AcuRite 02081M Weather Station with Jumbo Display and Atomic Clock

PREFATORY NOTE: I recently noticed some (evidently well-meaning) customers provided their own (evidently casual) VIDEOS and/or PHOTOS that, alas, make this weather station's backlit display appear excessively DARK. I don't know if said customers were simply hastily filming and/or if they hadn't set the weather station display's brightness level (via its own pertinent buttons) to its normal "100%" level. Anyway, prospective purchasers should frankly consider the (evidently Acurite-provided) much brighter photos near the top of Amazon's main product page (together with the evidently Acurite-provided INTRODUCTORY video) to be at least considerably more indicative of the altogether satisfying brightness level that I myself (admittedly no shutterbug) readily achieved with my own installed specimen of this product. * * * I recently bought this colorfully alluring AcuRite 02081M weather station, after having chosen it with some trepidation, considering that some customer reviews had cited not only the limitations of its display when viewed from certain angles and distances but also the general unsuitability of the display for WALL mounting. [More on those matters below, in this review’s final, “Bottom Line” section.] As I began installing the main unit on the rough side of my house's fully underground basement (in the "home gym" at the west end of the house), I inserted three AA alkaline batteries (for “backup” purposes) and then connected the AC power cord, whereupon the main unit received (seemingly instantly and effortlessly) the compatible, correct broadcast signal from my long ago installed AcuRite remote in the garage on the (fairly distant) east-end wall of the house. Moreover, it likewise automatically proceeded to successfully receive the “atomic clock” time-and-calendar signal information (broadcast from Fort Collins, Colorado). [Afterwards, I pressed-and-held the rear “SET” button (to enter manual-setup mode) and merely changed the “time zone” setting to MY location. (Doing so immediately corrected the displayed hourly time to conform to MY time zone.)] Of course, DST (daylight-saving time) biannual resetting (of the hourly time) will henceforth be handled automatically by this main unit, not me. Sweet! [Of course, you always have the option of switching “DST” off (via manual “SETUP” mode).] This main unit's built-in (indoor) thermometer is indeed accurate (matches the temperature readings of several of my highest quality "benchmark" thermometers that I'd temporarily placed adjacently). After several hours, the display's weather-forecast icon is already starting to (more or less) match the analogous icons of several of my other AcuRite weather stations installed throughout the house; so, its built-in barometer does appear normally responsive. [However, the displayed weather forecast likely won’t settle down and become fully decently accurate till somewhat after the completion of the initial “14-day Learning Mode” phase.] Interestingly, although I'd read certain other customers' claims that their specimens came with AC power adapter cords that were approximately FOUR or FIVE feet long, the one that came with MINE is approximately SIX feet long (thank goodness). Also, certain customers' claims regarding the backlight conveyed the notion that it's impossible to simply switch it completely off. But I soon found that this is absolutely untrue. For, after a brief bit of experimentation with not only the “UP” button’s but also the “DOWN” button's respective “brightness-level-toggling” sequences, I discovered it’s possible to use the “UP” button as a “BACKLIGHT ON” switch, and use the “DOWN” button as a “BACKLIGHT OFF” switch. [Just initially set this up by repeatedly pressing-and-releasing the “UP” button till the backlight shines at its normal “100%” level, and then repeatedly pressing-and-releasing the “DOWN” button till the backlight shuts COMPLETELY OFF. Thereafter (henceforth), you’ll always be able to just tap the “UP” button once to switch on the backlight, and likewise just tap the “DOWN” button once to switch off the backlight.] [NOTE: Curiously, the ability to switch the backlight COMPLETELY OFF isn’t even mentioned in AcuRite’s “Instruction Manual” for this model.] Moreover, having set up the backlighting mode (via exactly