Customer Reviews

Galilea Moon-Phase Clock

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

 

 

This item has a battery-powered clockwork motor timed to the lunar phase. The motor turns a shading cup across an image of the lunar face, replicating what you see outside. It is not something to hold or do things with, but sits on a shelf and tells you what's going on outside. It also has a standard civil-time clock which is quite accurate. Good for adults or children, but don't expect this to be "entertainment". It is educational, especially for kids with an interest in astronomy and such. Probably not for the "game-boy" football-minded child, nor for the adults of a similar unfocused, "Entertainment Tonight" mind-set.

This purchase was a present for a nephew, his wife and young daughters, 3 and 8 years old, both interested in the night sky. I have owned 2 of the clocks for about 5 years and, even as an adult, enjoy watching them. The clock is an excellent tool for learning and for just every day enjoyment.

I sent this has a gift and received a call from the recipient stating that based upon what I had paid he felt obligated to advise me to return it. It was far too cheaply made to justify the price.

Gman's review is correct- this is just a plastic black disk that slowly covers and uncovers a sticker drawing of the moon. Definitely not worth almost $100. But it DOES accurately show the phases of the moon and you almost never have to reset it. The instructions say to reset every 6 months, but when I tried doing that I found that the clock was still exactly on point with it's phases so there was no point in reseting it to the appropriate phase.

I've had this clock for over a year now and I'm very happy with it. The only thing is that for the price you definitely would expect more than a piece of plastic covering over a sticker photo of the moon. But that's what you get. Still I can't find anything else like this. I like that I can see the phase of the moon from across the room with this and that it can be a very understated decorative item.

The photo doesn't accurately portray this gizmo. It seems to look like a lit up moon and a shadow crossing it as it wanes. But it's a kind of hokey contraption with a black cup the slowly covers a moon print circle on top. The moon section is really out of proportion, too large for the clock. And this rotating cup cover is a poor way of showing the waxing and waning. It would sort of teach moon cycles but I sent it back.