Customer Reviews

La Crosse Technology WT-3161BK 16-Inch Stainless Steel Atomic Clock

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

I got this clock two days before the DST switch. The manual claims that DST is controlled by a bit in the data stream it receives to set the time. Maybe so but the clock didn't make the switch. After several emails between me and LaCrosse they said to return the clock (at my expense) and they'd repair it.

There are four buttons on the back of the clock to match the different U.S. Time Zones. I'm in the Pacific zone so rather than go to the trouble and expense of sending the clock back I've decided to control DST by switching between Pacific and Mountain time zones. To "Spring forward" I just press the MT button and to "Fall back" the PT. No big deal (this technique wouldn't work for Eastern Time). However, I own five other Atomic clocks from three other manufacturers (Sangean, SkyScan and Oregon Scientific) and all five clocks made the DST transition flawlessly.

Another annoying problem with the unit I received is that the minute hand is off by two minutes. An annoying quality control issue.

Other than these issues the clock is fine. It's not that sturdily built but for just hanging on the wall it doesn't have to be. Still, if I was shopping for another Atomic Clock I'd opt for a different brand.

The clock is not made of the most durable construction. After all, it's a clock you put on the wall. The most you'll ever do with this is change the battery every year or so. So, I don't really expect it to be made out of 16ga steel or anything.

But, anyway... The black face with white letters makes it VERY easy to read from a distance. I have three of these in an Emergency Operations Center where we require extremely accurate clocks.

It is important that you understand how the atomic clock system works. Originally, I had tried to put one of these in my regular office building. But, the signal couldn't penetrate the building. It works great in a standard wood constructed building.

I'll be getting more...

I have one of these in my office. It picked up the WWV signal within several minutes, and has made the DST transition without effort. The face of the clock is easily readable and clear, and the hands give good contrast and visibility from quite a distance away.

We bought this clock for our exercise room as it is large and can be easily seen without glasses. It is a very attractive clock and perfect for our intended use. That being said, there is one problem that I would like to alert future purchasers to, and that is that when the clock goes into the mode of setting itself the first time, that the minute hand seems to go so fast that it chatters and consequently mars the face of the clock with a black line. We sent our first clock back after this occured and solved any future problems with the new clock by laying the clock face down while it sets itself the first time and again at daylight savings time resets. This allows gravity to prevent the minute hand from scraping on the clock face. The directions don't mention this. This is something that we intend to do every year at daylight savings time changes as the clock can only reset itself (in the fall) by going forward 11 hours. It shouldn't be as much of a problem in the spring as it only has to go forward one hour. We will still take the precaution, however, to prevent the marring of the clock face.

.La Crosse Technology WT-3161WH Metal Atomic Analog Clock.

NEGATIVES: I had to return mine for quality problems. The first one was a 16" which had metal shavings visible on the glass and the aluminum sides were tarnished. POSITIVES: It kept good time though. It's the cheapest kind of atomic clock you can get.

Mine picked up the signal in less than 15 minutes. The replacement that was sent was also able to keep good time but once again had the black metal shavings inside the clock face (under the glass!) ...I finally figured out how to fix that... gently tap the clock on the side to move the shavings to the bottom of the clock face where it will be not visible. The bad thing though was that the replacement clock had a warped clock face over from 9-12 o'clock (beneath the glass cover) which could be noticed even from about 25 feet. So..I ended up sending back both.

All in all I bought 5 clocks...the two 16 inch ones and three 10 inch ones. The 10 inch ones were fine except one of them either had the second hand advanced or delayed by 15 sec depending on the time of day. So that went back too. Total score out of 5 clocks... 3 returned and 2 were kept so I guess 2 out of 5 stars will be fair. Can't wait for time to spring forward on March 9, 2008 and see the clock do it's magic.

Did anyone try any other brands? Please comment or give suggestions.

The only best thing was that i bought it from amazon and there were no hassles on return.:)

Clock was purchased to put in the National Guard Armory where our kennel club holds its dog training classes. Easily seen from all over the 100 x 70' room. We just took it out of the box & hung it on the wall. It did the rest by setting itself & changing from daylight to standard time. To date, it is stilling running fine. The clock was inexpensive and arrived very quickly. I DO RECCOMEND this oversize clock.

A local news station in our area aires a commentary piece that ask the question, "does it really do that?", as it relate to product advertisements. A news team member goes out to investigate the product to determine whether or not it really does do what it's advertised to do. Then the reality of the item is disclosed durig the commentary. Well, News Team...if you're listening...save your time and money, take it from me, the LaCross Atomic Clock really does do that..all that it's advertised to do...and more. Three things that I particularly enjoy; the fact that It automatically sets itself according to the time zone, the numbers...white...are boldly displayed and help you to accurately read the time from a distance, and that it's precise in maintaining the time.

Donald R. Greer

Very Satisfied LaCross

Atomic Analog Clock

I have 3 of these clocks distribted around my house. Like other reviewers here, the second hand in one of them freezes up. I take out the battery, it starts up just fine then runs normally for a day or two, then freezes up all over again. So you take your chances with this item, get a good one and you are all set. Get a bad one and you're faced with the issue of packing up a 16" clock, getting it to a P.O. and then shelling out some hard earned cash, to keep your fingers La Crosse(d) to get it either fixed properly or receiving a new one which doesn't have this same d****d problem.

I own two of these clocks purchased elsewhere and both of them have second hands that stopped working. Taking the battery out is supposed to start the second hand again, but it just advances 20 seconds and freezes again. Both clocks sometimes go crazy when the time changes and the hands move around the clock continuously without stopping. Forgot to mention that I returned another for being DOA. A very poor design.

Would never buy anything but an atomic clock again, it is SO NICE to always be sure of the time and not to ever ever have to set it. THIS clock-- from the LaCrosse company-- has the best selection of atomic clocks. This one is 16" (biggest no-digital) and sleek and stylish. This one was for the office, and since then, I've bought three more for co-workers. Every now and then, we get to see it calling Colorado and making adjustments to make sure it's running correctly. Just a really_nice_clock!