It’s New Year’s Day 2019! As we start most days around the Cataldo house, we head to the refrigerator, take out some breakfast foods and beverages, and check the day’s weather on our Bushnell FX5 electronic weather center.
We got this wonderful device about seven years ago during a $50 rebate deal, and it quickly became something that the entire family looks at daily.
Today, on New Year’s Day, our Bushnell weather center presented us with this ominous message:
“B NELL OFFLINE 12 31 19”
Oh no! We immediately began searching for more info on what happened or why these devices may no longer be supported. These weather centers receive data from Ambient and Accuweather, both of which are still in business. So what’s going on?
These weather centers operate on the Ambient Information Network that sends weather, stock market activity, sport scores, energy pricing and usage using a paging network that utilizes encoded FM radio stations to send out a data broadcast signals to ambient devices. This network is unfortunately being shut down at the end of 2019.
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October 2019 UPDATE: If you have an included model of Bushnell weather centers, Bushnell will replace them with free of charge when you mail your current unit in before 12/31/19. The replacement unit that they send is a La Crosse Wireless Color Weather Station CC85845v3.
Unfortunately, this unit is not comparable to the weather centers we’ve all grown to love. This La Crosse weather station has a wireless sensor to place outside your home which reports the current outdoor temperature to the indoor unit. It uses barometric pressure to predict upcoming weather, and there is no way to switch cities and look at forecasts for other parts of the USA — one of my favorite things to do with my Bushnell. It is an attractive unit though, and I do appreciate Bushnell offering any kind of replacement.
Here is the information on how to get a replacement unit: https://www.bushnell.com/weatherfx-replacement
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October 2020 Update: These weather centers have proven to be far more enduring than even Bushnell thought possible. They are still going strong now, one year past the date that Bushnell began offering the La Crosse weather station as a replacement. Read the incredible comments below to see how many people are still relying on their units. (I’m quite irked that I sent mine back. Had I known it would continue to work for this length of time, I wouldn’t have!)
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September 2022 Update: Yes, these units have been working for close to three years past the date the network officially “shut down.” On 9/6/22, many people have reported that the units are no longer updating the 5-day temperature forecast. Refer to the comments under this article for the most recent updates.
Reader Ed emailed the company on 9/2/22 and they confirmed they will still exchange these older units for a similar model, although the replacement I myself received uses barometric pressure to predict the weather, not an FM or internet signal.
Robert says
Ha, I Googled the same message moments ago, and got your site as the first result.
I got two of these on clearance for the cost of postage (after rebate), so it’s been a good (nearly-free) run.
Plenty of time to seek out an upgrade.
Happy New Year!
Coupon Maven says
Thank you — I also got mine free after the $50 rebate — I believe it was Walmart where I originally purchased the unit from for $50, then did the $50 rebate. Still, it’s frustrating — we REALLY like this thing :)
mike says
I just made a profile on change . com lets get 10000 sig and show bushnell please pass on thanks mike Schmidt Lakewood nj
Daryn Waldner says
Hi would anybody have bushnell weather fxi 960071c for golf install zip file?
Chad Horton says
Mine says the exact same thing but everything else on it still seems to work. Forecast and current temp are up to date. Maybe it’s just some glitch that we’ll have to see if it starts working again.
Mike barakat says
I have the same one too and got the same message. I’ve been looking for something similar for the past year and can’t find any weather station that show the whole week forecast. I’m going crazy now.
Robert deckman says
I got the same message on my Ambient Devices weather clock. (I found it on E-Bay several years ago for about $25, and my friends and family snapped them up after I told them about it). I hope that the clock keeps showing the time, even if the weather forecast disappears.
Chad Horton says
I got my Bushnell on Ebay as well many years ago. It says offline 12 31 19. Does that maybe mean that we have it for one more year and it will go offline at the end of this year? Maybe they’re sending a message out to everyone to let them know? Just a thought.
Coupon Maven says
Chad, that’s what I think – this is a one-year warning that it will stop receiving signals at the end of 2019. I guess it’s better than them suddenly discontinuing service to thousands of devices without warning. It’s still odd that Bushnell / Ambient / Accuweather have nothing on any of their websites about this.
Lee says
Ours is showing the same thing. You cannot find this type of weather center and we love it. Sad!
Marsha says
I love this weather center and have 5 of them! They all say the same thing. I hope somone finds an answer. I couldn’t bear to see it go offline. They are fabulous. So far working ok, but what happens next New Year’s Eve?!
Jason says
You posted this pretty quickly. I have this nice weather station alarm clock that I’ve been using because the decibel of the alarm wakes me up immediatly at 4am for work. Woke up and the entire middle of the display has the B’NELL OFFLINE 12-31-19 taking up all the real estate of the display. Lol 😂
Brad says
Thank you for the post, Jill. Was looking for information and this was the first result. This has been my family’s go-to weather center! We have this in the kitchen as well and use it every day.
It’s my understanding these operate on an older network that apparently will be shut down end of 2019. I’ve read that it is one of the same networks that used to support pagers, if that gives you any idea of how old the system is. Likely getting cost prohibitive to keep it running. :-( Either way sad to see this go next year, as we get a lot of use out of this thing — and it’s accurate.
Happy New Year everyone!
Chad Horton says
Thanks for the info Brad. Yeah, and with everyone using smartphones now for everything, that’s probably another reason they figure it’s just not worth it anymore. Still nice to glance at in the morning on the way out the door.
Lee says
I really haven’t found an equivalent. Have any of you??
Chad Horton says
I actually looked a while back when I thought my current one stopped working. I couldn’t find anything.
tom ciciora says
The maker of this device, Ambient Devices, is not the same as Ambient Weather. I sent them an email about the message, and they claim to respond within two business days,
Coupon Maven says
Thanks! My husband tried to call the 800 number on their website too, but they were closed today (of course.)
John says
Thanks for posting this! Our weather station, which we also got on a rebate, is one of my favorite pieces of technology. We look at it multiple times a day. It’s always accurate. The one line weather summaries have character and personality but are remarkably concise. It’s a beater too! We’ve dropped it by accident multiple times! I can’t find anything that rivals it. It just works.
Will be sad to see it go.
Thanks for the post! Bookmarking.
Rob says
Like the rest of you I have 4 or 5 of these devices in my home, office and garage. They are the only device that gives an accurate 5 or 7 day forecast and the color changing background makes them look great.
These devices sell for very high money on ebay, often $250+ and I find it hard to beleive that no one can produce and sell a newer version that works just as well.
Hopefully someone will see this blog and know how many people still want this device and the service.
Chad Horton says
The people on ebay trying to sell them for $250 are just trying to rip people off. When they were new, they were no more than 50 or 60 bucks. But yeah, they are a great device. Will be a shame when they stop working.
Coupon Maven says
I had NO idea the price had gone up so much on these in the eBay marketplace! https://www.ebay.com/p/RARE-Bushnell-Wireless-Weather-Station-Fx5-5-Day-AccuWeather-Forecast-Ambient/2170790550
Here’s a site still selling them for $95: http://www.weatherstationsupply.com/bushnell_weather_stations.html
I thought this was interesting too — for everyone saying that you can simply use a smartphone app for weather, the WSJ has a story today about one of the popular weather apps collecting too much personal data: https://www.wsj.com/articles/popular-weather-app-collects-too-much-user-data-security-experts-say-11546428914
Willie weatherboy says
A potentially sad day in the weather device universe…
Jimmy Shomo says
It is amazing how many people are still using these, and even more amazing that you can’t find a better product to replace these with.
Mine is dated 2008 and I have tried several times to find a replacement. I believe Bushnell was making a golf weather station forecaster recently, but I don’t even see those around anymore. In any case, they were nothing like the 7 day or 5 day ones. It was nice to have a dedicated device that didn’t rely on WiFi. I read on the back of mine that the data comes from AccuWeather, so maybe their contract with Bushnell / Ambient is expiring. I’m glad that Coupon Mavren took the time to write on this. Maybe if there are enough people out there that want this service, a work around could be developed to continue the service. Kind of reminds me of vinyl records. Old technology making a comeback! But it is obvious that these weather forecasters offered the best service and there is nothing currently available with new technologies that can replace them besides a phone app or website. I guess we will have to hang an extra smart phone on the wall!
its suprising
Kevin W Sanders says
I really loved the quick temperature estimate ( nearest city about 30 miles away ) but most importantly the temperature estimate on how I should plan my dress the next few days while brushing my teeth in the bathroom without having to go through several clicks on a phone app. I have looked for an equivalent year ago without any luck
Thomas Kovalcik says
Ambient made the 5 day and 7 day forecaster for bushnell and brookstone.
From Wiki
Services
Ambient Devices runs a data network called “Ambient Information Network”[9] that sends weather, stock market activity, sport scores, energy pricing and usage using a paging network that utilizes encoded FM radio stations to send out a data broadcast signals to ambient devices.
They also sell forecasting services to utility companies so that customers can reduce their energy usage when utilities are encountering peak usage and need an automated way of reducing energy consumption in homes and businesses.
Controversy
Brookstone licensed and sold an Ambient Device called the “Brookstone Weathercast Wireless 5-day Forecaster.” Consumers who bought this weather reporting device found out in February 2018 that Ambient Devices would no longer be sending data to these devices, rendering them e-waste.
Bill says
I have an Ambient Flurry Clock Radio that joined in this unfortunate event on New Years Day. It’s the best weather device I own and I will be sad if this is truly the end. The feed has gone offline from time to time but none like this. Sending a cryptic message that may or may not signal the end is a crappy way to cut bait and leave. While the Accuweather feed is still active having the description feed display that stupid message ruins the entire interface. Uggggh.
I’ll miss the pithy weather commentary. It’s really a shame that there doesn’t seem to be any worthy replacements. (Sigh)
Shawn says
I’m thinking of replacing mine with an old iPad running a weather app. Now to find a good weather app!
Coupon Maven says
This is actually not a bad idea – we have an old iPod Touch lying around that’s so old it’s not good for much else. It would just have to be set in “never sleep” mode… and mounted on our fridge!
Marsha says
I tried calling Bushnell customer service several times today but there is a recording saying that there is a problem with the system and to try later. I tried different extensions…no luck. But the message is off the devices today. Still very sad. These are fabulous devices. I love them and rely on them multiple times during the day. Much easier than checking weather on a phone. I hope they can somehow get us connected on another network. This is not right!
Jeff says
I own an Ambeont clock radio and have yet to find a Conor’s me device — most weather stations don’t show forecasts in this way — I hope that even if the comments go that maybe the forecast (temperature, rain.shine, stocks around).
moshe says
please sign on change.com abt bushnell thanks
John says
Has the petition ended, and if so, why? I would love to sign it.
Martin says
That old Sony flat screen with the roof antenna app… I have a curved screen 40″ Samsung 1080P from two years ago, and it shows what is on all the stations picked up by my roof antenna. It gives the movie or show title currently playing and the time that it started.
Many of the channels are in high-definition. The OTA Channel Master antenna is great, and I would never pay for cable.
Kevin W Sanders says
I really like the 5 day forecast without having to click a bunch on an app on an iphone etc in my bathroom when I get dressed in the morning so I know whether to dress for warm or cold weather . Maybe Jill can use her influence and make ambient realize they have quite a following . But I doubt it . I had weather in my airplane on an MX20 and WSI just decided to no longer support my equipment and that box was like 10,000$ new.
My solution is I took and old iphone 4, turned off the auto off , display lock etc , dimmed the display a bit and using WIFI , ran the default weather app which luckily stays on all the time and updates itself. No wind data :( , but does give me temp and 7 day forecast
Bill says
Ok, so the feed is back on. What gives? Did anybody get feedback from any of the manufacturers?
Happy it’s back but would like to know what the heck happened.
And who or what the heck is “B’NELL”?
Coupon Maven says
B NELL stands for Bushnell, the manufacturer of these units.
Bill says
“B NELL stands for Bushnell, the manufacturer of these units.”
FYI Mine was an original Ambient Device. Bushnell came after. There are others.
From the looks of that message it looks as if Bushnell is the now the proud owner of the service contract with U.S.A. Mobility the host for the datacasting network. Let’s hope they pay their bills on time from now on…
Happy it’s back online!
Mark says
work for an online retailer, and thanks to our Search engine Optimization (we are an authorized Bushnell dealer), we’re getting dozens of emails about this.
I spoke with my contact in Tech Support at Bushnell, and was told that it’s just a glitch with Ambient, and Bushnell is working with Ambient to resolve this. I was told there is no “expiration date”, the service “will not terminate on 12/31/2019”.
While I suggested that they post a banner on their landing page with that information, I would think the issue will be resolved before the Bushnell web content team addresses it.
OTIS says
Mark, that is great news! Let us know if you hear anything else. Happy New Year.
Coupon Maven says
Mark, I (and I’m sure many others) appreciate your post. Please feel free to update us if/when you hear more :)
Russ says
I’m saw the same thing on my two weather stations! Anyway, it sounds like we are ok with service! I just wanted to add that people that are looking for a similar solution for an old tablet, look at DAKboard software, there is a free basic version and a pay version. Anyway, I don’t work for them or anything but have been using it on old Fire Tablets for months and it really looks a lot more ‘up to date’ than my two old/working Bushnell stations.
Wayne6161 says
I have been searching for an alternative but could not find any. These units continue to work so why stop the service? Bushnell never mentioned anything about end of service when we purchased these.
Kevin W Sanders says
Well one of those last posts sounds encouraging but I would imagine before lond everything will be app based and digital just like TV broadcasts
10 years ago and now our traffic reports in VA
https://www.dailypress.com/news/newport-news/dp-nws-traffic-highway-advisory-radio-20190106-story.html
Dave says
Got the following response from Bushnell on January 10, 2019
Dave-
Unfortunately, Bushnell will no longer be able to support the AccuWeather service for the Bushnell weather stations through Ambient Weather Services and it will be discontinued by the end of 2019.
Bushnell appreciates and values all of our customers and while we truly regret any inconvenience this or any previous announcement may have caused, we are working diligently on identifying a solution that will provide similar service to our customers.
Check back with us at the end of the year and hopefully we will have a fix for these!
Thanks!
Eric
Bushnell CS Rep
Coupon Maven says
Dave, thanks for the update. I hope that they do find a solution for everyone who owns these.
Marsha says
Where can I write or call about this? I love these weather stations and hope they do not shut down the service.
John Burgess says
I never noticed the “B NELL offline 12-31-19” message. However, I noticed that the unit is no longer receiving weather data as of today (9/30/19). Sorry to see it go – it’s been a great item.
John Burgess says
I did not see the notice that the service would be discontinued by 12-31-19. However, as of 9/30/2019, the unit is no longer receiving weather data.
Coupon Maven says
John, as of today, 10/1/19, our weather center is still receiving data and showing the forecast for this week (yes, it really is this hot today in Chicago!)
Mark says
Is yours still working in Chicago? Mine stopped a few days ago?
Coupon Maven says
Our area had a power outage today. When our power came back on, our weather forecast didn’t. :( It is powered up, but it now receives no forecasts.
Chad Horton says
Have any of you stumbled on to any other forecasters similar to this one? There are weather stations out there that just guess a forecast based on barometer readings, but I’m hoping there’s another one out there that gets an actual forecast from NWS or something like that. We have less than 3 months left with this one now. Thanks.
Coupon Maven says
Unfortunately, no, not yet — I actually bought one of the 3-day barometric ones as I saw it on clearance at Ace Hardware a few months ago. It’s awful. Its predictions are rarely accurate at all (shows clouds when the Bushnell one shows sun, temperature predictions are 5-10 degrees off the actual, etc.) It made me appreciate even more how great these Bushnell units are. :(
Mark kraft says
Chad, Three months left, mine stopped working only a few days ago (Columbus OH) is yours still updating?
Chad horton says
The current temp is no longer updating on mine. Still getting the 5 day forecast. Someone just said that the end of their 7 day forecast is blank so this could be it.
ducksworth says
Here in Central Ohio, my two are still showing Sunday’s forecast and temps, which seems to be from around 4PM or so. I see signal indication on both devices, so I’m pretty sure it’s not the paging service these piggyback on. This is exactly what the Market Maven did when it was shut off – the device simply stopped updating one day and would never download new data (because there wasn’t any.) The clock continued until the device was reset.
I’ve re-powered the larger device to see if it gets new data, and I’ve also contacted Bushnell to see if they have anything to say. I’ll report back if anything of interest is found.
Jim H says
Mine is still going strong here in Grove City, Ohio. Thank you all for a wonderful thread.
Jim H
Clb says
Don’t turn yours off. We did to move it and now it won’t come back on.
Jeff f. says
Uh Oh, I just found a link on Bushnell’s website stating:
“Effective December 31, 2019, service for the Bushnell WeatherFX Weather Forecaster will end. As a thank you for being a valued Bushnell customer, Bushnell is offering to replace your Bushnell WeatherFX Weather Forecaster with a comparable replacement weather forecasting device.
To take advantage of this offer please ship in your Bushnell WeatherFX Weather Forecaster to the address on this page. Within 30 days upon receipt of your Bushnell WeatherFX Weather Forecaster, we will ship out a comparable replacement weather forecasting device. Please include your name, address, and telephone number.”
https://www.bushnell.com/weatherfx-replacement
The current temperature has not updated on either of my FX-7’s for two days now and the forecast for Monday 10/14 is blank as of this morning. I am very disappointed that this service appears to be truly coming to an end.
lgeorgehsv says
News from Bushnell with a Replacement offer: https://www.bushnell.com/weatherfx-replacement
Coupon Maven says
Thank you SO much! I will update this post. :)
Daniel says
I have a very old Bushnell Ambient, it only has a 3 day forecast. It’s worked great until this past week. Not really sure which day it stopped but I loved it. I think it stopped over the weekend. I noticed the forecast was really off so I rebooted it. Now I’m not getting any data :(
It sure was a great device. I’ll miss it. This is second device that’s died on me this year. RIP jawbone too.
Brooke L Kasubski says
I wonder what the replacement will be… i cant even find anything else LIKE this!
Shawn says
Ours is a 7-day that’s now only showing forecasts through this weekend. Monday (10/14) and Tuesday are blank. Guess the service is ending early! :( I wish I had a replacement ready. I’ll have to check out Bushnell’s offer.
Susan says
Mine stopped working about a week ago, so sad. I am mailing the unit to Bushnell today. I wonder what they will send me in return? I can’t imagine it will be as nice as my original Bushnell weather device : (
Coupon Maven says
I am not sure, but I am sending mine in today as well. I am guessing they will send something that either gets its forecasts over the internet, or possibly from the cellular network. (The network it currently uses is a frequency reserved for pagers.)
ducksworth says
Mine is in the mail today. I don’t expect anything decent in return – probably one of those cheap department store units that reads barometric pressure and tries to predict based on a pre-programmed model.
You never know. I’ll report back when/if I get anything.
Ed says
I saw the post about Bushnell offering a replacement and called their support line yesterday afternoon to find out more information. After being on hold for 15 mins – hung up and sent them an email. As of today no response.
The good news is that my Bushnell 7 -day forecaster came back on last night at 6pm after being off line for 3 days.
I seriously have my doubts about this offer as their website does not show any weather products for sale.
Coupon Maven says
I bought one of the barometric units earlier this year when I saw it on sale – it’s junk. Nowhere near as accurate as my Bushnell :(
ducksworth says
There’s really no way one of the barometric units could be as accurate. The WeatherFX units had the full force Accuweather behind it, with all of that company’s predictive modeling and computing power. The barometric unit just tries to guess based on certain assumptions (lower pressure means warmer, etc…)
The only way to get anything as accurate as the FX units is to just go to NOAA or Accuweather direct. Maybe it’s time to look into seeing what’s out there for small embedded controllers in regards to pulling weather data and showing it?
The FX units had a good 10 year+ run, I suppose that’s more than you can ask for in the disposable world.
Brian says
Has anyone tried to return one of the Ambient-branded versions of the Bushnell WeatherFX stations to take advantage of the exchange program? The only difference is the chrome logo on the bezel. Perhaps if that logo went “missing” before it was returned… ;-)
Traci Jan Silverman says
I am in Houston, Texas. Mine stopped working on 10/07/17. I have searched long on hard for an equivalent device with no luck. am in complete withdrawal! My device actually has the Ambient name on it. I wonder if Bushnell will replace? I’m sending it in anyway and crossing my fingers.
ducksworth says
I have an Ambient-branded unit as well, but it’s not one of the ones that looks like Bushnell’s – it’s rectangular and black. I thought about sending it back with the other one to see what would happen…
Bruce Wukovits says
We will see what bushnell sends since they don’t seem to make forecasters anymore.LaCrosse has several sharp WIFI ap controlled units but they only give 12 hour forecast.
Bruce Wukovits says
My units stopped but interestingly restarted evening of 10-9-19,
Did not think Bushnell made forecasters anymore.
