OREGON SCIENTIFIC RM313PNA Self-Setting Projection Clock
by Oregon Scientific
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Category: Kitchen
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: Oregon ScientificBrand: Oregon Scientific
Model: RM313PNA
Product features:
- Projects the time onto a wall, ceiling or any other surface
- Crescendo alarm with snooze function
- Icon display of US map with integrated time zones
- Backlit HiGlo electro-luminescent screen
- Operates on 2 AA batteries (included)
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of OREGON SCIENTIFIC RM313PNA Self-Setting Projection Clock
Customer Review: A Decent Clock for the Price
Summary: 3 Stars
For the money, this clock is a really good deal. However, it has it's shortcomings that left me a little disappointed.
PROS: First off, I've never had a projection-style clock before, so I find this feature to be really cool. The projector is set to project a digital display of the time onto the ceiling above you, which it does with surprising clarity and brightness. You won't be able to see the display at all in even a low-lit room, but that's fine, because you'll only really be looking at in when lying in bed. And the fact that you can switch it to project constantly, rather than having to slap a button, is really nice.
The next thing I like most about the clock is the size. My previous alarm clock was an RCA PoS that was huge, heavy, and had a non-functional CD player in it shortly after using it. Though that clock had its pros, this Oregon Projection Clock is nice because it takes up less space on the desk next to my bed, and it's basically only what you need, with no shiny bells and whistles you don't need.
The thermometer is a nice add-on to the clock. Obviously I didn't buy it just for that, and it's doubtful that will be the deciding factor for anyone, but it's a pretty accurate thermometer that displays to the tenth place, and it's useful for seeing just how hot or just how cold it actually is in your room, which can help with setting the thermostat.
Though I liked the constantly low-lit display on my previous alarm clock, which wasn't too bright or dark, this clock makes up for not having a constant back light by having the constant projection feature. Now you don't even have to roll over to see the time, as they advertise! And the back-light this clock does have, while a bit too bright to someone half asleep in a dark room, is nice and easy to read.
CONS: My biggest complaint is that the projector is fixed into position in the clock; you can't adjust where or at what angle it projects. This wouldn't be so bad in and of itself, except that for some reason they fixed the projector so that it projects the time parallel with the face of the clock. In other words, it's displayed at a 90 degree angle to your viewpoint when lying in bed looking up at it. The only way that the display would be a normal, right-side-up view would be if it was positioned behind you, say on a headboard. But then you couldn't easily get to the clock in the morning. Maybe it's petty, but the lack of an ability to adjust the projector is a bit frustrating.
The next thing that disappointed me is the self-setting feature, via radio communication with the Atomic Clock in Colorado. I'm not sure how well that feature works, because I can't get my alarm clock to pick-up a signal. Now, in all fairness, I live in a bunker of an apartment, on the bottom floor, which is half underground, but I couldn't even get it to pick-up a signal when I forced a manual search while holding it up to the window, and I can usually get even my GPS to work doing that. I'm sure it's a nice feature to have . . . if you can get a signal.
The final thing that disappoints me a little is that there is only one alarm, and it has a pre-set 8 minute snooze. Now, obviously, it does advertise that it has only one alarm (or at least, doesn't have two), which is okay, but not being able to shorten the snooze time is a little disappointing. I'm not sure about others, but I can be deep in sleep again in an 8 minute time span. I used my previous clock's dual alarms to create two alarms set 5 minutes apart to ensure I woke up, so the lack of any alarm customization in a clock billed as an alarm clock is a bit frustrating.
Final verdict: for about $30, this is a good deal for a clock, and a great way to enter into the projection-style clock market. The atomic clock feature, if you can get it to receive a signal, is a sweet deal for the price too, and so is the indoor thermometer built-in. However, there's some things that, even for this low price, could be improved without changing much.
Description of OREGON SCIENTIFIC RM313PNA Self-Setting Projection Clock
Housed in high-tech blue plastic, this alarm clock is far more sophisticated than its cute appearance may lead one to believe. Whether you check on the time by consulting the clock's LCD screen or by looking at a large red-light projection of the time beamed onto a wall or ceiling, you'll know it's accurate. That's because the clock is equipped with a radio receiver tuned to the U.S. Atomic Clock, and keeps time with split-second accuracy by automatically adjusting, if necessary, to the Atomic Clock's signals six times every 24 hours. From those signals, the 5-1/4-by-4-1/2-inch clock (2-1/2 inches thick) not only shows the precise time, but also displays the date and day, with automatic adjustment for daylight-saving time and leap year, according to the North American time zone for which the clock is set. (The day can be shown in English, Spanish, or French.) \r\n The red-light projection makes it possible to check the time without squinting. If the clock is in battery mode (two AA batteries required but not included), pressing the clock's snooze bar will beam the time onto the ceiling for five seconds--and also backlight the LCD screen. If the clock is plugged into a wall socket with an AC adapter (included), the projection and backlighting will be available either for five seconds with the snooze bar or continuously if a continuous-beam control is set. As a backup, you can set the time, day, and date manually as well as automatically. --Fred BrackKitchen and Housewares
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