La Crosse Technology 513-1417AL-INT Atomic Clock Review: The Definitive Verdict on This At-a-Glance Information Hub

There’s a subtle but persistent frustration that builds from the small inaccuracies of daily life. It’s the ritual of squinting at a kitchen clock and wondering if it’s a minute fast or slow. It’s the twice-yearly chore of changing every clock for Daylight Saving Time, inevitably forgetting one. It’s the moment you wake up after a power outage, greeted by a flashing “12:00” and the task of resetting everything. In our hyper-connected world, we have access to precise time on our phones, but that requires an action—picking it up, waking the screen. We craved something simpler, a passive information source that was always correct, always there at a glance. We wanted a central, reliable hub for not just the time, but for our immediate environment—what’s the temperature outside before I take the dog for a walk? Is the nursery too cool? The La Crosse Technology 513-1417AL-INT Atomic Clock promised to be the solution: a “set it and forget it” device that delivers perfect time and essential weather data without any fuss.

What to Consider Before Buying an Atomic Clock & Weather Station

An Atomic Clock with weather features is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for bringing precision, convenience, and environmental awareness into your home. Its primary benefit is unshakable accuracy. By synchronizing with the WWVB radio signal from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Fort Collins, Colorado, these clocks are accurate to within one second in a million years. This eliminates manual adjustments for time drift or Daylight Saving Time, ensuring you are always on schedule. Paired with a wireless outdoor sensor, it becomes a personal information hub, providing immediate temperature readings that are more relevant than a generalized city-wide forecast. This is invaluable for everything from dressing appropriately in the morning to protecting garden plants from an unexpected frost.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who values precision and convenience. This includes busy households needing a central, reliable time source, RV and travel trailer owners who need to monitor conditions in and out of their vehicle, gardeners who track microclimates, and anyone who simply appreciates having accurate, at-a-glance information without reaching for their phone. However, it might not be suitable for those who prefer a purely decorative, analog aesthetic or for extreme minimalists who want a single-function device. If you only need to know the indoor temperature, a simpler digital thermometer might suffice. If aesthetics are paramount, a classic barometer-style station could be a better fit.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Consider where the unit will live. The La Crosse Technology 513-1417AL-INT Atomic Clock measures 11.1 inches wide by 6.61 inches high. This is a substantial size, making its massive 2.125-inch time digits visible from across the room when wall-mounted, but it could dominate a small desk or nightstand. Ensure you have a suitable spot with a good viewing angle.
• Capacity/Performance: The core performance metrics are accuracy and range. Atomic clock functionality is the gold standard for accuracy. For the weather features, check the wireless sensor’s transmission range—this model boasts up to 330 feet in an open area, which is more than enough for most homes, but walls and interference will reduce this. Also, verify the temperature range, especially for extreme climates; this model’s sensor reads down to a frigid -40°F.
• Materials & Durability: Most digital clocks in this category are made of plastic, and this one is no exception. While perfectly functional, it won’t feel like a premium heirloom piece. The most critical component for durability is the outdoor sensor. Look for models described as “weather-resistant” and follow mounting instructions carefully to protect them from direct sun and rain, which can drastically shorten their lifespan.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A good atomic clock should be close to “set and forget.” The setup process should be straightforward, as it is with this La Crosse model. Maintenance is primarily about battery life. This unit requires 4 AA batteries (2 for the clock, 2 for the sensor), which are not included. Having low-battery indicators for both the main unit and the sensor is a crucial feature that prevents you from realizing your sensor has been dead for days.

Ultimately, choosing the right atomic clock and weather station is about matching its features to your daily information needs and home environment.

While the La Crosse Technology 513-1417AL-INT Atomic Clock is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Function Over Form, with Surprising Clarity

Unboxing the La Crosse Technology 513-1417AL-INT Atomic Clock is a no-frills affair. Inside the simple packaging, you find the main display unit, the compact TX141-Bv3 wireless temperature sensor, and an instructional manual. The main unit, with its grey and black plastic frame, feels lightweight yet sturdy enough for its purpose. It’s a modern, utilitarian design that will blend into most kitchens, offices, or living rooms without drawing undue attention. We immediately noticed the sheer size of the time digits on the LCD display—they are enormous and promise excellent readability.

