Oregon Scientific debuts solar-powered weather station and projection clock
By Darren Murph 
posted March 28th 2010 5:32AM
posted March 28th 2010 5:32AM
Oregon Scientific only introduces a few new products each year, so when we heard that a new pair were making their debut, we couldn't help but take notice. Unfortunately for those in favor of fantastic overhauls, you won't find a whole lot here to cheer about; for those that can appreciate subtle but satisfying updates, you might just be in heaven. Up first is the new +ECO Solar Projection Clock, which is equipped with a detachable solar panel and an integrated projector that beams the time out onto a nearby wall. Second, we've got the Helios Weather Station, also outfitted with a built-in solar panel; it's designed to forecast the weather in your location for the next dozen hours, and it'll also spit out indoor / outdoor temperature and humidity readings in up to three locations around your abode. We're told that the former will be available for an undisclosed amount next month, while the latter can be snapped up now for $54.99 +ECO Solar Projection Clock
The +ECO Line continues to expand with the introduction of the +ECO Solar Projection Clock. The detachable solar panel can be removed from the clock and placed in the sun to recharge the batteries. The clock projects the time onto a nearby wall, so you can see the time no matter where you are sitting in the room. This product, which will be available in May, is also equipped with an alarm and calendar function. (Available May 2010)
Helios Solar Weather Station
The Helios Weather Station is one of the latest products from Oregon Scientific to come equipped with a built-in solar panel. The battery life of the unit is extended by using energy from the solar cells, meaning that consumers don't have to plug it into a wall or replace the batteries. The product forecasts the weather in your location for the next 12 hours, and also gives indoor/outdoor temperature and humidity readings in up to 3 locations around your home. You can learn more about the features here. (Available Now)
Displays "rainy" if there's not enough sun to make it actually work.
@scnarf
projection clock is cool, project it on the ceiling and wake up and see what time it is
I must control my meteorologist in me now that my car is paid off.
Oh, and why must every clock nowadays have to be digital and not analog?
@pyehac Yes
I find it hard to read those spinning dials
;p
Solar powered sensors on their larger units I can understand, but on their standalone inside models? Dumb.
@Cash9007 I am totally with you. The units are obviously indoor desktop models. I don't understand what sort of sun they are expecting out of it? Maybe you need to put it on a windowsill?
@Cash9007 The ECO+ units have a backup battery, so when you need to recharge it, you just detach the battery pack and put it on the window sill or outside. Bit of a gimmick, but it works. On their other units, the solar panel just helps to extend the battery life - and it does help.
Does anyone actually use the projection crap that's inside alarm clocks and these things? It just seems like a cheep gimmick that would annoy the hell out of people, i.e. "me."
@Scubasteve03 It works great if you have this as a bedside alarm clock. In the middle of the night you just look up at your ceiling and see the time. I don't have one personally but a friend did and I thought it was pretty cool.
@Scubasteve03 The one that Oregon do, that I think is more useful, projects the temperature as well. So then you know if you really want to get out of bed or not :)
for accurate weather prediction in my area I use
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR193.loop.shtml
accurate to 15 minutes
I wish they put in a wireless chip in the black one so it can also pull information from various sources.
I don't like having to turn my pc on in the morning "just to look at the status bar in ff" or "turn my tv on to see the weather station" so they can serve me not just the weather but all kinds of ads at their convenience.
If the black one had come with a wireless, i'd jump on it or atleast it'll make a nice gift for something who's into such things.
@xirsteon The 'black one' has a wireless unit that transmits data to the base station. The base also has it's own sensors, so you get an indoors and outdoors reading. You can also buy extra sensors (up to two extras) so you can see the temps/humidity in different places at the push of a button.
Details say it comes with a wireless reciever
What will Raymond Chan and his crew at IDT in Hong Kong think of next? Leather wrapped solar weather stations?