I have been buying the Sony ICF series alarm/radio clocks for years and I really like them. This latest model has some interesting features and improvements, but also some weird design choices. The Cons are minor details and far outweighed by the Pros.
Pros
I like the small, compact design that takes up less nightstand space The dual alarms work well. Unlike some I don't seem to have any issues tuning to major radio stations.
The LEDs are really great. The Amazon picture makes them look red. They are NOT RED. They are a very nice sunset orange. It is a soothing color and an excellent choice.
I also like how the face clearly shows which alarms are on with a bold "A" or "B". This is a very nice feature and unlike other clocks which only have little LED dots that are hard to tell if the alarm is on or not. Also AM/PM is shown as an LED text not just dots next to "AM/PM" printed on the face. It's a little thing but MUCH better then having to remember if the dot means AM or PM : )
I am surprised by how small numbers are given the large face of the clock, but that's not a big deal.
Cons
The mirror face is a strange design choice. I'm not so narcissistic that want to see my half-conscious, blurry-eyed face first thing when I wake up, but you can face clock at an angle so this is not a big deal
The daylight savings time function is another strange option. It is a nice idea but we are surrounded by computers and phones telling us when daylight savings occurs. If you don't program the clock completely right, you won't realize the mistake until DLS happens. At least the designers were smart enough to allow option to turn this function off. They get an 'A' for effort but in the next model they can get rid of feature and add something else.
I am disappointed there is no Dimmer dial like previous ICF series clocks had. Now there are just three different dimmer settings and that works. The LEDs are not annoyingly bright in the first place, but I still I miss the dial.
Programming this clock is not intuitive at all. You have to enter the year/month/day which is just silly since they never show up on the clock and you wouldn't need to do this except for the pointless Daylight Saving function.
Also you enter the month. then the day and then you have to scan through all 24 hours to set the time? Why not separate entries for hours and then minutes and then AM/PM? This would be faster than having to scan through the hours.
You also have to program in the time zones when you get the clock. And the programmed time apparently CHANGES when you alter the time zone? This is a completely useless feature from what I can see. I can see someone thinking time zones was really cool feature and automatically changing the time based on a new time zone would be useful, but it is just ridiculous. I am not packing this clock and traveling into different time zones with it. We all have cell phones which we use alarm clocks when we travel, we are not packing the clock from our nightstand. Sony doesn't need this feature on the future ICF clocks at all.
Changing the battery is also not intuitive, but once you figure it out it is easy. (Gently push the larger lip in the opposite direction you would think then pull. Don't pull first).
Another weird thing is you turn on the radio button by pressing the 'Radio' button but then turn it off by pressing the 'Alarm Reset'? What the heck lol? It's not a big deal but this is silly. You should turn the Radio on and off by hitting the 'Radio' button.
Also some have complained the Alarm reset is too small and recessed. It doesn't bother me but I can see how it would irritate others. The ideal Alarm Off switch should be big and obvious and easy to hit even if you are throwing a slipper across the room.
As I've said all these cons are minor and most can either be ignored (time zones) or turned off (Daylight savings) so overall the designers did an excellent job with this clock. I am happy I purchased it and would recommend it for anyone who is looking for a new radio alarm clock.
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Similar item to consider
Amazon's Choice
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Compare with similar items
This Item  Sony ICFC1TBLACK Alarm Clock Radio, Black |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $39.00 | $21.43 | -29% $16.99 List: $23.99 | -14% $29.99 List: $34.99 | -13% $25.99 List: $29.99 | $12.97 |
| Delivery | Get it May 20 - 23 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | — | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Brightness | ||||||
| Easy to read | ||||||
| Sleep mode | ||||||
| Easy to use | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Sold By | FDBV Corporate Group | Amazon.com | DreamSky Direct | JALL Store | USCCE | The Clock Shop - Sharp |
| material | — | — | Wood | Wood | Plastic | — |
| shape | Square | Rectangular | Trapezoid | Rectangular | Rectangular | Rectangular |
| mounting type | Tabletop | Tabletop | Tabletop | Tabletop | Tabletop | Tabletop |
| operation mode | Power | Electrical | Electrical | Electrical | Electrical | Electrical |
| signal format | Analog | Digital | Digital | Digital | Digital | Digital |
| style | Digital | Modern | wooden alarm clock | Modern | Traditional | Classic |
From the manufacturer
Sony ICFC1TBLACK Alarm Clock Radio
Features:
- Dual alarm: This clock radio comes with two alarm presets. Set one alarm time to wake you up and the other time to wake up your partner
- AM/FM analog tuner: Simply tune in to the radio station you want and enjoy your favorite radio program night and day
- No power, no problem: Wakes you up no matter what! Even if power is lost, the alarms still sound at the preset times
- Convenient device: Adjustable display brightness for comfortable viewing and automatic daylight saving time adjustment
- Stylish design: Elegant style with mirror-finished display. Definitely fits into your bedroom interior design
- Advanced alarm features: Wake up gently thanks to the progressive buzzer volume and extendible snooze functions
- Battery backup: Automatic time setting when plugged in the first time, and clock remains accurate even if there is a power outage
Reviews with images
The WORST Sony alarm I have had in decades
I have bought Sony Alarm clocks for decades. They are the only company I ever bought actually. And i have always loved them. This one I am not a big fan of at all. Sure as an alarm it works but then most do, so thats not a problem. The problem is in the design. They focused more on making it a work of art rather than it being easily functional. In doing so, they made many of the control buttons on the top recessed and completely flush with the top body. The button to turn the alarm OFF is Flush and not only that it is very small. The number buttons on most home remote controls are larger than the button. To put it in true perspective if you took a micro SD card and cut it 4 equal squares (Half it and then half that half), that's about the size of the off button....or 1/4 inch squared. Imagine trying to find that size button in the dark and remember it is flush with the body. The other buttons that are flush but are the largest buttons are the buttons you slide to set the alarm (either keep it off, set it to buzz, or set it to play the radio). Once again because its flush its still hard to tell if get it into the BUZZ (the middle position) position without going too far to either end (Off which is the left end or RADIO which is the right end). As I say I love Sony, but I would not really recommend this alarm to anyone. And dont ever tell someone else to turn the alarm OFF, and especially not in the dark!!!! A stranger would never know where the OFF button is because its so small and flush. The actual OFF button would probably be the last thing they push (given they are in light and can see) and simply because it has small words they can read. And the Alarm button says "ALARM RESET" so its probably even still not going to be obvious that it is the button to press. On most devices RESET means to change the time (such as CLOCK RESET). So even Alarm Reset can be confusing as a title to stop the alarm from sounding.
