Combination Clock, Timer and Stopwatch with Large, Easy-to-Read Digital Display, White

I was looking for a 'wearable' timer solution when I came across the Polder 898-90 Clock, Timer and Stopwatch. Wow, what a great idea! The three key features of this unit are Clock, Timer (count down) and Stopwatch (count up). All three are accessed by their individual "rice-sized" buttons on the lower right-hand edge, and set via the shared numerical keypad (small red buttons) on the front of the unit to the right of the digital clock face. Additional buttons are the larger gray "Clear" button, and the yellow "Start/Stop." It couldn't be any easier! The unit itself measure about 4" x 1" x 3/8". It's small enough to put in your shirt pocket, or hang around your neck, but still large enough to read and set with relative ease. There are a couple of features I really like, one being the timer's ability to "count up" when it goes off, so you always know just how long over the set time you are for those cookies in the oven! The timer also 'remembers' your last setting, so if you use it daily for a regular task (such as timing tea steeping in a cup) you'll only have to set it once and then use the "Start/Stop" button to repeat without resetting. The Stopwatch feature works as you would expect: select it and then press the "Start/Stop" button to count up (works in "seconds, minutes, hours" only). The clock is a 12-hour clock with AM and PM. There is no 24-hour option. The 'buzzer' is a pleasant 4-bip sound, rather than a single grating blare. It's easy to hear, especially if the unit is around your neck, without being obnoxious. On the back of the unit is magnet, useful for storing it on your fridge. The hole is the lower right corner if for the included lanyard, which is basically just a piece of string that you thread and knot. A nicer lanyard can be purchased separately if required. I threaded a metal key ring into mine and purchased a detachable, clip on, lanyard so that I could remove it as needed. The Polder 898-90 takes a small coin battery, which is included. Whether I'm in the kitchen, laundry room, garage, or even outside, I'll never again burn another cookie, let a cup of tea go cold, or miss taking medication with the Polder 898-90 Clock, Timer and Stopwatch around my neck. I love it!

My least favorite thing is, that the cord goes through the corner hole and it wants to stand on edge as it hangs from my neck. This means it often spins so the LED is facing my chest. I wish the loop at the end was designed to get it to lay flat FACE out. Really--that is the worst part of it... LOL Simple, quick to set. has two magnets on the back so you can attach it to fridge or any other metal surface. I mostly use the TIMER (meaning countdown) instead of the COUNT-UP which is the type of "timer" that you would use to track how long a runner takes in a race. Loud enough for my use. I don't have so much noise or music blaring that it would drown out. And having it around my neck ensure I hear it. It stays on all the times it seems, but it has worked for months now without needing another battery. I use it to keep busy and focused during the day. My focus can be wickedly deep, resulting in me realizing I'm hungry because it is 7PM and I didn't eat lunch. When I do laundry it takes all day--because I remember I have a load in the basement about every 2-4 hours. I set it when I've started a load to prompt me to go downstairs. If I am distracted and I want to do something else, I set 30 minutes and let myself have a 30 minute distraction then return to work. If I have a boring or unlikable task to do that is going to take a long time, I commit to just 30 minutes and set a timer. Tackling little chunks of undesirable tasks really can make the difference.

Here's a tip for you regarding the need for a cover; until the manufacturer creates a cover so as not to press buttons while in your pocket, etc., you may find you have better luck if you set your timer, (or count up) and after that, press the "clock" button so that the time is displayed. Sure you'll likely press buttons accidently, but chances are it won't mess up your timer/counter, as you would have to "accidently" press the timer or counter button first, and then another.... It's not 100% foolproof, but it works for me. My husband loves this, since he's always busy and has a short attention span while grilling, always running in and out of the house, answers the phone, prepares stuff in the kitchen while food is grilling, you get the idea. This little timer keeps him a bit more focused on his grilling, and charred food has decreased dramatically :o) I also use it during the winter season when loading the woodstove, helping me not to forget to close the damper somewhat and engage the combuster, otherwise, the entire charge of wood is likely to burn wastefully away. We have a metal door (to the outside world) and sticking the timer to this door rather than in the kitchen becomes very convenient.....Great for short or long vacations; if you don't have a travel alarm, and don't need to sleep for longer than 9hours and 99 minutes, works fine, Maybe not so good for those of you who rely on a snooze button. Also great to set to remember opening times of museums, amusement parks, when the next bus/boat/train is going to leave, no need to remember to keep looking at your watch....the timer will let you know, just remember to push the clock button afer you've set your timer or counter. One drawback to this little trick; you need to actually press the timer button, then the stop/start button for the timer to stop beeping. The timer itself is good quality, easy to figure out and use, and the battery lasts for a couple of years so far......

