My Review of the La Crosse WS-9160U-IT Digital Thermometer
Weather stations are really cool, but maybe you just don’t need something that complicated.
Would you be interested in having the outside temperature showing to you inside your residence?
If this is you, then this is just what you are looking for. The La Crosse WS-9160U-IT digital thermometer should fit the bill for you.
If you are shopping for a very good and reliable inside/outside weather thermometer this model from La Crosse is a great choice.
The monitor hangs on your wall, where you can easily glance at it and see very clearly the time and the inside/ outside temperature of your location.
If I have your attention so far, then read further as I take a detailed view of this digital weather thermometer.
Display
This is a digital thermometer with wireless remote connection and a clock. You can use 3 remote sensors with this base monitor unit, so you can be seeing what the temperature is is three different places around your house or property.
These remote sensors are optional and must be purchased separately. The unit does come with one remote sensor but you must purchase separately the other 2.
The WS-9160U-IT has a manual time quartz clock that displays either in 12 or 24-hour time. Highlights of the unit are
- Temperatures can be displayed in either Fahrenheit or Celsius
- When set on 12-hour time display it will read in Fahrenheit
- When set on 24-hour time display it will read in Celsius
Also please be aware that dashes before the temperature readings mean the connection is lost between the Temperature Station and the outdoor sensor.
The display shows and records daily high and low temperature. In order to access these temperature readings, you must press on the MIN/MAX button to toggle button to between MIN and MAX settings.
You will see the letters MIN display in the lower left side of the screen and you should see the temperatures change accordingly to show the minimum temperatures.
Then you will need to toggle this display the MAX settings where the maximum temperatures are to be read. You may have to toggle the MIN/MAX button several times to go from MIN to MAX.
A couple of other things you should know. The thermometer system may be used in any number of ideal locations for you. Such as an RV or a boat or a playhouse, a lake cottage or maybe even a hunting lodge. Just some ideas. The unit is run on batteries and with its size, it is very mobile to use.
The display colors are as such. The front is white, the edges are black, and the back is all black as well.
Instrument Sensors
The sensors are mainly temperature sensors. Here is the range of their sensitivities.
- Outdoor Temperature Range: -39.8 F to +139.8 F (-39.9 C to 59.9 C)
- Indoor Temperature Range: 14.2 F to 139.8 F (-9.9 C to 59.9)
Type of Transmission
- Transmission frequency: 915 MHz
- This would be a good place to mention to be very cautious in buying extra remote sensors to use. You need to make sure the sensor that you buy to use also transmits in 915 MHZ.
- Many sensors look like what you need, but the transmission frequency is not the match that is needed. Please read the specs on what you are purchasing to make sure they match up.
- Indoor temperature checking interval every 15 second
- Outdoor data checking interval every 4 second
- Wireless transmission up to 330 feet
Limits on transmission Read in Frequently Asked Questions
Manufacturer/Support
The warranty from La Crosse’s Site reads as such:
“La Crosse Technology, Ltd. provides, to the original purchaser, a 1-year limited time warranty (from date of purchase) on this product, relating to manufacturing defects in materials & workmanship. The item will be either repaired or replaced at La Crosse Technology’s discretion.”
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
Online support at www.lacrossetechnology.com/support
Frequently Asked Questions maybe be found HERE
Dimensions
- Display: 3.3″ L x 0.9″ W x 5.9″ H
- Sensor: 1.5″ L x 0.8″ W x 5.0″ H
- The remote sensor casing is rain resistant
How the La Crosse WS-9160U-IT Digital Thermometer Is Powered
The Display/Receiver uses 2 “AAA” Alkaline Batteries. They are not included with your purchase.
The Remote Sensor uses 2 “AA” Alkaline Batteries. They are not included and you should consider seriously using Lithium batteries so you have a much longer life.
Using Lithium batteries will also ensure no non-working time.
Accessories
The one main accessory is the extra remote sensors I mentioned earlier. You may purchase them separately here
The TX29U-IT (915MHz) sensor, will work with this station
Pros
✅ Extra large digits for easy viewing
✅ Has a tiny light that blinks when there is a concern about icing
✅ Temperature station displays an outdoor reception indicator
✅ Low battery indicator for display (RX) or sensor (TX) to let you know it is time to replace batteries
✅ The sensor identification number is shown when more than one sensor is used. So your reading (Temperature) you will know which sensor is sending which reading
✅ Can receive up to 3 sensors
✅ Records 24 hr Maximum and Minimum Temperature readings
✅ Has a hinged platform to enable it to be set down on a surface as well as can be hung on a wall
Cons
❌ Doesn’t have a magnetic back to use to hang on a refrigerator
❌ The clock is not atomic
❌ The monitor only runs on batteries. No AC power adapter
❌ No backlight for night time viewing
Consumer Ratings
When looking at this digital thermometer, the things that really stood out to me are the following. If you are thinking of purchasing this digital set from La Crosse please be reminded that this is not listed as a weather station. This is a really neat (cool) thermometer. What is the difference you may be asking?
You may have seen or heard a friend talking about theirs and the things it can do, and the information you are supplied.
Please look at this as only a one tool weather unit. It will do a great job of giving you the outside/inside temperatures. That is it, you will not be getting wind speed nor relative humidity, nor wind direction.
Secondly, you need to know that this will do the job for you but for how long no one really knows. Some people talk of having it work for up to 7 years.
But then many more will say theirs worked for anywhere between 2-5 years. Why the difference who knows?
One could suspect critical elements would be how and where it is used by the customer. Please follow the directions for the best results.
In reviewing many other La Crosse products it seems that they are popular, perform well, and people are repeat customers. It appears many customers have purchased this unit many times because they are very satisfied with the model.
Price
La Crosse Technology WS-9160U-IT Digital Thermometer
My overall view of this digital thermometer is that it is worth the money just from a fair price perspective. For the over $20 and Under $30 price point, you will be receiving the digital thermometer, one remote sensor and the promise of receiving the outside temperature from a location outside.
This will work as an excellent starting point for all fun weather observers. Before I leave to do activities, I ask myself, what is it like outside? Hot or Cold?
So to the casual weather person it works. If you want to branch out by adding other remote sensor locations it will be around another $20 for each sensor alone. So looking at that, the original purchase is a good deal.
This is the number 1 seller for outside thermometers on Amazon, and there are reasons it continues to sell so strongly. The fair price for the quality is what I would consider the biggest reason for buying.
Just make sure you will be really happy with just the temperature readings. If you are considering a unit with more options then maybe check out these simple weather stations we have reviewed.