Honeywell TM005X Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Thermo-Hygrometer
by Honeywell
|
List Price: Category: CE See more product details |
|---|
(Click here)
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Honeywell TM005X Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Thermo-Hygrometer
Customer Review: Accuracy Tested
Summary: 4 Stars
First off, I did not really measure the accuracy because I don't have a calibrated standard to
which I can check the readings. However I did get some telling data from the two sets of meters that I bought,i.e. 2 Display units and 2 Remote units or 4 sensors in total. I compared their readings to each other to see how they track and how quickly they track a change in ambient conditions. These Honeywell units, by the way, are 1-3 months old.
1st Test: After letting all units sit together at identical ambient temperature and humidity (northern winter room temperature) for about 90 minutes or more I read each unit once at three 15 minute intervals. So I had 3 temperature and humidity readings for each of the 4 sensors. I then plotted how each reading differed from the 4 unit average value at each of the three intervals. This tells me the average difference between each units readings and how those values might drift over time. Drift over short periods of time is non existent: you can stare at them for a minute or two and rarely see a change in the reading. This test however looks at a 30 minute interval. Link to graph: (Copy and paste into your browser) [...]
The range in the temperature readings at each of the three time intervals was 0.7 F or less and the drift was less than 0.2 F. For the relative humidity, three units were closely grouped but the 4th was 5% units higher than the mean value; the range between the units varied between 7 and 8% at the three reading intervals.
2nd Test: To see how the readings compare in cold temperature I put the 4 units out on my porch in an open box which was set on styrofoam inside a closed box with ventilation holes - also perched on styrofoam. It was 31 F and snowing very lightly. I left them out there for 90 minutes and then read the two remote units. I did not record the Display unit values because they are not designed for outside use and in fact one of the humidity readings was blanked. I will note however that the temperatures were very close to the remote unit readings.
All the humidity values were compromised somehow as they read way too low. Perhaps the relatively quick transition from room temperature down through the freezing point screwed up the readings somehow. I probably should have left them out there for at least 2 hours before doing the readings given my results in the 3rd Test. One of the remote units is normally left outside and has never displayed such an aberrant RH reading, so I blame this on my test conditions.
In any case both the remote units read 31.2 degF.
3rd Test. To see how quickly the units respond to a sudden change in ambient conditions I brought the units inside from the cold immediately after the 2nd Test, took them out of the box and placed them near each other at room temperature conditions. I took readings of temperature and humidity at 10 minute intervals for an hour and again after 2.5 hours. The units responded very slowly to this 33F change in temperature, especially the display units. The temperature reading stopped rising and humidity stopped dropping after somewhere between one and two hours, I would guess at around 100 minutes. I plotted the average readings of the two display units and the average of the two remote units against time. Link to graph: [...] The response time (time to measure 90% of a change in temperature or humidity) is 50 minutes for the remote units and a little longer for the display units. The range in the final stable temperature readings was 0.9 degF and the humidity range was only 3%.
4th test: After all units sat together at room temperature for several hours I took another reading. Note Remote 1 was the one that read high RH in previous tests.
Both Display units had identical readings of 66.0F and 30% RH,
Remote 1: 66.3F, 29% Remote 2: 65.8 25%
Conclusions: My four units read temperature very closely to each other but they are very slow to track a change in conditions. I expect this would not be a big problem for most uses if the units are left at a fixed location because ambient conditions typically do not change quickly to a large degree.
Three of the four units tracked RH closely, but the fourth was as much as 6.5% units higher than the average of the other three, but not consistently so. However, this unit that read higher RH happened to be the one I use outside and had only aclimated about 90 minutes before Test 1 began; in light of the slow response time results I wonder if the higher reading can be explained - in part only - by insufficient settling time before I began the readings in the 1st Test. I suspect the complaints in other reviews about "accuracy" or tracking is a result of the slow response time and consumers not taking this into account.
My test results aside, the units have worked flawlessly and I would have given them a 5 star rating if the response time were at least half of what this design is capable of providing: but for a $20 price I am quite satisfied.
Customer Review: An excellent product that will help you save energy, and your electric bill
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought 2 sets of this product, so I have two base stations and two remote sensors. I put them all side by side, along with two other older Bionaire units that may be the predecessor of the model, because the design look the same as the base station. All 6 units show temperature within a 1 degree F. The Honeywell units read higher humidity than the Bionaire, by about 5%, which is very good, and that's really all one would ever need for home use. Older analog humidity sensors are highly untrustworthy in my experience.
The reason I bought 2 sets is because I wanted two remote sensors, one in my screened porch for outdoor conditions and one for the basement. I only need 1 base station, but the cost of the set is almost the same as the remote sensor, so it makes sense to buy 2 sets. each base station will read up to 3 sensors, but they would be the same 3. So in my case, both base stations monitor the basement and the outdoor conditions.
A lot of people run a dehumidifier in the basement, which is really like running an air conditioner without venting the heat and moisture outdoor, so it can get the basement quite warm. In the summer, even when the main floor is not so warm, i would run the AC. The cooler dry air naturally goes down to the basement if I leave the door open. This cuts down the use of the dehumidifier a lot. They use about the same amount of power (500W or so). The AC vents the heat and moisture outdoor, keep the house more comfortable, so it's a better use of the same electric power.
