Sharp Atomic Alarm Clock with Color Backlit LCD and Adjustable Brightness

high quality night time display keeping back light on in bathroom very easy to read large display nice design !!!

THIS REVIEW SHOULD BE A MINUS AND NOT A SINGLE STAR. THE REVIEW WILL NOT BE POSTED UNLESS A STAR IS GIVEN. THE COMPANY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF POSTING SUCH A CLOCK THAT GOES OUT IN A FEW MONTHS, EVEN WITH NEW BATTERIES. NOW THE CLOCK DOES NOT WORK EVEN WITH NEW BATTERIES hello, for a company with the name sharp, it worked with a new set of batteries. but, those did not last long. a new set of batteries did not wake the clock up and there is no charging cable. even though the description is labeled as: "USB CHARGING..." Digital Alarm Clock with LCD Display – Always-On Backlight, Adjustable Brightness, Dual Alarms, USB Charging – Easy-to-Read Front View, Perfect for Bedroom, Office or Travel SO, WHERE IS THE USB CHARGING OUT LET AND CABLE? MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENT, FAULTY PRODUCT AND WE ALL NEED A REFUND...

This is a large digital alarm clock it is easy to set and use. It has a light if you touch to top button to see the time at night.

PROS (7): (1) Affordability. (2) Five-inches-high compactness. (3) Desktop-and-wall compatibility. (4) Atomic-clock accuracy. (5) Selectable daylight-saving-time mode. (6) Very accurate thermometer. (7) Legibility of the time-and-calendar LCD. In room locations whose AMBIENT lighting already shines fully effectively VERY BRIGHTLY and DIRECTLY upon this clock’s screen, the LCD — featuring an appealingly multicolor-tinted background — looks just fine with neither of its two available backlighting modes activated. The conventional, fully bright “on-demand (5-seconds)” backlighting works all right, just as expected. CONS (4): (1) There’s also a (user-selectable) always-on, “moderately-bright” backlight mode, which, to my knowledge, is significantly unique for a strictly BATTERY-powered clock. Unfortunately (but unsurprisingly), that special (user-selectable) backlight mode does significantly diminish battery life; for, after having happily kept that “moderate” backlighting mode "always on” for slightly longer than 30 days, its appealing brightness suddenly started to fade quite quickly and drastically until the screen finally went blank by around the 50th day. My trusty battery-checker device verified that all three of the AAA batteries had become essentially totally depleted. [Note: I use affordable-yet-excellent “Amazon Basics 10-Year Shelf Life alkaline” batteries in all of my various clocks. Thus the problem wasn't with the quality of the batteries per se.] Consequently, I suggest that you only opt to keep that "always on" backlighting mode CONTINUOUSLY switched on IF you're contentedly prepared to replace the three AAA batteries about every 35 to 60 days. [UPDATE: I subsequently began switching OFF that "always-on" backlighting mode at or before bedtime, and then switching it back on during the subsequent morning; in other words, I got in the habit of using that backlighting only about TEN to ELEVEN hours per day. That daily "compromise" let me obtain a total of about EIGHTY days of usage before the clock's screen suddenly faded AND the rear-switch-activated "moderate" backlighting per se totally failed to shine. Again my trusty battery-checker device verified that all three of the AAA batteries had become essentially totally depleted. IN SUM, I strongly suggest that you simply DON'T activate this clock's "always-on" backlighting at all unless you're contentedly prepared to replace the three AAA batteries about every 80 days. [FINAL UPDATE: Considering that I really only NEED to have the backlighting in its "moderately-bright" mode for a total of about ONE HOUR daily, I recently began routinely using the pertinent rear ON/OFF switch to make that happen. I expect/hope that this significant reduction of usage of the backlighting will end up having extended the 3 AAA batteries' life to (at least) SIX MONTHS or longer. Time (no pun intended) will tell.] (2) The LCD information looks semi-illegible or invisible IF clock is placed any higher than eye-level (albeit “sensibly lower” than eye-level — as on a desktop/countertop — is perfectly fine). (3) In order to discern LCD’s upper-row of LARGE (time) characters clearly, any distance within 10 feet is fine; HOWEVER, in order to fully clearly discern the LCD’s BOTTOM-ROW (calendar and temperature) characters, it’s necessary to be within about FOUR feet. (4) At BEDTIME the user-selectable “moderate” level of backlighting is still much too bright for use in a fully darkened bedroom. *** PREFATORY NOTE: I myself don’t use this product as an ALARM clock, and so I’ll abstain from opining about the sonic effectiveness of the alarm per se. But with that said, if you’re seriously contemplating using the “moderately bright” backlighting mode AND the alarm feature, keep in mind that you’d need to use a pertinent “BACKLIGHT ON/OFF” sliding switch (flattish and located on the REAR of the clock) to shut that backlight totally off at bedtime and then on again in the morning. Thus you’d be unlikely to end up delighted by REGULARLY using this model as an alarm clock. *** I judiciously recommend