the steps explained in my prior paragraph), during the ensuing days and nights I noticed that AcuRite’s “AUTO DIM mode” (likewise available on various other of their weather station models) was similarly in effect with THIS model, as follows. During “daytime” hours, the backlight shines at its normal “100%” level; but during “nighttime” hours, the backlight shines at its lowest, “15%” level. [NOTE: Curiously, “AUTO DIM mode” isn’t even mentioned in AcuRite’s “Instruction Manual” for this model.] In my opinion (ranting frankly as an AVID hobbyist/collector of such "basic" weather station products, including MANY other models by not only Acurite but also by La Crosse Technology and Baldr), Acurite's obviously INEXCUSABLE lack of ANY included instructional information regarding not only the unavoidably confusing/frustrating “AUTO DIM mode” feature but also the unavoidably confusing/frustrating "backlight ON/OFF" feature of THIS model evinces a pathetic attitude of casual [corporate?] indifference that should have gotten the responsible employee(s) terminated. [Incidentally, I feel much the same way about the frustrating ABSENCE of not only the "day-of-the-week display" feature but also the "atomic clock" feature on MOST of Acurite's OTHER models of basic weather stations (but, thank goodness, the model discussed in THIS review shines as a noteworthy, happy EXCEPTION in both of THOSE particular respects)!] BOTTOM LINE: FIRST, know that IF you install this weather station’s display even slightly HIGHER than eye level, you will absolutely NOT be able to satisfactorily (if at all) discern the display’s information. Therefore, place the display either AT eye level or LOWER than eye level. SECONDLY – and equally importantly – know that you absolutely won't be able to FULLY sharply discern the display information IF the DISTANCE between you and the display is MORE than about 4 [or, better still, 3] feet. Consequently, you will surely NOT be fully pleased with this particular model unless you're able to view it from not only precisely the right ANGLE but also precisely the right DISTANCE. Regarding WALL INSTALLATION of the display: All of the control buttons – including the “UP” and “DOWN” ones, which are used to control the backlight – are on the BACK of the display. Therefore, I absolutely DON'T deem this model ideally suited for WALL mounting, especially considering its essentially “required” AC-power adapter’s cord would be dangling conspicuously from the display’s lower-right corner. [NOTE: Despite the buttons being on the unit's rear, it's very easy to operate them while facing the front of my below-eye-level, shelf-top-mounted unit. With my right-hand thumb tip placed lightly in front of the bezel, I simply move my right-hand index fingertip onto the easily felt "UP" button and/or the "DOWN" button, etc.] Thus I would argue that (for the vast majority of users) this model 02081M [unlike AcuRite’s related model 75077A3M, which is a strictly battery-powered, “no-backlight” version whose particular MONOCHROME display does, however, require BRIGHT ambient lighting (e.g., from a very nearby lamp)] is best used ONLY when installed upon a sufficiently low DESKTOP, SHELF, COUNTERTOP or TABLE, with its rear STAND pulled outward fully (or perhaps “not quite 100%” fully, such that you could adjust its viewing angle – albeit only very slightly – to somewhat tweak the display’s viewability from your vantage point). Therefore, IF – and I do mean "if" – you can luckily find or fashion an IDEAL installation location whose height AND distance are BOTH within this display's fairly limited range of “vertical vantage point viewability" for your purposes, you'll PROBABLY end up being altogether pleased with AcuRite’s model 02081M. [I say "probably" because, unsurprisingly, you'll also need to factor AMBIENT LIGHTING into the placement equation; for example, I myself wouldn't want to install this display in an unusually bright (e.g., sunny) area.] In fact, I'm now delighted that I bought this model 02081M. Although I did initially need a little time to figure out and fashion precisely the correct installation location for its display to look ideal, I now deem that colorful display’s tastefully subdued art beautiful, and all of its dark alphanumeric characters and weather-forecast icons actually look quite distinctly sharp.

