Customer Reviews

Sony ICF-C212 FM/AM Clock Radio with Full Power Back-up (White)

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

 

 

What can I say, it's an alarm clock, it does what it's supposed to do. Can't expect too much from the radio. My only rant is the battery. BATTERY BATTERY BATTERY! This will not accept your regular 9V Batteries because it requires a specific type ( IEC code 6F22 to be exact). The specification is listed in the manual and on the battery lid. This can only be a problem if you so desire battery backup power. These batteries are Heavy Duty Industrial type and will set you back at least $5 per versus the buck something of the regular 9v batteries. Most stores don't even carry these. Googling these yielded returns from the UK and China. Regular 9V Engergizers and Duracells have IEC codes of 6LR61. My sister and I have two of these clock radios and have tried various Battery Brands to no avail. We haven't tried 6F22 or 8F22 (more common), though. Hope this helps.

I chose this radio for its power backup feature via a 9-volt battery. For having such a small speaker it sure has alot of power. But one cannot expect such a radio to sound like a Home Theatre.
I have read feedbacks left by other purchasers and have come to the conclusion that those who bad-mouth this product are not being truthful and are unfair.
I plugged mine in and set the clock without even consulting the manual. I tuned the radio to a station and was amazed as to the sound quality in FM.
I purchased this radio for several reasons, looks, price, features, and design. The main thing I like about it is the power backup feature, very nice to have if you're tired of wasting time resetting clocks.
The green display is just right too. Bright to see but not too bright as to blind.
The radio I am replacing with the Sony has red leds and is much brighter than green ones found on the Sony.
I am giving this product 4 stars only because I believe the FM antenna should be integrated into the AC cord.
At loud volumes the sound can be a bit harsh but it wasn't designed to "rock the house", only to wake someone up.
SONY is a quality name brand. I highly recommend this radio.

The HUGE display is easy to see from across the room. Good-sized buttons make it easy for my 9 year old to set for himself. While the sound may be "harsh," it does the job: it wakes him up!

I don't know what planet most of the other reviewers are from but an ordinary Energizer 9v battery does the trick. No need for any 'industrial' type batteries to run this unit. Another excellent Sony product which sounds good and does the job.

I bought this because I wanted an inexpensive but reliable clock with a backup battery. My only complaint is that tuning is a little tricky. There's not much space on the tuning wheel between stations, so you need to be very precise. However, I've gotten used to it.

worked great for 1 month then just stopped. would take more to fix than to replace. very disappointing

This replaces a similar 20 year-old GE model who's buttons are getting flaky. I hate buzzers and like a cheap radio alarm clock to wake me up.

PRO: Larger numbers and battery backup. You also get both an AM and PM LED indicator.
CON: No LED alarm indicator. Instead, a small, recessed, non-illuminated color bar on the left side that is barely visible. You can't see it in the dark to double-check that you set the alarm. You have to do it by feeling the alarm switch.

As for the other complaints people have:
BATTERY: Any 9V battery will do. Alkalines are best as they last longest for the money. If the power goes out for a few hours, the time is close, but wrong, and needs to be reset anyway.
SOUND: This is a clock radio with a small 3" speaker and no bass-boost. Whaddayawant for the money?
TUNER: Analog tuners are a bit touchy - we've been spoiled with digital tuners. Usually, you only get the strongest stations. You also have to make sure to retune occasionally as the setting drifts and sounds harsh. You might have to move the antenna wire to get change the FM reception or twist the alarm clock itself to change the AM reception.
BUTTONS: Cheap clock radios that use mode buttons work the same way. Simultaneously press the mode button and the hour or minute button to change the time. This 2-finger method is a fail-safe so you don't accidentally change something.
ALARM: Pressing the sleep button, then the snooze button will turn the alarm off without having to touch the alarm/radio switch.

I purchased this little SONY after my original SONY alarm clock died after nearly TWENTY years.

There's not much to review honestly. The large time display works well, is illuminated in green, and does cast a bit of a glow. The alarm, is of a higher pitch then most. This works well for me as I am a deep sleeper.

This unit is perfect for me as a basic alarm clock. I expect this one to last as long as my previous one.

This is the third one of these in our house. It was time for my youngest child to have her own alarm clock and she figured it out right away. The large green numbers are easy to read from a distance. The alarm is easy to set. The time is easy to set. The radio is clear. There are no frills in this unit but I would buy another if we had more kids. By the way, the other two have been working fine for several years. You can't go wrong with this.

Great clock radio, the sound is wonderful, would highly recommend. I have to wake up at 5:00 AM for work and this radio makes it a lot easier.
Thank you