A Critical Review of the La Crosse 308-1412S
This weather station was my choice to buy, of today’s selections available to purchase, for myself. The La Crosse 308-1412S has proven to be an excellent choice for my situation.
I ordered it and three days later it arrived from Amazon. I opened it up and here is what I found.[toc]
Unpacking the La Crosse 308-1412S
First on top was a small set of directions on a piece of paper folded in half. These directions measure a little under 8″ wide and 6 3/8″ tall.
Pages 1-2 are on the front side and then as you unfold the directions pages 3-4 follow to the right. The page folded out in its entirety is 15 7/8″ wide and 6 3/8″ tall.
Then after you have unfolded them you will have pages 1-4 on the front side and flip the paper over and pages 5-8 are on the backside.
Please see the photos. The directions received since I live in the United States of America were in English.
In unpacking the weather station you will find underneath the directions a safely packed remote unit, the main display unit and on the right side is the power adapter
These are the actual measurements of everything that you receive in your purchase.
- The outside box is 13.5 inches by 10 inches.
- Inside Box is 9 1/4 inches by 8 1/8 inches
- Display monitor unit measures 4 7/8 inches by 5 7/8 inches, color is white
- The sensor is 5 inches long and 1.5 inches wide, color is white
- AC power cord is 6 ft (72 inches) long
Please Click on These Photos to Get Enlarged Images to View
Unpacking the LaCrosse 308-1412
What’s Inside the Shipping Box
Unpacking the box is always fun for you. It’s something new and something exciting, that you are excited about.
You can’t wait to get your new weather center unit unpacked, read the directions and then get to use it.
After setting it up the best part is watching it work for you. The first few days are always very exciting to the new user.
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Looking down into the shipping box
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Instructions La Crosse 308-1412S Color LCD Wireless Weather Station
The Instructions Sheet
As you have already pulled out the directions your next step to set up is to READ the directions. As you take a look at the directions you will see, that they are in English.
You will also see that the pages are pages 1-2 of the complete set of directions. Then as you unfold it, it is obvious that one side is the first half of the directions (1-4).
When flipped over the other side is the last 4 pages (5-8).
You will notice as you unfold the instructions. The first side is pages 1-4.
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The La Crosse 308-1412S interested me because it has the bells and whistles that I wanted as a casual observer of the weather.
I purchased it for my wife and other family members to use when visiting. It is very user-friendly, and the price is right as well.
Let’s take a much closer look at what the La Crosse 308-1412S is all about
This station is best suited for the casual weather observer. It’s the wife, the teenage kids, the busy husband, who all have in common the large lack of time.
They are also very very busy people, who just would like to access a few simple weather observations, very quickly before they head out to a scheduled event/date/business meeting.
The information they need to know is the current what’s it like outside, ie the temperature, the wind speed, (is it windy), and if it’s raining, snowing, icing, etc.
They don’t need past weather history or what it was 12 hours ago, etc, etc.
So who is the person who will get the most out of this climate unit? They are a gardener, an enjoyer of water sports, a snow skier, etc will also be able to take advantage of this wonderful unit from La Crosse.
Instrument Sensors
It has remote thermometer temperature sensors as well as sensors for relative humidity.
This unit does not have a barometer, an anemometer, nor does it record wind direction.
- Indoor Temperature Range: 32 F to 122 F (0 C to 50 C)
- Outdoor Temperature Range: -40 F to 140 F (-40 C to 60 C)
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Humidity Range:19%-97% (RH)
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Interval for reporting and updating information: About every 30 seconds
Type of Transmission
Includes weather-resistant transmitting sensor sending outdoor temperature & humidity to the indoor base station. Range up to 200 ft (open-air) for the best transmission.
I have found the transmission goes through two sets of walls to the remote sensor outside. The remote reports consistently without any problems.
Transmits in 430 MHz
Display
The main display monitor is white in color with a silver edge all the way around it.
It uses color animation for your future weather and trend indicators. It also uses a variety of colors to display your indoor to outdoor climate. I have found that as time goes that it learns about your environment.
How it works is this: the forecast station calibrates barometric pressure based on my location over a period of time to generate an accurate, personal forecast for me. The directions said to please allow 3 to 4 weeks for barometer calibration. I found that by week three the forecasting was working pretty well, consistently and accurately.
