Polder 898-95 Clock, Timer and Stopwatch, Black Reviews

• Great timer, but I have two gripes.....

  
  By A2H57M8P9HLD0A on 2007-06-22
  I really like this timer. Its very easy to setup and has a nice big display, counts up and down. I have two gripes about it though. 1. you cannot turn the alarm off which can be irritating in some situations. Also the alarm does no shut off automatically after a given time, it just keeps going and going which is not always desired 2. The other thing is that the buttons are very exposed and have no cover so they can be easily depressed accidentally. If you want to run or walk with this in your pocket, forget it. For a kitchen of task timer in the house its perfect.
  
  

• Such a help!

  
  By AQTSGX16V20UN on 2006-11-10
  I was forever forgetting something in the oven or on the stove or the water in the garden, or to pick up my granddaughter in 90 minutes. Now I just wear my timer and it reminds me of my chores. The timer sets to a higher number of minutes than any other timer I have so I can set it way in advance.
  
  

• Polder 898 clock setting

  
  By A2KF707JGA0Q9Y on 2007-06-09
  The Polder 898 clock/timer is a neat little timer BUT! I sure wasted alot of time attempting to set the clock. The instructions are not complete. They tell you to enter the hour & minute ( with leading zeros always required ), but do not tell you it is required to also enter the seconds. Don't enter the seconds, no correct time!
  
  When setting the clock, if you do not enter hours, minutes, and also press the zero key twice for seconds, the clock always defaults back to 12:00 AM as if you just installed the battery. Thanks to the reviewer below that posted the solution! Searching the web did not give me the answer ( including going to the Polder website ). Otherwise, I'd rate it a 5 if I had not had to waste time repeatedly trying and re-reading the instructions ( and searching the web ). My relatives love their's. Don't know how they figured out how to set the clock. Maybe they just use the timer function.
  
  Bottom Line: Had some hassle, wasted some time, but really a great little portable clock/timer for the price. Needs improved printed instructions, but I do suggest it for cooks that tend to burn stuff, are forgetful, or are just multi-tasking.
  
  

• Works For Me

  
  By AR03ETPT7ITAC on 2006-09-11
  Great for cooking and short period aquifer pump tests. I only wish it had a little cloth bag for protection in the field, but I'll find one somewhere. Note: When setting the clock you have to enter the seconds amount or the time setting won't stick. The price is great as I bought two on a "Pre-Order" for a dollar-off and will give-up one towards a raffle here at work. As a pre-order it did take a month to get it, but worth the wait.
  
  

• Two Thumbs UP

  
  By A2XRRDO1V4AMEP on 2007-10-15
  Two thumbs up because I can start the count up button and at any point, tell how much time is left til the end of a movie; if you're running a home DVD movie and have to pause it to answer the phone, get another beer, or run to the john, just press the stop/start button and the count up will pause until you return to restart the DVD and resume counting the time remainingby repressing the start/stop button. Another use I have is to determine how much time is left before I can take food after taking medications that advises to take one hour, for example, before eating.
  
  I purchased the black model and give its durability 5*, ease of use 5*, versatility 5*, attractive design 5*, value 6*, and printed instructions a 3* for making assumptions and being too brief about instructions for setting the clock. I would suggest that Polder rewrite item #3 of their instructions: "to set the time, enter a total of six digits in the following sequence: two for the hour, two for the minutes, and two for the seconds. For hours 1-9, enter a leading 0.
  
  I served with an artillery unit in Vietnam and am over 75 years old, so my hearing is not very acute and the continual beeping after the time I set has elapsed (rather than 3 or 4 beeps then silence) is a plus for me, but I understand that it may be annoying to those with better hearing. Unfortunately, incorporating additional features, e.g., adjustable volume would probably require another button and perhaps software change and thus upping the cost. I rather like it as built because if I inadvertently turned the volume off and the time for an event passed, e.g., baked cookies, I would have only myself to blame when the kitchen became filled with smoke setting off the fire alarm and having me spend the rest of the afternoon scraping and cleaning the burnt cookies and baking sheet.
  
  By the way, the product specs listed are in error; the unit is about 4-1/2" long, 1" wide, and 5/8" thick.
  
  For the coming holidays, it would make a great stocking stuffer.
  
  
• I find so many uses, I just bought my third
  By A2U3PLXPA8S0YR on 2008-04-17
  Originally I bought this just as a kitchen timer, though is can serve as a clock (one week when my watch was being repaired, I wore it around my neck all the time, when I got a quizzical look, I just said "MP3 Player" and everyone nodded in approval), as a count-up timer, and as a count-down timer. I use it mainly as a countdown timer.
  