La Crosse makes several sharp WIFI models but they only get 12 hour forecast.
ducksworth says
The one unit I kept also started working again. No real hard feelings about the one I sent back, most of the backlight colors quit years ago and I was tired of feeding it batteries (too bright for a bedroom on AC power.)
I guess I’ll keep using it until the service shuts off for good.
Jon says
My ambient flurry found the network and it is updating again.
I am shocked. It was dead for 2 eeeks.
At this point, I assume it will be dead for good at the end of the year. Heck, ill take what I can get.
Did anybody elses start updating again?
Coupon Maven says
I already disconnected mine and mailed it back – waiting for my replacement, whatever it may be. My parents’ house has the same unit as me, and theirs also has resumed service! Now we are waiting to see what -I- get back before sending theirs in…
Ed says
I would like to know if those folks that sent their Bushnell forecast device in for a replacement got acknowledgement from the company that they received the device. I have emailed them twice and called twice to find out more information about this replacement and got no response.
Ed says
Since 7am EST today there has beern no update of temperature, wind, and wind direction on my 7day Bushnell Forecaster for stations in New England. The time is working but is two hours behind (reading right now 1138am instead of 138pm EST).
Aaron says
On my 7 day forcaster, I have a timezone button on the back. Maybe try this if yours has one too?
Bruce Wukovits says
Same in Indiana except time is still working
Donald Coody says
On November 6 in South Carolina our Bushnell FX5 stopped displaying everything except the time, which was for the wrong time zone.
Sam says
Waiting to see if Bushnell will take my Ambient in trade. In the meantime, I made something similar (really superior) with an old Amazon Fire Tablet I bought for $20, running a little program called 1Weather. I added another program called Insomnia to keep the screen on at all times. Note that I used the Google Play versions rather than those from the Amazon Store.
sam says
If this is a duplicate, please delete!
I’ve also queried Bushnell to see if they will take my old Ambient in trade. In the meantime, I’ve created something as good or maybe better with an old $20 Amazon Fire Tablet and an app called 1Weather. Also used app called Insomnia to keep the screen on.
Robert e deckman says
My Ambient Flurry is not getting any data (I unplugged it, and removed the back-up battery, then reinstalled the battery and plugged it in two days ago).
Reason for rebooting it was that it was showing the incorrect time.
CLint says
Monday morning (Nov 4th) when I woke up and looked at my Brookstone (Ambient) 5 day weather clock. I noticed it was running 1 hour slow. I was confused because it had already move one back the previous morning for all time change. Looking closely I noticed a text that said low battery.
So I change the 4 batteries and when the clock lite up, all the data was missing.
Today (three days later) Thursday at noon the clock suddenly started showing the correct time and the 5 day weather forecast – as if nothing had happened!
ed says
My Bushnell 7day Forecaster came back on sometime today around 12pm (EST) and so far is working as intended for now.
NY says
Just adding a data point, New York area, the seven day forecast or is back working again. It was blank since Monday.
RC Mann says
I had the 5 day model and it stopped receiving last week. Thanks for posting the info! The old man would have blamed me forever for “breaking” it. We’ve become so dependent on having it. Loved that it was color coded to the weather. Thanks again for the replacement info.
Jim SMith says
I have a weather fx 950005 that stopped working. I shipped it to Bushnell over 35 days ago for replacement. Has any one actually received a free replacement? There’s lots of posts but no confirmation that this actually is happening.
Txako says
Having withdrawal pains. Need my weather info at-a glance!
Dave says
I own a Brookstone 5-day forecaster which is still working in the San Francisco Bay Area. Time and forecast both look good. I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.
ed says
My Bushnell 7 Day Forecast stopped working at 3pm yesterday. Unplugged it and then plugged it back in nothing happened. At 5pm I did the same thing again and at 6pm it was working again. At 1am today it stopped working. Did the unplug/plug and nothing happened. Tried it again 3pm and it worked only to stop again at 4pm. I think it maybe time to retire the unit from active duty.
Bruce Wukovits says
The replacement I just got today is a La Crosse Wireless Color Weather Station model C85845v3.
Sharp unit that gives indoor and out(via included sensor) temp and humidity and a forecast trend icon.No multiple days forecast as the old models and no wind indicator like the old 7 day.But there is nothing like that available now as I can see.
La Crosse does make a more expensive wifi model that gives wind but still only a day forecast.
Bruce Wukovits says
I forgot to mention the replacement unit they sent me Lacrosse C85845v3 is about $40.00 now on amazon with a list of $60.00.
will be interesting to see if everybody gets it regardless of what they send back.
Coupon Maven says
Bruce, you’re the first to reply with what Bushnell sent back to you. I am still waiting for mine – very interesting. So this is a unit which requires an outdoor sensor to work & likely forecasts via barometric pressure instead of receiving an Accuweather feed.
Bruce Wukovits says
That is correct.No accuweather and just icons for next 6 to 12 hours basically.
They do make a 7 day accuweather forecaster but it is a full weather station with wind instruments and just under $200.00.
jobe says
That’s rotten news. In this day and age it feels like we’re going backwards?
Bruce Wukovits says
Amazon did have a 7 day accuweather forecaster for $87.00 back up to $123.00 now.
Coupon Maven says
The problem is that I’ve read anything using Accuweather is supposed to cease operation in less than a month. Buying one on Amazon now would be throwing money away.
Bruce Wukovits says
That is not correct. The new models Like La Cross use Accuweather that they get across the internet. The ones being discontinued got it wirelessly through the air. It is the wireless like the Bushnells that are being phased out. Lacrosse units are safe to buy.
Coupon Maven says
I received my La Crosse unit from Bushnell. It does not receive any kind of internet signal and simply reports the local outdoor temperature from a wireless sensor that you place outdoors, as well as the current indoor temperature. Its forecasting is solely based on barometric pressure, and is unfortunately not terribly accurate. It shows icons of sun or rain based on what it thinks will happen in the next 12 hours, not five days. There is also no way to view forecasts for other cities and parts of the country.
Gary says
I sent in my weather station October 10th, got confirmation from USPS it was delivered to Bushnell but Bushnell hasn’t sent me anything back and won’t answer my emails, anyone else having this problem?
Coupon Maven says
I too have not yet received mine, and it was delivered to Bushnell. I guess we are all playing the waiting game.
Bruce Wukovits says
That is funny it is taking so long.Mine took exactly 38 days and they promised 30.I have 2 more and am wondering if I should send those back.I sent a e-mail asking if it is only 1 to a customer and got back any auto reply with return info so I may try.
Bruce Wukovits says
Mine looked like it was shipped from La Crosse and even had a repair ticket that said something like replacement for unrepairable item.That might be why it takes longer as Bushnell is at the mercy of La Crosse.La Crosse must have made those for Bushnell.
G18 says
Does anyone know why the service is ending? Who is ending the service? Is there any way to contact them? I know many people with these devices that love them and would be willing to pay a subscription to keep them operational. There are no other weather stations comparable that are currently on the market.
Coupon Maven says
The bandwidth that the weather centers currently use is being sold – from what I read, it is in the same band as what pagers used to use. Those frequencies are more valuable to cell providers and other tech.
Phil says
I was just informed by Bushnell customer service:
“We are being told that the replacement weather FX’s are being shipped during the week of Dec. 16th.”
Mark says
I received my replacement a few weeks ago. Not really happy with it, but the Bushnell lasted for years. I miss the 5 day forecast and the different colors for temperature range. Oh well, they really didn’t have to do anything, technology advances.
Gleapman says
Disappointing replacement. The Bushnell website says a “comparable replacement weather forecasting device.” This isn’t even close. Five days of professional forecasts vs a 12-hour guess based on change in barometric pressure. I like “old school,” but this is 100+-year-old technology.
Mine took about 60 days to get. The second time I called, the customer service person told me the company didn’t realize how many of the old units were out there and was overwhelmed with the response. They hadn’t ordered enough and were sending them out in batches as they received more inventory.
I appreciate the gesture of providing a “replacement” (although it was likely done, in part, to avoid a class-action lawsuit), But they should have been honest about what we’d receive and maybe offered a choice of cash instead. We used the old product regularly. We already have a couple of indoor/outdoor temp gauges, so this new one is not helpful (and, worse, it needs to be plugged in). Frankly, I don’t need any more of those damn remote sensing units on the back of my house.
chris says
This really ‘blows’…our family has loved ours for years…I am not happy about the replacement. I like the old ipad suggestion, but still not the same. If anyone finds something close, please post. Thank you for all that have shared their feedback, this is very helpful! We are in richmond, va, still works as of today, but I guess this will be short lived…ugh!
Bruce Wukovits says
I ended up getting a la Crosse weather station for $80.00 on amazon. You get a wind speed sensor and rain gage plus temp sensor. It connects by wifi and gets 7 day forecast and 3 other things of your choosing by an app.You must scroll to see each day and also scroll to see each hours forecast.Not axactly the same but the closest out there I could find.Am a weather nut so I think it pretty cool.Must be pluged in to but I analyzed it to only 4 cents a month to operate.
Chad Horton says
Mine is still working as of now. It’s giving the forecast for the rest of the week right into the New Year. Still gives the current temp. I guess I’ll see what happens New Year’s Day.
Gary says
It’s a shame no one has an internet connected device, the only one out there connected to the internet is a 1 day forecast and it doesn’t update very often… I used an old android tablet (can get one for $49) and use an app called “WhatsWeather Pro” that cost $5 and it does fairly well, not quite the same but it has a color screen and 5 day forecast… It has an option in the settings to keep the android tablet from going to screen lock. Then I purchased a bracket off of Amazon to mount it on the wall.
Coupon Maven says
I think this is a good option – thank you for the recommendation of WhatsWeatherPro. :)
Larry says
As a replacement, we purchased Amazon’s echo show 8 that has an option to display 5-day local weather. It works fairly well but it does require you to connect your device to your Amazon account via wifi. If you do not have wifi Internet access, this option may not work for you.
https://amzn.to/2Fd6pmA
Ducksworth says
The only problem with one of those devices is Amazon – they aren’t having a good time with their Ring stuff, and who knows what they’re collecting with their other devices. As a rule, I’ve found Amazon’s house-branded devices are really there to sell you more things from and by Amazon, the other functions come second.
Margaret says
To help others from stumbling around trying to find the correct app like I did, the correct name of the app is “WhatWeather Pro – Weather Station” or the free apparently less accurate version at “WhatWeather – Weather Station ad-free”, as there’s at least one other app with a similar name. But thanks, this was a very helpful tip!
Sansonet says
I’m using eWeather HDF which has a lot of options to set up, this is what my setup looks like https://imgur.com/a/NOaXvbC
I can scroll the daily/hourly forecast page, and also can change to 24 hr/hourly forecast, and 5-day to 10-day forecast. Clouds and rain are animated. Also, I’m using the “motion detector” app, so the screen comes on only when somebody is in the room.
BTW, my unit came back to life today too.
Brian says
It’s January 1 and my 5 day weather forecaster is still working.
Brian says
Still working on January 4.
joe latiolais says
My Bushnell is still up and running as of now, Jan 1, 2020, 8am MST. We will see. I assume in a day or two we will all get the sad “offline” news again.
I did get the replacement about 2 months after sending a unit in. It is a C85845V3 LaCrosse station. It is a nice station but does not give 5 or 7 day forecast. I commend Bushnell for the effort on this. They really did not have to do anything.
ed says
Happy New Year to all and good news my Bushnel 7-day Forecaster did not go off-line at midnight and is working as intended.
Ducksworth says
Mine is still going as well. I did get the replacement for my other 5-day (and partially functional) unit, as expected is was one of the LaCrosse devices that tries to best-guess what’s going to happen based on a pre-programmed model. It has some useful information, so I’ll just take it into work and plop it down in an area where it can be seen by everyone.
If the other ones are truly going to go offline, it may take a few days before everyone gets back to work and the data feeds are cancelled.
ROBBO980 says
My Ambient Devices “flurry” is still giving weather information! Hurray!
Coupon Maven says
All these reports of them still working are making me sad that I sent mine back in! :(
For those of you that kept yours, please do keep posting updates. I really do wonder how long they’ll keep working.
Max says
It’s 2:50pm and my Ambient 7 Day Forecaster is still functioning! Very happy to see it working. Hope it will still keep on running.
Chad Horton says
Everything on mine is still working too. Will keep everyone updated.
Chris says
Mine is working in richmond, Va today as well!
Rufus M. says
wunderground.com, (subsidiary of the weather channel) offers a web based 10 day forecast. The service updates every few minutes, using data from the nearest personal weather station. While not as convenient as my 5 day Bushnell it’s better than nothing, I guess.
Jim says
My 5 day is still working great as of 8pm EST
1-1-20 in Columbus Ohio
Scoot says
My 7 channel Ambient wx unit is still alive and updating as of 01/02 at 10am
Stash says
I have a Brookstone which uses ambient wireless and shows 5 day forecast. I have been in mourning, trying to prepare for its January 1 loss over the last few months. It is still working today. I just can’t bring myself to get rid of it yet. I’ve used it daily for well over a decade. I agree with whomever said It’s demise will be a step backwards. It was so easy to just glance over for a quick read rather than having to open an app. How can there NOT be a replacement!?!
Soprano99 says
My 7 channel Ambient Wx unit is alive and updating as of 01/02 at 10:30AM
ED says
At 759pm on Jan 1 (EST) my 7-day forecaster stopped updating the time, temp, wind direction and speed. This morning after disconnecting and connecting the unit several times it began working again. One thing I noticed was when it was not working is that the Ambient connection icon was not displaying.
Al says
Still working in Cincinnati OH
joseph p daly says
Everyone, I just called customer service and the rep didn’t know that the forecasters were still working (which mine are as of 1/3). She thought the service was terminated already. I plan to hang onto mine as long as it continues to work. I asked whether there was an expiration date to send the units in for a replacement and she said she didn’t know of any………..
ed says
If the Weather Forecaster is discontinuing you would never know it. Today the forecast for Boston MA was updated three separate times as result of changing weather conditions in this area: just after midnight, late morning, and early this evening.
Coupon Maven says
Again, I appreciate the updates. I continue to be irked that I sent mine in!
Jim Heffernan says
My 5 day forecaster is still updating and working fine her in Columbus Ohio
Jam 6 2020
I assume it will go quietly in the night.
Jim
Chad Horton says
Mine is still working. Holding on for now.
Jack Bunch says
Why did Bushnell tell me to send in my teo Weather FX units if they are still working today January 6? I sent them in and now want them back if they are going to continue to work. That is just wrong. The 2 little replacement units only tell the outdoor temp and humidity with a 12 hour forecast for the location of the sensor only. This is pathetic! Let me know something please.
Coupon Maven says
I’m in the same boat. I sent mine back, and my parents’ unit was sent back too. Even though the service was slated to end 12/31, I’m assuming that there hasn’t been a hard shut-off like there was when standard TV broadcasts stopped and all switched to digital on the same day.
I too would like mine back if it is going to continue to work..! :(
Linda Cunningham says
its 1/7/20 and my Bushnell 7 day forecaster is still working!!! YAY!!
Bruce Wukovits says
Could be that they are overwhelmed with returns and don’t want to stop service until all units are replaced. If someone gets hurt or worse by a storm and blames the company because they had no service they might sue.Bad publicity to say the least.Service will end at some point.Some other service most likely already owns the bandwidth and frequency.
Wayne says
I sent mind in as well and the replacement only provides the indoor and outside temp using a sensor. It is not comparable. They lied. Now I am trying other options such as a Google hub nest. It only gives the forecast when you say hey google. It is annoying. I have a honeywell wifi thermostat which works good but does not give a forecast. I am trying the amazon fire with an app and a mounting frame from “MakesbyMikeStore” it is a cheap 3d printed frame but will work with the right holes to plug in the micro usb port. Finding the right app is difficult as well. They all have advertisements and spam you for downloading junt apps and don’t look anything like a 7 day forecaster. The apps are made for portrait mode on phones and not landscape for tables. eWeather HD pro works but goes to sleep due to android screen timeout.
ed says
My 7 day Forecaster stopped working last night at 729pm (EST) for Boston MA. Still not working this morning.
Is anyone familiar with the Taylor 4 day weather forecaster model sold through Ace Hardware. Works off WiFi and sells for $69.99. There is also a 5 day model that sells for $119.99 and displays wind speed and direction.
Coupon Maven says
UPDATE: Someone downthread found a review that says the wifi app for this one is discontinued, so it does not get forecasts via wifi anymore. Don’t buy this one and save your money.
“company has discontinued it and nothing on it works except for the indoor and outdoor temperature. They said there was an app on Android that was needed for it to work but the app no longer works and the company no longer supports it. So yeah, I think this is one to avoid.”
Thank you for the update. I have no experience with this one, but it looks interesting. The screen style is similar to the Bushnell one we all grew to like so much.
I actually did buy a Taylor weather forecaster at Ace Hardware last year, but it was under $10 and predicts with barometric pressure, not with wifi. It’s not terribly accurate aside from outdoor temperature, which it uses an outdoor wire lead to capture. This is it:
Chad Horton says
Thank you for bringing that weather station up. Looks like a good alternative. Expensive but very comparable. That might be the way to go for me once mine quits. As of last night, mine was still working.
Robert A Dusel says
This Taylor Device looks like a very close replacement to the smaller Bushnell forecasters. # day forecast via Wifi.
It’s on Amazon for $59.76.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CP85WGJ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?smid=A3TX4YUK2VIRSQ&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=jillcatasupec-20&linkId=1deaefc80610bb8c5c5409622c005ca6&language=en_US
Bruce Wukovits says
Be suspicious of the Taylor. Bad reviews and not even on Taylor web site.Discontinued.?Sounds like not real forecasts but just based on pressure. Only true daily forecast unit I know of are a few La Crosse weather stations. I have the 3100 and it is pretty good.
Coupon Maven says
It would be nice to find the manual for the Taylor online & read exactly what it gets from Wifi – can you select multiple cities, etc? That was one of my favorite features of the Bushnell, looking at weather in other cities where our family lives or where we were traveling.
Chad Horton says
You are right. I found a very bad review from someone on Amazon. They said that the company has discontinued it and nothing on it works except for the indoor and outdoor temperature. They said there was an app on Android that was needed for it to work but the app no longer works and the company no longer supports it. So yeah, I think this is one to avoid.
Coupon Maven says
Thank you for this – I am going to edit my original post so that someone doesn’t buy it from the link.
ed says
My 7 Day Bushnell Forecaster came back on last night after being off-line for 24 hours. Working fine right now with information being updated twice today for Boston – very happy for now.
In regards to the Taylor black and white 4 day forecaster model, I sent them an email about how it works. They replied within one day and said the model is still being sold through Ace Hardware and you need to download the Weather Sense App and complete registration with them once this is done you can connect the base station to WiFi.
I sent a follow up email to Taylor about another similar model that displays all the information in color, but no response as of this date.
Chad Horton says
Thank you for doing that. I was going by feedback someone left. If these do still work, I’ll get one. I went into the play store and can see that app. I want to get the color 5 day forecaster. That’s the one someone left bad feedback for. Maybe they were confused about the app? I don’t know. I guess I could buy it and try it myself and always send it back if I have to.
ED says
I received a response from Taylor last night (owned by a company called Lifetime Brands headquartered in Garden City, New York) in regards to their color 4 day forecast model 6669337 and they said it is no longer manufactured by them. They said the B&W model 1743 is still an active model. However, when I checked the Taylor website no such model listed.
Carolyn C says
I have the Ambiient 7 day forecaster and just like the others, I had the same message that it’s going offline on 12/31/19. Throughout the year myself and my better half were looking at replacements and I kept telling him I like this one the best and no other product compares to the one we have. The unit never let this household down, it’s always been spot on for us. Well today is January 11, 2020 and mine is still working. *Metro Detroit Area) . I’m not ready to give up on our Ambient Weather Station.
Jeffrey Lambert says
Looks like a scam to me because my unit has been working fine. Send it in, they say…why? If its obsolete why send it in? So they can be re sold on ebay of course…because suddenly it’s not so hard to find them any more…odd…I’ll be the first one to come back on here and say I was full of crap, but it’s looking like a real scam to me…what address were they being sent back to?
Bruce Wukovits says
They went to Bushnell but new ones came from La Crosse who I suspect built the Bushnell.May be afraid for legal reasons to shut down until bulk of returns are replaced.
Ducksworth says
That’s probably the reason. Makes me wonder how most people found out about the recall, this is one of the few places I’ve seen any news about it. My two units never showed the “offline” message, unless I just happened to miss it. I only found out because the service going offline was always a possibility, and I looked for that information every so often.
I kept one unit and sent back one that had been acting up. The replacement is most definitely meh, I took it in to work where the “outdoor” sensor sits in the server room as a secondary temperature measurement.
Jim Heffernan says
My 5 day forecaster is still going strong. Columbus Ohio.
Coupon Maven says
Jim, thanks for the continued update. I continue to be irked that I sent mine in!
Chad Horton says
Mine is still working as well in the Pittsburgh area. Who knows what the future holds for these units now. I’ll just keep mine going for as long as it’ll work.
