Time & Weather
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Multi-functional devices are not just limited to printers and scanners. Take, for example, the Oregon Scientific Time & Weather product range. This particular product line brings together the expertise of Oregon Scientific in the areas of chronometry and weather measurement and the design skills of Philippe Starck.
There are four different models in the Philippe Starck collection. They are entitled Basic, Visual, Music and Multi. Each model can provide details of barometric features, including weather forecasts, and includes a radio controlled clock. The product consists of a main display unit and a remote sensor with models available in red, yellow or grey.
This review is based on the Music offering which has digital tuning AM/FM radio features built in. Setting up the Starck initially involves adding batteries to the remote unit and main device. A supplied power lead is provided for use with the main unit and this should be used if you are intending activating the product's backlight facility that has the ability to automatically adjust its intensity according to the prevalent lighting conditions - if it gets dark then the backlight gets brighter.
By locating the remote unit in an appropriate position (out of bright sunlight and moisture and within 20-30 metres of the main unit), it will be able to feed temperature and humidity data back to the main unit. This will then be displayed on the unit's LCD. The information will include an indication of the weather (in the form of an icon representing clear, partly cloudy, cloudy or rain); current moon phase; calendar; plus temperature and humidity.
The LCD also shows the status of any wireless signal that it detects, alarm settings with a user-selected melody and the time. This latter feature makes use of automatic synchronisation with official time-keeping organisations either in Frankfurt, Germany or, more likely, Rugby. However, as you could well image, with the amount of data being displayed, the display is rather cluttered. I could find no way in which to remove any of the various items in order to give a less confusing look to the display.
Apart from a snooze / light button on the top of the main unit, all the other controls are situated on the back. Using a rubberised membrane system, there are buttons to change various settings, turn on the radio, tune in radio stations and activate the alarm features. The positioning of the controls is hardly conducive to an ease-of-use approach although some attempt has been made, with regards to this aspect, by the addition of small raised indicators on each button to help identify its purpose by touch.
While the Stark Weather Clock's clean cut looks has some appeal for the fashion conscious, the effect is spoilt by the cluttered display. Apart from the clock's ability to provide accurate time information, this product failed to impress especially with its £120 price point.
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