Oregon Scientific RM938 Radio Controlled (Atomic) Alarm Clock, Black

This clock is terrible. Oregon Scientific used to be a high quality brand you could trust, but that was a long time ago. Having bought 2 different Oregon scientific clocks the last year and a half, I can safely say their products are now way below par.I bought this clock to replace an older model I'd owned for over 15 years, that had fallen and broken the top button required for setting alarms, etc., so I opted for this clock - and I've regretted it ever since.The positive:The physical design means it is well balanced and not too easy to knock over.The negatives:Everything else - literally.I have the clock placed slightly above eye level and I've found I am unable to read the time, even when illuminated from a point lower than the clock.It is supposed to change automatically when the clocks change. I have to do this manually, despite the claim it's automatic (which appears a common issue with this brand now).The merest touch of the clock buttons seem to render it back to factory settings, which if left, will never automatically correct itself.The alarm is abysmal. It never rouses me and I have to rely instead, on my mobile phone. Again, this was also an issue with the Oregon Projection clock I bought recently too.To surmise; I am done with the newer Oregon Scientific clocks. I've actually had to resort to buying a second hand older model, which works perfectly. The newer product is completely inferior, and if you want to live a life in proper time, I'd suggest another brand, or a traditional alarm clock.

I've had an older model by Oregon for years, but the battery clips at last gave up. I've been preparing to replace it for a while, and then this great little model appears on the scene. As superb as the older model, but more "21st Century" : the top "button" to snooze/silent alarm is now 'touch-sensitive' : the read-out is much 'crisper' : the setting of the alarms is still as simple, and the big plus is that a little switch in the battery compartment gives access the world clock synchronisation within the EU or the USA : a great travelling alarm into the bargain, therefore!

A little expensive compared to some of the other alarm clocks available. Bought it for our son to help keep track of time when reading and settling himself at night and he loves it. We also bought it for the dual alarm function and relative simplicity of the display. There are a couple of problematic design features that are not immediately apparent.- The alarm is crescendo for about a minute then stays at full volume for about a minute. However, it is not very loud when on full AND it only lasts 2 minutes. So if it hasn't worked by then you missed it!- The light/snooze button at the top is touch sensitive while the other buttons like cancel alarm are the more traditional press style. Easy to press, but while groping for the alarm you are more likely to touch and activate the snooze.To follow up on reports from others. I've not experienced any problem with batteries draining. Last a long time (ie trying to think back to when I did change them last).

The good is that it's cheap - it doesn't illuminate all night, the snooze button acts as an illuminator for the display, but not so bright that it risks disturbing people . The alarm is loud enough without being too loud (doesn't wake the whole house). A rapid Peep-Peep sound - not a tune, for example.The 'not so good' is that it's fiddly to remember how to set or change alarms - keep the small instruction leaflet near you if you don't do this often as even after a couple of weeks I struggled to remember last night - the buttons on the front aren't as intuitive in operation as they might be (and I write as someone who has spent 40 years travelling a great deal and have had to figure out alarm clocks in countless different hotels around the world without instructions! So I don't think I am being either picky or stupid! ) I was trying to reset the alarm in the dark at about 2:00am, nervous that I might trigger the alarm to sound somehow and disturb my wife...It has two alarm settings so it's handy if your bedmate needs to be reawakened at a future time - or perhaps useful for shift workers. It displays the date - so less of that 'is it Saturday yet?' confusion on groggily awakening. it's light and easy to pack in a bag or even slip into a pocket for travel. It's not especially strong though, so not suited for really rough travel - but for the price it's not bad.I wanted something that would be a safer bet than relying upon my mobile phone to wake me (in case the battery fails, the volume is inadvertently turned down etc.) and for that it's a good purchase. Note though, that I did have one day where something seemingly went a bit haywire with the circuitry - no idea why, but the display was incorrect - not just a time difference - strange things appeared (I don't remember the details - I eventually replaced the batteries and it's been OK since) I've given it a 3 star rating therefore - I'm kind of OK with it - but wonder if there may be alternatives that might be a little more rugged, easier to set and change (I wouldn't recommend it for older people - I mean older than me! :-) ) So long as I don't get further problems with the display and settings I'd possibly upgrade this to a four star rating - but the fiddly nature of setting alarms and the robustness of the unit means I'd not go to a 5.