Meade Instruments TE109NL-M Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer

We have gone through at least 5 different temperature sensors to detect outdoor temps. Most of the sensors fail within a year, but otherwise I have no issues with the indoor part of these. I bought this one because the reviews made it sound like a winner that might possibly avoid the sensor issues we had with other brands. Just to avoid any issues, I set it up indoors, everything worked great. I then moved them to the large kitchen sill in front of a main window (where it still worked), then placed the sensor outside on a pagoda pole that was less than 7 feet from the sensor, separated only by the window. It read great for 8 hours (it didn't rain, and it was about 55 deg all night). The next morning it wouldn't detect the sensor. I brought the sensor inside and set it next to the indoor display. I let it sit all day, came home from work- nothing. I removed the batteries from both, replaced and reset per directions... still nothing. I played with the channels, I tried new batteries, then different type of battery (Ni-cad)... still nothing. I am at a loss for the infant mortality on this sensor. I REALLY like the indoor part of this, but I don't care what the temperature says indoors- I want to be able to use the alarms on it for detecting certain temperatures outdoors and knowing if I need to move my plants etc.. I am at a loss what to do, and don't want to have to buy a whole new sensor for $20 and worrying it will also fail. Unfortunately I threw the box away before I went to fill out the warranty card, and it requires the UPC (which I no longer have) :/, otherwise I would send it back for a replacement.

Just received this product yesterday and set it up this morning. During the set up process, while I was waiting for the remote sensor and the main unit to find each other, side by side on the table the indoor and outdoor temperatures were within .1 or .2 degree of each other, so at least it appears the sensor was working properly, since it was inside at the time. As others have noted, there is a really stupid design flaw in this product though - both units take batteries, but it is not immediately apparent where the batteries go in the remote. Only after taking a close look at the diagram of the back of the sensor did I realize i had to find a very small Phillips screwdriver (the type used on eyeglasses is a straight slot and is also too small). I can't think of a single reason why this could not have been a slide off battery compartment closure as the one in the main unit is. Makes no sense.Except for that, and the fact that you are supposed to use alkaline batteries (seems silly for something that will essentially be running 24/7 when it is outside), this appears to be a good product. Feels solid and well made. Will see over the next several weeks if it is as accurate as it is supposed to be!

I bought this in October, and it installed easily and worked well at temperatures over 10-20F. I live in New England and now that it's January, we're having some issues. At low temperatures, it loses connection the outside unit. It can be reset and then it works for a few hours before losing it again. We also replaced the batteries, just in case, but we still lose the connection when it's cold. The manual states that losing the connection in colder weather can happen and gives the reset procedure, but it just seems like something designed to give both outside and inside temperature would be able to handle temperature dips. The description states that it "measures temperatures as low as minus 38F", which implies (at least to me) that it will actually function at that temperature. We haven't even gone below 0F yet this year. Anyway, I'm sort of OK with resetting frequently in cold weather, but wish that I had realized before purchase that it was not really designed for cold weather.Update as of February 14, 2013: We have now had numberous days of below freezing weather, and have only lost connection to the outside unit a few times. A little annoying, but it's quick and easy to reset per the instruction manual. I would say it happens 1-2 times per week in colder weather. All in all, it's manageable.

This unit works well, except for one important flaw. The display is not lighted! If you plan to use this device in an area that is always brightly lit, then it will work well for you. But if you plan to use it by your bedside, forget it. The display cannot be seen, unless you turn on a bedroom light. I have had these types of units before and they all, as I remember, at least had a button on them that allowed you to press it and light up the display. When I bought this device, I assumed it had the same. But I was horrified to find that the display could not be seen at night or early morning, when I need it the most, without having to turn on the bedside lamp or main bedroom light. I was also disappointed that the write-up provided with the unit did not disclose this fact. They didn't say that it had a lighted display, but they didn't say otherwise, either. A lighted display is just one of those things you assume is there. And be sure to hang the outside sensor out of direct sunlight.

I was disappointed in the Meade thermometer. I know them as a quality instrument maker in the astronomy field but they missed on this one. Since it has a clock with alarm functions, I wanted to use it as a bedside clock as well as temperature reader but it has no back light so it is impossible to see at night. In addition the display is low contrast with small digits and difficult to read even in ambient light unless it is very bright. The instrument does appear to be well made and the temperature readings are accurate. I have had no problem with the remote sensor. The instruction booklet I received was alright but it seems to be for a slightly different model as some settings are not mentioned.