Alarm clocks are excellent inventions, and advances in their technology make them even more functional. I do have a personal favorite though, and it’s the Sony ICF-C318 clock radio. It is a simple but very functional device, easy to use and remarkable not only in quality but also in durability. To find out more about this baby, here are some quick facts.
Design
The ICF-C318 has a stylish glossy white finish and its compact design is beautifully designed to blend in with any interior without taking up too much space. It’s very handy and easy to use, and with dimensions of 155 x 82.8 x 151.5mm, you’ll have no problem fitting it on your nightstand with the lamp, a bottle of wine and your favorite paperback book. It’s also extremely lightweight at just 1.2 pounds, easy enough to take to different rooms and even different places if you’re on the go. It does depend on a power source though, but the backup lithium battery is great for saving power outages and plug issues.
Video
The clear 0.9” green LED display makes checking the time a non-issue, even if you’re in different areas of the room. It’s very easy to see the time even from a distance, making it convenient to use in any room. I like to shower with the bathroom door open and just look at the clock to keep track of the time and stay on schedule.
The time format of the clock is 12 hours, and on the LCD you will see an indicator if it is AM or PM, and also if it is daylight saving time. There are also indicators on the LCD if you have set one alarm and if you have only set one or two as the device has dual alarm settings.
Audio
I think the alarm has a correct volume, but some people prefer it louder. But with the size of the speakers, just 6.6 cm, I would not doubt that it would have problems with sound. Sounds good to me though. The radio has excellent reception and the alarm sounds are clear and loud enough for you to hear.
You can also choose between an audible alarm or a radio alarm. I prefer the radio because songs and DJs are more likely to wake me up. However, the radio tuner is analog only, so if you don’t know the frequency of your favorite radio station, you may have difficulty tuning it. Otherwise, the radio and alarm work perfectly.
Watch
The alarm clock setting on this device is excellent. There are two different alarms that you can set for different days, easily fitting into your schedule. It also has a calendar that allows you to view the current date on your clock radio. The lithium battery inside the device makes it easy to operate even without power. You can save your clock settings despite power outages. You also don’t need to worry about not waking up on time the next day.
The snooze function allows you to sleep for another hour, since it has intervals of 10 minutes up to an hour before the alarm stops. You can sleep a little longer and don’t worry about being too late for work. The built-in calendar also sets the proper daylight saving time each spring and fall, so you don’t have to worry about getting it wrong.
Other features
Automatic time setting of the ICF-C318 is made possible by the lithium battery inside the device. Despite power outages, the battery saves the time settings you manually adjusted, and the clock is also preset to the correct Eastern Standard Time or EST, allowing you to easily set your own time zone. In the event of a power outage, battery backup automatically sets the clock to the proper time zone you set, and you no longer have to reset or adjust the clock.
Conclution
What I like about this device is that I get the functions of a great alarm clock along with a good radio. I recommend the Sony ICF-C318 Alarm Clock Radio for everyone who wants to buy an alarm clock but can’t decide which one to buy. With this model, you will definitely be satisfied.