Setting it on a table using its fold-out leg stand, we found it stable. The keyhole slots on the back make wall-mounting equally straightforward. One minor but immediate point of feedback: batteries are not included. You’ll need four AA alkaline batteries to get started, so be sure to have some on hand. Once powered up, the screen comes to life, displaying a wealth of information in segmented zones. Our initial impression is that this is a device built for a clear purpose: to deliver critical data in a large, digestible format. It’s less a piece of decor and more an information appliance, and for those of us seeking clarity and function, that’s a very good thing. The initial setup seemed simple, a promise we were eager to put to the test. To see its full feature set and user reviews, you can find more details online.

A Deep Dive into the La Crosse 513-1417AL-INT’s Daily Performance

A clock like this isn’t judged on its looks, but on its day-in, day-out reliability and readability. Does it deliver on its core promises of accuracy, clarity, and environmental insight? We spent weeks with the La Crosse Technology 513-1417AL-INT Atomic Clock integrated into our home office and kitchen to find out. We scrutinized its setup, display quality, and the all-important sensor performance to give you the real-world story.

The “Set It and Forget It” Promise: Unpacking the Atomic Accuracy

The single greatest feature of this clock is its atomic timekeeping, and we found the setup process to be as simple as advertised. Many users confirmed this, with one noting it was “super easy to set up by following the included instructions in 5 minutes or so.” The key, as the manual and users stress, is the power-up sequence: insert batteries into the outdoor sensor *first*, then into the main clock unit. This allows the clock to immediately search for and lock onto the sensor’s signal upon startup. Once the sensor was connected, the clock automatically began its search for the WWVB signal. The tower icon on the display flashes during this search and becomes solid once a connection is established. For us, living in the central US, it found the signal within about 10 minutes overnight.

After it synced, we just had to make a few quick adjustments using the buttons on the back: selecting our time zone (it offers all seven US zones from Atlantic to Hawaiian), and confirming the DST setting (which defaults to ON). From that moment on, the clock was perfect. It is profoundly satisfying to own a clock you know is never wrong. It becomes the trusted source against which all other clocks in the house are set. This core function—delivering flawlessly accurate time without any human intervention—is executed perfectly by the La Crosse Technology 513-1417AL-INT Atomic Clock. This feature alone is a compelling reason to consider this model for any home or office.

The Display: A Tale of Two Experiences – Clarity and Constraints

The display is where this clock both shines and stumbles. On the one hand, the legibility of the time display is absolutely outstanding. The 2.125-inch digits are crisp, bold, and can be read from across a large room with zero effort. We placed it on a wall in our kitchen, and a quick glance from 20 feet away was all that was needed to get the time. The temperature readings are also large and clear. For anyone who struggles with smaller displays or simply wants immediate, effortless readability, this is a huge win.

However, this clarity comes with a major caveat: the viewing angle. As one user bluntly put it, the clock has an “extremely SHALLOW VIEWING ANGLE.” We can absolutely confirm this finding. If you are looking at the clock straight on, or from slightly above, it’s perfect. But if you move more than 10-15 degrees to the side, or view it from below (for example, if it’s mounted high on a wall and you’re sitting down), the digits fade dramatically into the background, becoming completely unreadable. This is a common characteristic of basic LCD screens, but it’s particularly pronounced here. This makes placement critical. It’s ideal for a desk where you face it directly or a wall that you typically view head-on. Furthermore, some users noted that the calendar and day-of-the-week information, located at the top, are significantly fainter and smaller than the time, making them difficult to read from more than a few feet away. This is a design trade-off that prioritizes time and temperature above all else, which may or may not suit your needs.

Beyond Time: Mastering Your Environment with Temperature Sensing

The second pillar of this device’s functionality is its temperature monitoring. The included wireless sensor is compact and easy to mount. We placed ours on a north-facing wall under an eave to protect it from direct sun and rain, which is crucial for both accuracy and longevity. The connection to the main unit was instantaneous and held steady throughout our testing period. The advertised 330-foot range is, of course, an open-air ideal. In our real-world test, it transmitted reliably through two interior walls and about 50 feet of distance without a single dropout. The temperature readings were impressively accurate. We cross-referenced them with multiple local weather apps and a trusted analog thermometer, and the La Crosse sensor was consistently within one to two degrees, providing a truly localized reading of our specific environment. We even found ourselves agreeing with a user who creatively placed their sensor inside their RV refrigerator to monitor food safety on trips—a brilliant alternative use case.

Unfortunately, while our sensor performed well, we cannot ignore the significant volume of user feedback regarding the long-term reliability of these outdoor sensors. We encountered numerous accounts of sensors that stopped working after a few weeks or months, displaying only dashes (“–“) or wildly inaccurate temperatures. One long-time La Crosse customer lamented, “The last 5 out of 6 lacross atomic temp clocks did this too.” This pattern suggests a potential quality control issue with the sensors that is a serious concern. While the main clock unit appears robust, the reliability of the outdoor temperature function is a gamble. For a device whose secondary selling point is this very feature, that is a notable flaw. If you decide to purchase this atomic clock, be aware that the outdoor sensor may be its weakest link.