On a hot day, when the sun goes down, the outside temperature cools off and one is tempted to turn off the AC and open the windows. However, quite often the outdoor humidity gets high at the same time, because the air holds a lot more moisture when it's hot. So the air cools off the relative humidity may become very high. Opening the windows would save energy on the AC, but it would immediately raise the humidity in the basement and cause the dehumidifier to run, consuming the same power saved by the AC. Only when the outside air is both cool and dry, I would open the windows. Having this Honeywell system lets me make this kind of decisions that I couldn't otherwise make. It minimizes the use of the dehumidifier in the basement and keeps the house more comfortable in the summer. In the winter, the air is dry indoor and outdoor, I don't really need an outdoor sensor. It's better to keep the extra sensor inside so that the battery won't die.
Customer Review: licensed and made by Meade Instruments; thermometer not responsive
Summary: 2 Stars
First of all, this is not a Honeywell product, but a Meade product. The Honeywell name is licensed by Meade Instruments. I was surprised when discovering this because Meade specializes in telescopes while Honeywell is well known for making thermostats! Why would Honeywell license its name to someone else to make a thermostat? I have no idea!
The LCD screen on the main unit is large and bright, can read the numbers from across the room. The LCD screen on the remote is harder to read, but it doesn't matter much because you can always read from the main unit.
The hygrometer is responsive and displays humidity levels roughly consistent with (well, on average higher than) the other hygrometers I own when lined up side by side(I have quite a few from other brands).
The thermometer on the main unit is terribly slow and takes ages to adjust to the correct temperature. It may be able to give you a correct measurement when you walk into your office in the morning (as it has the whole night to adjust), but forget about it if you want to know the the change in temperature right now.
The thermometer on the remote unit responds faster but still much slower than other brands. May take 20-30 minutes to adjust.
I was able to set up the remote system easily even before reading the manual.
Transmission is great. My remote unit is in the balcony and the main unit is in my bedroom 30 feet apart. They are not in a line of sight and there are walls, double glass doors between them.
The remote unit looks sturdy and is advertised as weather-resistant (the manual does instruct you to place it out of direct sunlight or rain/snow).
According to the manual: Lithium batteries are recommended if outdoor temperature is below 32F. Rechargeable batteries should never be used.
Although I installed a pair of new Alkaline batteries in the remote unit (and temperature was pretty warm indoor), the low battery indicator was on. I followed the manual and reinstalled/reset the whole system and the low battery light is still on. Will follow up later after I hopefully can figure out the issue.
Customer Review: Incaccurate hygrometer, thermometer is OK on both
Summary: 2 Stars
Purchased it based on positive reviews here as I wanted to measure mainly humidity in my living room and bedroom (got SPT SU-4010 humidifier from Amazon, great unit btw.). Was excited to see that the display is large and easily readable even from opposite side of the room (it is not illuminated, however). Temperature measure with both main and remote unit is comparable with just 0.1-0.3C difference and is almost the same measured with any other digital thermometer in my house. Unfortunately, I can't same the same about humidity. Main unit usually display 15-20% less than remote unit, even they are located 5 inch away from each other. And main unit measures almost 35% less humidity than my old meter which is almost impossible as it is definitely not 5% humidity inside my house. I put Honeywell devices outside and they even can't measure the humidity ("--" displayed). Online weather station shows that humidity in my area should be about 40%, not "--"!
I wish the remote sensor information was displayed on the main screen all the time...I should pres a button to get it. You must get 4 AA batteries as thy are not included. FYI, main unit is 4.5x5x1 and remote is 2.25x4.25x1 in.
I'm going to return it for replacement (it was sold via Amazon by ANTonline so I have to send it to them) and will update my review.
Update [a week later]: ANTonline policy doesn't cover replacement of defective units - you must send it to them, pay for shipping, they will inspect the unit and will decide what part of original price they will refund!!! I spoke with CS representative on the phone today and he confirmed that they don't exchange defective units - the only thing they offer is refund. I guess it is better to wait a little bit and send it to manufacturer for replacement (manufacturer will not repair/replace your unit if its within 30 days of purchase date, I asked them already).
Again, if you want this unit, look at any other seller than ANTonline with better return/replacement policy.
Customer Review: Works well but has room for improvement
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased the Honeywell TM005X wireless thermo-hygrometer about six weeks ago. Overall I'm happy with the unit but there's room for improvement.
First, the indoor receiver cannot display both indoor and outdoor readings simultaneously. The display is certainly big enough to accommodate side-by-side readouts.
Second, there is a rather idiotic happy-face / sad-face symbol to indicate if the temperature and humidity combination is within a predefined "comfort range." Frankly, Honeywell should ditch that ridiculous face and devote the screen real estate to something more useful, such as simultaneous indoor/outdoor readings.
Third, the remote sensor has a tiny LCD display of its own to show the sensor's temperature and humidity reading. Unfortunately the remote's display is very small. When I'm outside working in the yard I've often walked over to the sensor to see what the temp/humidity is. But that micro-sized display is pretty tough for my middle-aged eyes to read comfortably.
Fourth, I think most people would find one remote sensor placed outdoors quite sufficient. Maybe a second remote could be used to monitor the temperature in a detached building such as a workshop. But where a third or fourth remote sensors might go is a mystery to me. What's missing here, I think, is multiple indoor receivers! I'd like to put one receiver in my kitchen, a second one in my bedroom and a third in the living room. Honeywell sells extra remote sensors but, apparently, does not sell additional indoor receivers separately.
Finally, I'm somewhat suspicious about the system's ability to measure very high levels of humidity. For example, we recently had 30 hours of continuous rain and drizzle. There was lots of fog along with low, gray, overcast skies. In spite of the extreme wetness the TM005X's outdoor remote sensor never recorded a humidity level above 93%. When humidity levels are below 90% the TM005X agrees closely with a different hygrometer of mine.