this special model (SPC5028) by Sharp strictly for installation locations that are appropriately compatible with its particular limitations and strengths that are further explained below. (Read on!) For my rather large multilevel house, I’ve merrily collected many different electronic clocks having multifaceted screens that display not only time-and-calendar information but also room temperature, etc. Now, many of my clocks are primarily AC-powered (generally via included external AC-power adapters) and thus can implement fully brightly colorful displays. But many other of my clocks are strictly battery-powered and implement conventional monochrome displays. Most such clocks are chosen for certain room locations where, alas, no electrical outlets are conveniently within a distance of around six feet. Many, albeit not all, such monochrome clocks include some minimal capacity for either whitish or color-tinted backlighting which (to conserve battery life) is strictly “on-demand,” i.e., you must press a button to activate the backlighting for just five or ten seconds. And — most noteworthily — none of those battery-powered models include an alternative, user-selectable feature allowing the backlighting to be set to an “always-on” mode. In that regard Sharp’s designers took — arguably — a more creatively sophisticated approach by designing this unusually "versatile" Model SPC5028 to include a selectable “special compromise” (i.e., MODERATELY bright, CONTINUOUSLY illuminated backlighting), which makes this model encompass the best of all possible “battery-powered-monochrome” worlds. And to beautify the display, they included a captivatingly MULTICOLOR-tinted background against which the dark alphanumeric characters are sharply shown. TWO BACKLIGHT LEVELS/MODES ARE AVAILABLE: [Remember: In room locations whose AMBIENT lighting already shines fully effectively VERY BRIGHTLY and DIRECTLY upon this clock’s screen, the LCD — featuring an appealingly multicolor-tinted background — looks just fine with neither of its two available backlighting modes activated.] (1) To view this clock in its optimal, FULLY bright, backlight-illumination mode, press the conventional “BACKLIGHT” button (atop the clock’s upper edge). To help conserve battery life, this optimally bright illumination mode lasts just five seconds (after each such button press). (2) Alternatively, a relatively subtle (moderately bright) degree of backlight illumination (available via a pertinent “BACKLIGHT ON/OFF” sliding switch on the rear of the clock) — looks quite nice and is satisfactorily visible for locations that are fairly/somewhat dimly lit (as well as rooms that are quite dark but NOT used for nighttime sleeping). [BUT SEE MY ABOVE "CONS" SECTION AND MY BELOW "CONCLUSION" SECTION REGARDING HOW BATTERY LIFE IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED BY KEEPING THAT “BACKLIGHT ON/OFF” SWITCH IN ITS "ON" POSITION!] NOTE: During OVERNIGHT (sleeping!) hours, this clock’s rear-sliding-switch-available backlight-illumination mode is still much too bright for the normally light-sensitive person in an otherwise fully dark bedroom. (Personally, I found it almost laughable when I read that this clock’s moderate backlight mode can function as a veritable “nightlight”!) Anyway, unless the (drowsy?) user is happily willing to find and manipulate the flattish, sliding, “BACKLIGHT ON/OFF” switch (on the REAR of the clock) to switch off that “moderate” backlight mode, this particular Sharp clock model is almost certainly not the ideal BEDTIME clock. FINAL REVIEW REGARDING VIEWING THE DISPLAY VIA CERTAIN LEVELS OF AMBIENT LIGHTING: (1) For installation locations whose AMBIENT lighting already shines fully effectively (i.e., VERY brightly and DIRECTLY) upon this clock’s screen, you’ll likely be able to very satisfyingly view this clock with its rear-sliding-switch-controlled, “moderately bright” backlighting mode switched OFF. (2) For installation locations whose AMBIENT lighting doesn’t shine fully effectively VERY BRIGHTLY and DIRECTLY upon this clock’s screen, unless you’re willing to rely SOLELY on tapping the clock’s upper-edge “BACKLIGHT” button (to activate the backlight in its fully bright mode for five seconds), you’ll almost certainly opt to use a pertinent sliding-switch on the REAR of the clock to turn the “moderately bright” backlighting mode “ON”. I installed my specimen of this Sharp model upon a shelf in a very small room (former walk-in closet measuring 10 feet long by 6 feet wide) whose sole ambient lighting source is a centrally located, slightly tinted ceiling fixture enclosing a 60-watt-type bulb. Since there are no electrical outlets in that room, I keep this battery-powered clock’s rear-switch-available “moderate” backlight mode always switched on. [UPDATE: I subsequently began switching OFF that "always-on" backlighting mode at or before bedtime, and then switching it back on during the subsequent morning; in other words, I got in the habit of using that backlighting only about TEN to ELEVEN hours per day. That daily "compromise" let me obtain a total of about EIGHTY days of usage before the clock's screen suddenly faded AND the rear-switch-activated "moderate" backlighting per se totally failed to shine. Again my trusty