What Other Users Are Saying

Digging into the collective experience of hundreds of buyers, a clear consensus emerges. The positive feedback overwhelmingly centers on the clock’s core strengths. Users consistently praise its effortless setup and exceptional readability, with comments like “Large easy to read numbers” and “Accurate, easy to see/read from across the room” being very common. One owner captured the sentiment perfectly, calling it “an excellent choice if you want an easy way to tell temperature indoors and outside” that “automatically sets the date and time.”

On the other side of the coin, the criticism is just as consistent and focuses on two key areas. The most significant is the outdoor sensor’s lifespan. A frustrated user noted that after a week, their outdoor thermometer “stopped working,” a story echoed by several others who have purchased multiple La Crosse clocks only to have the sensors fail repeatedly. The second major complaint is the poor viewing angle of the LCD screen. “You have to be looking at the clock dead STRAIGHT ON in order to see the display,” one detailed review explained, a finding we strongly corroborated in our own testing. These recurring issues paint a picture of a product that excels at its primary function but has notable weaknesses in its secondary features and display technology.

How Does the La Crosse Clock Compare to the Alternatives?

The La Crosse Technology 513-1417AL-INT Atomic Clock occupies a popular middle ground, but it’s far from the only option. Depending on your priorities—be it more features, a different aesthetic, or a simpler function—one of these alternatives might be a better fit.

1. BOZYBO Wireless Weather Station Thermometer

If the La Crosse clock is a clock with weather features, the BOZYBO is a true weather station that also tells time. Its key advantages are the inclusion of indoor and outdoor humidity monitors (hygrometers) and an adjustable backlight. The backlight makes it readable in the dark, solving a major limitation of the non-backlit La Crosse model. This makes the BOZYBO a superior choice for a bedroom or any low-light environment. If you’re a data enthusiast who wants to know the humidity level for comfort, instrument care (like guitars), or general climate tracking, the BOZYBO offers a more complete environmental picture for a comparable price point.

2. Ambient Weather BA212 Wall Mounted Weather Station Cherry

This Ambient Weather station is for the user who prioritizes traditional aesthetics over digital precision. It completely eschews digital screens and atomic accuracy in favor of a classic, elegant design featuring a thermometer, hygrometer, and barometer set in a beautiful cherry wood finish. It’s a piece of functional decor. You lose the set-and-forget atomic clock, the outdoor sensor, and the large digital readout. In return, you get a timeless look that complements traditional or antique furniture. This is the perfect choice for a formal study, library, or living room where a plastic digital clock would look out of place.

3. Taylor Digital Wireless Indoor Thermometer Hygrometer

The Taylor Digital Thermometer represents the minimalist alternative. It strips away the atomic clock, calendar, moon phase, and even the outdoor sensor to focus on one thing: monitoring the immediate indoor environment. It provides a simple, clear readout of the current indoor temperature and humidity, along with high/low records for the past 24 hours. If your primary goal is simply to monitor a specific room—like a nursery, wine cellar, or greenhouse—and you don’t need the time-telling or outdoor features of the La Crosse, the Taylor is a much more focused and budget-friendly solution. It’s a specialized tool rather than an all-in-one information hub.

Our Final Verdict on the La Crosse Technology 513-1417AL-INT Atomic Clock

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the La Crosse Technology 513-1417AL-INT Atomic Clock is a strong but qualified recommendation. This device absolutely nails its primary mission: to provide perfectly accurate, maintenance-free time on a large, brilliantly legible display. The setup is foolproof, and the satisfaction of having a clock that is always right cannot be overstated. The addition of accurate indoor and outdoor temperature readings makes it a valuable at-a-glance information center for any busy home.

However, its excellence is undermined by two significant flaws. The severely limited viewing angle of the LCD screen means you must be thoughtful about its placement, and the widely reported issues with the outdoor sensor’s long-term reliability are a genuine concern. We recommend this clock for users who will place it where it can be viewed head-on and who prioritize the flawless atomic timekeeping above all else. If you value its core strengths and are willing to accept the risk associated with the outdoor sensor, it offers tremendous convenience and clarity. For those seeking a reliable, no-fuss time and temperature hub, the La Crosse Technology 513-1417AL-INT Atomic Clock remains a compelling choice you should check out today.