SSA DIGITAL DAY CLOCK ~ A Digital Clock with Weather Stats too….
BOB SKIDMORE - CORRESPONDENT © 2023
(Please note that Google’s BlogSpot, the provider we use to publish this monthly column, has changed the allowable format style. So, if the column’s format looks a bit strange it’s due to Google and BlogSpot, not THE GADGETEER.)
The SSA Digital Day Clock/Weather Station, ZN-DP8003, is a unique display promoted as a device that displays the time, temperature, humidity and weather forecasts that are all updated via wi-fi. An eight-inch display available in a black, or a *white housing and is specially targeted to the “senior” market. It’s powered by a supplied AC power supply with a rechargeable memory battery to maintain settings while power is off during power outages.
Yes, sounds like the perfect fit for all age groups, but is it what they advertise it to be? Here’s what my tests and experience reveals: The device has many selections, activated by the supplied remote and menu, allowing for various display styles, auto brightness levels, and a display on/off timer when the display’s total darkness is desired. Eight alarm settings are available. Five are programmable and can be set for time and frequency, and three medication reminders for morning, afternoon and evening reminders. The display allows for eight language selections that include English, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Dutch, Portuguese and German. Military or standard time mode and temps in either Fahrenheit, or Cellulous are also selectable via the remote and the menu. The type in the menu is a very small font thus requiring the clock to be positioned for close up viewing when making menu selections. This would certainly have to be considered when deciding where to place, or mount it and could certainly be an issue for seniors.
Sounds like it’s feature packed, and it is, but what are the downfalls? Since it’s connected to wi-fi the manufacturer claims that the clock will always maintain accurate time, changing to local times zones and daylight-saving time, if applicable, automatically. Unfortunately, I have yet to see this feature perform. Normally for such a feature to exist it needs to be what is known as an Atomic clock. No mention is made that it includes “Atomic” technology. After several months of use the time can be as much as 4 – 5 minutes fast. The Internet connection drifts in and out as visible on the Internet icon featured on the display, upper right’s tiny icon shown in the above photo, when the Internet is connected. It does however update the weather info when connected to the Internet. Yes, I’ve relocated the display, rebooted the modem and the device, but to no avail. This probably indicates a poor-quality Internet receiver, or internal antenna issues. The manufacturer promotes support via email, web and phone, but after numerous requests on my part there is still no reply. They pitch a one-year return warranty and a lifetime support warranty with a prompt response to you within 24 hours.
Bottom line, the SSA ZN-DP8003 Digital Day Clock has many performance limitations. If you can live with the issues I’ve outlined it may serve your needs, but I can only give it one star out of five since it does not perform as advertised and lacks good manufacturer’s customer support.
MSRP: $49.99 - *$51.95
GADGETEER’s RATING: ★
For more information go to: https://amzn.to/3FtE2gt
Graphic credits: Manufacturer
Bob Skidmore is a freelance writer, who may be contacted at bskidmore@mac.com, or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not represent, or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are solely his points of view and not those of the manufacturer, or any legal resource. The manufacturer generally supplies products and press releases at no cost for the articles and no other compensation is received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he feels worthy of review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason for many superior ratings.
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