La Crosse C85845 Review: A Backyard Forecast on the Counter?
A color display weather station with a wireless outdoor sensor, a forecast with trend arrows and an atomic clock. It shows the real temperature outside their own window.
Yes, for grandparents who talk about the weather over breakfast. It shows indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity on one color screen with a forecast and a self-setting clock [1]. Skip it if they are happy with a phone weather app.
By Andrew Pataleta, GiftX founder · Updated October 29, 2026 · Sources
Specs at a glance
| Model | C85845-INT [1] |
| Readings | Indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity [1] |
| Extras | Dew point, heat index, daily highs and lows [1] |
| Forecast | Color icons with trend arrows [1] |
| Clock | Atomic self set, with alarm and calendar date [1] |
| Alerts | Custom high and low alerts [1] |
| Power | AC cord included; batteries for backup and sensor not included [1] |
Pros and cons
- Shows their own backyard numbers, not the county's [1]
- Color forecast icons with trend arrows [1]
- Atomic clock sets itself and handles daylight saving [1]
- Custom high and low alerts for temperature and humidity [1]
- Records daily highs and lows [1]
- Adjustable backlight on the AC cord [1]
- Doubles as a clock and calendar for the counter [1]
The morning weather report at home
In a lot of grandparent kitchens the first conversation of the day is about the weather. The phone forecast covers a whole region; this station shows the number on their own back porch.
A wireless sensor goes outside and the color display sits on the counter, showing indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity side by side [1]. A forecast icon with trend arrows sits on top [1].
La Crosse Technology is a US based, family owned company that has made weather stations since 1983 [1], which matters for a gadget that should run for years.
Readings, alerts and the clock
Beyond temperature and humidity it shows dew point, heat index and daily highs and lows that reset each day [1]. Color comfort bars show at a glance whether the air is dry or damp [1].
Custom alerts sound when temperature or humidity crosses a high or low they set [1]. For a grandpa who covers the tomatoes or a grandma who worries about frozen pipes, a frost warning on the counter is useful.
The clock is atomic and self setting, handles daylight saving time and shows the date, with an alarm and snooze [1].
Calibration, batteries and setup
The forecast is not instant. La Crosse says to allow 7 to 10 days for barometric calibration [1], so the icons may look off during the first week.
The display runs on the included power cord, but backup batteries and the outdoor sensor's batteries are not included [1]. Wrap a pack of AA batteries with it so setup does not stall on Christmas Day.
The sensor needs a shaded spot outside, away from direct sun, or it will read high. A grandkid can mount it on a north wall during the visit.
A gift that starts conversations
Set it up during the holiday visit and grandparents usually call to report the overnight low a week later. It gives them something to share on every call.
From this guide, it pairs with the Nature's Hangout Window Bird Feeder for a kitchen window gift set, or with the Stanley Classic bottle for cold morning walks.
Show them how to set one frost alert before you leave, so the most useful feature is ready from day one.
FAQ
Does the La Crosse C85845 need batteries?
The display runs on the included power cord, with optional backup batteries for power cuts [1]. The wireless outdoor sensor needs its own batteries, and neither set of batteries is included [1]. Buy a pack of AA batteries with the gift so they can set it up right away [1]
How long until the forecast is accurate?
La Crosse asks owners to allow 7 to 10 days for barometric calibration before the forecast icons settle [1]. Temperature and humidity readings work right away, so the station is useful from the first hour. Tell the grandparents to give the forecast a week before judging it [1]
Is a weather station a good gift for grandparents?
For a couple who checks the weather every morning, yes. It shows their own backyard numbers, a forecast and a clock that sets itself [1]. It also gives them an easy topic for every family phone call. If they never look past their phone app, choose another gift [1]
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Sources and how we checked
- Amazon.com listing for the La Crosse Technology C85845 Weather Station
Source check: Amazon prices and contents above were checked on October 29, 2026. We did not test these products hands-on. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, Amazon listings and the reasons people actually give these gifts.
As an Amazon Associate, GiftX earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change, so check Amazon for the current price.