Customer Reviews

Atomix 5814 - Black Arch Atomic PC/Desk Clock

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Perhaps it's because I'm on the East Coast and the NIST transmitter is in Colorado. I could only rarely get any decent reception for the clock. Forget about having the clock in the same room as the computer or TV. It won't work. The instructions say that the best reception is at night, yet the instruction/spec sheet says it automatically checks for the time signal at 12pm...that's right folks at NOON! It didn't work for me and so I returned it. I'm going to look for an AM radio that receives in the range of 5,000 to 25,000khz (shortwave). The NIST transmitter broadcasts in that range at every 5,000khz.

This clock works great for me; the time is accurate and the signal reception is good (in Cupertino, CA). As a clock it is troublefree. As an alarm it's not so great; the buttons are really clunky and require a lot of force to operate, except for the set button in back which is way too easy to press when picking up the clock. There are dual alarms, each using a simple loud beep that beeps faster until you turn it off. Amazingly, there is no snooze function. My clock arrived with two AA batteries ("not included") already installed; perhaps it was a return unit - but it seems to be in new condition.

I've been using this clock for over a year now. It sits right on my kitchen table, and I must say I actually feel affection for this thing (though that may have something to do with its having been right there in the delivery room when my daughter was born at 10:23 p.m. on...). Reception was great everywhere I tried it, but it works best as a sort of "absolute reality check" whenever I'm getting ready to head out to the bus stop, etc. Setting the alarms, the one time I did that, was a little confusing. But mostly I'm just happy to have a clock that simply and reliably tells me the time, the date, and exhibits its soothing curves all day long. It travels well--and I haven't had to change the battery yet!