battery-checker device verified that all three of the AAA batteries had become essentially totally depleted. IN SUM, I strongly suggest that you simply DON'T activate this clock's "always-on" backlighting at all unless you're contentedly prepared to replace the three AAA batteries about every 80 days.] [FINAL UPDATE: Considering that I really only NEED to have the backlighting in its "moderately-bright" mode for a total of about ONE HOUR daily, I recently began routinely using the pertinent rear ON/OFF switch to make that happen. I expect/hope that this significant reduction of usage of the backlighting will end up having extended the 3 AAA batteries' life to (at least) SIX MONTHS or longer. Time (no pun intended) will tell.] This particular model (SPC5028) by Sharp is truly the only strictly battery-powered model I’ve found whose [multicolor-tinted!] display can be so sufficiently brightly visible at all times of day or night — regardless of whether the room’s AMBIENT lighting is switched on or off. (IMPORTANT): ACCEPTABLE VIEWING ANGLES & DISTANCES: (1) VIEWING ANGLES: You can only view the display’s information with the clock positioned AT or BELOW eye-level. (If you place this clock any degree higher than eye level, the alphanumeric characters instantly look semi-illegible or virtually invisible!) However, “sensibly lower” than eye-level — as on a desktop/countertop — is perfectly fine. (2) VIEWING DISTANCES: In order to discern the LCD’s upper-row of LARGE (time) characters clearly, I find that basically any distance within 10 feet is good. However, in order to fully clearly discern the LCD’s bottom-row (calendar and temperature) characters, I find it necessary to be no farther away than about FOUR feet. HIGHLY SATISFYING ATOMIC-CLOCK FUNCTIONALITY: The “atomic-clock” (aka radio-controlled) functionality of my specimen of this multicolor-tinted-screen model SPC5028 is generally excellent; HOWEVER, this clock’s built-in receiver works optimally effectively with either the clock’s REAR or FRONT pointing toward Colorado! This model appears to implement the same atomic-clock components as are used for Sharp’s model SPC932 (which is sort of a non-multicolored-screen sibling of this model SPC5028). [Feel free to also read my Amazon customer review of the model SPC932 for complete details regarding what you can likewise expect with this model SPC5028’s own atomic-clock functionality.] Above all, do note that the pertinent radio-broadcast source is in Colorado; hence this clock’s built-in receiver works optimally effectively with either the clock’s REAR or FRONT pointing toward Colorado! CONCLUSION: This clock is highly likeable in many respects, and, on balance, I remain quite satisfied with my specimen. HOWEVER, I most emphatically suggest that you only opt to keep the special (user-selectable) "ALWAYS-illuminated" backlighting mode switched to the "ON" position IF you'll be contentedly prepared to replace the three AAA batteries about every 35 to 60 days (and this is assuming you’re not foolish enough to try using cheap “Dollar Store” batteries)! [UPDATE: I subsequently began switching OFF that "always-on" backlighting mode at or before bedtime, and then switching it back on during the subsequent morning; in other words, I got in the habit of using that backlighting only about TEN to ELEVEN hours per day. That daily "compromise" let me obtain a total of about EIGHTY days of usage before the clock's screen suddenly faded AND the rear-switch-activated "moderate" backlighting per se totally failed to shine. Again my trusty battery-checker device verified that all three of the AAA batteries had become essentially totally depleted. IN SUM, I strongly suggest that you simply DON'T activate this clock's "always-on" backlighting at all unless you're contentedly prepared to replace the three AAA batteries about every 80 days.] [FINAL UPDATE: Considering that I really only NEED to have the backlighting in its "moderately-bright" mode for a total of about ONE HOUR daily, I recently began routinely using the pertinent rear ON/OFF switch to make that happen. I expect/hope that this significant reduction of usage of the backlighting will end up having extended the 3 AAA batteries' life to (at least) SIX MONTHS or longer. Time (no pun intended) will tell.] Otherwise, especially for installation locations that already have VERY bright ambient lighting that will shine DIRECTLY upon this Sharp model's colorfully tinted screen and that are appropriately compatible with this model's various other aforementioned limitations and strengths, I can still happily recommend it. * * * P.S.: Under the subheading “Words to the Wise,” I’ll leave you with two vital points: (1) Do not initially neglect to MANUALLY select your location’s TIME ZONE. Essentially every atomic-clock retail product absolutely requires that particular bit of manual user input, in order to display the correct HOURLY time. (2) To REALLY conserve the life of the three AAA batteries (by limiting usage of this clock's own backlighting), if you happen to keep a (preferably USB-rechargeable-LED) handheld FLASHLIGHT within easy reach, just point your flashlight at this clock to make its multicolor-tinted display come alive in absolutely splendorous color and clarity!

