Alarm Clock

[adamant]

Anyone have any suggestions for a classy, well made, lasts nearly forever, alarm clock? I like the radio, but I guess it isn't a necessity.

I've had a Sony "Dream Machine" since starting high school (~11 years ago). One of the buttons is starting to go (difficult to advance the time/alarm forward, but the backward button is fine, so it is usable.)

 

[tominabox1]

I have an alarm clock that has to be from the 80s that I've had as long as I can remember. zero bells and whistles, but I think it does have a 9v backup in case you lose power. It looks pretty retro too, all plastic and fake wood tone sides. Don't have any pictures though of course...

 

[bald1]

More information is needed. Are you a hard one to wake up? Do you tend to use the snooze feature repeatedly? Et cetera.

I'm now retired but used multiple alarms including one made for hard of hearing folks to get my butt up. (Sonic Boom with a 113dB alarm tone plus a puck that vibrates your pillow and a connection to flash a table lamp next to the bed). It GETS your attention! Had it for a little over a decade thusfar.

 

[adamant]

I'm actually pretty quick to wake up if I've had enough sleep more or less. If significantly less, I can be pretty hard to wake up. I do luxuriate with the snooze occasionally. And I like that I don't need to re-set my alarm everyday, though I guess I would develop the habit. (Pressing "off" turns the radio off, but the alarm is still set for the next day).

I usually wake up immediately when the alarm is set, I think I am used to it enough that I actually recognize the sound of the radio clicking on, since I am pretty much awake as soon as I hear voices/music. I don't think I need to wake the neighbors or shake my girlfriend out of bed either.

One that does the gentle brightening might be nice, if I could even avoid the noise at all, that'd be swell. But again, I want something that will last for a while. I'm thinking something along the lines of what a saddleback bag would be if it were an alarm clock.

 

[Baloosh]

This is my alarm clock, and it is awesome.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/aef3/

I call it the "SMF Gordon."

 

[adamant]

I do like think geek. I am really tempted by the 'executive' alarm clock, but I'd rather have more USB charging slots, and less ring options, and a bit lower price. Ipod connectivity would be cool, too.

 

[tominabox1]

you want a classy radio? how bout this one:

http://www.tivoliaudio.com/product.php?productid=145&cat=262&page=1

 

[mr_economy]

I have no personal experience with them, but I've long lusted after a Now & Zen alarm clock (insert ironic musing about desiring a Buddhist timepiece here...). They look to be well made, and are certainly elegant.

 

[Walker]

I use my cell phone as my alarm clock

 

[David in Boston]

Stop using sound (alarm clock) and switched to light.

Attached a timer to my lamp.

Waking up to light is easier on my mind and body so early in the morning.

 

[aimsport]

See if you can find a: Seiko Bedside Alarm Clock Silver-Tone Metallic Case #QXE011ALH

Don't know if they're still being made but they're wonderful.

 

[Legion]

 

[Rik]

I have found an iPhone and Bose SoundDock Portable to be a great combination. I use an app called WhiteNoise for background noise during the night and the built-in alarm to wake up. Travels very well.

 

[Gruder]

you want a classy radio? how bout this one:

http://www.tivoliaudio.com/product.php?productid=145&cat=262&page=1

I use this one, as well. Maybe not what the Op is looking for, but I can't think of one better.

 

[galopede]

I have found an iPhone and Bose SoundDock Portable to be a great combination. I use an app called WhiteNoise for background noise during the night and the built-in alarm to wake up. Travels very well.

Why would you want background noise during the night?

I got my alarm clock several years ago at the Lidl discount supermarket. It's one of those radio controlled jobbies that sets its own time from a time signal from the atomic clock now situated at Anthorn, Cumbria and is the only accurate clock in the house!

 

[pauls51]

Now that is a cool alarm clock! Where did you get it from?

 

[Kouros]

I've had my Sony Dream Machine for 20 years and it still looks and works great.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I've used a Boston Acoustics Receptor clock radio for several years now. It is simple, straightforward and looks terrific. It's easy to use and - best of all - has a very good speaker.

Another I'd consider would be one of the older (vintage?) Proton clock radios from the 1980s. They're unfortunately out of production, but are classy and still get competitive bids on eBay.

If you want to go a little esoteric, take a look at the older Nakamichi systems from the 1980s and 1990s. They're very cool and come up occasionally on eBay.

 

[proxymoron]

I stopped using alarm clocks once I figured out how to 'program' myself to wake up at a certain hour. Sounds hokey, I know, but it's a pretty easy trick of visualization. You'd be surprised how simple and effective it is.

As you lay down to sleep, picture the hour/minute hands of the time you need to wake up and tell yourself that you will wake up then. When I first started, I used to imagine the sweep of the hands from the current time to the alarm time, but X years into it, I can get by with just picturing the hands on the dial of my 'set' time.

Try it. If you like, set your phone alarm as a back-up. Sometimes I'll do this if I have something big on (or am going to bed very late), but to date I haven't needed it. In fact, just knowing the phone alarm's been set usually makes me wake up even earlier.

 

[adamant]

Stop using sound (alarm clock) and switched to light.

Attached a timer to my lamp.

Waking up to light is easier on my mind and body so early in the morning.

I've tried doing this. It doesn't wake me up, but it does make it more pleasant when I do get up.