Got it did the pole tab for the battery and it wouldn’t turn on unscrewed the back and it’s already broken. I have to hold the battery in a very specific spot and tape it instead of putting the back back on the battery compartment in order for it to work good timer bad quality battery placement.

I bought the previous model of the Polder Timer almost 15 years ago, and recently read that the new version had a feature I've wanted all along: they added a "lock" switch! Many, many times I would set the countdown timer as a reminder, only to accidentally bump one of the buttons, stopping it, etc. Frustrating. The new model has a sliding LOCK switch on the far right edge of the timer. Now I can carry the timer around without fear of bumping the keyboard buttons. MUCH better, for me! I really like this timer for several reasons (besides the new "lock" feature): 1) Easy to see and operate---very intuitive (and yes, there are written instructions, just in case). 2) I recommend the WHITE version---easier for me to read in diminished light, than a black one. 3) Key-presses are clear because of the audible "beep" you hear. Also, the Alert/Alarm Beep is loud enough to hear over music, or tv from at least 15-20 feet away. 4) This was the only one I could find that allows me to input each digit of the timer's set time, etc. For example, to set "30 minutes", you key in "3", then "0" then "0," "0". (30 minutes, 00 seconds). The others I found require me to "toggle" through each number (up or down) to set each number---a tedious waste of time (IMHO). 5) It fulfills all the requirements I need: Stop watch (count up), Timer (count down), Clock, and it slips into my pocket or around my neck along with its handy lanyard. 6) The timer is durable---my original one is over 14 years old! Also, the Button battery (L1154F) lasts a long time. In summary, my workflow for tasks around the house is more efficient because I can conveniently set reminders for cooking times, etc., as a workout timer, and so on. I wear an analog watch without those features, so it's perfect for my needs. For someone (or a family) that has a frequent need to time meals, feeding times, "walk the dog" times, exercising reminders, etc., etc., this little jewel is FANTASTIC! Highly recommended.

Great timer for the price. I'm using it for many different things. Staying on task at work, watering trees in our yard, keeping our toddler in timeout, etc. The possibilities are endless. Time is money they say. I like the 0 through 9 dedicated keys to punch in the time. Makes it quick and easy. Ideas for improvement? 1. Add a lock button so keys can't be accidentally pushed 2. Add a mute button with some sort of blinking LED visual alarm 3. Stronger magnet and more central in the back of the unit could be nice. These are nitpicks though I'd be willing to pay an additional $5 for these functions. It's a good unit for the price. 12-14-12 Update: Just bought another one of these in white. It is functionally different than the black one I have. Slightly different styling/cutaways for the keys in the front. Not quite as confusing to tell which numbers go with which buttons. Also, it has a lock switch on the side and the keys seem more difficult to push. They don't feel quite as nice but perhaps designed to prevent accidental pushing. The black one beeps all the time when buttons are barely brushed if I have it in my pocket. The white one also has two very small strong magnets on the back as opposed to the single weak magnet on the black one. Nice changes! Now if they could just add an option to mute and a visual alarm alert, this would perfect. I found another timer that has these features but it is not as nice of a form factor as the Polder one (though it does take AAA batteries instead of weird button cell batteries) http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-TI150-Visually-Impaired/dp/B001TOJG7Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355540182&sr=8-1&keywords=vibrating+timer

Saw it on America's Test Kitchen and thought I would try it. I used it all the time. Throw it around my neck and go about my business not worrying about where it the timer. I wish the buttons were a little bit bigger.

This is an easy-to-use, high-quality instrument. I use it in a variety of ways, every day. Most often you can find me with it strung around my neck, because all too often I have popped something into the oven and then gone into the other part of the house, where I can't hear my oven timer. No more burned food! And speaking of burned food, I also have been known to put the chicken bones on to boil for soup and then walk away to check my e-mail for "just a minute." Well, a minute turns into 10 turns into an hour or two, and I am left with a smoking, burned pot of bones! Not with my timer. It is now with me, around my neck, so I cannot forget the simmering pot. I used it to remind me when preschool pick-up was (at $1 a minute late-fee, one didn't want to be late, ever.) And lately we are using it to time our 2nd grader when he is reading, so he can properly fill out his reading chart (it has a count-up timer function, as well). (This last reason is why I am getting another one, after 10 years of using the first one. I will give the old one to my son, and the new one is for me.) As I mentioned, I wear it around my neck, and sometimes I forget to take it off so I will be in a store with it around my neck and everyone always wants to know what it is. I wore it recently to a large craft fair, because I had to make sure we left at a certain time. It began to beep, and a man walked over to see what it was. I explained, and he made me show him how it worked, and asked where I got it, because he said he thought the beep was pleasant enough that he could use it to remind him to take his pills. It also has a magnetic back, so it waits on the refrigerator until the next task is at hand. I am in love with the utility of this thing, and I highly recommend it. I am certain you will discover even more reasons a timer helps out in your life.