Update: My original rating, below, was 5-stars and was written soon after getting this clock. I will leave it below. However, I am now updating my review after having used it for nearly 4 months. Sadly, I am dropping down to 3-stars. There are several reasons. *First, it is impossible to read this clock unless it is at eye level or below. The numbers fade out as soon as the clock is placed above eye level. *Second, the batteries run down very fast. I am on my third set in less than 4 months. Most digital clocks or almost any battery operated clock will last a year, or more, between battery changes. Not this one. I am guessing that the batteries go dead so fast because the entire clock face it lit up at all times. There is no way to shut down the bright face. (I do wonder if a 9V battery would have been better?) *That leads me to my third negative. For me, anyway, the clock is too bright to keep in my bedroom, so I cannot use it as an alarm clock. Based mainly on the fact that the batteries last only 4-6 weeks, I am sadly giving up the use of this clock. I will miss it's happy little face. The other comments I had earlier still stand. It is very attractive with its neat little different colored squares, I like the way it looks. And, most importantly, it keeps time perfectly. It gets the "atomic" signal from Fort Collins every night without fail (I am in Northern CA). If you don't mind the above "negatives" then you can't go wrong with this accurate and attractive little clock. (Earlier review): It’s just another little atomic clock. It works great, and picks up the signal in an area of my house that has been difficult for other atomic clocks in the past. I like it size and I like the different colors. I can carry it around the house and put it wherever I am, if I needed.