The display monitor also features programmable temperature alerts that will notify you of any extreme temperature change either indoor or outdoor, according to what you have set up to be alerted to.
What is also presented is 12/24 Hour time (manual setting) with snooze alarm, a day of the week, month, and date display is also present. There is also a low battery indicator.
The back of the monitor display houses a USB port where you will be able to charge your phone or your electronic device.
USB charging cable is not included and you are encouraged to read the specific directions and notices concerning the type of devices that can and can’t be used with this.
Please read page 5 of the 308-1412 manual PDF or the instructions that are included.
Manufacturer/Support
LaCrosse Technologies provides a 1-year limited time warranty (from the date of purchase) on this product relating to manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship.
You may view the full warranty online at La Crosse 308-1412 warranty.
The company’s address is:
La Crosse Technology, LTD
2817 Losey Blvd. S.
La Crosse, WI 54601
It says on the outside of the box that it is manufactured in China.
Telephone for support: 1-608-782-1610
The online support at www.lacrossetechnology.com/support
How Powered
Plug the A/C power adapter into a wall outlet for continuous backlight and dimmer features. The backlight will illuminate for 10 seconds when using only battery power with a press/release of the snooze (zzzz) button (second to the left on the display facing going from lower right-hand corner to left-hand corner.
The forecast station is powered by 3-“AAA” batteries
Remote Transmitter is powered by 2-“AA” batteries.
For the remote transmitter, you should absolutely consider using Lithium batteries.
Lithium batteries work better and last much longer in the variable weather conditions and temperatures that are present outdoors.
Pros
Colored screen can be read from a distance away
Weather trending alerts-rising arrow (weather is improving) and falling arrow (weather may worsen)
Color forecast icons: sunny, partly sunny, cloudy, rainy, stormy
The forecast station uses changing atmospheric pressure to predict weather conditions
For the next 12 hours with 70-75% accuracy
Monitors both inside and outside temperatures for you
Monitors % of Relative Humidity, and provides maximum and minimum readings
Adjustable backlight dimmer- high-medium-low
Sensor signal strength indicator
Solid heavier plastic construction Seems like it would be difficult to break unless you are just abusive to it.
Reports on screen in either Celsius or Fahrenheit, your choice
Cons
The display screen while colored can only be seen from more or less straight on. As you angle away from the screen in different directions the screen cannot be seen at angles to the left or right
the clock is not atomic
Can’t be used to transmit data to online weather sites
Can’t store data
Can’t be wall-mounted. Only sets on a surface
It is too dim for many people to read during the day and the night. If used only with battery power the backlight will dim down to the low setting after 10 seconds of being bright. You should consider keeping it plugged in a have it set at the brightness you desire
Consumer Ratings For the La Crosse 308-1412S
After studying this unit as well as observing my personal one in my office, I will be the first to tell you that I feel I made a very good decision. I enjoy the colored screen.
I am personally into weather much deeper, however, my wife does enjoy its presence and it’s always offering what is going on with the information it does provide.
It is easy to use, I found the directions to be well written, to the point, and easy for me to use to set my 308-1412 up.
It seems owners have the following major things to say. I thought it was larger, I wish I could mount it on the wall, I didn’t know it was white, etc.
Those to me are all things that can be answered for you by reading this review. The things I can’t satisfy you with are accuracy issues, transmission problems, or how long the parts will last.
It seems that all vary to the environment the equipment is used in, and also what the user/owner’s expectations are.
Price
LA CROSSE TECHNOLOGY 308-1412S Color Weather Station
Upon studying the model 308-1412S I believe that this is a very attractive choice for the casual weather fan. In checking out other models and other manufacturers, with this price range, this is a highly reliable model and well worth the money spent for what you are getting in return from La Crosse Technologies.
So if you are new to this, or you just need to glance at these few things that are presented and updated often for you, 24 hrs a day, then this will make a great gift, or a wonderful addition to your office, or family room, or maybe even your dining room/kitchen area.
But if you are a middle to serious weather person, this is much too simple, and you will want to research more choices with many more instruments with them.
You will be very disappointed in the fact that you want and need more in-depth weather information. Those choices are reviewed by me on other review pages.
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