Jeff says
Hi, I’m a little frustrated I bought two Brookstone scorekeepers $49 each I bought the first one because I liked it so much and bought another one for my brother in Denver… Were using it and liking it it was a great device showed all the score was playing on that day everything then I all of a sudden stopped… Back then it was maybe five or six years ago I checked into this but since then I’ve done nothing… I’m just frustrated I paid over $100 for these things and accompanied the flies that just shut it off something is not right about that or I should’ve been compensated and if I remember they wanted to give you a $10 rebate $10 I think that’s a joke…
David says
What was the model?
Bernie says
My 950017 model is still fully working in the San Jose CA area and I can scroll through the data for the 150 other cities as well. No ominous messages like some of you. What’s going on? Or maybe I shouldn’t ask and just be grateful that this hard to beat device has given me such great satisfaction for what seems like 20 years! It would be sad to see it not working anymore.
Coupon Maven says
Bernie, thank you for your detailed update. I’m so irked that I sent ours in! The replacement they sent is -nothing- like my Bushnell :( I am really impressed that it is still working.
James Heffernan says
5 day forecaster still going strong in Columbus Ohio
Steve says
Still working here in Michigan
AbilitySys says
Just died here in Portland. This is the second time I’ve been dumped by Ambient – I still have an “Orb,” even though they dropped that signal many years ago. It was a piece of art that changed colors based on you settings (weather, stock market, etc.) – now it just slowly rolls through the possible colors…
Has anybody found a good replacement for the 5-day?
Coupon Maven says
AbilitySys, thank you for letting me know. I have been wondering if all of the gloom-and-doom was a rumor, or if they would finally phase these out at some point.
ed says
If they are going phase it out you would never know it. I been finding lately the forecast is being updated 2-3 times per day depending on weather conditions. Temp data updates as usual after midnight and then again around 4:30pm – 5pm EST here in Boston.
ed says
My 7-day model here in Boston MA last updated temperature, wind speed and direction at 10pm on Wed 2/12. Since then no-update. The forecast for day 1 has not updated since after midnight on Wed 2/12. The forecast for days 2-7 is working as is the time and I am getting the Ambient signal. Anyone else having the same issues?
Seth says
My 7 day last updated on 2/12 as well. I am in the Boston area as well.
Rob D says
Weds was the last update for my two units here in the nyc area.
End of an era I guess although I am hoping it’s just a glitch as the ambient signal is still there.
I’ll leave them running for a week and see what happens
Bruce Wukovits says
Stopped updating yesterday in Indiana. Still showing ambient signal and in network.
jim says
Hi,
I am out in Brookline, NH with the 5 Day Weather station from Brookstone and have not been receiving weather data since June. Do you know what frequency your device is responding to? It should be 929.6625 but I would like to know for sure.
I am receiving pager data on 929.6125 using a pager receiver, but nothing shows up on 929.6625.
Many thanks
Robert decknman says
I’m in Los Angeles. My Ambient Flurry is still getting a signal and displaying the proper information.
scott says
I have had 4 of these [ 7day] in a display frame ( for years)… it has been a great overview of weather, at a glance, in places I work. Alaska, Puerto Rico, Ohio, Arizona etc.. what a great display of color and info. I turn 3 of the 4 off at night , the other is a night lite. The 3 I turn off have not come ‘back on’ for two days. They are ‘waiting for network’…. the one I do not shut off, has not updated for a couple of days… Looks like it’s all over . What a shame. My Dad loved the one he had, my brother so enjoyed his as well. It would have been nice to have had at least an option to subscribe for the service.
Thank you Ms. Cataldo for providing this ‘forum’…
Jack Bunch says
My 2 Weather FX7 units stopped February 13. I only have days 1 thru 6. Day 7 is blank with dashes. Still shows signal, but that is probably for clock only as it still works. Every other forecast has been the same for almost 2 days. This is pathetic. I would never buy another Bushnell product and plan to post thst on FB and any other social media I can if the issue is not fixed. That pathetic little replacement unit is worthless. The only accurate thing on it is indoor temperature. It only forecasts for 12 hours and is never right. SHAMEFUL!
Mike says
Still rotating dashes in all fields this morning and no clock after resetting by changing batteries. Looks like this is the end old friend. This little 5-Day Brookstone will be missed by the whole family in Philadelphia.
Mike says
My 5-Day Brookstone unit stopped updating on Wednesday (2/12). I changed batteries. I reset it since I was getting a two-bar signal. Now, there’s not even the time. Just the colon. I guess I’ll let it run until there is no more signal. It was nice to get Jersey Shore weather here in Philadelphia, PA.
Alexa ThOrntOn says
I am sick! I have six of theses units and have been relying on them for years. How can there not be a suitable replacement? I don’t want their stupid replacement. I will gladly pay anything if I can find another similar unit. If anyone finds anything, please post.
Brian says
On February 13 I noticed that the current conditions were not being updated, but the forecast seemed correct. Same on February 14. I unplugged it. When I plugged it back in, it went through the normal start-up procedure but then the “in network – please wait 1 hour” message remained for hours. Tried it again and let it go overnight – same thing. I think it’s now dead.
Brian says
February 15 – Plugged it in one more time and then went to run some errands. Came back and it was working again!
Ed says
My 7-day still not working this morning despite a strong signal.
I contacted Accuweather Customer Support this morning as it was always my understanding they provided the forecast feed. They replied back that they have not provided forecasts for any of the Bushnell products since March of 2014 and they do not know who is providing the information. So if Accuweather not the provider who was?
Coupon Maven says
This is fascinating to me. From your post, and others above, no one is apparently “providing” or paying for the feed to these devices, but they’re still receiving data.
RC says
My Cirrus 7-Day Weather Forecaster is back working again after being down for a few days. Not sure who is providing the data as I too thought it was Accuweather. Maybe the rep has invalid info?
Either way, it’s back!
ed says
At about 1150am (EST) my 7-day began displaying time, temp, wind/speed, and today’s forecast. Forecast for day’s 2-7 came back on by 1215pm. How long will it last this time ??????
Alexa T. says
Mine came back starting at 11:15 and the days 6 & 7 a bit later.
Bruce Wukovits says
Back on again in Indiana as well. Accuweather may not control these directly but I still believe it is their data being used by Ambient perhaps.
Alexa T says
Same in PA. Back on around 11:15 and then days 6 and 7 a bit later. Fingers crossed. I have six of these units around the house. I have lived by them for years.
Alexa T says
Back on in PA. Fingers crossed.
Michael-SATX says
Hello and thank you for a great forum in which users can share their Ambient powered WX devices experiences nationwide !
Here in San Antonio, Texas I noticed my Brookstone 5 Day Weather Forecaster (2007) stopped updating Feb 12, 2020 about 10pm.
Then Saturday Feb 15, 2020 sometime between 5am and 9am I was pleasantly surprised to see it had updated forecast/days info.
As mentioned above various users have shared similar periods observed with forecasting outages. So who knows why this time?
After users reporting their Bushnell WeatherFX series units in Jan 2019 began displaying “B Nell (Bushnell) offline 12-31-19”
Nobody seems to know how long this party is going to last. MY old Radio Shack Cat# 63-1085 5 Day Forecasters stopped in 2018?
I can see with Radio Shack 2015 & 2017 bankruptcies their back end WX device service license agreements ending as mine did.
I called Brookstone customer support and their rep told me that they severed their ties with Ambient Devices 5 years ago.
Since my 2 identical old Brookstone 5 Day forecasters are still updating I figured no has deleted their 12 digit device ID’s.
Maybe to our luck that nobody seems to be driving the bus and we just will roll on until the wheels come off and go offline?
I have read other users complaining that they don’t understand why this is all happening ? Let me try to share what I know.
Ambient Devices runs a data network called “Ambient Information Network” that can/did send weather, stock market activity,
sport scores, energy pricing and usage using a paging network that utilizes encoded FM radio stations to send out various
data broadcast signals to many types of ambient powered devices that are made and marketed by many different companies.
Ambient Information Network is a Data-casting service that uses the US Mobility 929.6625 Mhz Nationwide Paging Network
that covers 90% of US population. I read on Ambients’ website that at one time there were over a million + devices using AIN.
Fast forward to 2020 and 4G LTE Smartphones and WiFi access is more common and so consumers have other ways to check WX.
This whole AIN platform got rolled out back in 2005 and Ambient had to sell lots of new devices to keep this profitable.
MSN Direct had a similar data-casting network that ended 1-1-2012 and used RBDS (Radio Broadcast Data System) on FM stations.
ps – I hot swapped the smaller PCB 929.6625 Mhz RX board that contains the 12 digit authorization serial number (Cap Code)
from my working Brookstone 5-day Forecaster to my old dead Radio Shack Cat# 63-1085 and it sprang to life after 2 years !
My Brookstone unit that now had the RS pager board installed no longer updated as it’s 12 digit factory programmed S/N #
had long been deleted from the AIN Datacasting Service due to expired Radio Shack service license agreements for their units.
Cool experiment but I hot swapped back the pager receiver daughter boards so now only the better Brookstone unit works now.
I used a PC program called PDW and connected a discriminator tapped police scanner tuned to 929.6625 Mhz to display and
record the Ambient Information Network datacasting stream. I observed updates in my area every 30 minutes as below examples:
Our towers send out WX data for these 5 cities: Screen#1=El Paso,#2=Austin,#3=San Antonio,#4=Dallas,#5=Albuquerque,NM
On that note that seems a strange mix – why not say Dallas,Houston,Austin,San Antonio & Corpus Christi, all Texas cities ?
Address – Time – Date – Mode – Type – Bitrate – Monitored Messages in PDW v3.12 Software decoding 929.6625 Mhz
010652057 21:50:01 15-02-20 FLEX-C ALPHA 6400 !TR* &R[//”3#B~G(+&aeYe[f[e[aY”!FF”El Paso TX +&`d\h`iae]]Z###&’Austin TX
+&_c]h`iag]^Z###&’San Antonio TX +&_c\d_g]aY\X”!””&Dallas TX
+&]`UaWaW`W_U!!”!#Albuquerque NM . [23]
010652057 22:19:55 15-02-20 FLEX-C ALPHA 6400 !T4* &R[//”4#%~G(+&aeYe[f[e[aY”!FF”El Paso TX +&`d\h`iae]]Z###&’Austi
+&_c]h`iag]^Z###&’San Antonio TX +&_c\d_g]aY\X”!””&Dallas TX
+&]`UaWaW`W_U!!”!#Albuquerque NM . [24]
btw – For those technical oriented folks – check our this website: http://old.ambientdevices.com/datacasting/index.html
Coupon Maven says
Michael, thank you for this extremely detailed info. My dad is an electronics engineer, and having grown up around him constantly building and creating things, I followed this just fine. It’s really making me wish I had kept ours now – I am amazed that every time people call to ask why they are still on, nobody knows and everyone claims there is no feed being “provided” by anyone. Yet clearly, there is.
Dennis says
My RadioShack Ambient bar graph 5 day weather forecaster (Cat #63-1085) that I purchased in 2004 (16 years ago) still works today in the Seattle area. I experienced the same outage from 2/12 to 2/15.
gary says
This is really fantastic information as I have a college degree in electronics I have been looking for this sort of information for years! The only odd thing though is where is the weather data originating? At one time it was accuweather but I understand it was discontinued and was getting data from perhaps Ambient but where they were getting it I don’t know? Over the years during outages I got several answers and then suddenly it would start up again after dropping for a few days. Mine in the Memphis, TN area are still working. Someone has to be inputting the data or the data source has to be coming from a source that is still live. I don’t want to ask too many questions as someone might figure out they left something turned on and then turn it off!
My Brookstone device required a one time subscription to up to 3 cities. The Bushnell was included with the device. Like many people I purchased a bunch of them when Walmart was selling them and at their closeout.
Like everyone else I hate the discontinuation of the service, at least at some point. A smartphone or even a makeshift unit I made from an android tablet just doesn’t do what these devices do. It would be worth a subscription price!
I also had the MSN data device on a GPS back when it was live, it was nice to have as well. Seems there is perhaps some traffic information still transmitted on some carrier for GPS’s still?
John says
After/with some intermittent outages, my Bushnell 5-day [FX5] is still working just fine. Location is in rural South Texas between San Antonio and Corpus Christi.
I’m hoping that these devices will continue to operate indefinitely, they are quite unique and very useful [hinthint Accuweather]. I flipped over these for their features and attractive ‘all-in-one-glance’ utility day and night. They’re usually accurate enough for the basics.
Like everyone else here mentions, they are a very neat device, it would be a d’d shame if they were to become just more ‘e-waste’.
After I bought my first FX5 and tried it out, I immediately went back and bought a number more of them [5or6] as gifts, everyone luvs ’em [WM had them on ‘clearance’ years ago, I should have bought the whole stack @~$24/ea, still kicking myself].
I write this as a serious WXnut, sailor, and pilot; first taking a meteorology course in the mid-1960’s; and currently with several full operating weather stations [one whose public data feeds into NOAA, WU, PWS and other weather databases], and other instruments [including several radar units].
Let’s hang in there as long as possible. And thanks to Ms. Cataldo and commenters for this thread. I’ve periodically checked online about these devices for years, and this has been the most useful website for them..
Michael-SATX says
Thanks Dennis,
Both you and a guy now selling one on ebay in Austin confirm the RS 63-1085 5 Day WX Forecasters are working.
I sure wish my 2 Radio Shack 63-1085 (mfg 09A04 / Sept 2004) 5 Day WX Forecasters still worked like yours are.
But mine stopped updating over 2 years ago and I figured they were victims of RS bankruptcies / license expiring?
I can swap the smaller 929.6625 pager receiver boards and then the RS 63-1085 works and Brookstone doesn’t.
Did my 2 units received a turn off or kill command and wrote / stored it in the pager RX board not the display board?
Wow John,
I wish got in on that Walmart clearance of those Bushnell 5 Day Weather Forecasters (m/n=950005) for only $24 !
End of Life or not I want to buy a nice used Bushnell WeatherFX 7 Day Weather Forecasters (m/n=950017C)
These show wind speed & direction, UV & Pollen levels as well as the back light changes color with forecast temp.
With your Texas city choices of Amarillo, Austin, Beaumont, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Laredo, Lubbock, San Antonio and Waco, Do you set and view Corpus Christi or San Antonio weather forecasts ?
John says
Hi Michael-SATX , it turned out to be great deal at ~$24 [the old WM sticker price was ~$100-125ea]. I could look for receipts but seems like it was more than five years ago, maybe 6-8yr.
Assuming that you’re in San Antonio, I used to sometimes stop and shop in the SE Military/I-37 Walmart, where I found them. Noticed a couple of -stacks- of the FX5s in the ‘clearance’ aisle one day, looked one over. As a WXnut it looked real interesting, so bought one.
Got it home,tried it out, wow– gotta get some more. So I made an excuse to trek back up to SA next day and bought an armful as gifts to kids, ex, etc.; and was thinking of getting even more, or the entire stacks of them—, but checked fire till I could figure out what to do with a -whole- bunch of them [had no idea beyond gifts].
Much later I happened to see one for sale on eBay, price was crazee– $$Hundreds! each. Did more looking [over a couple years] and they had greatly increased in value, offered at $300-400+. An item appreciation you very rarely see for anything except classic cars, gold, certain watches, etc; never for a minor electronic gadget.
So I ran some numbers on ‘if I had -known-‘, and had bought the whole pile, and maybe checked other WMs for more. Figured that had I bought a hundred or two of them, and [maybe] sold them at the then [later] market price, could have cleared $20-40,000 reselling them all, maybe. Of course there are many factors.
The ‘scan WX for diff cities’ feature is one of the neatest things about them [and grouped by states too]. I usually have it on SAT//EWX, but check Corpus/CRP often, since I have kids at NAS-CC, and keep a sailboat in a Rockport marina [and do much more detailed WX monitoring online for that, Harvey was a b…., I was there at the beginning…then bailed out into the fiercest rainbands I’ve ever seen and headed home].
The FX5 gives the rdgs/fcst for the ‘official’ NOAA city station of course [SAT airport=EWX, etc] many miles away, but it’s close enough usually. Darn thing is electric blue right now, brrrr, ~48degF up there, 51.5F here.
Alexa T says
I have four FX 7 units and notice none are available for sale. I just found a new FX 3 with my pile of units that I forgot I had. I just kept buying and buying them. I have seven of them going in my house right now.
Bruce Wukovits says
The My ambient website at one time used to have a signal map you could pull up to see if your area was covered by their signal. I know my location had many holes. I remember at the name a lot of negative reviews online about these devices. People bought and gave them as gifts only to find out later that their area was not covered and they had a useless device. Later ambient pulled that map and you had to call in to find out if you had coverage or not. Seems the real downfall of these devices were that they never achieved the level of penetration that was hoped for in order for the economic model to exist. A service like this for free cannot and will not continue indefinitely. Especially with the valuable limited radio frequency spectrum.
GARY says
I had a couple of days where mine stopped working but I have 4 of them and they all started working again. I only sent one in to Bushnell to get the replacement (very basic). I will keep mine for as long as the continue to operate as there isn’t anything that replaces what these do. I have been successful in building a replacement using WIFI and the internet. I buy a cheap RCA tablet running Android OS, use WHATSWEATHERPRO app which will run continually and has an option to keep the screen alive. It’s not as good as the Bushnell but gives much of the same data and a 5 day forecast and has some pretty colors but not color changing… I’ve built 3 so far. Found the tablets on ebay for about $40. I also use an app that will auto launch the weather app when the device boots up. I have passcodes on the device though so I have to enter a passcode but once up it runs. I use one at work, I just take it in every day, run it at my desk, take it home at night. One at home has been running so far continuously for 5 days without a reboot. I’m sure at some point it will require a reboot or if the app crashes it will require a reboot.
john says
GARY, I do the same thing with low-end tablets and semi-obsolete smartphones, re-purpose them as basically just ‘monitoring screens’. I use a couple for weather, and several more as home and boat alarm/surveillance monitors with the alarm system hub.
Such devices can be used/reused for many such purposes for quite a while beyond their original purpose, rather than just scrapped. I’ve even replaced failing batteries in several, just to keep them going.
They are after all still quite powerful little computer systems [comparing to the huge systems I worked with from the 1960s on, with ‘big’ ol’ 8K & 32K ram memory units onward; yeesh, my Redmi phone has 6G/128G/256G storage with a 48MP cam, and was superseded in six months by a later model w/64MP cam, faster procs, etc]
Joe says
Still working in northern va. I wonder if they were threatened with a class action lawsuit? People did pay good money for these things after all….
Coupon Maven says
Thanks for the update. Again, I’m really irked that my family all sent our units back..!
Robert deckman says
My Ambient Devices Flurry is still working in the Los Angeles area, but its clock is running about a minute fast (compared to just 5 seconds fast for all the years I’ve owned it).
Michael-SATX says
My Brookstone 5 Day Weather Forecasters and Radio Shack 5 Day Weather Forecaster (63-1085) are still
updating every 30 min here in San Antonio,TX. These units receive 2 different group data pages on 929.6625 Mhz
Questions for the Forum:
1) Did the Ambient Stock Market Maven service end a while back ? Is anybody’s Market Maven still updating ?
2) Did anyone visit myambient and pay to subscribe to a “Premium 6th city” and do you still get it and get billed etc ?
3) Who had a Bushnell Weather FXi 7 Day Golf Course Forecaster that updated via USB receiver on PC via internet
Does anyone know if these used that now offline Weather Direct service ? How long have these been offline ?
By the way Weather Direct Forecasting Service to all WA & WD series devices ended effective August 31st, 2017.
4) Lastly on the Bushnell Weather FX series units that can display the pre-programmed 150 cities of WX forecasts,
I am still stumped how exactly these units get all that data delivered after the first initial 5 cities of data are sent ?
When I analyze the groups pages sent out on the USA Mobility 929.6625 Mhz Nationwide paging network that
Ambient Devices uses for their Ambient Information Network data casting service I DO NOT see 150 cities period.
What I DO SEE in the pager message body is 2 diff flavors of the 5 cities broadcast on the San Antonio,TX tower.