Great clock for night time Large Text. Date (month -day) clearly visible . Only complaint would be battery life if the back light is left on. The bar on top of radio activates easily, so not as big a problem as i though.

Update: Today, Nov 24th, clock set itself ahead exactly one hour. This clock sucks - reducing my rating to one star. Kind of a hassle to adjust time, alarm, etc. using the controls on the back of the unit. Took me a while to initially get power, was about to return it. Then, I pulled the batteries back out and reinserted them carefully, making sure the long springs in the battery compartment were making contact with the batteries. That fixed the problem. I had to play with the battery compartment cover a bit to get it back on. The whole unit feels a little cheap and should cost a bit less. So far, after two days, the unit seems to be working and syncing the time to the second as advertised. I don't like that I have to find the Alarm button on the back of the unit in order to shut it off and don't like that the alarm snooze doesn't protude more from the top of the unit to make it easy to press when I'm only half awake. Don't have confidence that I'll keep using this unit for too long.

I was excited to buy this clock because it was just what I wanted. It worked for about 2 months and then stopped. I changed the batteries... I put in brand new ones. It still didn't work. It is supposed to be an 'atomic' clock which I believe means it is always correct and changes the time for you at day light savings time. It didn't work. I've had it for 2 1/2 months too late to return it. I would expect a clock to work for much longer than that. Don't waste your money on this item.

Çok araştırdım,Hem kaliteli,hem de işlevsel ve şık tasarımlı bir saat ararken Amazonda bu saatle karşilaştim…Çok beğendik..Hem masada kullansbilir,hem de duvara asabilirsiniz..Ekran renkleri çok güzel..Tavsiye ediyorum

En general es un muy buen reloj. Utiliza 3 baterías AAA. Los números se aprecian bastante bien. Tiene horario en formato de 12 o 24 horas. La temperatura se puede mostrar en Celcius (centígrados) o Farenheit. Se puede elegir si se desea la iluminación nocturna de forma permanente, está iluminación puede llegar a ser molesta para algunas personas que requieran obscuridad completa al dormir. La sincronización con la señal atómica puede tardar hasta 5 días aunque se puede configurar de forma manual, de cualquier manera el reloj seguirá recibiendo la señal y se actualizara por si solo. A considerar qué el ángulo de visión de este reloj es para qué esté ubicado en un buró o en cualquier ubicación donde quede a la altura de los ojos o hacia abajo. Al quedar por encima del rango de visión o bien si uno lo ve desde muy abajo hacia arriba puede haber problemas para distinguir los números. Un par de cosas más: yo vivo en la Ciudad de México y tengo un par de relojes atómicos de esta marca (Sharp) uno de pared y este digital. La señal atómica y la sincronización llevo alrededor de 18 horas. Y la otra qué acabó de notar. Al activarse la alerta sísmica los relojes se desconfiguraron, recordemos qué la alerta es en si una señal de radio. Así qué simplemente tuve qué configurar la hora de forma manual y ya ellos en algún momento reciben la señal de radio desde Colorado y llevan a cabo el ajuste horario qué requieran. Para terminar, son relojes muy buenos pero definitivamente requieren de leer muy bien las instrucciones de uso y sobre todo ser pacientes.

Worked great.

Altamente recomendable.

The quality of the clock is very poor, mainly in two aspects: 1. The screen's viewing angle is very limited and tilted upward. The numbers are only clearly visible when viewed from an oblique upward angle. When viewed directly, the numbers appear very faint, and from a slightly downward angle, they become completely invisible. This is unbelievable for a clock designed to be wall-mounted or simply placed on a bedside table, making it an obvious design flaw. 2. The battery life is extremely short. With three AAA batteries and the screen brightness set to the lowest level, the clock only lasted less than a month (~22 days) before the batteries ran out. Additionally, the batteries showed signs of leakage.