|
[.]. It has the same volume and tuning knob malfunctions plus the radio reception is worse. I bought one of these clock radios for my 14 year old daughter, and after almost a year it is still working without a problem. The beep starts at low volume and slowly increases until you can actually hear it all through the house. 04/06/2009 UPDATE: Amazon came through as usual and I received my replacement today, however, this one is even worse than the first one. I also like the big digits so I don't need my glasses to see the time and can easily see it across the room. I preferred my old RCA Clock radio with fully digital tuning and memory presets, but I couldn't find one like it anymore and I'm sure it will cost me at least 3 or 4 times as much as this Clock Radio.
Hope this helps anyone in making a choice. This would be a 5 star review if this radio had the same quality as it has features.
Of course the dual alarm is a must for me. I'm hoping to get lucky and receive a better made one in the next shipment.
So when my old RCA Alarm clock (different model) got fried after a thunder storm after 7 years of excellent service, I wanted to buy another RCA , mainly for it's Gradu-wake alarm system. (love Amazon for that)My main gripe and the reason this particular item is on it's way to Amazon's returns bin, is that the lousy workmanship and null quality inspection allowed this one to get to me with both the volume and the tuning wheels both loose, feels like they're going to fall off.
I guess I'll have to live with these flaws. That is EXCELLENT.
The MP3 is an added bonus and I also like the tuning where you can see the stations in big digital numbers, makes it easier to find stations, although it is still an analog tuner.
Hit "nap" instead of "snooze," and the snooze time is overridden.I did this. It says that to turn this off, you press and hold the "nap" button until the NAP icon disappears from the display.
I could have lived with that, but whatever idiot decided to put the nap button on top instead of on the back or side where it belongs, well away from snooze AND made it impossible to turn off, should be sent directly to the unemployment line.Buy this only if you enjoy being scared awake unexpectedly only to find that you're late to work. Well, doing this had no effect whatsoever.I also found the thing with it showing the radio station frequency instead of the time to be annoying, as other reviewers have mentioned.
I purchased this in part because I liked the green LEDs and the features. I read the instructions on how to turn off the nap feature once turned on.
Otherwise, look elsewhere. The case is a bit cheap and plasticy, but you get what you pay for.What kills it is that should you accidentally touch the "nap" button, there's no way to turn it off until the timer has counted down.
It scared me awake 15 minutes later than I had wanted to wake up, making me late for work.
I cut one of the thin wires going to the disk, and the crackling stopped. On Amazon, reviewer B. If you cut the wires going to this disk, the crackling noise goes away. This black disk is a component called a piezo disk.
I liked this clock radio, but after about three months it began to make an intermittent, subtle (but irritating at night) crackling static-like noise as noted in reviews by M.D. Since customers should not have to modify electronic goods internally, I am giving this item only two stars.BTW, B. Obviously cutting wires would probably void your warranty, but do you really want to try your luck with another RCA clock radio."So after opening the back, I located the piezo disk under the speaker (see Customer Image). Smith and SLH here.
They are commonly used to make noise for buzzers in electronic devices. Ley did not know the purpose of the disk; I believe it serves as the battery-powered alarm during power outages. (Unlike some reviewers' clock radios, however, unplugging mine solved the problem).To investigate the "Rice Krispies" issue, I looked at a couple posts at RCA RP5430 AM/FM Clock Radio with 1.4-Inch Display and Auto Time Set & FixYa. Ley wrote "if you open the clock radio there is a black disk on the bottom with a red and black wire coming out of it.
The dimmer function works well, but one more notch lower would make it perfect.Make sure you READ and KEEP the instruction manual. The screen is large and easy to read. The buttons are easy to navigate, but sometimes they stick and you have to press them in just the right spot. I was thinking about buying an expensive alarm clock with an iPod dock, but went with this because it has a plug in jack (FYI: cord is not included). The sound quality is not bad, especially for the price.
I bought an Emmerson Research clock radio a few years ago, and it actually *does* set itself, and I really think it is completely bullet proof. I know *I* do. (yes, it would appear that I am a glutton for punishment, but my wife likes it for some reason) This is the sort of product that makes people associate a company with really crummy products.
I admit that I am probably too picky, but honestly if a product tells me on the box that it sets itself automatically, then I expect to bring the darned thing home and have it do so as soon as I plug it in. I have replace the batteries countless times, and read the instructions and web sites until I am cross-eyed. Alright.
I have even returned it for another unit. Go buy one of those, or *anything* but this piece of junk. Sadly, this is not what happens.
I plug it in and it just flashes 12:00 at me like any other alarm clock.
|