My 2 Brookstone 5 Day Weather Forecasters (2007) populate and get their updates from these pages 30 min apart ( :04 & :34 times)
Notice in SATX this CAP codes group page sends weather data for 5 cities by using only 3 digit description codes: ELP, AUS, SAT, DAL & ABQ
These Brookstone units ONLY display these same 3 letter codes and not the full spelling: So examples AUS=Austin and SAT=San Antonio, TX
Address – Time – Date – Mode – Type – Bitrate – Monitored Messages (in PDW v3.12 Software decoding 929.6625 Mhz at IF RX stage)
011061271 01:04:02 25-02-20 FLEX-C ALPHA 6400 !T%*
&R[/8″7#”~<!00"TF_U]UbXdZf]!!F##ELPPEdX_SaWeYeZ"!!!!AUSRFeX`UbWeZf["!!!!SATQF`W\UaWcYc["
!!!!DALNAZR[S_U`VaX"!!""ABQ [28]
011061271 01:34:22 25-02-20 FLEX-C ALPHA 6400 !TC*
&R[/8"7#@~#2#”Providence RI +”W\WYWZSWQVO#++””Portland ME +”X]WZX [TWRWQ#++#”Manchester NH +”Z\Y[X]TYTXR’#0″”Chatham MA
This guy has a Bushnell Weather FX5 (950005) and after performing a reset clear so none of the 150 cites show any
data just dashes. As soon as he gets this exact page above at :19 & :49 minutes after the hour only those 5 cities
will show weather forecast data. Now he can park his unit on say San Antonio, TX and check back later in an hour +
and presto gone are the blank dashes and he then will show my exact San Antonio forecast that my unit here shows!
Further after a while he can scroll through all 150 cities and they all populate eventually like his first 5 cities do etc..
So how are the other 145 cities of “invisible weather data” getting to these very cool Bushnell Weather FX units ?
Michael-SATX says
Update – I have a new discovery and info to share that might explain why some cities are reporting no service !
Ambient Devices uses 2 different frequencies for their 2 flavors of various retail branded of weather forecasters.
I now have my Question #4 above answered now – here is was I just learned …
I just bought a used Brookstone Ambient 5 Day Weather Forecaster (2009 Executive Woodgrain front bezel)
I got it cheap because the seller said it did not work and had a rattle like something loose inside it ($19 as is)
I knew by the sellers picture of the “Low Batt” message also occurs when the receiver pager board comes loose.
I opened the unit and was shocked to see the RX boards white label say 929.6125 and not 929.6625 like my others.
I plugged back in the pager board that came completely loose inside unit after factory tape and glue failed over time
So the mystery solved now for why I was NOT seeing data streams to match 150 cities of WX forecast data pages.
The Weather Forecasters that ONLY have screens for 5 cities use the USA Mobility 929.6625 Mhz Paging Network.
Like both the Ambient and Radio Shack (63-1085) and many of the older Brookstone 5 Day Weather Forecasters.
The Weather Forecasters that can toggle through all 150 cities use the USA Mobility 929.6125 Mhz Paging Network.
Like Bushnell Weather FX series, Ambient 5 & 7 Day, Cirrus 7 Day, my Brookstone 5 Day woodgrain with 152 cities !
I analyzed the pager traffic on 929.6125 and saw 4 large groups pages at :14 / :30 / :43 & :59 minutes that feed the
various fields of data. With my Brookstone’s memory cleared blank I just sat back and observed what made it tick.
So at the top of the hour I saw say just a quarter of the 150 cities screens populated and the rest just blank dashes.
In between these group periods I would toggle through all 152 cities just to observe progress and gain some insight.
I saw the :43 minute group of at least a half dozen data pages do nothing but populate only all Real Feel temps etc.
Another groups did special area scrolling messages like “Partly sunny and cooler” and “Mostly sunny and milder” etc
All messages used the same 9 digit pager CAP Code – and no cities are in clear text it is all just Java code strings :)
So mystery solved and below are 2 examples of the pages on freq 929.6125 Mhz I did not know Ambient also used !
003291502 02:00:04 07-03-20 FLEX-A ALPHA 6400 !T *(-R[/’#'”L~A)V[^W`\d_h`e\eZb[dD ‘ @$!( ,”,PzV\W]]d `eZbYaZ`[bB [ @$R!R “!@dX]W_[d_g\e\cZb[bCP ‘ @$!( ,” P0W^V\\b^f\cYaX`YbBP + @$!( 8! P*hninimilimimininLP $! 0V!@0″$PBW`W^\b]e^dZcZ_ZaB S,@$” P,$ PXZfZc]eahbhbjbjbiE R 0$” P,# @% [09]
003291502 02:30:17 07-03-20 FLEX-C ALPHA 6400 !T>*(-R[/’#’#*~J-^Partly sunny and cooler 0Mostly sunny and milder 5Mostly sunny and milder 5Windy and warmer LTurning sunny (Winds gradually subsiding)
Coupon Maven says
Michael, I really enjoy your posts, and I appreciate all of your updates on this. I had no idea it was using two frequencies either.
Dave says
In the San Francisco Bay Area, on March 9 I noticed that my Brookstone 5-day forecaster failed to adjust its time after the DST switch. I removed the batteries for a few minutes and reinserted them. The weather forecast displays fine, but the clock will not sync. I just get a flashing colon. For all I know the time may not have been updating for days or weeks.
Coupon Maven says
Interesting, Dave. Please keep us posted.
Michael-SATX says
Dave, both my Brookstone 5 Day Weather Forecasters (2007) that use 929.6625 Mhz did the same as yours.
I had to remove the battery cover and insert a pin to manually adjust an hour ahead for daylight saving time.
On my moms same model I re-inserted the 4xAA batteries and noticed after it received several weather updates
the time display just had a flashing colon. I came back over to see her in a few days and it had the time once again.
My other Brookstone 5 Day Forecasters (2009 Executive Wood Grain Bezel with proximity touch back light feature)
that use 929.6125 Mhz that receive and can toggle through and display all 152 cities from anywhere covered in the USA adjusted automatically on Sunday March 8th afer 2am. However I did notice they were wrong again and had to
press through the time zone button on the back on unit back to Central TZ earlier this week strange quirk right :)
Note the Ambient, Cirrus and Bushnell Weather FX series units all use this same version of this data casting stream.
Brian says
It took a little over a day for my 5-day forecaster to adjust the time for DST. I didn’t have to do anything but wait. All is well now.
ronnie says
weather forecaster has survived through covid 19
Coupon Maven says
Ronnie, thank you for the update – I have been wondering if they’re still alive and kicking! Stay safe & keep us posted :)
ed says
I have noticed over the past few months that the Bushnell 7day Wx Forecaster here in Boston has been updating the forecast and temperature information several times a day: just after midnight for Day 1 and the forecast/temp info at 1am for Days 2-7. Another update comes at 1030am for Day 1 if there is active weather and sometime a few changes for days 2-7 at 11am. At 430pm another update for Day 1 if the weather has been active. Forecast and temp for days 2-7 see the most changes coming in at 5pm.
Coupon Maven says
All of this continues to make me upset that I sent mine in. Incredible! I appreciate the updates – please keep them coming :)
JOE says
My (four) units are still working in Northern VA. This is just bizarre. They announce termination of the service, provide for a replacement of some nature but then the service continues now four months past the supposed termination date. On the one hand, I am grateful for the continued service because they are great items. On the other hand, if they eventually do die and Bushnell tells me they no longer have the replacements available , I am going to be very p.o.ed……………
ed says
For the 2nd time in three days my Bushnell 7-Dayforecaster stopped working last night at 6:30pm (EST). I didn’t notice it until 6am this morning. I unplugged/plugged back in several times and nothing happened. With the very dry air in the house, I was able to zap the device with static electricity and it began working again immediately with full data displayed within 30 mins.
Michael-SATX says
Hello again, I recently picked up an Ambient Devices Cirrus 7 Day Weather Forecaster (Model # WF7D09)
These 7 Day models do show additional data such as Wind Speed & Direction, UV Levels, Hi Pollen Info Etc.
You don’t see many of these models for sale and they also don’t command high prices like Bushnell’s (yet) ;)
These Cirrus units lack any battery backup but after a power failure all 152 cities are re-populated in 1 hour.
You can toggle 4 diff brightness levels, 5 favorite cities, and just Ambient logo changes color with diff temps.
The mail envelope icon button was for displaying a now disco feature called “In-Touch Personal Text Messages”.
I really enjoy the city specific weather conditions text line messages from AccuWeather like the Bushnell’s show.
Lastly, these units receive the AIN – data casting via the USA Mobility 929.6125 Mhz nationwide paging network.
Kathy says
I have this unit as well as my Bushnell units. This one ceased updating today along with the Bushnell units.
Michael-SATX says
Also, my question for anyone that has owned and used a Bushnell Golf FXi 7 Day Weather Forecaster (960071C)
I just picked up a NIP sealed unit for kicks knowing several user reviews indicated that these were no longer usable.
Unlike the various WX forecasters that receive their AccuWeather data over the AIN – USA Mobility paging network
this Bushnell Golf FXi (i=Internet) this model pairs via a USB sender attached to a WIn PC connected to the Internet
to download the AccuWeather forecast weather data as well as current WX conditions for over 16,000 US golf courses.
I did lQQk inside the unit to examine the main pcb so I could rule out plugging in an OTA (over the air) pager board etc
but only see test solder pads for TX,RX & Gnd but I will explore interfacing the output from a 929.6125 RX board later.
My problem is the CD Rom contains only a small launcher file that tries to download the program from Bushnell.com
Of course I get an error message that it can’t find the file “NIS01_INSTALL.EXE” to unzip to start the installation etc.
All I can find on the Bushnell site is the 2009 PDF file instruction manual I already have so no luck from manufacture.
So it would have been cool if this CD had the complete application program for me to at least maybe see WX data ?
So chime in if you had one of these and if it quit updating and about when do you remember these going offline :-)
Hmm, someone must have some first hand working knowledge of the Bushnell Golf FXi / PC program / updates etc.
ps How does one attach a picture to these forum posts as many others have done up above ?
Coupon Maven says
Michael, thanks for your post. If you want to email an image to me at jill@supercouponing.com, I’m happy to add it to your post or comment. The forum is currently set up only for the admin (myself) to post images.
James says
My 5 day forcaster is still going strong in Columbus, Ohio
Coupon Maven says
James, thank you for the update! I’ve been curious and hadn’t heard anything for a few months.
chris says
Mine is still working in Richmond, VA on 7/14/2020…Crazy!
ron says
i accidentally disconnected my 7 day here in new york and it wont reconnect ….m,y 5 day is still on
scott says
I shut off 3 of my 4 7 day Ambient every night, the 4th stays on all the time …. In the morning I restart the other 3 (w/ remote )…
I am happy each day to see them all still working… It makes me wonder who is funding the network…
In any case it is much appreciated and the presentation of the data is very much enjoyed.
thanks to the Coupon Maven for keeping this topic open.
July 18
Joe says
Yes the ability to be updated on this is appreciated. I find this entire thing pretty bizarre. Since my units are still working, I have not sent in for any type of replacement and I won’t unless and until it stops working. Joe in northern VA
Andrew says
My 5 Day unit has been just a clock since 1/19. And then yesterday, 7/28/20, it started functioning again for now reason I can determine. I live in Los Angeles, CA
Coupon Maven says
Andrew – wow! Thank you for the update. That’s just wild!
Chad says
I’ve had no network for the past day or so. Just wanted to see if this is happening to anyone else? Still getting the 5 day forecast on my unit but no more current conditions. I wonder if we’ve finally been cut off?
chris says
still going strong in richmond, va
Chad says
I decided to unplug my unit and plug it back in. Only made it worse. I’m getting nothing now. I guess mine is done. Still shows me getting an ambient signal but nothing works now.
Michael Cronin says
I’m here in San Antonio, Texas and I took notice of an oddity that before and after midnight on September 30, 2020
that the current conditions data fields such as current temperature still says 82 when it’s now 57 degrees outside !!!
I scrolled through many of the 152 cities (929.6125 Mhz models) and noticed other cities temps seem stuck as well.
All my various brands of Ambient powered weather forecasters, such as Ambient, Brookstone, Bushnell, Cirrus and
Radio Shack models that receive data both of the Ambient Information Networks of 929.6125 and 929.6625 Mhz ,
still show the 5 and 7 days of forecasted high and low temps on the displays. I will now be watching real closely the
data fields for current weather conditions of Sunny icons, wind speed and direction and “Sunny and Nice” message
to observe if they start updating and changing or just stay stuck as well as the current area temperature data field is.
All my units are still showing a full 3 of 3 Ambient signal strength from the USA Mobility Nationwide paging network.
I’m hoping that maybe a data collection server just needs to be rebooted and we will all start seeing WX updates ??
Let’s hope this interruption is only brief like it was back in mid Feb 2020. Who else has also made this observation ?
ray says
no update since yesterday 09-29… upon restart … ‘waiting for network’ notice…
I hate to think, but it Looks like it’s over .. what a shame. ( I hope I’m wrong)
tucson
Ed says
At 5pm on Tue 9/29 the display for wind and speed stopped working on my 7day Bushnell. Time, temperature and 7-day forecast continued to be displayed until 815am today 9/30 when there was a power outage. When the power came back on at 845am received the message “in Network Please wait one hour. Unplugged a few times and still getting same message. Is this the end of a good run.?
MICHAEL-satx says
I’m here in San Antonio, Texas and I took notice of an oddity that before and after midnight on September 30, 2020
that the current conditions data fields such as current temperature still says 82 when it’s now 57 degrees outside !!!
I scrolled through many of the 152 cities (929.6125 Mhz models) and noticed other cities temps seem stuck as well.
All my various brands of Ambient powered weather forecasters, such as Ambient, Brookstone, Bushnell, Cirrus and
Radio Shack models that receive data both of the Ambient Information Networks of 929.6125 and 929.6625 Mhz ,
still show the 5 and 7 days of forecasted high and low temps on the displays. I will now be watching real closely the
data fields for current weather conditions of Sunny icons, wind speed and direction and “Sunny and Nice” message
to observe if they start updating and changing or just stay stuck as well as the current area temperature data field is.
All my units are still showing a full 3 of 3 Ambient signal strength from the USA Mobility Nationwide paging network.
I’m hoping that maybe a data collection server just needs to be rebooted and we will all start seeing WX updates ??
Let’s hope this interruption is only brief like it was back in mid Feb 2020. Who else has also made this observation ?
I also reset another unit this morning and it still only displays “Network found. Please wait up to an 1 hour for data.”
Hmm, maybe this was the end of their PPP federal money assistance that ran out Sept 30 ? I doubt it we shall see ?
Alexa T says
Please update if you see any changes.
Mark L says
I’m in the NYC area & my 5 Day unit stopped updating a couple of days ago & remains “stuck”. Like many others, I’m wondering if this is the end of the line for my Radio Shack (Ambient) unit.
KatHy says
All of mine stopped updating today. I am outside of Philadelphia. Really hoping this is just another hiccup. I have three seven day, five five day and a three day. All not updating but with varying temps.
Alexa T says
Well….all of my units ceased updating today. I have several seven day, five day and a three day and a Cassis. All not functioning. Still have time and all the bars but no update. Hoping for the same outcome as earlier this year.
Thomas WElsh says
My unit stopped updating yesterday. It shows 70 as current and as the high for the next 6 days. The 7th day is empty. I love this thing.
Alexa T says
Hope you got it back!! 🤞🏼
Thomas Welsh says
I DID!! This morning it gave the right current temperature and now the forecast is filled in again!!!
Alexa T says
YAY!!!!!! So happy for you. It is such a relief. Now……🤞🏼🙏🏻
Marty D says
I am from New Hampshire and have had the 7 day Bushnell weather box for many years. Yesterday (9/30) it stopped updating and today just says wait for network. Hoping this is temporary but don’t have a lot of optimism about it.
Bruce Wukovits says
South Bend Indiana went down this AM. Not even time displayed.
Jeff says
My Ambient Orb has been stuck on red (when it should be cool green) since 9/30 (Brooklyn, NY). In the 15+ years I’ve owned this, I’ve never noticed an outage before.
Debba says
My 5-day started malfunctioning 9/30 just as Michael-satx’s did. Consistently showed temp at 82° even though it was in the 60s. Backlight was lit for the 80 range. Unplugged it to try to reset it, and it cycled through the colors before settling into the “wait an hour” mode. I’ve waited hours several times and unplugged several times. Again, cycles through the backlight colors, then “wait an hour.” Nothing happens. Still shows the location as Va Beach, but that’s it. I love this little gadget. Hate that it’s undergoing forced retirement.
Chad says
Yeah, it looks like this is the end. Certainly lasted way longer than we all thought it would. On a personal note, I had an attachment to this little unit that goes back to my late wife. January of last year when we first got the message that it would eventually stop working, my wife got bummed out by that. Every night when she’d go to bed before me, she walk over to the desk, kiss me goodnight, and then look at that little unit to see the forecast. Became a tradition with us. Well, just over two months later, she passed away from cancer that was diagnosed very late. Since then, I’ve looked at that unit, still going strong, and it would remind me of her and how we had that nightly routine looking at it. Now that it has stopped working, it saddens me because it feels like something else that just finalizes the loss of my wife even more. I can no longer look at it and think about our routine. May seem like something silly, but it was one of our things and now it’s officially done.
Coupon Maven says
Chad, I am touched by your story and so saddened to hear of the loss of your wife. I lost someone very close to me recently as well, with just three weeks’ warning from cancer diagnosis until death. Nothing can prepare us for losing someone we love, but having very little time to cope with things coming to an end so quickly is a profound pain that I would not wish on anyone. So many little things can send that surge of feelings right back up to the top. Let yourself grieve as you need to — it is a long process that I am not sure any of us fully recover from.
I’m sorry that your weather center’s cease of function has brought those feelings back. It’s not silly at all. Although, I am hoping from reading all of these comments that your center may have woken itself back up today. I hope so.
As an aside, I have enjoy everyone’s comments on this throughout the year. Each one of you has made me regret sending my unit in back in December 2019 for its abysmal thermometer-based replacement. I think we have all been surprised by how long these units have continued to work nearly a year now after the “final” service date passed.
Michael-SATX says
No updates so far and still hoping for a miracle that this very unique weather service starts back up again – SOON !!!
My observations on my various Ambient powered weather forecasters using the USA Mobility paging nat’l network.
Sept 29 – early pm the updates ceased on the 929.6625 Mhz network ( 5 city models, older Brookstones,R-Shack)
Sept 30 – early am the updated ceased on the 929.6125 Mhz network (152 city models, Ambient,Bushnell,Cirrus,BS)
Only my Bushnell 7-Day Weather 950017C is advancing actual day position leaving the 6th & 7th days now blank.
My older Bushnell 5-Day 950005, Cirrus WF7D09, Brookstone’s just stalled out and never advanced day positions.
For a simple network test I restarted one of my 152 city Brookstone forecasters receiving wx data on 929.6125 Mhz
and after 3 days now it still only displays the status message = “Network found. Please wait up to an 1 hour for data.”
ps – I will analyze pager traffic on both networks and see if I even see their old know pager CAP codes appear etc ?
Preroll says
After several days of inactivity, my Cirrus 7-Day WX is now starting to populate again. The temp and current conditions (which are correct) just started to come in so I should have full details back within the hour here in NYC at 10:58AM. Cant figure out what goes on here though, I thought those frequencies were being re-purposed for something else but apparently they may just be testing it before cutting off completely? IDK..just guessing of course.
Marty D says
Ours stopped working on 9/30 but just started working again this morning. I did email Ambient and asked if they were discontinuing support for the Bushnell units and supplied my serial number and address as requested. I don’t know if that had anything to do with it or not but am thrilled to see our box displaying the 7 day forecast again just now!
Brian says
Like others, my weather station stopped working just prior to October 1. The future forecast looked OK, but the current conditions no longer updated. Now this morning (October 2), everything is working again!
Preroll says
It’s fully back now!
Alexa T says
OMG!!!! All of my units just updated!!! Seven day, five day and a three day all just went live!!! I am elated!
Michael-SATX says
Updates – Both Ambient Information Networks started up again on October 2nd at approximately 9 AM CDT !!!
I glanced at my 929.6125 Mhz units at 9:30 AM and noticed current day position, temp and conditions had updated.
At 10 AM CDT the 6th & 7th days updated from blank to all filled in with high and low temps weather icons populated.
Also noticed my old Radio Shack 5 Day 63-1085 and Brookstone 5 Day / 5 City on 929.6625 Mhz models updated.
I hope everyone has learned to ride out these occasional data casting service outages from the WX parsing servers :-)
Ann says
OMG, I lost the data for my Brookstone 5 day weather station on Sept. 30 2020. I was beside by self. I hadn’t truly realized how much I count on that little unit, which sits right next to my coffee maker, till it wasn’t working. I like everyone else changed the batteries, (twice),still no data. Google search anything I could find about it. Looked for replacements, etc. etc. Then I read this blog! It was very inciteful. Well I didn’t quite give up, I tried scrolling through every city and voila within 15 minutes it was up and running! Hope this is helpful. 😊
ed says
My Bushnell 7-day forecaster came back on at about 1030am EST here in Boston and is working as intended.
JEFF says
Looks like my Ambient Orb is back online as well (Brooklyn, NY). It feels cool outside and the orb is pulsing gently green inside, so all seems right. Whew.
chad says
Well I am relieved. I’m not home until later so I’ll check it out when I go back home. Mine had never done anything like this until now, so I was thinking we were finally getting cut off. I’ll report back when I’m home and see what mine is doing. Thanks guys.
