I bought this clock because of it's fantastic ability to have a separate alarm for each day of the week, something that just makes a lot of sense and should be standard on every alarm clock. This one feature works exactly as advertised, and is very easy and intuitive to use and configure. The clock has a unique style to it, with a sort of retro look going on, and it doesn't take up a lot of space. It is higher than most clocks but compensates with a smaller footprint. The standard features like nap and snooze all work well and are easy to configure.
The problem with this clock comes down to the fact that several corners were cut to make it as cheap as possible to produce. The radio has an old style analog tuner (albeit a slightly better one than most clock radios out there). This is 2005, and one would think that digital tuners would be a standard by now. Unless you enjoy listening to one and only one radio station, you will find the analog tuner a pain.
The sound quality of the radio is also very average. It's not bad by any means, and the reception is very good, but like many clock radios it has zero lower end sound (ie bass). The radio also makes an annoying 'pop' when you turn it on or the alarm kicks in. It is a very minor sound, but I expect better. My 15 year old $10 clock radio makes the exact same noise when the radio kicks in.
Another problem I have with it is the lighting of the LCD screen. In my opinion it is just bright enough to make nobody happy. It is slightly too dim to see well during the day, and it is slightly too bright to be comfortable at night. I have lived with old school clock radios my entire life, with the glowing red numbers. These clocks produce almost no light, which is what I like. If you are used to the new style clocks that choose to backlight the entire display instead of just the numbers, then this will be no problem for you, but if you are like me and like a clock that puts out a minimal amount of light, you won't like this clock. Would an adjustable brightness really cost that much more? Or how about a light sensor that would adjust automatically?
I really wanted to like this clock, but the lack of a digital tuner and the annoying brightness / lack thereof make this clock all but useless to me. Still, I do recommend the clock over most other clocks out there. If you can get past the analog tuner and poor display, you will be happy with this product.
PROS:
- 7 day alarm feature
- very easy to configure
- unique design and good button layout
CONS:
- very average sound
- no digital tuner
- hard to see the display during the day
- display too bright at night
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American Innovative Neverlate 7-Day Alarm ClockProduct Description: Why bother setting the alarm clock daily when one can preset rising times for every day of the week with American Innovative's Neverlate 7-day alarm clock? With seven individual alarms for each day Monday through Sunday, users can tailor the 120-volt alarm clock's settings according to their unique schedules. The clock is ideal for individuals who work different shifts day to day, college students with their varied class schedules, or anyone who needs to rise early on certain days of the week.
With its analog AM/FM radio, the clock allows the user to choose between buzzer and radio alarms. Two dials on the front of the clock are provided for searching radio stations and regulating volume. To change the radio from AM to FM, press the band button, located on top of the unit along with the radio on/off button, and buttons for clock set-up and adjusting the sleep and nap timers. The rotary mode knob on top of the clock selects the day of the week while the inset rotary value knob sets alarm times. For slow risers, the clock includes a customizable snooze function with durations of up to 30 minutes between alerts. An LCD screen displays the time in military or 12-hour format, the day of week, and active settings and functions. With low and high brightness options, a backlight illuminates the screen. In the event of relocation or a power outage, protect clock settings with the battery back-up. Battery back-up requires the separate purchase and installation of two AAA batteries. For thorough instructions and clock information, a product manual is available for download online. This item is covered by a limited 90-day warranty. The alarm clock measures 5-by-4-1/2-by-5 inches and weighs 2 pounds upon shipping.
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Looks better than it's built.Volume control is broken and freewheeling after a few months.
I purchased this clock for a soft, muted way of telling time in the wee hours of the morning. Brightness was a big factor for me. I can't sleep with a bright clock. One of the great things about this one is that the brightness is adjustable: high, low, or completely turned off. Low is PERFECT for a light sensitive sleeper like me. Others would probably get along just fine with the high setting. I should note that this clock was not placed directly beside my bed. Instead, it is about 6 feet away, and I can read it flawlessly without eyestrain--daytime or night.
