Checking Our List #14: Wind & Weather ~ Weather Direct Basic Weather Station Review & Giveaway

I have lived in the Midwest all my life. There are many things I love about it, including the small towns that are only a few miles apart from one another and of course, the beauty of watching the seasons change...Winter to Spring, Spring to Summer, Summer to Fall, and Fall to Winter (although winter could be shorter...that would be fine with me!). One thing I'm not as fond of however, is never knowing what the weather is going to be like. This Fall has been a perfect example! Since September we've had weeks on and off where it was very cold, and others that have been so warm that it feels like summer again. It makes it difficult to know how to dress from day to day without checking the weather forecast on TV or looking it up online first. Thanks to Wind & Weather, I no longer need to go to all that trouble.

Out of a passion for all things weather-related, Wind & Weather was born in 1976. Over the years they have expanded to include not only a large collection of top brand weather instruments like Oregon Scientific, Maximum, and more...but also supplies like binoculars, watches and radios as well as garden decor and other outdoor objects such as weathervanes, mailboxes, etc. With a collection like this, the wealth of knowledge and experience they have, and the dedication to making sure customers are always satisfied, it's no wonder they've become a world-trusted company.

When I learned I was going to have the opportunity to review an item from Wind & Weather, I knew just what I needed...a user-friendly Weather Forecaster Station that would make it easy for me to stay current on the temps and forecast. After browsing through their great selection of Weather Stations...I decided on the Weather Direct Basic and am so happy I did!

Features/Benefits:

• Web-based 4-day wireless weather forecaster
• Forecasts for 60,000 US & Canadian cities
• High and low daily temperature forecasts
• Wireless thermometer
• 6-hour updates
• Indoor/outdoor temperature
• Customizable weather data
• Gateway connects to any router with included Gateway LAN cable and AC adaptor
  
• Display device up to 300' away
• Temperature, Base: 14.1° to 100° F
• Temperature, Remote: -39.8° to 139.8° F
• Self-setting clock with custom alarm
• Easy set up
• Convenient size - 6" x 6"

I was impressed from the moment I pulled it out of the box. I love the size! 6" x 6" is the perfect size to have sitting almost anywhere. Whether it's on a desk or on the kitchen counter...it's large enough to read, but not too large that it takes up a lot of room. In a house already overrun by kids toys and other stuff...this is something I really appreciate!

Other than the batteries, everything was right there! I was a little unsure of how to get it all set up...usually I leave this sort of thing to my husband. However, after seeing the step by step instructions (both included in the box and found online)...I thought I'd give it a shot. It was incredibly easy, and within no time at all, I had the weather station up and running!

The included wireless Gateway plugs right into any high-speed DSL or cable router (and if you don't have one...Wind & Weather has them!). From there, I simply followed the instructions on WeatherDirect.com and registered both the transmitter and the display. It was incredibly simple...and if I can do it, anyone can!

Once set up was complete, the Weather Direct Basic displays up-to-date forecasts specific to your area, downloading information through the wireless Gateway that plugs right into your high-speed DSL or cable router. It can be used anywhere in your home and, since the display runs on batteries...there are no wires to worry about. YAY!

I was really excited to see all it had to offer! Not only does it give you the date, time, current temperature and highs and lows for the day along the top...but also provides a forecast for the next 3 days in the middle of the display. This is one of my absolute favorite features! Being able to quickly find out what the weather will be like for the next few days has never been easier. I no longer have to take the time to turn on the weather station or get on the computer if I don't want to. Along the bottom scrolls a more detailed forecast as well as the times for sunrise and sunset. It also alerts me of any storms and warnings! What great bonuses to have on an already very handy device!

I also love that with it even came an additional sensor to be placed right in your own yard! This makes it very easy to get accurate outdoor temps with just the press of a button. One day we have snow on the ground and it's freezing out, and the next it's warm and all the snow is gone. This time of year is especially nice to have such an accurate way of knowing what the temperature is. It's like having your own personal weatherperson right in your home!

We've been very happy with this satellite-assisted, Internet-powered weather station! The Weather Direct Basic Weather Station is incredibly easy to use and with the great graphics, even Kaelyn enjoys telling me what the weather will be like for the day by looking at them.

I could see her really enjoying the My First Weather Station offered at Wind & Weather also! What a fun way to teach kids about weather and how to dress in different temperatures.

As I mentioned, the Weather Direct Basic is just one of so many great products offered at Wind & Weather. No matter what you're looking for...yard and garden decor, things for the home, gear and gadgets or something else...they're sure to have something for both the men and women on your list this holiday season!

Buy It: The Weather Direct Basic retails for $69.95, but it's on sale right now for $34.97 at Wind & Weather!!!

Win It: Wind & Weather has offered one lucky reader a Weather Direct Basic Weather Station like the one we received!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Wind & Weather and leave a comment letting me know another product you like.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Enter the Wind & Weather Chair Swings Giveaway at Thanks, Mail Carrier

2. 1 extra entry- 'Like' Wind & Weather on Facebook

3. 1 extra entry- Follow Wind & Weather on Twitter

4. 1 extra entry- Sign up to receive the Wind & Weather Email Newsletter

5. 3 extra entries- Grab our Checking Our List Holiday Gift Guide Button and leave a comment with the URL where it can be found.

6. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Wind & Weather) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

7. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a Weather Direct Basic Weather Station from @windandweather! ARV $70! #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/dcqP0x Ends 12/10

8. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

9. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

10. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

11. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

12. Enter any of my other Holiday Gift Guide giveaways running now. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete. Be sure to leave your email address with your comments or make sure it's visible in your profile so that I have a way to contact you if you win!

This giveaway will end December 10th and is open to US and Canada!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free by Wind & Weather. All opinions found here are my own and were not influenced in any way. The opinions of others may differ from my own**