Alexa T says
Praying that yours is working when you get home. So personal and meaningful for you……
Debba says
Update to my 10/1/20 post that my Bushnell 5-day wasn’t populating the data. Left it plugged in overnight, and noticed it was working around 11 a.m. 10/2. Seems to be tracking the weather. Yippee! I had started looking at replacements, and nothing seems to measure up.
Ann says
Thank you Jill for bringing this to our attention! I realized this first appeared back in Jan. 2019 but it was so relative to today (Oct. 2020). This site helped many people!
Steve says
Working again in Michigan after not working the past day and this morning. Interestingly, I noticed the link to get the replacement no longer works. I was wondering what our options were but now just glad to see them working again!
Coupon Maven says
I had called them back in December 2019, and they said if they did not receive the original unit by 12/31/19, they would not be providing a free replacement. Now, I know from the comments here that some sent theirs back in January or February 2020 and did still qualify.
Listen, what they sent back is just okay. I have wished I’d just kept my Bushnell if I knew they would continue working for so long!
William David says
It’s working again!!!!! Yay! This little thing just keeps on going! Best 3 dollars ever spent
chad says
Just got home and mine is working again as well in Pittsburgh. I feel better now. Thanks to those of you that gave me some kind words about my wife, btw. Means a lot to me.
Alexa T says
So happy to hear that yours is working. I had something similar happen to me after my husband passed away. It’s the little things that we can hang on to that are so meaningful.
Chris says
Back up and running in richmond, va…cheers!
Kevin Sanders says
mine too in Yorktown , hope it still works when I move to Lanexa
Cami says
As many people who love this unit including myself, I wonder why it would become unusable just due to networks. Mine has worked all of 2020 until a few days ago. I am hoping this will clear up soon. They should be able to sell more units you would think, to support changes to keep the networks running being that its the best thing since sliced bread!
Alexa T says
These are discontinued models.
Steven says
My 3 FX5s stopped working a few days ago. I was ready to box them up and send them in. Instead, I plugged them back in and in a little while they came back on line. I’m so happy that I waited before sending them in. I didn’t realize how often I look at them until they were gone!
Alexa T says
I don’t believe that Bushnell offers anything for sending them in.
Coupon Maven says
They used to, but that offer ended 12/31/19. They replaced it with a thermometer based temperature gauge that shows day, time, and current indoor and outdoor temperatures. It doesn’t show the cities or the 5-day forecast.
Bruce Wukovits says
The Bushnell offer is still ongoing according to their website.
James Heff says
My 5 day forecaster hasn’t missed a beat!
Still going strong in Columbus Ohio
Coupon Maven says
Thank you! I have been wondering. :)
Alexa T says
Same here outside of Philadelphia but I am afraid to jinx it!
JOE says
Mine is still going in Northern VA. But it has its ins and outs. I find the whole thing bizarre. Bushnell has this trade in offer for units that are supposed to go dead 12/31/2019. But the units continue to work almost a year later? Strange. Gotta wonder what is going on…………..
Chad says
Just an update. I haven’t had a network connection in a few days now in the Pittsburgh area. It’s still giving me the 5 day forecast OK, but the current conditions haven’t updated in a few days. Just wanted to see if anyone else is having this issue. Every time we think it’s going to poop out on us, it comes back. I hope that continues again.
Alexa T says
I am in PA, outside of Philadelphia, and all has been well. I have several seven day, five day and a three day and all have been updating. Fingers crossed that this continues!
Deborah says
Norfolk, Va area — has been updating the temp today. Seems to be working ok.
Doris says
We had a power outage last weekend and both of our 5 day units wouldn’t update after the power came back on. I left them plugged in and today (Wednesday), they started working again! We are in Northern Virginia.
Alexa T says
Keep batteries in as a back up even when plugged in and you won’t have that problem even when you lose power.
James says
Still working great in Columbus Ohio.
T says
Both of my Brookstone 5-Day Forecasters (wall and desk top) stopped receiving data a couple weeks ago. I get current time and my city is displayed but message “No Coverage Try different location”.
Any help to resolve this issue?
Tracey Stover says
Mine not working in Wichita, KS!!! I have 2….any solutions????
Tracey Stover says
i have 2 Brookstone 5-day weather stations that quit working about a week ago!
Any solutions???
Rob says
My two 5-day units are still working well in a location between Baltimore and DC. But I noticed the link to get replacements from Bushnell no longer works… get: 500 – Internal Server Error
bruce wukovits says
Link for Bushnell replacement is still active for me under Customer Service Tab. Gives address and instructions.
TheZ says
I have a 7 day Bushnell unit that is still working. I live in the Cincinnati, Oh area.
Terry says
I loved my Bushnell unit which I had for years. I sent it in to get the Lacrosse unit back in Dec 2019. I don’t like it nearly as well as the Bushnell unit plus the outside temperature on the Lacrosse unit sharted giving inacurrate readings recently — 20 degrees too low. The forecast feature is worthless.
Justin says
I have 2 5-Day Bushnell units that have been working well.
I did receive the Dec 31st 2019 service shutdown message years ago, but thrilled that they have kept working.
Coupon Maven says
Thank you for letting us know they are still working! :)
Chad says
Mine keeps on working as well. I’m glad they’ve kept it going. As I mentioned before, I have personal reasons why I want this to keep working. Every night, I still picture my wife walking over to it at our computer desk to check the forecast for the next day. Keeping checking it honey. It’s still working.
The Z says
My 7 day Bushnell is still going strong – Cincinnati, Oh
James says
5 day Bushnell still running great. Hasn’t missed a beat here in Columbus Ohio
Kris Craigs says
Still going fine in Chicago. Would love to find a replacement though as some crystals have died and it’s saying it will be negative 3 tonight in Chicago in August, lol.
Alexa T says
You can find units on eBay if you do a saved search. You will be notified when new listings come up. I have 10 units up and running and another five or so in boxes.
The Z says
Glad to hear it. I used to use mine near Chicago in Hammond, IN when on a project. Miss all of the food up your way, especially the Pierogifest in Whiting.
joseph says
I’d like to find some more too. But with my luck, as soon as I buy more, they really WILL discontinue the service………….
Alexa T says
Doesn’t hold me back from buying more. I think I am addicted to them!
Marsha Kazarosian says
Would you be interested in selling one? I am looking for a 7-day. Mine is struggling – keeps flashing red and doesn’t seem to be able to keep a connection. I love it and have had it for years!
ROBBO980 says
My Ambient Devices “flurry” is still giving weather information! Hurray!
David stell says
I have a Bushnell FX5. I recently found this thread, which has been very informative. Many thanks to Ms. Cataldo and those who have kept this thread alive.
Like others have stated, I bought mine several years ago when I found them on closeout at Walmart. I bought 4 of them and gave the 3 others as gifts. Mine is still working perfectly here in Oklahoma City, and as far as I know, has never stopped working. I love the device and reference it quite frequently.
It has continued working through boot-ups after power outages over time, including a five-hour outage in October 2020. I operate it strictly on AC power and have never installed batteries. Additionally, I don’t know if this makes any difference, but I also have kept it steadily on the “OK CITY” feed during the entire time of my ownership, and have not scrolled around looking at other location feeds.
All that said, perhaps mine experienced the glitches/outages others have reported — for example as reported around October 1, 2020 — but I’ve never noticed if it did.
Also, I was never aware of the 12-31-19 end of service message, nor was I aware of the trade-in offer (lucky, because I probably would have sent mine in). After reading all these comments, I feel very, very fortunate to still have a working unit.
Just wanted to chime in and state that — thankfully — mine is still working well in January 2022.
Janice says
After reading all the comments here I believe my Bushnell weather station has shut down. Happened three days ago (February 18, 2022). We had ours set for Tulsa, Oklahoma and it has worked perfectly for years, now it just keeps saying to try another network, which we have, and continue to get the same message. I really hate it that there seems to be no “fix” to keep it working…..going to miss it!!
Coupon Maven says
Oh no! You are the first to report that it is no longer working. :( We’ll have to see if others chime in.
Marsha Kazarosian says
I have six of them – three 7 days and three five day, and thety are all going strong. I am just north of Boston and have them in 4 different locations between office, home, etc
Marsha says
Janice, try using battery power only. I found that to fiz a problem I had about a year ago with one of my 7 day forecaster. I think the problem occurred when I used the power cord.
Alexa T says
I have eight of them….six 7 day and two 5 day and all are working perfectly. I am in PA.
The Z says
My 7 day is still working in the Cincinnati, Oh area.
chris says
My 5 day is still working in richmond, va. I have one at home and the other in my office…fyi
EJ Lynch says
My 30 day stopped working today (March 19,2022). It stopped working about two years ago then a week later started again. I’ll give it some fresh batteries and leave it be for a good while just in case it comes back to life. Sure hope it does!
Alexa T says
I didn’t know there was a 30 day. All of my five and seven day are all working.
EJ Lynch says
OOPS! My BAD…I should say THREE (3) day… though if it was accurate, a 30 day would be handy :-)
Alexa T says
Yes a 30 day would be wonderful. I am in a suburb of Philadelphia and all is well with all ten of my units.
TheZ says
In what city are you located?
EJ Lynch says
Minneapolis. Is yours still reporting? and if so what city?
EJ Lynch says
IT WOKE UP!!! I see that it’s reporting again. So happy to see it. I’m thinking a server may have gone down yesterday and it took until today for who-ever to boot it. I may be wrong, of course, but that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it :-) Hope everyone else’s that were not reporting have them back reporting again. Here’s my lesson; this is the second time that it’s stopped reporting, then after some time it begins again. The first time was two years ago and its down time was about a month. This time it was less than 48 hours. So lesson to self; Just leave it alone and wish good thoughts, and it’ll maybe come back. But DO NOT send it in for a credit! Cheers everyone!
Alexa T says
YAY!!!! Resilient buggers aren’t they?
Alexa T says
Is anyone else having problems? None of my units are receiving a signal.
EJ Lynch says
Mine (in Minneapolis MN) is receiving. In the past three years it’s stopped receiving three times, once for five or six weeks. The other two times it stopped for just a couple days. Don’t give up on yours. Keep it’s batteries fresh and just wait it out. My theory is that there is a server that needs attention, and someone will take care of it. Interesting thing is, we don’t seem to know who keeps the signals alive.
Alexa T says
I have ten units all over the house. I seem to be picking up a signal from the W/SW but not on any other units. I have three units all receiving a signal from W/SW. Nine of the others are updating. I have faith as been through this, too. Just wondering if anyone else was experiencing the same as me.
Alexa T says
Should have been none, not nine of the others. But now eight of the ten are updating. Go figure.
TheZ says
On the units that are not updating, try removing the batteries for an hour or two & then reinstall. The units might have gotten some noisy data that needs to be cleared out.
Norbert White says
My Ambient 7-day unit stopped working last week: “In Network – Pls wait 1 hr”
I am in NYC.
Anyone else have a unit that is still working?
Alexa T says
Even though they are all plugged in? It seems ironic that the three that are in the room facing West are updating.
nhw3w says
I am just a guy who lives in NYC and owns an Ambient Devices 7-Day Weather Forcaster that I bought 15 years ago.
Until last week everything was fine…hourly updates for the last 15 years.
Now, after resetting the device I get “In-Network Pls Wait 1 Hr”.
I have seen threads on this forum and elsewhere discussing the demise/resurrection of the services that support this device.
I am not at all technical so I can’t be sure, but is seems like some people have figured out how to keep their devices running.
So, is there a path forward for my weather forecast device?
If so, what is it?
Thanks in advance for your consideration!
nhw3w
nhw3w says
And just like that…it’s suddenly back working at 11:28am EDT!
Go figure…
Here’s to another 15 years of uninterrupted service :)
EJ Lynch says
These weather stations really are an amazing mystery to me. I do wish I had bought more than one. Everyone I know that sees it on my kitchen refrigerator wants one. Fun and useful gadget. Cheers!
TheZ says
The transmitter in your area may have had a failure. The way things are these days, there may be a long wait for parts to get the unit repaired. I would hold on for several months before you retire your unit. The weather signal is from a paging service tower transmitter that operates in the 900 mHz band. Anything can fail – the transmitter, antenna, etc. Spare parts are out for 8-32 weeks, so hang in there & keep your fingers crossed.
Alexa T says
I will never give up….lol. It is so strange. Some of mine are working consistently and other are working sporadically. As I have mentioned, I have 10 units going, ranging from a battery 3-day to a handful of 5-day and 7-day, all plugged in with battery back-up. I have faith….
OV says
I have the same issue with my Brookstone 5-day unit.
After changing the batteries it doesn’t receive any information other than “Network found. Please wait up to 1 hour for data.”
After 3 days, still no data. I’m in NYC as well.
Anyone know if the service through Ambient is discontinued?
TheZ says
It’s not ambient or accuweather since my unit is working in Cincinnati, Oh. See my June 2 comments. Hope this helps.
EJ Lynch says
Hang in there. Many of us have it stop reporting for a day or several weeks at a time, then it starts again. Don’t give up!
Brian Dayton says
I live in the northern suburbs of Chicago. My 5-day forecaster had been working tirelessly since I received it as a Father’s Day gift years ago. Last week, we experienced a brief power outage (all of 1 minute in duration) and I lost signal. I found this discussion group and waited, per the recommendation of many respondents. Yesterday, the signal was miraculously resurrected! :-)
Jack Bunch says
My 2 Bushnell weather stations were working fine until August 25, 2022. The 7 day forecast is still updating but current temp, wind, and UV stopped on all cities about mid morning. The signal bars still show signal. It’s just the current day that won’t update. Any help appreciated. Since I have 2 units, both are doing the same thing. Strange!
EJ Lynch says
Not so much “help”, but yours will very likely come back. Just wait it out. And the wait can sometimes be several weeks, or just a couple days. But the experience from mine is that the one of the servers needs attention. There’s really no one you can contact. If you eventually decide that yours is not coming back please contact me because I may be interested in picking up a couple more. Cheers to you!
Alexa T says
I had reported that most of mine were acting up and now they are all working…..with the exception of a ten day. It keeps saying I need to change location? Hang in there.
TheZ says
Cincinnati is still working fine. What city are you monitoring?
ed canney says
My 7-Day Bushnell here in Boston MA stopped updating the temp. UV, and wind information on Friday 8/26. I have a tried a re-set twice, but no change. Forecast information updating daily without any problem.
Scott Delugan says
My Ambient (Brookstone) 5-day clock just stopped on Friday, 8/26 in Boston as well. I was going to buy a Bushnell, but am not sure now. What model do you have Ed?
Ed Canney says
My 7-day Bushnel temp, wind direction, and speed stopped updating for all loocations in New England sometime Friday monring /26. The daily forecast and extended outlooks are working as is the UV index, I tried a re-set this morning, but that did not work. As someone mentioned in a previous post, will just have to wait it out and hope it begins working again.
Marsha Kazarosian says
Mine appears to be working, but they all have said 81 degrees for the last week, regardless of what the temperature actually is. I am set for Boston, and I have 7 of them in three different homes all just north of Boston, (some are 7-day and some are 3-day). I have taken them offline and then put them back online, but they still all say 81 degrees, although they appear to have the correct forecast. Usually it resolves after a few days, but not yte….
Joe says
Hi same issue in Northern VA. The temperature has been stick on 81 even though everything else appears to be working. Have reset several times but still comes up 81 degrees..
Alexa T says
I have the same issue in the Philadelphia suburbs. I have eleven units, ranging from three day to seven day and all are showing 80°. I have removed batteries, reset and tried various cities all with the existing problem. Maybe when the weather cools down?
EJ Lynch says
I’m in Minneapolis, my sister is also, and both of ours have been reporting 66 for several days. Forecast forward is refreshing correctly, the day and time are correct, but current temp holds at 66 day and night. I’ve taken the batteries out for 5 minutes and reinstalled to see if that helped. It doesn’t. I’ve had mine stop reporting a couple times in the past few years so I’ll just wait it out. And 66 isn’t such a terrible temp :-) Cheers everyone!
Marsha says
Oh phooey! I hope it settles down. It has me worried!!! Thank you all
Bruce Wukovits says
Same in Indiana current conditions (temp,wind and uv)frozen for several days now.
Chad H says
I’m having the same issue with mine in the Pittsburgh area. It’s been reading 72 for several days now. Five day forecast is updating correctly. It’s showing a strong signal but current temp isn’t changing.
Jack Bunch says
Mine has been the same temp, wind, and UV except twice. Several cities changed to ridiculous current temps and wind but went right back to where they have been since Aug. 25, 2022. Surely someone has a contact number for who supplies signal to these units. If so, please tell me.
TheZ says
I left a comment about this with the Accu Weather contact form. Accu Weather supplies information to the network that our units use. So far, no response. I recommend that others leave their comments with them as well.
Shell says
I am having the same issue with my 7-Day Bushnell. It has said 72 degrees for days, but the forecast and time are correct. I guess I will just wait like everyone else. I am in Cincinnati
Timothy says
I’m in Cincinnati also unfortunately mine is stuck at 72°. Oh well it’s been a great run for these machines.
Bruce Wukovits says
Don’t expect anybody to do anything about this. It has been on the shutdown countdown for years now and no money is being made any more. We are lucky we got some bonus time but some other company probably already owns the frequencies and is waiting to use them as soon as this gets turned off completely.
Mike says
At 1230am today here in Boston MA the forecast on my 7-day did not update and was using the same forecast information as indicated on 8/30. Also, the forecast max temp for next Tuesday showed it would be zero degrees and the min temp was blank. Could this be the end?
Jack Bunch says
They might fix it if people flooded social media and blogs to avoid Bushnell and Ambient devices like the plague when purchasing for yourself or gifts for others! Just a thought. It’s a shame to be left with expensive paper weights like we have now.
Alexa T says
None of my seven day units updated day seven. I hope this is not a foreshadow of an ominous future.
alexander12 says
Here in NY, NY, my Bushnell 5-day has had the current temperature stuck at 81 for about a week but everything else is updating daily. Other than the clock being two minutes off for a few days earlier this year, and everything going off line for a couple of weeks back in 2020, I have enjoyed uninterrupted service since I bought the unit in June 2013.
TheZ says
Accuweather provides the data for the Weather Forecaster Network. I just called Accuweather, and their phone rep is not aware of this network. Accuweather sends info to the Ambient wireless network that distributes data to our units via a 900MHZ band signal from a local paging service for a given city. No one seems to be aware of this from these companies, but someone is in the know. I will keep trying to find out who that person is. I think the local paging service for a given city may be the way to find out additional information, but it will take same random phone calls to find out who the paging company is, and what contact info that they may have.
If anyone finds some useful information, post it here. Otherwise, Looks like our units may have started dying a slow death…
Brad says
Minnesota resident here with a 7-day station (I’m located just south of St. Paul). Sadly, I’m starting to have the same issue with updates failing. Same as EJ reported above – mine has been stuck reporting current temp at 66 degrees for a few days. Day / time and today’s forecast are correct, but current temp is stuck at 66. Future forecasts have begun to fail now…I’ve got 0 showing for high/low beyond Monday of next week. Shows the same if I toggle to other cities.
I will try to reach out to Accuweather as well. Since many of us are seeing the same thing across multiple cities, the issue seems to be more with the central reporting/forecasting office or server vs. individual towers or paging companies.
That said, my gut tells me we may be seeing the beginning of the end. It’s too bad – as so many here have mentioned this thing has become a staple in our house and despite everyone having a phone it still gets used every day. I’ve found it to be the most accurate forecast available.
Also – thank you again Jill for the post and for everyone helping to keep it going with updates and info!
Coupon Maven says
My pleasure in keeping the post and comments open! I have watched with fascination (and regret for sending my unit in shortly after the replacement offer was made active.)
I too think that this is unfortunately near the end of life for these devices. I have long believed this is a situation of people at Accuweather (or multiple companies providing this data) either not being aware that it’s still being transmitted, or no one truly caring that it is until the frequencies are needed for something else.
Do keep posting updates, everyone. :)
Shelley Goldstein says
Today I no longer can see the forecast for the two last days either
chris says
I have found a very good alternative
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1138096779/smart-wifi-weather-station?ref=yr_purchases
Chris in Richmond, VA
Chad says
Looks nice actually, but it says that it’s sold out. Figures.
Chris says
I bought one and posted it here and he sold out! Contact the seller he is making more…it is a nice unit, no color but i have it on my fridge! The battery lasts a long time on a charge. He is looking to upgrade current model to color with a constant power source.
Alexa T says
I have been corresponding with him. I was a little hesitant about the Openweathermap.org? I wish he could configure something similar to the Bushnell units. He is pretty good. After all these years, being without the Bushnell units is awful.He is working on new ones now and will have more next week. If I could have something like the Bushnell, I would pay a monthly fee.
Chris says
It has been working well! He is working on connecting it to Apple weather API…he is also working on something similar to bushnell!
Marsha K says
Don’t give up yet! My units have been frozen with temp at 81 for nearly two weeks but about an hour or so ago, one of my five day units just got completely back online and has the correct temperature and forecast, so that’s good new!. I will keep you posted on my others. I have three 7 days and four 5-days in different locations, but I am encouraged!
