). Also if you do hold it down for 2 beeps that also doesn't work either. it will go throught the update cycle but it doesn't bring down the audio. You'll notice that the reception indicator will be one "dot" and not one "dot" and three "semicircle" lines that indicate a good signal eventhough you are right next to the broadcasting unit.
So the combination of a shoddy product, an underfunded backend system (which this device is heavily dependent on) and thinly disguised excuses makes for a bad company you should steer clear of. There are other weather devices out there (Oregon ScientificOregon Scientific BAR388HGA Wireless Weather Station with Atomic Clock, Black, HoneywellHoneywell TN924W Weather Information Station, Black) so I would look at those instead. Please note LaCrosse Technology and Weather Direct are the same company so avoid products from both if you share these concerns.
Click Here to see more reviews about: La Crosse Technology 4 Day Talking Internet Powered Wireless Forecaster - Choose Finish
With this talking La Crosse Technology internet-powered wireless forecaster, one no longer needs to wait for the TV weather reporter to hear the local weather. The Weather Direct WA-1240U-WAL four-day forecaster provides free weather forecasts sent directly from the internet to the unit for audio broadcast and viewing. By pushing the audio forecast key on the top back of the display, a male or female voice shares a personalized message with the selected location\'s daily weather, chosen from over 60,000 US and Canadian locations. The A/B/C keys broadcast custom audio feeds of news headlines, entertainment, health, and more. To transmit internet forecasts, an AC-powered gateway connects with a secure LAN cable to a network router. Additionally, a TX-50U wireless outdoor sensor measures temperatures right outside the front door.
The display stands alone or wall hangs. The selected location, location forecast, sunrise and sunset times, and outdoor temperature scroll across the bottom LCD section. In the center section, eighteen different icons and projected high and low temperatures forecast the next four days\' weather, updating every six hours. Internet-set time, date, and alarm indicator occupy the top LCD. For contrast and scrolling-speed adjustment, Fahrenheit/Celsius selection, and micro forecasts for morning, afternoon, evening, and night, the display proffers the SET and MODE keys with the audio keys. The user adjusts broadcast volume, sets the alarm, and activates the five-minute snooze with keys on the top front of the display. Both the gateway and sensor communicate from 330 feet unobstructed and come with mounting hardware. To operate the forecaster, no additional software or Wi-Fi connection is required, nor does the computer need to be on. However, high-speed internet service, a network router, and the separate purchase of three C and two AA batteries are necessary. A limited one-year warranty covers the forecaster.
