2002-12-30
----- Original Message -----
From: "James R. Frysinger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, 2002-12-30 11:31
Subject: [USMA:24278] Restoration Hardware
finds
While in Ohio, I visited a store called Restoration
Hardware (online at
http://www.restorationhardware.com).
http://www.restorationhardware.com).
You must have gone to their Columbus
location. I never heard of them. There are none in
Cleveland.
One of the things I saw there was twine from Nutscene, a Scottish
company (http://www.nutscene.com). One huge role advertised "600 meters"
of twine, with no non-SI equivalents given that I noticed. Other balls
of twine were labeled in the style of "60 mtrs". I've posted a note to
them on this.
I did purchase for $70 a wireless indoor/outdoor weather system there.
The displays can indicate the temperatures in Fahrenheit or Celsius.
Pressures are not given numerically but as weather icons. The pamphlet
states the range at which the remote sensor can be located from the
receiver is "Maximum 30 m, open area" with no non-SI indications.
However, the auxiliary temperature probe has a "6 feet [sic] cord" with
no SI indication! Temperature ranges are given in SI with Fahrenheit
equivalents (without spaces between numbers and units):
indoor 0�C to +50�C (+32�F to +122�F)
remote -10�C to +50�C (+14�F to +122�F)
probe -50�C to +70�C (-58�F to +158�F)
but with the note that "below -10�C" the remote sensor should be indoors
to avoid freezing the batteries ["dry" cells] and the probe snaked to
the colder spot (outdoors, food freezer, etc.). No manufacturer is given
but the device is labeled "Weather Centre" and "RF-tech". I suppose a
search of RF-tech might yield something. The device is made in China.
Is this the place: http://www.rf-tech.com/1.htm.
I personally feel the space between numbers and
units should only apply when the unit symbol is a letter of either Greek or
Roman alphabet. Symbols, such as �, '," should be right up to the
number. It looks like crap when it hangs far away. I will always put
these symbols next to the number without the space no matter what.
As for the -10�C lower limit, it might be more then
the battery that will fail. Some semiconductors will not work even below
0�C. In your case, living in South Carolina, -10�C is not an issue.
But, if it is an issue, you can always buy and connect in a low voltage power
supply of the correct voltage to assure proper operation as the battery
weakens. Of course, you will have to protect the device from bad weather
if the device is designed only for indorr use.
The six foot cord may be the standard length.
It seems the Chinese did this because of the US market and stuck with it
for the non-US market as well. Elsewhere it might be called 1.8 m.
As long as no one complains aboutt he length not being 2 m or something else,
they won't change anything. Did you measure its length? Or is that
what the package just said?
By the way, so far I'm rather pleased with this device. It saves me from
having to carve a slot in a window sill or jamb to pass through a
fluid-filled tube, common among indoor/outdoor temperature devices. I
have the receiver located in the room at one end of the second floor of
my house and the remote located midway along the back wall at eye level
when standing on the ground. Estimated distance (straight-line through
the house) is some 10 m to 12 m. Occasionally the remote reading drops
out, but it soon restarts itself.
Temperature readouts are to the nearest 0.1 �C and when placed
side-by-side the two units agree within less than 0.5 �C. The outdoor
sensor seems to be consistent with the NWS readings taken just a few
kilometers from my house. The device records min/max readings for indoor
and outdoor temperatures --- both, individually. It's good enough for
home use, at least above a minus ten!
Time can be set in 12 h or 24 h format and there is an alarm available
as well as a "snooze" feature. I suppose the alarm would be useful if I
took this camping. The pamphlet says that the receiver can monitor and
(in rotation) display up to three remote devices, though only one comes
in the package. The receiver and remote sensor are each devised to allow
hanging or self-standing configurations.
Jim
--
Metric Methods(SM) "Don't be late to metricate!"
James R. Frysinger, LCAMS http://www.metricmethods.com/
10 Captiva Row e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Charleston, SC 29407 phone: 843.225.6789
