Customer Reviews

Taylor 10-Key Style Timer

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

The ten-key number pad is a good improvement on the usual timer that requires pressing a button repeatedly until the desired number of minutes appears. The other buttons are clearly labeled. This timer allows setting seconds as well as minutes,which many timers don't. The only criticism I have is that you need a screw driver to change the batteries, a minor annoyance at worst.

For under ten bucks, you can't go wrong. Note that the timer only counts down, not up. Also, the magnets are in the middle of the back of the timer, so when you attach it to your fridge and press on the bottommost buttons, the timer wobbles or falls off. The workaround is to attach a couple of little rubber feet or a stack of masking tape to the lower part of the back of the timer to stabilize it, but the buyer shouldn't have to solve a design flaw like that.

But again, you get what you pay for, and as long as you're not paying all that much for this, it's perfectly adequate. Cheap workmanship is fine, as long as the price is also cheap.

The 10 Key design is a life saver. I'm using these in my restaurant, unfortunately they're more suitable for home use. The timers are not loud enough for commercial use unless your kitchen is not very loud. I also had to to re-bend the battery contacts for a tighter fit on two of the 3 timers that I bought, because they would shut-off during use. Only have had them for about 3 weeks, so let's see how well they hold up. Despite the shortfalls, they're keepers due the Convenience of the 10 Key function.

Update: Used the timers for several months now, and they're definitely not for heavy use. Home use should be OK, but we've killed them all. The buttons don't work well anymore and the sound is weakened or doesn't beep anymore. We'll have to upgrade to heavy duty 10-key commercial ones. Nice try though...

I absolutely loved this timer for the first year I had it. I loved the number keypad and big buttons. But, then the batteries began to go bad. It used 2 button cell batteries, which I needed a very small philips screw driver to get out. It took me about two months before I remembered to get the batteries out, bring them to the store and buy matching ones. When I finally did put in the new batteries, the contacts bent and a wire wasn't making correct contact. When I fiddled with it, the contact wire fell out, rendering what once was a marvelous timer, garbage. My advice: buy timers that use regular AA or AAA alkaline batteries.

This is simply a great timer... very easy to use and you don't have to push a key repeatedly to reach a number to count down from because you enter it directly. All timers should be this easy.

I was looking for a timer that had a loud ringer I could hear from another room while cleaning, so I could check on what I'm cooking..
This one just didn't do that for me.
I notice the sound it sends out is not always the same..
sometimes it is a bit louder then other times..to me that does not do me much good..I cannot depent on it all the time!

So now I just use it to keep near me when I'm at the computer, but I do notice more of the sound comes out of the back, but then you can't see how much time you have left, if you turn it backwards!!!

The ringer goes for 1 min.
This does not count backward.
The numbers and buttons are large, which is probably the reason I bought this timer.
The two magnets are not very big, and does not stay on my frig very good.
When its on my frig, and I start to press the buttons, it starts moving all over.

Price wise, this is probably a good buy , depending on what you want to use it for.

I bought another timer that the ringer is louder, but the buttons and are very small..
Guess you cannot have it all, no matter at what the price is!

As an owner of two Taylor timers, I would rank the timer as sub-par. The layout is intuitive, but there are disappointing shortcomings.

The pluses:
- Readout and keys are easily readable
- 10 digit timers are quicker to set than those with merely hour/minute buttons

The overwhelming minuses:
- You must repeatedly press buttons to get them to work. Even if you hold timer with 1 hand and press each button in the center, you will still have problems
- Magnets are very weak. If you try to operate the timer on a refrigerator, it will fall off
- Battery life is poor. Uses 2 expensive AG13 batteries (expect to pay $4-8 for replacements!)
- You must own a miniature screwdriver to remove battery cover.

I had two of these fail after light usage. This timer has an appealing form factor, but its flaws are significant.

Better Option: For those wanting the advantages of a sturdy 10 digit timer, I finally found a one I can recommend: The Extra Big and Loud Water Resistant Timer by ThermoWorks. This timer works great and even has adjustable volume.

The timer is easy to use, and a very convenient size to carry around in a pocket. I can hear it ring from another room, if necessary. I wish the ringer, or buzzer, would go off a second time, after a brief interval.
I have yet to figure out how to replace the battery if it ever dies.

Talk about a waste of money. $9.37 for the two button batteries at the local Rite Aid. Then you almost need to have a jeweler to change the silly things. The screws you need to remove the batteries are very small and unless you have excellent vision you will need a magnifying glass and a pair of tweezers to put the screws back. One of the screws holds the fragile battery contact in place. I will never ever buy another timer that uses these expensive batteries. $7.99 for the timer and $9.37 for the batteries...dumb.

After looking quite a bit to find a timer with individual buttons for each number, I anxiously awaited receiving this is the mail. I had read the reviews and thought that despite some complaints about battery cost, it will fill my needs. Unfortunately within one month of owning it, I realized it was a waste of money. There are 2 major design flaws. First, originally it had a quiet, but reasonable sounding chirp. However now, after only one month, the chirp is almost non-existent. I have difficulty hearing it only 1 foot away in a quiet house. Unless it is physically on you, you will not hear it. Second, When mounted on a fridge with the magnets, you cannot easily push the buttons. The magnets are not flush mounted on the back. If you push buttons, it rocks and falls off the fridge. Save your money, find another timer.