Marsha K says
Well I may have spoken too soon. The unit just went back to the wrong temp.
Matt in Boston says
ine has forecasts ending on Labor Day. After that, 0 degrees and no weather icon.
These are run by a company called Ambient Devices. I don’t think AccuWeather is at fault here—I think Ambient Devices us shutting down. Their website hasn’t been updated in years so there’s no update here.
Ambient fetches the weather data and then broadcasts it via a commercial nationwide paging network. It’s essentially an old-school beeper customized in a cool way. Mine is still showing a signal meter, but I think that means that the paging network they rent space on is still going, but Ambient has ceased sending updates.
I’d love to be wrong, but I think this is the end of the road for these. It was a fun ride while it lasted!
Ralph Miller says
I to watched the forecaster slowly go away, & I have 3 thru out My home, I guess I can hope the go back on line, till then, I have a nice night light. Gilbert, AZ
Brian Dayton says
Adding to the comments from here in Chicago. I, too, have noted the issue with the current temperature and today I have noted that the weather forecast has stopped updating for day 5.
Jenny R. says
I am also having the same problem (Eugene Oregon). The unit has had the same temp for the last week to two weeks. The 5 day forecast seems to have updated just fine. However, I now have a 0 for Tuesdays forecast. I have used this for years and can not seem to find another that has the same features. Any recommendations?
Chad says
Yeah, it looks like they may be finally shutting the network down. Over 3 years after they first announced this. Amazing how it kept going this long but, looks like as of Tuesday, these will no longer be functional. A sad day for me for personal reasons. Oh well.
ed canney says
Yesterday I re-set my 7-day and then got the message “In-Network Pls Wait 1 Hr.” Still getting the same messge this morning after another re-set. Still seeing a strong Ambient signal.
Steve Phillippy says
Here in central Pa. My FX5 quit updating a few days ago. Sad day.
Deborah says
Virginia Beach, Va — five-day model says 0/0 for the last two days, and has not updated the temps for a week+.
So what’s a good replacement? I already miss not having it working.
Sue Grams says
Mine in Colorado is doing the same for the last 2 days. Also looking for a replacement.
Vicki says
WELL MY BUSHNELL STOPPED WORKING YESTERDAY. HERE’S MY QUESTION DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT WE CAN REPLCE IT WITH LIKE MAYBE The Sharper Image 5-day Forecast Internet Weather OR Smart Gear Indoor/Outdoor Wireless Weather Station . REALLY DO MISS SEEING THE 5 DAY FORECAST.
Scott Delugan says
My Brookstone one stopped working last week as well. I really liked seeing the five day forecast, with the time and date. All of the other ones that I see advertised show just the inside and outside temperature. I don’t care about inside temperature. I just want to see the outside temperature for the next five days. What a bummer. It’s hard to believe in this day and age that there is not a replacement for this kind of thing.
Brad says
Just checked mine. Apparently the world ends on Tuesday.
September 6, 2022.
Jessica says
I made the same joke to my husband not knowing the history of all this. The irony? I turned 50 on September 5, so it felt about right. Look at that, the works is ending on my 50th….
shoppergal says
Agreed. I like it too. The maker of the unit is Ukiemaker, and is in Ukraine, so that might explain the sold out.
Chris says
Mine was shipped from New Jersey! He sold out because I posted it here…he is making more, but has to get parts from China…contact him! Cool little unit, not as good as Bushnell but portable and battery charge last forever! It is a decent replacement!
TheZ says
I am a few years past 65 and I am still working at a full time job. Watching my 7 day forecaster die day by day makes me more aware of my own working situation….. :(
Lou says
EJ, I am also in Minneapolis. Where it is always 66 degrees. perfect fall weather, all the time. I hope it stays this way through the winter. LOL. This looks like the 66 degree curse is only in Minneapolis. I am glad that I am not the only one experiencing this issue in Minneapolis. I hope our weather devices start working again. This has been one of my favorite purchases of all time! the usefulness of this device has been wondeful.
Chicagoland says
Had the 7-day forever.
It stopped showing the end of the week and I foolishly unplugged and replugged it. Gone forever? RIP.
Bruce Wukovits says
Another option is the What Weather ap. You can put it on an old tablet and set to stay on. Very robust amount of info that you can configure to taste. Updates more reliably then Bushnell and you pick data provider.
Also Bushnell replacement program is still advertised so send in your unit to get at least something that works.
Jim says
Any good class action attorneys out there? We all did pay for these things after all and I don’t recall anything that said they had limited lives…..
Coupon Maven says
It’s sort of a similar situation to when the analog TV over-the-air frequencies were sold off and transitioned to digital. Traditional televisions were made obsolete then too:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_television_transition_in_the_United_States
The difference there is that millions of people had old televisions, and the government offered rebates on converter boxes so people could still receive channels on the new frequencies. I doubt there are nearly as many people affected by these Ambient devices – and they did already offer plenty of warning and free device replacement if one wanted to take advantage of that.
It -is- very unfortunate, but I believe the fact that they gave every current owner the opportunity to send these devices back for a free replacement would get them off the hook from any kind of lawsuit.
Jack Bunch says
Today, my unit has old info for Labor Day, then 4 days with zeros, and last day, next Saturday is just dashes. I have 4 units. I tried unplugging for a day and removing batteries on 2 units. Now, even though I have 3 bars signal 90% of the time, I can’t even get the time on them. The 2 units I left alone are still showing current time, 2 days old forecast, 4 days of zeros, and 1 day of dashes. Ambient devices and Bushnell had better wake up. That’s all I will say. I won’t be taken for a ride without them wishing they had kept updating as they should.
Alexa T says
Does anyone know if there is a way, monetarily, to resurrect these units?
Jim Heffernan says
My 5 day is reading wrong forecast now and for Labor Day. Then 0’s . I’m in Columbus Ohio. I’ll really miss this.
Thank you all for your posts. I’ve enjoyed the conversation.
Bruce Wukovits says
Another option is forgetting the new technology altogether and listen to good old fashioned proven NOAA weather radio. Covers over 90% of the population and most can get several area stations. Forecasts are much more useful than the symbolized stuff and updates are timely. And yes there are aps for it if you don’t have a radio.
chris says
Do you have a link for this app on apple? Thanks!
Chad H says
Well, I brought this up, maybe the last time we had a scare like this. Except this seems to truly be the end. Anyway, I talked about how my wife passed away March 8, 2019. This first came up on our screens New Year’s Day 2019. I remember showing her that and she was bummed that it wasn’t going to work by the end of the year. She always liked to check it out for the forecast. She’d give me a kiss goodnight, look at the unit, and then go to bed. She was gone just two months later, but I still had this working unit to remember her by. The memories of her doing that night after night. Now, 3 1/2 years later, it looks like something else is going to be taken away from me. Well honey, it lasted way longer than we thought it would. Maybe I can find alternative that you would have liked. To make this even more sad for me, tomorrow would have been our wedding anniversary and it looks like tomorrow is the last day this has any functionality left.
Alexa T says
Chad…I was teary-eyed last time as I am again. I am truly so sorry for this meaningful loss. I wish I could buy our way out of this. Unfortunately, there just is no alternative as good as our Bushnell units. It is very sad. I have eleven units in the house and am going to miss every one of them.
Coupon Maven says
Chad, I remember your story – so poignant and so touching. I am so sorry that this looks like the end for your unit, but I would venture to say how many people have read your story over the past few years and were touched by it.
Your anniversary is -still- your anniversary, even without your sweet wife — I hope you can do something to celebrate her memory on your special day.
I’m sure I am not the only one who will be thinking of you tomorrow.
Chad H says
Thank You Alexa and Coupon Maven. I appreciate it. I went to our favorite restaurant yesterday and sat in our booth. The last place we got to eat out at before she passed just two months later. Her birthday is next week as well as the day of our first date. This is a rough month. This happening just adds to it. Anyway, thank you again for your kind words of support. Means a lot.
Cathleen says
Chad, I really don’t want to falsely get your hopes up but I plugged mine in today and its reading again after being down for a week. I remembered reading your story and wanted to let you know so you could try yours.
SJ says
It was a good run. Looks like the last days here. I will have to find something else.
Elizabeth says
Reporting from Pittsburgh – same issue as others. Today looks like the last day there is data – next four days it says O degrees, then just blank lines. I was encouraged by all the times we thought it was the end but it came back – I’ll keep hanging on to mine just in case. What a saga this has been! I love this little device – phrases like “times of clouds and sun” and “abundant sunshine” are just so evocative. It’s nice to have this community of fellow appreciators.
John P says
Sad to see the line of zeros on my Bushnell, but the service lasted a long time – far beyond the warranty period. Mobile device apps are far more accurate with instant updates. Bushnell updates were less frequent and current temp was rarely correct. Still I will miss this Bushnell that has been a fixture on my counter for a decade. Trying to figure out why the plethora of available table top weather stations do not provide a forecast service. I guess they would have to pay for that. I like the idea of using an old mobile device for weather only. RIP Bushnell.
Brian says
Seattle WA, my unit says in network-pls wait 1 hr. I have a 7 day unit and use it all the time. It doesn`t work anymore. I paid a lot for this unit, over $100. I really am sad to see this unit is now junk. I counted on this unit working longer.
Geoffrey says
I wonder if we could set up a Kickstarter to re-start this service.
Coupon Maven says
It’s unlikely – the broadcast band that these units receive has already been sold to a different company.
Alexa T says
Just curious….how did you find this information?
Coupon Maven says
Ambient announced it back in 2019 on their site – these units operate on a band that was also formerly used by pagers.
See here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambient_Devices
Hilariously, Wikipedia editors have no idea these devices have still been working for the past four years:
———-
Ambient Devices ran a data network called “Ambient Information Network”[9] that sends weather, stock market activity, sport scores, energy pricing and usage using a paging network that utilizes encoded FM radio stations to send out a data broadcast signals to Ambient devices. Ambient stopped transmitting these signals in 2019, rendering devices that were dependent on them useless.
Controversy
Brookstone licensed and sold an Ambient device called the “Brookstone Weathercast Wireless 5-day Forecaster.” Consumers who bought this weather reporting device found out in February 2018 that Ambient Devices would no longer be sending data to these devices, rendering them e-waste.
Bradley says
My five-day forcaster here in the Dallas area is now showing all blanks and zeros and has been showing the same current temperature (80 degrees) for the past several days. The only thing correct on it is the current time. There have been times in the past when it might not update for a day or two but then it would suddenly start updating again. I’ll keep mine on just to see if it comes back to life, but I’m not getting my hopes up. I keep watching the reception bars in the upper right-hand corner of the screen to see if there is any sign of activity, but it mostly shows just one bar with an occasional two bars every once in a while.
It’s a shame to see the service discontinued. My forecaster has had a prominent place on top of my refrigerator for about fourteen years now. It was the first thing I would look at to see what the forecast was as I got out of bed and came down the hall to the kitchen every morning.
Ed Canney says
Last Friday 9/2/2022, I sent an email to Bushnell to find out if they were still replacing the unit and got a reply back as follows:
Thanks for contacting Bushnell customer support. Effective December 31, 2019, service for the Bushnell WeatherFX Weather Forecaster will end. As a thank you for being a valued Bushnell customer, Bushnell is offering to replace your Bushnell WeatherFX Weather Forecaster with a comparable replacement weather forecasting device. To take advantage of this offer please ship in your Bushnell WeatherFX Weather Forecaster to:
Bushnell Holdings, Inc.
9200 Cody Street
Overland Park, KS 66214
Within 30 days upon receipt of your Bushnell WeatherFX Weather Forecaster, we will ship out a comparable replacement weather forecasting device. Please include your name, address, and telephone number.
If we can be of further assistance, please contact us again via email at CustomerSupport@Bushnell.com.
We appreciate your business. Thank you.
Bushnell Customer Service
Nick says
Ed, I sent mine back and they called to tell me that they no longer have replacements. They did offer me a 25% Bushnell coupon code and they were nice enough to send my unit back to me.
Michael-SATX says
Hello again everyone !
I have been a user and a big fan of these glance-able Weather Forecasting devices since they debuted in 2005.
As others have said here, there’s been service gaps in forecast data over the years but non have lasted this long.
On Friday Aug 26th, I noticed that Tuesday Aug 30th had no WX data populated and took a picture for my notes.
After Friday Aug 26th, there had to have been some more updated data transmitted to yield WX data up to Sept 5th.
Although as others have said the WX temps were all static and were not updated from prior forecasted WX data.
AccuWeather originally used to provide this WX forecast data from their remote WX stations in 152 major US cities.
Ambient Devices would aggregate and format this WX data for their proprietary AIN (Ambient Information Network)
a data-casting service sent out via a nationwide 900Mhz paging network using Spok, Inc. ( was US Mobility Paging).
This could not have been cheap for Ambient Devices to pay for this service without selling any new devices for years.
With a million such devices sold by various companies, it would be interesting to know if this could be crowd funded ?
These WX forecast devices sold over the years used 1 of 2 different 900Mhz paging frequencies depending on which models:
A) 929.6625 Mhz = only broadcasting a group of only 5 cities per paging tower. (older Radio Shack 63-1085 & BrookStone 5-day)
B) 929.6125 Mhz = broadcasting all data for all 152 cities on all paging towers. (Ambient, BrookStone, Bushnell, Cirrus 3,5 & 7 day)
Note: These frequencies are still very much in use that’s why users see signal bars and message “IN NETWORK-PLS WAIT 1 HR”
In my older comments, I used a police scanners discriminator tapped output feed into a Windows laptop running the PDW software
to capture and analyze the paging traffic on each frequency to learn the CAP codes and how the data is formatted and when it’s sent.
On the 929.6625 Mhz network WX update pages were broadcast only 1 to 2 times per hour with 5 city initials seen in plain text format.
On the 929.6125 Mhz network WX update pages were broadcast every 15 minutes, but 1 hour to fully populate all 152 cities WX data.
If anyone were to tune in and analyze network traffic on the above you would see Hospital staff , Govt, Fire Depts & corporate users.
I would leave these units powered up, otherwise your units will loose their clock setting with no way to set the current time after rebooting !
Without analyzing network traffic, it appears our specific AIN group pages are not being sent otherwise the clocks would at least sync up.
I have a dozen various models of Ambient powered WX forecasters and plan on leaving some powered up until the cows come home :-)
At least we know it’s a global issue and not specific to any 1 city or tower. If only inside people in the know would reach out to both inform us
and share what the costs of each aspect of this service has been costing various parties so perhaps some possible crowd funding could be
explored. I imagine if each person could contribute to a go fund me account, many could contribute small amounts to keep this service going
and see a public facing monetary gas gauge so we could keep only the necessary funds and not more than needed to perpetuate this service !
I sure hope this very unique service restarts soon in the near future ? Perhaps some equipment failed or some key person(s) dropped out ?
Thanks for reading,
Michael-SATX
Alexa T says
I guess the key is 929.6125Mhz and the paging system. If you are able to find out who, we can find out how much. I would be all in for a monetary fix.
TheZ says
I was thinking that the local paging company for a given city might be a way to find out who to contact, since they were being paid by that someone. Usually radio enthusiasts work for paging companies, so if you can zero in on who the local paging company is, all it would take is several calls to find a knowledgeable person that works there. The problem is to make random calls to find out which local paging company is using the frequency, unless there a way to look this up in some database?
Coupon Maven says
Not to rain on anyone’s parade, but these entire frequencies were sold in 2019. Even pagers will not be supported anymore on them – they have different owners who I doubt want to continue these services — or Bushnell would not have announced them ceasing service back in 2019 :(
Alexa T says
Then how have these units been updating for 3+ years since ceasing service?
Coupon Maven says
I really believe that the systems that supply the FM feed for these devices are automated, and no one bothered to turn them off. They are scripts that pull the temperature and forecast for the major cities, and the written descriptions (which I enjoyed also!) are likely pulled from a queue to correspond to pleasant temperatures or inclement weather.
In theory, if no one shut it off, and the people who used to be in charge of it are also no longer with the company – until the new owner took the broadcast spectrum over and started using it for another kind of device (cellphones, etc) the script could just run in the background with people unaware of it.
Alexa T says
You know a whole lot more about this than I do. I’m not even sure how to find paging companies but I will try.
Shell says
We just have to hope we don’t have any power outages
Phil Gasper says
Erie, PA here, and I can confirm that my current temperature has been stuck at 76 degrees for almost 2 weeks and my forecast is zeroed out :( but I’m still clinging to hope! Although I think this may be the end. Has anyone heard as to whether or not they are still exchanging these devices?
Coupon Maven says
Apparently, yes: https://jillcataldo.com/happy-new-year-is-your-weather-center-discontinuing-itself/#comment-336321
Bobbi says
Hi TheZ in Cincinnati. I am also in Cincy and mine stopped updating late last week (end of August). Is yours still working?? Thanks.
Shell says
I am from Cincinnati and mine is not working
Bryson says
No dice on 3 Ambient Device clocks in Atlanta, GA.
I wonder if we could find the protocol and use a Raspberry Pi to transmit a weak signal to get them going within our homes?
I haven’t looked into the rules around this frequency, but given the immense talent on this thread, I’m sure somebody has.
Happy to do some coding, but my guess is we couldn’t get a transmitter, even a super weak one.
BTW, my wife asked me why I didn’t have a disaster recovery plan in place for this moment!?! I guess I was in denial. :-(
Christine Hadley says
I’m in Cincinnati as well and have the same sad story. I have loved this device it sounds like from almost its beginning and use it constantly. I would love an update if the group figures out what we can do to get it back.
Thanks,
Christine
Christine Hadley says
Looking for help.
Lauren says
6 months ago, I brought my Bushnell with me from upstate New York to Tempe, Arizona, and kept track of the drastic increase in temperatures in our new home. A few weeks ago it got stuck on 83 degrees. I unplugged and reset, and now I have nothing but a gray screen that has 2 and sometimes 1 bar. I’ve moved it around but it hasn’t made a difference, although it still recognizes that I’m in Phoenix. Anyone in the Southwest also having this issue, or have you waited it out and it started working? I’m lost without my device!
Thanks!
John P says
I will miss my Bushnell, but it is more nostalgic than anything else. I had my Bushnell long before mobile device apps became available. Phones, tablets, smart displays are far more accurate, constantly updating. I set up an Echo Show where the Bushnell used to be. “Alexa Extended Forecast”. That’s all you need for an AccuWeather 7 day forecast. “Alexa Weather” will give current conditions, hourly forecast, high & low temps, % precipitation, real feel temp, winds speed and direction. Goodbye Bushnell and thank you!
Lisa says
So sad. Mine died too in St. Louis. I love the 5-day forecast. If anyone finds a suitable replacement, please post.
Vinnie says
I have both a Brookstone Weathercaster and a Bushnell Ambient unit. Both units stopped updating last week. The Bushnell says in network, wait 1 hour, but nothing changes. The Brookstone is frozen at the last update. Disappointing!
Sue Grams says
Awesome. Will do. Thank you Chris.
mark says
RIP – My Brookstone 5 day forecast will go down as one of my favorite technology devices – i think the smart phone killed it
Martin says
I have been searching for a similar device on and off for years and have never found anything until now. I ordered the following yesterday, so I don’t have it yet and can’t comment on how it performs. It does use a remote sensor that you place outside like most others, but it is also wifi connected and shows 3 days of local forecast. It’s the closest device I have ever found and I have searched extensively. Someone also linked a wifi weather forecaster from Etsy, my only issues with that one is that it only updates once per hour, to save battery, and it doesn’t have a clock.
Check this out and post your thoughts:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B468QPL4?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
I’ll try to leave a quick review after I receive it.
Marsha kazarosian says
I bought the one that was on Etsy. Don’t waste your time or money. It is smaller than my iPhone, and has no light. It is not not even close, I am sorry to say, but I am glad that I go that out of my system. I will soooo miss my Bushnell units. I was stupid enough to unplug my 7 day forecaster and take out the batteries, and now it won’t even tell the time. I should have waited a bit longer! RIP to a great product.
Chad H says
That’s disappointing. That’s one that I was looking into after someone else posted on here about it. The guy said he’d have them back in stock this week too. Oh well. I guess we will never have anything like these units again. They’ll be missed for sure. At least by us anyway. Lol
Suxanne says
That is the only one I could find too that even came close. 🤷
AlanT says
I have a Bushnell/Ambient 3-day forecaster. Milwaukee, WI. Got it at a church rummage sale so never knew about the service being stopped. Thank you to everyone for all the information here. I’m hoping service will be resumed as soon as possible.
dennis says
A ray of hope. The clock on my Busnell 5 Day has resynced.
It has been slowly drifting since 09/01 and was off by 8 seconds this morning. Now it is dead on compared to GPS time.
No resync for my Brookstone 5 city. It is now off by 4 seconds.
dennis says
I have been observing some interesting activity with my Bushnell 5 day. The clock colon will stop flashing and then quickly flash on and off for a period of time and then resume normal flashing. Any one else seeing this? I wonder if the firmware is being updated.
