LaCrosse, Chaney, Sharp, more - Atomic Clocks Review

BLASTING OFF

Sorry.  You can't do it without reading the directions.

Is is time to reset the clocks and watches or change batteries AGAIN?  Can you get your fingers around the tiny knobs?  Can you get the kitchen clock off the wall?  ... and get it replaced again on the wall?  And, hey, what time is it at this very second?

If you don't mind losing or gaining a second in 60 million years, GO ATOMIC!

One of the best buys I ever made was a Chaney Atomix Digital Desk Clock for about $12 at Office Depot.  I've had it for half a dozen years without doing work other than changing the two AA batteries in a timely fashion.

A similar, updated Atomix is the Dartmouth model.  It gets some of the lowest reviews online, however atomic clocks seem to have as many people cursing as complimenting.  The gist?  If you're going to give one to a 95-year-old relative, be sure that you know how the thing works in  your  own  home.

Yes.  We need to read the directions and save them.  That said, I've just retrieved some for my clock from an Atomix website.  If you haven't tried an atomic clock, buy your first one locally.  You can easily return it if there are problems.  But, as with most electronics -- once you get set up, ... well...  you're set up! 

HOW THESE LITTLE COOKIES WORK

How do these things work?  All atomic clocks set and re-set themselves by synchronizing with the cesium fountain U.S. Atomic Clock located in Boulder, Colorado at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Before you tune in, you'll have to adjust your clock to suit your time zone. 

Atomic clock resets generally need a little human help.  When it's time for "fall back" or "spring forward", I set my clock in a window so it can "read" its longwave signal at 2 a.m. and be right-on when I wake up.  (My new Atomix directions actually suggest that the clock face towards Colorado.  Pleeze...)  Resets automatically accommodate daylight savings time and that funky extra day each leap year.  Boulder's signal covers North America.  Do some research if you're traveling elsewhere.

Our atomic clocks, of course, are not really atomic in the radioactive materials department although Boulder's mother clock is.  It's a process good enough for NASA, so it works for me!  While I don't use my atomic clock as an alarm clock (most can function that way), I often check it for the month, day of the week,  date and the current temperature.  (81.5' F as I write.)

PURCHASING

Comparison shopping's wise.  Tons of models to choose from.

One of my online favorite Atomic Clocks is the Ken-Tech Atomic Bathroom Digital Alarm Clock with Suction Cup.  Who could get to work late?  This baby costs about $20, is waterproof (natch) and will remind you of what day it is if you're really sleepy.  Well reviewed, its suction cup adheres to tile, glass or porcelain.  (See picture to the right.)

In addition to a number of suction-cup/shower clocks, you might look for such things as the Zelco Aquatime Rope Clock (in case you don't trust suction cups).

Definitely in the online five stars department is the Atomic Clock with Day and Date by Sonnet.  For prices in the $30+ range, this clock takes one battery and measures 8.75  inches wide by 9.5 inches high by .75 inches deep.  Its two-inch high minutes and one-inch high seconds and date information should be just the thing for Grandma and me.  I'm thinking about replacing a dinosaur clock with this one.

Look further.  There are colored clocks, "old-fashioned" mantel clocks, huge wall clocks with traditional numerical faces, and, to top it off, a self-announcing Atomic Watch with time given by a male voice!

Completion of this review was at 5:39:56 p.m.  If you enjoyed it and learned something new, please check me off with a "yes".