Customer Reviews

Elgin Travel Alarm Clock

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(29)

 

 

I used an Indiglo travel alarm as my main alarm for over ten years. Eventually, it stopped working. I have been on a quest to replace it ever since--about six years now. The main thing I've learned by trying so many other alarms is--it's hard to find a good, basic, no-frills, reliable alarm clock.

Some alarms lose time. Some snooze for 10 or 15 minutes, which defeats the awakening process. Some are loud and/or obnoxious while others are barely audible. One couldn't keep time, AND after it fell off my nightstand--for the first time--the numbers became unreadable. A LOT are not Indiglo, and the backlights are so bright they could double as airstrip lighting; I've had to make them covers to dull the light so I could go to sleep.

I finally gave up finding a suitable replacement at local stores, and started alarm clock shopping online. After comparing features, reading reviews, and checking carefully for 1) battery powered operation 2) no constant backlight and 3) regular old-fashioned only lights up when you push the button (Indiglo), I chose this Elgin travel alarm.

I've used it as my only alarm for several weeks now. It works better than the (many) others I've tried.

Pros
1) no cords (especially good, since it is sold as a travel alarm)
2) audible, obviously an alarm, but the sound isn't TOO grating
3) lightweight
4) the stand covers the button, so if you were traveling instead of using it as a regular alarm (like me) it wouldn't end up draining the batteries by being pressed down the whole time
5) it appears to keep time appropriately (so far, anyway)
6) the numbers are large enough to read without my glasses
7) red locator light is handy
8) low price

Cons
1) it only has a 4 minute "snooze" between alarms
2) required batteries (2 AAA) do not come with it
3) the stand seems flimsy and sticks out pretty far in the back
4) the buttons don't slide smoothly, but they aren't too bad
5) the Indiglo is slightly too bright--it does take a second or two to be able to see the numbers after hitting the snooze button
6) did I mention the 4 minute snooze?

I've dropped it off my nightstand a couple of times. I'm not a morning person, and the four minutes pass quickly--I tend to reach out without looking the first couple of times, and have misjudged its location and pushed it off the stand. So far, it remains intact (the stand hasn't even broken off or cracked yet).

Overall, it's the best replacement I've found during my years of searching. The four minute snooze is REALLY annoying though; the old Indiglo had a 8 (or 7, I don't remember for sure at this point, so many alarms later) minute snooze interval and that was just about perfect. While not a "perfect replacement," it is obvious they don't make what I'm looking for anymore. I will give up the search and use this Elgin. It is adequate, and certainly does its job. It's hard to sleep when the alarm goes off every time you get comfortable from snoozing it the last time. The alarm tone is loud enough to wake you, but not loud enough to make you cling to the ceiling with surprise. The red light helps locate it when it's ringing (although I have to wait a second for the blue light to go down after pushing snooze before I can look at the time).

If it had twice the snooze length (8 minutes), I would give it five stars, since the other flaws are so minor. I might even settle for a six minute snooze. Since it's only four minutes, though, that and all the minor flaws add up to only four stars.

I have dropped this thing on the floor, stepped on it, spilled water all over it. I lost the back and the batteries were held in by masking tape and it still worked. Simple, but effective.

Nice, uncomplicated, functional travel alarm clock. First of all, the package was EASY to open -- doesn't require a hacksaw and axe, like most packages do these days. Secondly, the instructions were written in CLEAR ENGLISH -- not weird unintelligible international symbols and directions in ten different languages with the English being butchered beyond comprehension. And thirdly, the clock is simple to set up and operate. Very user-friendly. Does what it says it's going to do. Alarm starts off softly then gets more frantic as seconds tick by and you haven't turned it off -- perfect for my waking-up habits. It's the right size -- very compact -- has a nice big display, big snooze button -- all in all, about as perfect as a product can be. My compliments to Elgin.

I didn't see this anywhere before I bought this item, but it only snoozes for 4 minutes. It has an annoying alarm that is sure to wake and irritate you and when you press snooze (or turn on the night light) it emits a high pitch whine that is sure to drive away dogs. It has a single alarm that is easy to set. It is small and folds up for travel.

Because of the generally positive reviews and the really low price I decided to take a chance and try one of these. My initial opinion matched those of the best reviews. It is a cheap, simple alarm clock and a great package for travel. The display is large and clear, the controls are intuitive and easy to use, the night light and snooze alarm are easy to access, and the alarm is nice and loud. I was really starting to love it........and then the display pixels started to drop out. The display soon became unreadable.

The clock was just too cheap to bother sending back so I ordered another one. It worked great the first night. When it rang in the morning I hit the snooze alarm and, since then, if the alarm is enabled at all it rings every several minutes. I kept trying it periodically for a couple of days. I even took the batteries out for a while and then replaced them. No change. It is locked into perpetual snooze mode.

I finally gave up and, for an additional $2.50, ordered a Casio. It works just fine.

I was glad I found this little clock on Amazon, because it seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. Elgin is a reputable name in timepieces. Unfortunately, the clock gained about 15 minutes every five hours! I tested it more than once. I was so disappointed. Had to return it. Still looking for something like it. I need something simple, folding, battery-operated, a clock that can keep accurate time (!) and with a light that comes on when pressed. Unfortunately, it was not to be with this one. I don't usually write reviews, but felt obligated to report my recent experience with this model.

a great travel alarm clock, the best I have seen for the price
uses 2 aa batteries
green back light
blinks red when the alarm rings

I'm amazed such a simple product can help travel so much. Even when a hotel has a clocks it's convenient to have your own and be sure things are set as expected. This clock is great for travel, easy to set, and easy to read in a strange environment. Hit the big blue button and a gentle back light shows time in BIG numbers, then gently fades away. The alarm is loud enough, but not annoying.

For the money this little clock is a pretty good buy. The numbers are large and easy to read, the time and alarm are straightforward and easy to set, the alarm starts out softly and gets louder until you push the snooze or turn it off, and the dial lights up at night nicely when you push the snooze button. It also unfolds to create a stand for the clock. It's compact when folded for travel, but the cover is cheaply made. I'm not sure how well it will hold up under abuse, I would feel compelled to wrap it in a sock or something in a suitcase.

All in all for the money it has everything I need for a travel alarm clock and it keeps good time so far, too.

I ordered this for a trip and it arrived the day I was leaving, which bummed me out because the blue night light did not work. On the trip it was dropped once and after that the light worked....once. I was gone so long that I was not able to return it. At least it was inexpensive. My recommendation is go to elsewhere if you want a user friendly, working travel alarm clock.