Bruce Wukovits says
Think about it. This is the only place i have seen where anybody even talks about the devices and we are not a big number in the grand scheme of things. It don’t seem to me that a huge number were even sold or if they did most just put em in a drawer. Yet it cost money to keep them running and with no more coming in. How can that model continue indefinitely? Well as we see it can’t. It won’t its not.
Chad H says
Found this one on Amazon. Looks a little sketchy to me. Only one review and not a written review. Not sure about this one. Pretty expensive. What do you guys think?
https://www.amazon.com/JMG-Wireless-Forecast-Temperature-Direction/dp/B08QMSY9XT/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1467BP1OMFGC0&keywords=5+day+weather+forecast+display&qid=1662508582&sprefix=5+day+weather%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-3
jodi says
Today, the clock came back on my Bushnell 7 day in the Seattle area. It was just showing a flashing colon since I reset the unit a few days ago. Now the clock shows the correct time. I’m hopeful.
Chad H says
That’s interesting. Mine is still showing the flashing colon, but I have the 5 day unit. Just the clock? Nothing else working?
Margaret says
I have the Brookstone unit and we bought one for my uncle-in-law as well as he isn’t capable of dealing with smartphone apps. Bushnell took down the link for how to send in their old units for replacement, and I’m not sure they would replace a Brookstone unit anyway, does anyone know? Truly bad timing for my uncle’s unit to stop working since during a dangerous heat wave it was important to give him a heads up about the weather.
Wayne says
Ditto on Brookstone Ambient devices in Indianapolis and Grand Rapids, both went out this past weekend. I wrote to Brookstone customer support, do not expect a favorable reply. Too bad everyone who has these will try changing the batteries, thousands of AA batteries wasted!
Brian says
It’s not completely clear to me if this one connects on its own to the weather provider or goes through your cell phone. I was wondering the same thing about the Dekala weather station mentioned earlier. I think it connects on its own via wifi but I’m not sure. The lack of comments/questions about both of these makes me cautious.
Martin says
The Ambient/Bushnell connects on it’s own and uses an old paging network, as Michael recently posted. The Dekala weather station connects to 2.4 GHz wifi, so the wifi in your home. There is a mobile phone app for the company that is used to control and configure the device. I expect to receive one by Friday and will post what I learn and my thoughts.
Devon says
I got anwser from this store .
It is from Local weather service provider
Suxanne says
It’s September 7th, 2022 and our 7day station started to show the temperature for the future days as zero, I thought it was a fluke, but now all days show zero. We had no idea they aren’t supported anymore. What a shame, we look at every day! I’ve perused Amazon and found only one that even comes close, what a disappointment. What were they thinking!
chris says
I have this unit as well…the concept is very good. When plugged in it updates every 15 minutes, I have asked to have my unit update every 15 minutes and he is going to update the script for that…cannot pull but so much battery anyway! He is working on developing a unit that is not monochrome and more similar to the bushnell…he is also looking to have it connect Apple API weather data…we are not left with many good options sadly!
Marsha Kazarosian says
Dare we hope? Thank you!!
Brian says
I had unplugged my unit on Tuesday when everything was all zeros. This morning I plugged it back in to see what would happen. After a couple hours, I got the current time and temperature for my location. The forecasted temperatures are all blanks however.
Alexa T says
Today all of my units now show a different time and message? Go figure. They were all showing 80° and are now showing 69° with a new message.
Brian says
UPDATE – It’s working again! Current temperature and conditions along with 5-day forecast! It still says “In network – please wait 1 hr”, but everything else looks normal.
Coupon Maven says
WOW! What an incredible development!
Please keep those reports from around the country coming..!
Brian says
The “please wait” message has been replaced with “Abundant Sunshine” which is the forecast for the Milwaukee area. I’m now afraid to move it to its normal location for fear of losing it again.
dennis says
It’s back up!!!!! As I was looking at my Bushnell 5 day, it all of sudden came back to life at 9:01AM. Fresh new 5 day forecast and current conditions. I’m in the Seattle area.
Alexa T says
OMFG!!!!
Shell says
Mine is working now too!!!!! I am so excited. Everything is back up, The temperature, wind and the forecast. If anyone finds out what is happening please write.
Shell says
I am in Cincinnati
Timothy says
Yes I’m in Cincinnati also so glad our units are up and running, yay!
EAP says
My Brookstone unit also just came back to life in Pittsburgh. Was getting ready to toss it.
Margaret says
Mine is working too! And it wasn’t 10 minutes ago. I’m in the San Jose California area. Yippee! Hope it keeps working for at least a few more years.
Marsha Kazarosian says
MY FIVE DAY UNIT THAT I HAVE AT MY OFFICE IS COMPELTELY BACK ONLINE, SHOWING ALL FIVE DAYS FORECAST, AND THE CORRECT WEATHER AND TIME!!!!!! FINGERS CROSSED!! FIRST TIME IN OVER TWO WEEKS! I WILL CHECK MY OTHERS LATER TODAY. I HAD UNPUGGED MY 7 DAY ONE A FEW DAYS AGO THINKING THE END WAS NIGH, BUT PLUGGED IT BACK IN YESTERDAY. IT WAS STILL SEARCHING FOR NETWORK. i WILL SEE HOW THAT HAS FARED LATER TONIGHT. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED! I AM THRILLED TO PIECES AND HOPE THIS CONTINUES.
Marsha Kazarosian says
PS I AM IN BOSTON AREA
Steven says
On September 7, 2022, at 11:45 AM my 2 Weather FX5 stations came back online!
David says
I am in Dallas and mine just popped up too! So excited to have it back [note: I had it unplugged for 2 days, plugged in yesterday and today it started working. Guess the satellite is fixed].
Alexa T says
Philadelphia suburbs and all eleven of my units synced and populated! NEVER SAY NEVER with these units. Unbelievable. 😂
Brian Dayton says
Chicago, IL reporting in! My Bushnell 5-day forecaster is now fully functional within the past hour! I noticed that the current temperature was correct earlier in the day, and as I left the office to refill my coffee I noticed that all five days are populated and correct (per my AccuWeather phone app). Wow! Amazing.
Wayne says
Ours in Indianapolis sprang back to life too. FWIW, here’s Brookstone’s reply to my inquiry this morning:
“This is a product that was sold through the prior owners that filed bankruptcy. Under the new owners we are not associated with the prior owners and this product is no longer available.
“We apologize that you are experiencing coverage issues with your Ambient device. Ambient products will no longer be receiving signals from the towers.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this has”
Yes it ended mid sentence, maybe just as the signal resumed! 🙄
Alexa T says
Chad H….this is all for you from a Bushnell angel 😇
Chad H says
You may be right Alexa! You’d be amazed through things she has done for me since she passed. I truly believe she is still with me. Maybe she wanted to keep that little weather unit going just for me! 🙂
Alexa T says
I totally understand. My husband passed away and I have some really strange stories. Believe in angels … 😇
Lauren says
HAVE HOPE, MY FRIENDS! Reading all the comments about how these wonderful weather stations were never coming back got me depressed and searching for an alternative. I loved the colors on the 5-day as well as the clock and current temperature. I had unplugged it while I was away for a week, so I thought that was the end of it. But I left it plugged in by the window. Just got back from a bike ride and IT’S WORKING!!! It’s red since it’s 92, the time is correct, and I even have the 5-day forecast. I never thought this would happen, so please don’t give up. I am in Tempe, AZ, and getting the weather from Phoenix. Good luck, all. I will cross my fingers that this holds. (BTW, I have two – three bars and am in an apartment complex on the top floor.) Lauren
Chris says
NYC area – unit had completely run out of forecast information and was zeroed for a few days. Just checked it now and full current data and six day forecast is back!
Chad H says
Wow. Can’t wait to get home later and check mine. If they’re working again, I wonder what happened this past week?
ed Canney says
Unit is back on again and up-to-date with information and forecast here in Boston MA as fo 12pm
Devon says
Except weather forecaster , my previous Indoor Thermometer out of order .
This ambient weather station can be controlled by app with 3 sensors.
Can I Hope it keeps working for at least a few more years?
Wow it says we can view historical data by day month and year .What an incredible development .
Have you guys tried this kind of one ?
https://www.amazon.com/Dekala-Hygrometer-Thermometer-Wireless-Temperature/dp/B0B885BRRQ
Timothy says
I’m thrilled as can be it’s back online here in Cincinnati ohio!
EJ Lynch says
3-day Bushnell is back up and reporting today (Wed, Sept 7, 2022) in Minneapolis!!!! After a week of declining health I’m happy to report IT’S ALIVE! A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE in September! I’m so happy :-)
Andy S says
5 Day Bushnell Station came back to life today as well. I’m in the process of building my own weather station with some small electronics and screen to grab the weather from the web so when this thing eventually does die for real I can continue on having a weather station. This has reduced the urgency of my project.
My wife and I rely on this silly weather station more than I thought and we were both sad when it was down for this extended period of time thinking this was it.
Happy Days, see you during the next outage!
JOE says
Fully up and running in Northern Virginia. Wow!!!!!!!
Brad says
IT’S BACK!! Can confirm what EJ said – back up and running here in St. Paul too. Current temp with a full forecast.
I’ve been joking with my family that I am waiting until that ONE person who’s been updating the feed comes back from Labor Day vacation. Haha, well he or she (or they) are back – thank you to whoever you are! :-)
Janes Heffernan says
It has risen!!!
Back online in Columbus. My 5 day forecaster is alive and accurate again!
Brad Russell says
Working again in Springfield MO! So happy!
Michael-satx says
Update: Here in San Antonio, TX I glanced over after 11:30am and saw my weather forecasters had their forecast data populated once again !
Units on the 929.6125Mhz nationwide paging network, only receive portions of the data every 15 minutes, so an hour to fully populated all data.
Here is a topic thread about the AIN (Ambient Information Network) that I started on RadioReference.com back on 1/4/2020 to collect more info:
https://forums.radioreference.com/threads/ambient-information-network-datacasting-service.399490/
Here is the Ambient Devices wiki page:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambient_Devices
Here is the Ambient Devices website:
http://www.ambientdevices.com/
Perhaps this was just a server or equipment related issue that caused this latest 7-Day WX data casting outage ? (longest I remember)
It would be interesting to learn what this back-end service is costing and who is footing the bills such as the pager service contract costs ?
I’m so grateful they are !!! Long live these ultra unique glanceable weather forecast devices ! I wish 3rd parties would resume new unit sales !
Yes, it’s good to always be very patient and have faith :-)
Michael-SATX
Wolf says
Madison WI reporting in, all systems online!!!! What a journey these last 6 days seeing a new zero temp day each morning.
Great to be apart of the Bushnell community.
Jim Heffernan says
It has risen indeed! Hallelujah!
Columbus Ohio 5 day forcaster.
chris says
My Bushnell 5 day is back up and accurate in richmond, va. I think we also should be careful reaching out to a lot of folks about the service imho…I know there are folks on here who understand the technology and engineering behind these units really well, so I may be wrong in my assumptions, but it seems to me based on the info I have read on this thread these units are running ‘under the radar” and no one at a higher level really knows anything about it. Maybe most even think the service has been discontinued! This might be the only way to get the weather in an apocalypse…lol…making too much noise may bring unnecessary attention to this service and in return shutting it down! Not trying to be ‘debbie downer’ here…lol…just keeping it real!
We should also be looking now for someone who can develop a similar device before that dreadful day comes…in the meantime, cheers!
Dave H says
And as of this morning, my Bushnell FX5 has started receiving weather data here in the Denver area, as has the old Brookstone battery-op unit that we replaced it with. A momentary reprieve? Who knows, but I’m happy to see it.
Jack Bunch says
I have 4 Bushnell FX7 units. The current day’s info stopped on August 25th. I got about 4 more forecast days until I started getting zeros. It then started going to dashes. The current day info never changed until about 11 AM EDT today, Sept. 7th. I glanced at one and it had all info current on Knoxville, TN which I am near. 2 units have most cities up, but 1 unit didn’t get the 7 day forecast for some cities yet including any in TN. These units send info in pieces, so I am hoping after a few hours all cities will be updated. I e-mailed and phoned Bushnell, Ambient Devices, and Accuweather. Maybe somebody listened. I received replies back from each with each one not telling me really anything sprcific. I cease to be amazed how we can go to the moon and planets, yet can’t get a sustainable signal to our weather units. Fingers are crossed.Good luck to all.
Alexa T says
Interesting note….I have ten up and running Bushnell units and one Ambient seven day unit that I got on eBay years ago and have never seen another like it. Anyway, two days ago that unit started populating and I thought it was just a fluke? Guess it was a foreshadow.
Joe says
Big part of the problem seems to be lack of communication. If somehow they sent a message on the units that thee network would be down a week for a reboot, there would be a lot less concern. All-s well that ends well though.
Ken Nelson says
Rochester NY. I have two of these and had not been showing data for the last week. Its 2:45 pm 9/7/22 and JUST came on line and now displays 5 days of data. Hurray!! hopefully it will continue
Phil G says
My unit came back to life!! After nearly 2 weeks being in the dark, it suddenly has the full forecast and correct current conditions! I live in Northwest Pennsylvania Good luck to all who are still following along with this page, that haven’t given up on their weather station yet!!
Brian says
It could be that these systems are so interconnected that bringing down one part of it causes other parts to break. Plus, the engineers and programmers who designed it are probably no longer around and those who are left have no idea how it all works and don’t want to touch it.
VinnIE says
Yeah – both my Bushnell and Brookstone units started working again in the NYC area!
Bernie says
Back up here again today at around 8 am in Sunnyvale CA, using the San Jose CA area display. Same behavior the past week as the other reports. Back on January 29, 2020, I reported how grateful I was that my seven day model 950017 was still going strong. I was just about to share how sad I was about this latest ominous behavior, but I decided to give it a little more time, still seeing signal strength and an accurate time display. So I remain grateful! Fingers crossed and PTL!
Steve Kahn says
Working again in Arlington Heights IL
ron says
working wow
Peter Lane says
Started working again in Northern Virginia too!!! So it looks like it was just a temporary problem.
Jimmer says
Looks like miraculously everyone’s trusty Bushnell is working again as is mine. Hooray! However, everyone may be interested in an alternative I found in case it goes down for good. If you have an old tablet that you are not using, or you can pick up a refurbished one on Amazon for $100 or less, there is an app available called “WhatWeather” that I feel is as good or even better than the Bushnell. There is a free version, or for even more features you can purchase it for $3.99 per year or a one time payment of $11.99 . . . WELL worth the price! It displays much more info for your location, it is very accurate, and customizable for the features you want. The info updates as often as every 15 minutes. Even though it doesn’t double as a night light, I like it alot.
William says
I just came home from work, started to use my lap top, and WOW its back and beautiful…everything is perfect..color orange 70 degrees.all 7 days filled with all info,GREAT!!!!!!!…… Nashua,New Hampshire…
bushnell_LIVES says
THANK YOU for commenting when yours started working again. I was hopeful, plugged mine in and its alive! Baltimore, MD.
Sherie says
My Ambient Mist started working again today too. Any ideas how long it will work? Are there plans to shut it down? I’m new to the email chain — this is the only information I could find as to why my unit stopped working. Do I need to prepare myself for shutdown?
Thanks
Sherie
Suxanne says
In a matter of hours, ours went from showing the time and temperature with everything else zeroed out, to fully functioning again! It’s getting weird! We aren’t touching it and hoping it continues to function!
Bradley says
I’m happy to report my five-day forecaster is working again in Dallas. Hooray! Let’s hope it lasts awhile.
Deborah in Virginia Beach says
So glad it’s back! I’ve had mine in the kitchen window for so long I didn’t even notice the color had changed and the five days reported with the forecast. Hallelujah! Is wondered if the old contract expired Sept 1, with as new one kicking in after Labor Day. Maybe we’ve got a couple more years before going into another ritzy when it stops updating. I’ve so don’t to rely on it, plus it’s sort of a night light in the kitchen.
Jen says
I found the wonderful blog when our Ambient Devices 7 day weather station started getting stuck and saying it was 65 degrees in Denver, Colorado. Then at the end of last week, we started to get the ominous 0 degrees creeping across the days. Then a black screen on Labor Day. I unplugged it and got the “in network wait one hour” message. I was so disappointed and unplugged it and was going to throw it in the garage. The famly convinced me to leave it plugged in and then today magically it started working again. Hallelujah!
I agree with Chris that maybe someone flipped a switch somewhere and we get to enjoy our units so long as no one realizes it is still broadcasting. In case it stops working, in the search for something even remotely similar I found:
La Crosse V15 Wi-Fi Multiday Forecast Color Station
https://www.lacrossetechnology.com/products/v15
and the Logia 7-in-1 Wireless Weather Station with 6-Day Forecast
https://logiaweatherstations.com/products/7-in-1-wireless-weather-station-with-6-day-forecast
azwizeguy@cox.net says
Phoenix Working here again : )
william says
My FX-7 day Bushnell weather is up and running…SO HAPPY… NASHUA,NEW HAMSHIRE
Chad H says
Just to add to everyone else’s comments. I just got home from work, and mine is up and running again. Everything is working in the Pittsburgh area. Thanks Donna! ❤️
Alexa T says
♥️😇
Alexa T says
I second that…thanks, Donna! ♥️😇
Ann says
Our 7 day forecaster has been a big part of my families life (we didn’t realize it until it started to register zeros). We were all totally heart broken. When I got home from work today, the first thing my husband said was that it was working again. I had to run into the house and check it out myself. It is registering the right forecast and temperature as well as time. I don’t know who or how but THANK YOU!
South Milwaukee, WI
Andy says
Hello,happy to report my 5 day weather forecaster from Brookstone is up and running .Location NYC
How is it that we get so attached to these forecasters? Just curious what ppl think. For me – this is the first thing I look in AM when I wake up and
even before I look at my phone !
Aaron says
So glad to come across this article, and SO thankful that my FX7 is back up and running here in Charleston, SC.
These devices have almost a cult following! Its funny (and a little frightening) that in 2022 there is still nothing like them on the market.
At least I’ll know where to go now in case of any problems! I left a message with Brshnell’s customer care with a link here to show the following. Hopefully they can see the potential in extending their Accuweather relationship. Maybe coming out with something similar for a 20yr reunion? …wishful thinking I know.
Michael says
Miami Florida 5 day Bushnell back online :)
Lets find this thing foreverrrr
Mikey p says
Praise the Lord in Boston it has risen. It has come up from the ashes and is alive again
CHAD H says
Took this earlier. All lit up again!
Coupon Maven says
If you would like to email the photo to me (Jill) I’m happy to post it for you! Please send it to jill@supercouponing.com
CHAD H says
OK thanks. Lol Didn’t realize I screwed that up. I appreciate it
Ash says
Another Dallas unit back online – Bushnell 7-day. It’s amazing how much we miss that thing when it goes down! Cheers
vICKI says
GOT UP THIS MORNING 3 AM ANS TO MY JOY AND AMAZEMENT MY BUSHNELL IS WORKING …NOT SURE FOR HOW LONG…BUT SHE’S UP AND RUNNING AGAIN!
ELuzabeth says
Me too!!! We are so confused but happy! Wondering how long it will last!
James says
I found this comment thread over the weekend and was sadden to read the end to this wonder gift. I bought a Bushnell 95-0007 many, many years ago. Love it so much that I bought countless many of them and gifted them to family and friends.
After stubbing my toes one to many times in my kitchen these past days, I realized that my Bushnell 95-0007 was also an essential night light.
Was so close to burying my beloved Bushnell 95-0007… I’m so happy I waited… Thank you to whoever made this possible.
-A grateful Bushnell customer 4 life in Houston,TX.
kevin Sanders MD says
YAY !!!! Back online this morning. I knew it was going to be a good day when I saw the yellow glow in the dark bathroom !. I wonder if the powers that be at Ambient device follow this blog and realize how popular their device still is ?? Their forecaster has entered cult status :) .
scott says
I have 4 Ambient 7 day, one belonged to my Dad, one to my older brother… they loved them. The different colors 4 different cities ..
it’s such a great overview at a glance.
I was saddened last week, as he system seemed to go down. ( for several years now one has been wondering when / if the day will come)
I got back in town the other day and was elated to see they were up and running. I enjoy theses displays … probably more than I should…
It sure would be nice to know who is responsible for keeping this old system up and running…
It would be nice to be able to show ‘ a small token of our appreciation…
These are pretty much the first colors I see most every day..
AP says
Just when I thought there was no hope, it’s working again for St. Louis, MO! I’m downright giddy:).
John doe says
Yay! It is resurrected! FROM TEXAS
Carol says
So thrilled when our devices began running again on Sept 7! We have a lighted Bushnell and 4 Brookstone stations. One is a large wall clock. We held on to them all, hoping they might miraculously restart. After searching, we realize that there are NO other weather stations remotely like these. Old ones occasionally show up on eBay.
