02020 Portable Lightning Detector Black, 2½L x 1W x 2¾H

This is my unbiased review on the AcuRite Lightning Detector.....I waited a while after purchasing it so that I could test it thoroughly. I tested it first with a Bar-B-Que peizo ignitor and it read "unable to detect...please relocate" It did it everytime. That's good because that's a false alarm and is not lightning. During the first approaching T-Storm, I had it in the window of my RV. It was night time so I could see the lightning flashes easily. It detected very well that night. The Next T-Storm was in the daytime. This time, I was outside with it and it beeped and indicated a strike. I never saw the flash of the lightning, but Waited a while and then heard the thunder.This happened several times and I was comparing it to Doppler Radar lightning strikes; there was a T-Storm about 15-20 miles west of my location, moving to the Northeast. The first and second strikes were indicated to be 17 miles away and the third was 11 miles and the fourth and fifth were 9 . Had another T-Storm a few days later and similiar results. After a strike is detected, the led light blinks once every 5 seconds. Interesting because for every five seconds after you first see the lightning flash and then hear the thunder, the strike is 1 mile away. For Example: for fifteen seconds after you see the flash and then hear thunder, the strike is 3 miles away.( I like to experiment, so I've started counting the number of times that the light blinks after I see a lightning flash.) The beep volume is not that loud, not 85 decibals I think; it should have a volume control and the screen could have more contrast but it's ok. I accidently dropped it from about 6 feet in my rv and it was ok. Bottom line..... It did warn me ahead of time that a storm was nearby even before I had a clue. Good product and at a good price. I would buy another one.

This is a review of the AcuRite 02020 Portable Lightning Detector. I purchased this lightning detector simply because I find weather interesting and thought it was cool. I'm writing a review because a lot of the other reviewers seem disappointed and that was not my experience. First off, I live in South Florida (USA). We have a lot of lighting storms here. Like others, when you first turn it on, sometimes it reports that it must be relocated. For me, all that was required was to hold it in my hands, maybe move around a little and it would then display 'listening'. This was done inside my third floor apartment standing just inside a large sliding glass door. It was then placed on the floor, next to the door (inside). And then.... I waited. Three or four months past with not a single lightning storm. Then one afternoon the detector started beeping and reporting far off strikes. I use a website that shows a map of the world and reports real time lightning strikes. The website confirmed that a large electrical storm was heading my way. As the storm moved closer, the detector continued to report strikes getting closer. This was well before the lightning was close enough to hear or see. It was dusk / dark by the time the storm was upon my location. Each time a strike hit that I could see, the detector beeped immediately. I have since had several other storms and am convinced the product works as advertised. Battery life seems good (batteries not included) as it has sat on the floor turned on for months. It does report lightning strikes accurately. It beeps loud and flashes red light when lightning is detected. Probably good for outdoor activities or hikers. It is inexpensive for a lightning detector and I am impressed with its accuracy.

Update after four years of use: I've had this in two different houses and in various locations in each. Now I can confidently say that it's all about location, location, location. This will work fine but you have to get it as far away from other electronic items as possible. For the past two years I've had it hanging on a bedroom wall at least 10 feet away from my computer and TV. It alerts at times I'm not even aware there's bad weather in the area, let alone forecasted. When I first purchased this it acted quirky because of proximity to other electronics, now it's fine and almost never gives a false alarm. Okay, this has been in service for 10 weeks of a stormy midwestern spring, so I feel I can competently report as to its good and bad points. A lot of the poor reviews seem to be based on snap judgments which highlight quirks which don't necessarily doom this device, it works well within some limitations. This is just a gadget. I had no use/need for one of the expensive brands which cost several hundred dollars. What this has done consistently well is alert me to surprise, "pop up" storms which form in the area. The red light flashes and a mild beep is emitted for each strike, and the counter registers up to 99 hits. I have compared this to known accuracy "Spark" software and it picks up strikes from about 20 miles away. Yes, it will occasionally give a warning of interference and tell you to relocate it. This is just buggy software. My unit is currently sitting within three feet of 12 electronic objects, TV, computer, cable boxes, weather stations, and it works just fine. Regardless of what it tells me about interference, I just leave it in one place. It always alerts when a storm approaches. If you are engaged in outdoor activities, your eyes and ears should be your first alert to incoming storms. If you are outdoors and this is in your pocket or on your belt there's no way you will hear its little beep, but you will see the flashing red light if you're looking at it. So sit it on a shelf and you will be surprised at how well it will work. It has been in service continually since mid-April on the same set of two AAA batteries. And today it alerted me to the development of tornadic storms in the KC area before the weather service had even posted watches or warnings, the lightning strikes were about 10 miles away as the storms began to form suddenly and unexpectedly. To summarize, this works as intended, just use your brain when outside during the thunderstorm season, don't count on a $30 piece of plastic to keep you from getting hit by a bolt from the blue.

We use this at our off-grid shack in conjunction with a NOAA weather radio. It's a fine replacement for leaving the AM band of the radio on with the sound turned down in that we can see how far away the lightening is and if/when the storm is moving towards or away from us. Makes it safer to work in the field and timber.

Great product for detecting lightning. However there are also false indications due to operation of other electrical appliances. The distance setting changing is necessary each time since it does not remember the choice. Some knowledge about the detection principles can help in properly using it. Must for travellers and general people leaving in lightning prone areas. Ok as per price.

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I have owned this device for a few years already, and can report that it's been reliable, quite precise, and not a battery guzzler. It is very sensible, and will detect lightning in the clouds, the one's not necessarily striking the ground. Audio mute feature is very practical. A must for many outdoor activities and storm watchers. Fool proof purchase in my case.

Arrived after a long journey from the USA to the UK. Apparently we don't stock lightning detection devices over here in the UK? I Opened the package and installed the two AAA batteries. Powered on and its working fine. Now just waiting on our usual bad rainy and stormy weather that comes from the Atlantic and across from the East Coast of America. Looks quite an impressive for a small compact device. Similar to what scientist Travis S. Taylor wears on his belt. As I am building a Sky360.org UAP-USO monitoring station with very sensitive equipment, I want to protect my sensors and monitoring station. This lightning detection device, will help me detect dangerous situations that can damage my electronic and photographic monitoring system. Thank you Amazon Prime UK for transporting from the USA to the UK 🇬🇧 for free on Amazon Prime. Post Script I have been running this device since delivery, it works perfectly fine. Recently, on one day it recorded over 36 lightning strikes within a 7 mile radius. It is great working inside the house and outdoors. It accurately shows lightning strikes and is a great warning ⚠️ device for anyone working outdoors or with radio communications equipment. I fully recommend this man portable wear on a belt device in case you need warnings of impending lightning strikes. If scientists like Travis Taylor wears one, then why not anyone who needs lightning detection whilst working on radio communication equipment.

この種の雷検知器を自作しようと思ったのですが、コンパクトに纏まったこの製品を知り、自作を諦めて、この製品を購入しました。実にコンパクトに纏まっていて、胸からぶら下げて、凧揚げの際の安全確認に使って居ます。お勧めです！ ただ、マイルがデフォールトになっているので、スイッチを入れた時に、キロに設定し直す必要があります。