Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have had two AcuRite Wireless Rain Gauges Model #00896 and had a problem with the rain collector intermittently not making connection to the remote display unit. Even when I placed the remote unit within a metre of the collector, I had problems, although you are supposed to get a connection up to 30 metres. The problem seemed to be that the signal wouldn't penetrate double-paned window class and the house walls. Model #00899 is superior to Model #00896 (which is still being sold) in every way, even though the price is about the same. I was able to move the remote unit from the rain collector to a distance of 5-10 metres, through double-paned glass and house walls, with no problem at all. The 00899 adds a very useful connection-strength indicator, like those used on cell phones, where the strength is indicated by 1-4 bars. Mine reads four bars (strongest) at 5-10 metres, through double-paned glass and the house walls. The remote unit is much improved. The numbers are bigger (20 mm) and much easier to see contrasted against the 00899 remote unit's gray background. The 00896 remote has many features that the 00896 does not. It now contains a digital clock (minor problem: no 24-hour setting available) and stores information by rainfall "event" (accumulation for an event is ended when there has been no rainfall for 8 hours) and by rainfall history for up to seven calendar periods (day, week, plus two accumulator totals that can be controlled by the user like a vehicle's trip odometer). The 00899 is easy to set, clear, and display by pushing clearly-marked buttons on the sides of the remote. Set-up is easy, consisting essentially of installing three AA batteries in the collector and two AA batteries (batteries not provided) in the remote unit. You will probably need to secure the collector to some fixed object, such as a fence, so that it doesn't blow over in a moderate wind. Two screws and washers are provided for this purpose. You need only to provide a small Phillips screwdriver to screw them in.