Jim McNeely says
It’s alive! Joy returned to our house too! Milwaukee, WI
Elizabeth says
IT’S BACK!!! Reporting in from Pittsburgh, PA, where there will be “periods of morning fog.”
Coupon Maven says
You are making me miss the happy little weather descriptions these units bring to our homes daily. I wish I NEVER would have sent mine in — my dad feels the same way.
chris says
I wonder if the network is actually owned and run by the government or has other uses, etc and they don’t want to cut it off, so they put out this “it is going to end” turn in your units to try to get everyone off the network and not use it…my conspiracy theory on this one! Or simply the company that bought is just not using it or aware that it exists and it is just running in the background connected to some other major systems, who knows…interesting to ponder why the message would come out that it is ending and turn in your units!
Coupon Maven says
I really have no idea. I remember calling Bushnell after I’d sent mine back in (assuming it would die at the end of 2019) and asking if I could pay to have me & my dad’s units sent back to me. They said no, because the network would “soon go down.”
Well…
TheZ says
AccuWeather is much in business and provides weather data to “The Ambient network”. “The Ambient network” provides this weather data to local paging towers all around the country which use the 900 Mhz frequency band. The frequency used by the Weather unit also is the same frequency shared by many other paging users, so the paging companies & the frequency is in no danger of going away. The real issue is with the Ambient network and their contracts with AccuWeather & the local paging companies. The Ambient company seems to be slowly fading away.
Companies such as Brookstone & Bushnell manufactured weather units per the Ambient network standards and probably paid some royalties to Ambient based on the number of units sold. Ambient claims that over 1 million devices that use their network have been sold. These units were not all weather related. Ambient also made stock market data, baseball & football scores, and power usage data available for delivery to units customized to display those particular data sets.
So the real question is, how long will Ambient keep their network & contracts in place, since they no longer seem to be promoting use of their network.
ZoeyandMe60x2 says
HAPPY DANCE, ITS RISEN FROM THE “DEAD”. ALL IS RIGHT AGAIN.
Dan says
9/1/2022: I noticed my forecast was a zero on day four of my 5-day weather forecast and the next day there were two zero weather forecasts, eventually leaving no forecast available. That made me do a google search to see what was going on and found your article. I was going to unplug it and send it in to get a replacement if I was even still eligible that is. In any case, life was busy, and low and behold a couple of days later, my forecasts started showing up again. So the good news is, it’s 9/10/2022 and my Bushnell 5-day weather forecaster is still working! Does anyone know if there is another device similar to this Bushnell 5-day weather forecaster that updates with a weather forecast that works with a different network that isn’t planning on discontinuing? This weather forecaster has been used and enjoyed by all family members since it came out, so once it finally does stop working we would love to replace it with something similar that doesn’t just use barometric pressure as a way of forecasting, etc. Thank you, Dan
Robert Bouchard says
Greetings From Pittsburgh, Pa
I lost signal about two weeks ago….
Full moon on 9/11/2022
SIGNAL IS BACK ON BOTH BUSHNELL UNIT AND BROOKSTONE UNIT
FOR THOSE READING THIS PLUG YOUR UNIT BACK IN…
chris says
Does anyone know if the Bushnell Weather FXi For Golf 7-Day units work off this same network that came back up? Thanks in advance!
Coupon Maven says
I believe that it does – power it up and see?
chris says
Thanks…I do not own one, but was considering the golf 7-day one
Martin says
I ordered this when I thought all hope was lost:
Dekala Weather Clock 3-Day Weather Forecast Weather Station –
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B468QPL4?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
It’s the closest device I could find to what we are all here for. I have a 7 day Ambient device. This works off of WiFi and doesn’t rely on an old paging network, so that is a big plus. It’s very sharp and has lots of data available. The biggest disappointment is that it’s only a 3 day forecast. It is also somewhat customizable. You can show or hide many of the different items on the display. For instance, I am not using the remote sensor and I was able to hide that info on the display.
It says the forecast is from Weatherbit and The Weather Channel. So far, the forecast hasn’t matched the Weather Channel’s forecast for my area. It’s not dramatically different, but it’s different enough. I am not familiar with Weatherbit.
One other potential deal breaker for some is that it has to be plugged in, no batteries.
Other than that, it works very well. It’s easy to set up and configure (app on your cell phone), the display is very clear, colorful and bright (adjustable with night time mode). I was thinking about returning it when my Ambient came back online, but now I think I’ll keep it as insurance for the next time.
Happy to answer questions…
Martin says
Hold off on the above, I have to edit my review. There is no way to display the current local outdoor temperature accurately through the wifi feed. You have to use the remote sensor, which shouldn’t be needed, IMO. It does display an hourly temperature and humidity forecast, but it is so vastly different from reality it can’t be trusted.
Also, the three day forecast is literally all over the place. There are sometimes 20 degree temperature swings within an hour and usually the forecast is about 10 degrees higher than what the actual forecast is. It’s very inconsistent and inaccurate. It defeats the purpose of what it is supposed to do.
Sorry, I thought I found a good replacement! The search continues…
jimmer says
Try “WhatWeather”. It’s an app for Android or Apple. If you have an old tablet, I think it is as good or better than the trusty Bushnell, There is a free version, or paid. I highly recomment the paid. $ 3.99 for a year, or $11.99 one time for ever. I find it to be very accurite, no sensors needed.
chris says
I have not found the whatweather app on apple…I think it has been discontinued, can you provide a link? Many thank!
Jimmer says
Sorry Chris – I thought I read somewhere it was available for IOS but it looks like its not. Looks like you gotta be an Android guy or gal or whatever you may be.
Nick says
Mine appears to be going offfline after this Sunday. I was holding out hope after last weeks resurrection. I can’t find anything remotely similar other than Amazon show with everything off but weather. Not the same. I can’t believe how long I’ve had this thing. Will definitely be an adjustment.
Nick says
It appears that it’s all over now. After the first resurrection I was hoping for it to stay online for a while. However, last week it went offline on my 7th day and now we are at today and I’m getting accurate time, but nothing in temp for the 7th day. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. Looks like it’s an Echo Show for me. Having this since early 2000’s, it’s like losing a family member.
Nick
Springfield, Mo
Jack Bunch says
My 4 Bushnell FX7 units stayed off from August 25th for about 13 day until arounf September 7th. Now it has worked ever since with about an hour lag. The wind doesn’t start working until noon or after EDT for some reason. I live 25 miles NE of Knoxville, TN. TN has 4 cities. On some the wind is on earlier than others. I just wonder why nobody seems to know who is sending signal or where the weather data comes from. Fingers crossed.
chris says
My Bushnell is working well, however, today I noticed the time is off an hour…I am in virginia and it is an hour behind…anyone else having the same issue? Thanks!
chris says
Update…the time has now corrected itself…just a glitch I assume!
Chad H says
I noticed that my unit hasn’t updated the current temp all day today. My signal has only been showing 1 bar when it always has had a full signal. Just curious is anyone else is experiencing this today? Hopefully it’s something temporary but after what we’ve been through, you never know. Thanks.
Ed says
My 7-day Bushnell here in Boston has been working fine since it came back on in September. As a matter of fact the daily forecast sometimes updates 2-3 times each day depedning on the weather.
Don says
I own a Ambient Mist Digital Alarm Clock / Weather Radio and I still get the full data set here in Tampa. Who is running this paging service? I’d like to get in contact and see if they can be supported.
Sara says
I sent my unit in with the information for getting a replacement from Bushnell. It took a month for them to process it and I just got an email stating they will give me a 25% off discount code. They will not replace them. Anyone else experience this? It looks like many on this thread got a free replacement. Maybe too many sending in and now a low discount, which feels terrible.
Roman says
In my location reception is just 1 bar and it constantly loosing it. Nice product but not supported any more. While looking for something else, bought SmartGear from Kohls but display is not that contrast and it was hard to configure. so just returned it.
Jack Bunch says
My 4 Bushnell FX7 weather forecasters stopped updating current info about 12 hours ago. Looks like all 150 cities are stopped updating also. Anyone know why this time? I still have signal bars.
Michael-SATX says
Hello to all the loyal users of these various brands of glance-able Weather Forecasting devices !
By now everyone has noticed since approx October 25th the current temps all show the same.
My example is here in San Antonio, TX the current temp has displayed 58*F for several days now
as well as all 12 supported Texas cities have also not updated their forecast data being displayed.
This is a different problem from when the service (and thus back-end data services stopped)
recently completely stopped from approximately August 26, 2022 until September 7, 2022.
During this recent period our units clocks would not automatically set after being unplugged.
However, this time our clocks get set but the forecast data fields populate but with old data.
So this proves that our units are receiving the 929.6125 Mhz pages that set our units clocks.
My guess is that there is some network server that isn’t properly aggregating all the WX data
being sent from the 152 supported cites that make up the AIN (Ambient Information Network).
Hopefully a tech will resolve this issue and we will keep enjoying this service that began in 2005 :)
Alexa T says
I’m with you. I have my fingers crossed and all units plugged in.
Ed says
The last weather update for temp, wind speed, and direction was 9pm on 10/26 for my 7-day Bushnell here in Boston. The forecast for Thu 10/27 did update after midnight. The current time is working and I am getting a signal.
Jim Heffernan says
Temps been stuck at 64 here in Columbus ohio since the 25th
Jack Bunch says
There is just no excuse for these Bushnell Ambient Weather FX7 units stopping sending current day’s info every few months. Will somebody please contact whomever sends the info to our units about this. I have contacted Bushnell, Ambient, Accuweather and others. They all act like an ostrich with its head in the sand. None of them can even tell me who is sending signal to units. I have signal bars and long range forecast updates, just no daily current temp, wind, or UV info. This is ruduculous that nobody knows who even sends info to our units. People should just stop doing business with any of these jokers.
Shell says
I am in Cincinnati and ours has been stuck for three days. Now the forecast for day 7 is blank.
Linda L Cunningham says
same here. It was working fine again after a period of not working. Don’t know if spells doom or not.
bill says
Bill ..Nashua,NH……… here we go again…upset like every one….but I am just leaving it on ..(FX7) what are you going to do?? …hope it starts working again……. thank you…..
Bruce Wukovits says
They will most likely come back on they always do.
When they shut down for good there will be no signal at all and that will be that.
Marsha says
Same here, Hopefully it will come back again.
Du Lange says
Hey Jim – I’m in the Columbus zone too! I’ve got a 7-day Bushnell unit we’ve loved for many years and affectionately call our “woolly bear.” in honor of meteorologist Dick Godard of Cleveland, OH fame, Last time there was an outage in early Sept, I noted a guy on E-bay was trying to sell one,, apparently still working, for $500. I sure hope it will come back online again. i’m still getting various 1-3 bars of transmission so I’m thinking it’s an AccuWeather thing that was withdrawn from some program and then perhaps re-installed by some IT rebel, LOL! Otherwise, it’s going to be 64 degrees forever with every new day of forecast reading zero, and the whole thing will fade away. If it was ended, wouldn’t even the forecast zeros, other data, and the stuck “narrartive:” comments disappear completely??? Maybe just maintenance? I’m so sad…
Du Lange says
Hi Jeff – I’m in the Columbus zone as well and have a Bushnell 7-day that we’ve loved for many years and affectionately call our “wooley bear” in honor of meteorologist Dick Godard of Cleveland, OH fame.. Ours has again gone on the blink. Ambient is still showing 1-3 bars variously, so I’m thinking the problem is with AccuWeather’s forecast and other data including the “narrative comment.” I can live with it being 64 degrees forever, LOL! Perhaps it healed itself last time in early September when some rebel it person re-installed the program??? Hope it will self-heal itself again – perhaps it’s just a maintenance issue. I recall that our NOAA severe weather radio stopped working due to transmission maintenance. If not, I will really miss my “wooley bear” hanging next to my calendar as we go out the back door!!!! There’s nothing like it.
william greene says
I hope my comment shows up?
Jack Bunch says
Jill Cataldo or someone please see if you can find out why the Bushnell Weather FX7 is off. I have 4 days forecast left with 2 zero days in Knoxville, TN. The 4 units I have all say the same current temp. They have shown 61 degrees since 10-26-2022. The wind, direction, and UV have also been stuck. I still have 3 bars signal especially on the quarter hour like it tries to update. One unit went to 125° for 15 minutes Saturday and right back to 61 ever since. I know someone out there knows what is causing this. Please help.
FX says
Like everyone else’s, our unit stopped updating. After a power cycle,……. now no time, no temp, no signal bars, nothing.
“In Network, Pls wait 1 Hour” message displayed.
Elizabeth says
Oh no, here we go again. Mine’s been fine except that looking ahead to the future, Friday Saturday and Sunday are blank. Fingers crossed in Pittsburgh, where sun is giving way to clouds.
John b says
Same here in Atlanta.
AC says
Same here in Dallas – three bars signal, good forecast thru Friday – then zeros/blanks.
ELizabeth says
Back now in Pittsburgh!
Deb says
Yep, end of the month and their contract already running out? Friday’s forecast is 0°. This is so annoying.
Timothy says
Yep Cincinnati Ohio here mine’s doing the exact same thing
Ed says
My 7-day Bushnell began updating hourly weather again sometime between 10am and 12pm today here in Boston.
Alexa T says
Mine are all back, fully filled in and correct! Yay!!!!! I’m in PA.
AC says
Back on in Dallas!
Shell says
Mine is back too!!
Michael-SATX says
Pleasantly surprised in San Antonio, TX to see this data-casting weather forecasting service resume today just before noon :-)
First temperature data fields and temps were stuck for days, then just blank days which I like we experienced just 2 months ago.
ps – Jack please just be grateful that these old devices continue unlike 1G, 2G & 3G cell phones and soon my 2010 GM OnStar !
The retailers who licensed these WX forecasters are just as much in the dark as we are and thus they quit selling any new devices.
Jack Bunch says
Not true. Someone knows about them or they would never come back on like mine finally did today also. This is just insane.
Alexa T says
Jack…try to find out who. You will be the first.
Timothy says
All of a sudden it’s working again
Cincinnati ohio
Marsha says
All back here in Boston area too
ronnie r says
my 5 day plug in new york just went back on …i was browsing through old stuff and just stumbled upon an old three day battery operated only …wondering if it will pick up data,,it said network found but there are no bars!
Alexa T says
I have a three-day battery operated unit and it works just fine.
ronnie r says
and you change batteries and it reconnects? ist been 12 hours …i placed batteries and it keeps saying sarching for networkd ..then says network found wait one hour but reverts back to “no coverage ry another location after a few…. this has repeated multiple times now
Alexa T says
Actually, I change one battery at a time and never lose the connection. Is the unit new (never been used)? I had that problem that you are describing with a seven day unit that I had.
ronnie r says
yes its a new one found an old unopened box>>> am i screwed?
Jack Bunch says
Thanks to the one or ones responsible for flipping the switch to get these units back working. I think it is absurd they go off so oten!
FX says
Yes it’s back, maybe. Ever since the August incident, I’ve noticed the temperature only gets updated every 8? hours or so (no rhyme or reason). This round, it’s been at least 12 hours since the last refresh.
Infrequent enough that you can’t rely on it. Especially this time of year, when the weather can change dramatically. Oh well. It was nice while it lasted (at least 10 years, for me).
Brad says
Fully operational once again here in Minneapolis too.
I’m convinced this is all due to some benevolent meteorologist somewhere who’s keeping this data flowing despite everyone else giving up on it. Perhaps even against his or her boss’ direction. Every once in awhile this person takes a vacation and the data goes stale…
But in all seriousness, whoever you are – THANK YOU!
Jim Heffernan says
Back to correct temp in Columbus!
Yah!!
Jack Bunch says
Well, whomever is playing with the Bushnell Weather FX7 units are at it again. No cities have updated since early morning near Knoxville, TN. Mine has had the same current info all day. It hasn’t even been a month yet until they were off for severall days, and suddenly came back on. I wish someone would get their kicks doing something rather than jamming or turning off the signal data to these units. This is absurd.
Ed says
Same here in Boston temp, wind direction, and speed has not updated since 8am.
Alexa T says
Not updating here in the Philadelphia area.
Shell says
Same story in Cincinnati
Elizabeth says
Look like everything is updating on mine EXCEPT current temperature. Pittsburgh, PA; brilliant sunshine.
Alexa T says
Exactly what is happening on all of mine.
Preroll says
Same here in NYC. No current temp and the forecast only goes up through Tuesday of next week. Wednesday is showing 0/0.
Alexa T says
I have a current temp but it has been the same since the problem began. Also stopped populating; however, my forecast for today was different than yesterday. I have hope….
ZoeyandMe60x2 says
No current temperature registered. Also, no weather forecast for Wednesday. Deju vu.
Marsha says
Mine has not changed current temperature for the last few days, but has all of the other information except for my 6th and 7th day. Hopefully they will come back like the last time.
TheZ says
Same here in Cincinnati, Oh. Maybe the person who maintains the system is on vacation?
Joe says
Messed up invnorthern Virginia too. Has displayed 34 degrees for a week now. Don’t know whether to be grateful that it always seems to come back or mad that it is so freaking erratic…..
Alexa T says
That’s what I am thinking.
Alexa T says
Very possible.
william says
Here we go again……I have the FX-7 Bushnell 7 day weather forecaster, this is the third time in the last couple of months that its not performing the way it should, but it would correct it self a week or so later……so what choice do we have?…..When I think about it….back when I purchased this beautiful forecaster, maybe 15 years ago…it always would do this…it has done this almost always, but it would bounce back, I am just leaving it alone…what else can you do??….I think it will have this quirk all the time…for me I am just going to go with it…..but that’s me….
William says
For ever its worth I live in NASHUA,NEW HAMPSHIRE..
Jack Bunch says
This is the biggest mystery since creation. Some person is responsible for them going off and also coming back on all at once several days later. I know either Bushnell, Ambient, or Accuweather knows what is going on. They act like nobody knows anything. I know one thing, I would be very suspicious of dealing with any of these companies since they all act so ridiculous about this problem that happens about once a month now. Come on people, let them know how you feel! I’m fed up!
Alexa T says
How can you be fed upnwhen the units are not even supposed to be working?
Ash says
Same here in Dallas. Seems to be system wide. Agree hard to be “fed up” but also agree those three companies – between them – are the only ones in a position to understand the whole system…and what needs to happen to fix. If I recall correctly, the Ambient company was leveraging an unused portion of the old telecom paging network (as pagers went out of style)…perhaps the telcos are killing the vestiges of that pager system?
Jack Bunch says
Because I don’t buy things that are seemingly just throw aways after a little. By the way, if everybody had that attituse like yours, we would have even more junk on the market. We have enough now! Mine started working again a couple of days ago and still is. Same old stupid thing going on.
Joe says
People played their hard earned money for these things. I don’t recall any disclosure that service could be terminated at the whim of the network. Class action lawsuit in the making
Alexa T says
Go to the very beginning of this thread. It was discontinued the end of 2019. Every day since has been a gift.
Alexa T says
Go to the beginning of this thread to see when it was discontinued.
Joe says
I’m aware and I understand how some could see it that way. My Point is that people paid for these things and have a right to expect them to work. No “gift” involved…….
Marsha says
Hi, I am in Boston area, and actually am very grateful that they are still working, albeit with intermittent glitches. Nothing is forever. But the most curious thing to me is that it isn’t the actual device that is malfunctioning, which is usually what happens when devices are this old. (I think they stopped manufacturing them in 2012). Instead, it is the lack of support for the signal that feeds them. I don’t know much about this stuff, but if the communication to these weather stations were stabilized, they just might last forever. Fingers crossed that they reset themselves. And soon.
Bruce Wukovits says
I wonder if this is all not part of the plan to get those still using to give up and just throw away. That way when they throw the final switch not many will be left to really complain and cause a scene. Kind of like the way stores start turning off lights when ready to close for the day. Time to wrap things up and get a replacement in place.
Marsha says
Sadly, as the song goes. Nothing compares….
BILL says
Guess what, ladies and gentleman….my FX-7 weather stations working perfectly…go figure….bill Nashua,NH
Brian says
My FX-5 literally came back to life while I was standing next to it making coffee around 4:00am Sunday.
Ash says
Dallas up and running
Marsha says
Mine back up and working perfectly – Boston area. Big PHEW. Again!
EJ Lynch says
Back up and running in Minneapolis this morning. It’s going to be a GOOD DAY!
Alexa T says
Same here outside of Philadelphia. Our zombie weather forecasters. Amazing!
Brian Dayton says
Same here in Chicago!
Shell says
Mine is working! Cincinnati
Bernie says
Back online in Sunnyvale/San Jose area! Hopefully a good sign for the holidays and the New Year!
TheZ says
I suspect that the person responsible to keep the network going for our weather forecasters might actually be reading these posts. So, keep the comments coming, especially when there is an upset!
Linda L Cunningham says
Yes, mine is forecasting again too. After all these years, its like my right arm. I look at it at least 4 or more times a day. Yay, until the next time.