# Can one buy digital clocks/thermometers that work outdoors? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 18, 2019, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435 "2019-09-18T14:00:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/1 "2019-09-18T14:00:15Z")
Please read the OP carefully. I do NOT want an outdoor sensor that sends the temp to an indoor base. Ideally what I want is a digital clock/thermometer combo that can stay in an unheated garage and be readable from anywhere in the garage. I am not interested in any analog readouts. I know LCDs won’t work below freezing so I am probably looking for an LED device of some sort. Does such a thing exist? I cannot wade thru the morass of indoor/outdoor weather stations which flood any google search I try. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/2 "2019-09-18T14:25:10Z")
I must add that I have an Oregon Scientific weather sensor in my garage which functions down to -22F and it has an LCD on it (maybe 1/2 in height) so I am baffled why I keep hearing that LCDs won’t work below freezing. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/3 "2019-09-18T14:33:56Z")
Most LCDs are spec’d for room-temperature operation, but low-temperature versions are available. > [@](#): > > Industrial, non-automotive transportation and military sectors, among others, often require LCD character or graphics displays that can operate in extreme temperature environments. Typically, standard LCD character and graphics modules provide a temperature range of 0°C to +50°C. However, several display manufacturers offer extreme temperature models with operating temperatures of -40°C to +80 or +85°C. There also is a wide selection of standard versions that range from -20°C to +70°C. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/4 "2019-09-18T14:34:22Z")
I went to amazon and put: **outdoor digital thermometer** in the search box. Then I chose “4-star and up” reviews. Got 46 hits. Check the reviews and Q&As on the ones that look promising. You don’t have to buy from amazon, but you get an idea of what’s out there. Don’t know if this will help. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/5 "2019-09-18T15:14:37Z")
Some of the issue may be the batteries. Standard alkalines don’t work well in cold temperatures; you need the more expensive lithium versions. I’ve got both the sensors and the base station of a greenhouse thermometer in an unheated packing shed (sensors are in the coolers); these work in cold weather as long as they’ve got the right batteries, and the base station has a clock. It doesn’t have a large enough display for you, though, I don’t think. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/6 "2019-09-18T15:17:31Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I went to amazon and put: > > **outdoor digital thermometer** > > in the search box. Then I chose “4-star and up” reviews. Got 46 hits. Check the reviews and Q&As on the ones that look promising. Almost all of those are the type that has an outside sensor, which the OP didn’t want. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/7 "2019-09-18T15:29:31Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I went to amazon and put: > > **outdoor digital thermometer** > > in the search box. Then I chose “4-star and up” reviews. Got 46 hits. Check the reviews and Q&As on the ones that look promising. > > You don’t have to buy from amazon, but you get an idea of what’s out there. Don’t know if this will help. You missed the part where I want the physical readout to appear in the garage, not be read indoors by an outdoor sensor. I did the same search as you and all are sensors that send readings indoors. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/8 "2019-09-18T16:02:44Z")
You don’t really need the wireless. They do make units with a wired sensor probe on a large LED display, like this: > **[Amazon.com: Large Display Thermometer with 4" Digits for Extra Large Display,...](https://www.amazon.com/Display-Thermometer-Digits-Displays-Temperature/dp/B00NLL0R0I)** > > Buy Large Display Thermometer with 4" Digits for Extra Large Display, Thermometer Displays in °C or °F. Large LED Temperature Display(2 Digit Model): Temperature Indicators - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases Usually intended for monitoring industrial things. That one’s “currently unavailable”, but there are other similar products. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/9 "2019-09-18T16:09:03Z")
I searched for ‘thermometer “LED display”’ and found [this](https://www.amazon.com/UCTRONICS-Fahrenheit-Temperature-Thermistor-Protection/dp/B01L1DLPWG/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_79_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=HSYRE033X1QDHDZXF3ST) - it’s not really designed for outdoor use but at least it’s a digital thermometer with a wired sensor and LED display, and operating temperature down to 14F. Is that cold enough or do you expect the garage to get colder than that? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/10 "2019-09-18T16:11:45Z")
I found some that might work for you by Googling for digital freezer thermometers. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/11 "2019-09-18T17:12:48Z")
How much is it worth to you? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/12 "2019-09-18T18:45:04Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > Does such a thing exist Certainly. Dozens of businesses around here have outdoor signs that give the time (often with temperature, too). Perhaps bigger & more expensive than you want to pay, but certainly available. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/13 "2019-09-18T19:00:27Z")
[How about?](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011LM7IY6/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_h6NGDb21RVF1H) ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/14 "2019-09-18T19:25:54Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > I searched for ‘thermometer “LED display”’ and found [this](https://www.amazon.com/UCTRONICS-Fahrenheit-Temperature-Thermistor-Protection/dp/B01L1DLPWG/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_79_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=HSYRE033X1QDHDZXF3ST) - it’s not really designed for outdoor use but at least it’s a digital thermometer with a wired sensor and LED display, and operating temperature down to 14F. Is that cold enough or do you expect the garage to get colder than that? The display is very small. But thanks. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/15 "2019-09-18T19:27:00Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > [How about?](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011LM7IY6/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_h6NGDb21RVF1H) Again, too small. I’d want the digits to be at least 4" tall. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/16 "2019-09-18T19:28:23Z")
> [@yabob](#): > > You don’t really need the wireless. They do make units with a wired sensor probe on a large LED display, like this: > > [https://www.amazon.com/d/Temperature-Indicators/Display-Thermometer-Digits-Displays-Temperature/B00NLL0R0I](https://www.amazon.com/d/Temperature-Indicators/Display-Thermometer-Digits-Displays-Temperature/B00NLL0R0I) > > Usually intended for monitoring industrial things. That one’s “currently unavailable”, but there are other similar products. Again, I think this is intended to be displayed indoors in a warm environment and reports what is at the end of the probe. I want the entire thing to be able to be in the cold environment. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/17 "2019-09-18T19:30:11Z")
This is either going to be a custom design (I could do it for you), or extremely expensive (like for a time-and-temperature display on a bank, as mentioned above). You are probably the only person in the world who wants one. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/18 "2019-09-18T19:31:14Z")
> [@yabob](#): > > You don’t really need the wireless. They do make units with a wired sensor probe on a large LED display, like this: > > [https://www.amazon.com/d/Temperature-Indicators/Display-Thermometer-Digits-Displays-Temperature/B00NLL0R0I](https://www.amazon.com/d/Temperature-Indicators/Display-Thermometer-Digits-Displays-Temperature/B00NLL0R0I) > > Usually intended for monitoring industrial things. That one’s “currently unavailable”, but there are other similar products. Looks like a winner except as you said it’s unavailable. ---
**Author:** ![sps49sd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@sps49sd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sps49sd)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/19 "2019-09-18T19:32:37Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > Again, too small. I’d want the digits to be at least 4" tall. If you can, industrial displays from Red Lion or Newport or whoever have all sizes of digital displays, if a purchased thermometer display is too small it isn’t too hard to run the signal wires to a stand-alone display. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435/20 "2019-09-18T19:42:04Z")
Even if it’s a remote sensor, wireless or wired, you don’t have to place the readout device inside, but can leave it right by the temperature sensor. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-buy-digital-clocks-thermometers-that-work-outdoors/840435.md?page=2)