Weather station was easy to install and came up immediately. The forecast image window took time to read, and is more a source of amusement than information, but balances out the display nicely. Provides all the vital information most will need or use. The external gauge is sturdy, battery replacement is easy and appears well built. I live in the PNW and look forward to many years of use.

This weather station looks and works great, and I am mostly satisfied with my purchase. The only problem I have is that it can only be viewed straight on. If you try to view it from an angle, it is unreadable. Pros: * The main unit uses an AC adapter for power, so I don't need to worry about battery life. * My past experience with AcuRite products is that the battery in the remote sensor lasts a LONG time. * The display contains only the information I need, and is not cluttered with useless information like some other weather stations. * The date and time are automatically set using broadcasts from the National Institute of Standards and Technology atomic clock. Cons: * The display can only be read looking straight on. It is unreadable when viewed at an angle.

Very disappointing. Screen display was only visible when viewing the display at a downward angle. When placing display unit on a table top and sitting in a chair the screen display was faded and could not clearly read the display numbers. Hanging on the wall did not fix this issue either.

Our old AcuRite weather station finally died after almost ten years of use so I decided to buy another AcuRite unit thinking it would replace our original one. Well it does and it doesn't. Yes the new unit replaces all the functions of the old unit, indoor/outdoor temperature indoor humidity and the often inaccurate weather prediction. I can't hold its poor weather prediction against it as the local meteorologist often don't fair any better. Accuracy appear to be similar the the older unit. It's often a degree or two off from the Weather Underground app but that's nothing more than location difference. I have two major complaints about the new unit: 1) Viewing angle. For good readability you need to carefully select your mounting location. The LCD panel that they use has very poor visibility depending on the viewing angle. At certain angles the numbers totally disappear. This is a function of the panel design so you may have to try several different locations to find one that is acceptable. Our older unit had a much better viewing angle. 2) The unit requires an AC connection to work. The older unit ran for months off double A batteries. The new unit uses a couple of batteries to maintain your setting in case of a power outage but it will not function from batteries only. This to could also affect where you mount the unit as it will needs to be near an AC outlet and you have to deal with the cord. Would I buy another one? Probably not. If I have to deal with a power cord and finding a location where the display is readable I think I'd purchase a full weather station with an anemometer and rain gauge. At least it would be worth spending the time mounting the control unit.

Overall this appears to be an okay product. The biggest flaw, so far, is the inaccuracy of the indoor temperature, which makes me suspicious about the accuracy of the outdoor temperature. Hanging on a wall only 6 feet away from this instrument is a large digital clock which also features an indoor temperature gauge. While the AcuRite reads 80 degrees, the clock reads 74 degrees--a six degree discrepancy. Based upon my comfort level in this room, I'll go with the 74 degree reading--which I think is perhaps a bit high as well. I'm still thinking about returning it, but will await some feedback from this posting. Following the advice of the manufacturer rep, I relocated the unit on the same wall, and directly below a digital clock that also displays indoor temperature. In a few minutes, my AcuRite displayed the same exact temperature as the wall clock, proving to that it is, in fact, an accurate instrument. Therefore I increased my rating to 5 stars. Lesson here is to read and follow instructions carefully. These are sensitive devices and something as simple as moving them from one wall to another can either increase or decrease readings.

This product is junk. I bought it based on it's fine colors and look. It appears to be an iPad-like tablet. I knew it wasn't, and didn't expect it to be, I'm just saying it has the aesthetics of an iPad. The problems are numerous: 1: You have look at it from above, otherwise the images wash out. That means if it's on a coffee table, it is easily readable. If it's on a high counter or mounted on a wall, you can't read it from a distance of even 5 feet away. 2: The unit claims to sync time with national time stations, however this won't work for 2-3 days after powering on. Consider the situation where you don't have batteries in it, and you are using the AC plug. If you lose power, when it comes back on the time will be wrong, and you have to manually set it. What is the point of this technology if you get this behavior? 3: The remote thermometers are rarely accurate. I have mine mounted in as the instructions suggest, 5 feet up with plenty of air flow around it. In fact I have it mounted in permanent shade, yet the temperature readings are always 5-8 degrees higher that they should be. I'm basing this on comparison to another home weather station, along with iPhone weather app, and weather.com. This station will read 81 F in the shade, where the other 3 I'm comparing it to will read 75 F. That's the difference between shorts and long pants! 4: The weather prediction panel is often incorrect with respect to cloudy forecasts when it's raining, and sunny forecasts when it's mostly cloudy. Disappointing. I'm still looking for a colorful replacement to this product.

The first unit did not work at all. We even bought a replacement sensor thinking the original sensor was defective. Apparently both sensors were defective. Was able to send everything back (free return shipping) and got a replacement unit. Set it up and it works like a champ. I was seriously beginning to think we were having senior "issues" when we couldn't get anything to work. Glad to know it was the unit not us. We had this same unit only black and white for about 7 years with no issues at all.....until my husband power washed the deck and the outdoor sensor. It would no longer read the outside temperatures. I didn't realize we could have replaced just the sensor so I bought a new color version. I love it!

Practico, buena calidad

This item is very reliable, easy to install and set-up. It takes 14 days to forecast more precisely and the temperature range is very close to the weather apps. We are enjoying the product so far!

Did not get to test that because the product did not work properly

Todo ok

Buen producto