Acctim71207 Acura Smartlite® Radio Controlled Alarm Clock, Black

We bought this because we have an older edition which has been amazing, unfortunately that one is no longer sold.This one has a basic flaw which is the moment is senses the room has gotten dark the whole screen lights up bright green! This is so stupid as the screen is so bright it actually illuminates the whole bedroom! To make matters worse there is no way to turn that function off, so we have to put it face down under the bed. Totally stupid. Avoid.

The main problem with this for me is the format of the date which is, for example, 3/5 for 5 March. There are small 'date' and 'month' indicators above each, but they're not easily noticed. It's made more annoying because it proudly proclaims 'Designed in England' on the box (as opposed to being designed 'for England' it would seem).The alarm 'on/off' switch on the back is a bit fiddly.The batteries are in the base and it uses AAAs. I'd have much preferred AAs - however long it lasts, it would last a lot longer with AAs. The base being a bit bigger and heavier would make it more stable too (not that it's particularly unstable, but it would be an improvement, nonetheless).The display is clear enough, the backlight works and it picked up the time very quickly (just wish it hadn't picked up the date...) The temperature display seems to work, but isn't really useful to me. Overall, it's not terrible, but I wouldn't recommend it and would much rather have something that doesn't show the date than shows it in this format.

The unit is slightly smaller than I had envisaged, but its screen size is perfectly adequate for bedside. The subdued night light is a great feature and contrary to at least one negative review, it is not so bright that it's going to keep you awake at night. I suggest that anyone's sleep problems won't have stemmed from the use of this device. The only genuine issue with the display is that you can not view it whilst looking upwards - rather like some digital wristwatches, the view is only optimised when you are looking at it face on. The clock can also be seen reasonably clearly at night from above, so you can look down on it slightly if it is perched on a bedside cabinet that's not quite as tall the top of your mattress. That is how mine is setup at present. I'd rather have other options for positioning the clock, but will try to make the best of it.Batteries are not included and so make sure you get hold of three AAAs straight away to avoid disappointment. In conclusion and subject to the viewing angle limitations, this product is recommended.

This was to replace an Acctim clock that I had for 10 years and was excellent, sadly they do not do this model anymore but was alot better than this new one.First one I sent back as display had large dark patch and made it difficult to read, not goodSecond one came, firstly I couldn't get backlight to work, this after some investigation was due to the battery contacts not seating right, adjusted and it worksBut has same blotchy display with dark patchYes connects to atomic clock perfect but display is poor for AcctimDecided cannot return second one so will use briefly and then throw and buy a different brandHence only 3 starsDisappointedUpdate 7months later the light had stopped working, changed batteries but no good, no light at allIn the bin and will buy different makeRubbish

Took a while to decide on my purchase to replace a faulty bedside alarm clock.I wanted:Good lookingSelf adjusting (radio controlled) accuracy.Time readily visible in daylight and in the dark but not so bright that it kept you awake or woke you up.Silent running.My choice exceeded expectations....... I am delighted and going to buy my wife one for a Christmas present!Information provided on the face is comprehensive and well laid out for easy reading.I am delighted with the three backlight displays: one (automatic) for daylight, one (automatic) for night-time darkness - just bright enough (a subdued lighting) to easily read the time but NOT keep you awake, and one (by pressing the large snooze button on the top) which gives a brighter backlight which I sometimes use when the natural light is subdued ie dusk or dawn, but I haven't got the bedside light switched on and it isn't dark enough for the automatic backlight to come on. The makers have got it spot on!!Set up is so easy; put in the batteries and within a few minutes it sets itself by radio control!It's also a smart looking pedestal clock that's just the right size.