  After using it stictly in the kitchen for about two years (it needed one new battery during that time), I took it into the office to limit the time I talked during staff meetings--my staff thanked me! I then started using it to time obnoxious tasks (usually involving writing). I'd say, "Alright I'm going to do this for 15 minutes then do something else." That gave me a very focused 15 minutes and over time helped me complete tasks. I also use it to time my reading when I have long reading assignments--and I use it to time my breaks which used to get way too long. This has become such a valuable life-skilss tool that I've had to buy another one to put back into the kitchen! (I bought a third as a spare since it is one a 4-for-3 sale)
  
  A couple pros and a con. In the kitchen I strictly use the count-down timer. I set it, say for 30 minutes to cook my steelcut oatmeal. After 30 minutes the device will beep for one minute, then stop beeping, but the timer will keep timing to tell you how long it was since the target time was reached. That's been very useful in baking or other cooking procedures so that I know how much I have to adjust the next step. The neck strap made no sense in the kitchen, but now that I take it to work, I use it quite often, so it's a plus. There is a magnet on the back that is not quite strong enough to keep the device from rotating when stuck to the fridge so that the string side is pointed to the floor. I solve this by plunking it just above one of my other magnets to keep it horizontal and easy to read.
  
  On the "con" side: I agree with whoever said the buttons protrude and are sensitive. You cannot put this in your pocket, or even your backpack during a "timing event" because the buttons are going to get pushed. Thus the neck strap--they probably figured that one out at the factory.
  
  This seems a bit pricey, but it is an excellent and very versative device.
  
  
• Unclear Directions
  By APF0XNUTXT0PZ on 2007-02-18
  The directions are minimalist at best. I could not figure out how to actually set the correct time for the timer. Finally in looking through reviews someone mention it and viola now I've got it ! (e.g for 20 minutes punch in 2-0-0-0) It's handy around the neck but, at least on me, if I bump against something by accident, I'll hit a button by mistake. This is annoying. As others have mentioned the loud beep is irritating.
  Otherwise nice large display, has clock and stopwatch.
  
  
• A Really Great Product
  By A11XH1K5KMKBG7 on 2007-01-15
  My wife and I purchased the Polder Clock, Timer & Stopwatch (in white) about 3 years ago and we just purchased two more in black since we often find ourselves needing to time two things at the same time. One of the two new ones will be a gift to a friend of ours. We actually use these timers almost as often as the microwave oven which is alot! The battery in the first one we bought lasted a very long time (it finally needed changing about a month ago). We highly recommend this product.
  
  
• Perfect Timer Solution
  By AB51V8UVUYO4W on 2007-03-17
  I found the timer to be the perfect size. I can use it as a timer or alarm
  clock when traveling (set the timer for the hours you want to sleep). The
  only flaw I can see is the necklace, but using a memory stick (Flash) necklace is a great solution and mine worked great. Overall, Its a great
  bargain with many features. I bought two. RJ
  
  
• Very nice.
  By A4NDKOP0JQPF2 on 2007-10-05
  I like the size and shape of this timer. It is easy to use and works well. My only problem with it is the type of battery it uses. It is one of those little round ones and I would have to take the unit to a watch-repair place to get the battery changed, instead of doing it myself with a normal AA or AAA battery. Otherwise, it is a nice timer.
  
  
• Has button batteries
  By A257GFB4MEE56X on 2007-11-13
  Works fine and like the lanyard, but did not realize it uses button batteries which cost alot and are harder to find. Would not have bought it had I realized this.
  
  
• I've Owned One for Ten Years
  By A3K2Y8JBW9X1EJ on 2008-01-20
  I first bought the white version of this timer about ten years ago. At that time, it sold for $30, so at $15 it's a bargain; recently I bought the black version, which with its colored buttons looks cooler than white.
  
  For the last few years, I've used the old one at least ten times a day, without ever having to change batteries. I've dropped it a few times on a ceramic floor and otherwise abused it occasionally, but all three functions still work perfectly. It's simple to set, has a "batch feature" (meaning it recalls the previous setting when you turn it off) so you don't have to reset it when you continue to use a particular setting. It's meant to be carried around your neck, if you wish, so it's on the small side and the compact button layout might not be convenient for people with arthritis.
  
  It does what it was designed to do extremely well; what more can you ask?
  
  
• Best timer I've ever had
  By A3SIHBXT0LBUE3 on 2007-01-13
  Wonderful little timer that I can wear around my neck or stick on the fridge or leave on a counter. Really easy to set - no more seemingly endless punching to get up to the numbers I want. It's become such an essential tool that I have one at home and one at work. It helps me take on big tasks in small increments, appointments don't go overly long, tea gets steeped for the perfect amount of time, and things in the oven aren't forgotten even if I'm out of the kitchen.
  
  
• Yikes!
  By AG066LL5F2IEK on 2007-10-19
  It is loud. Luckily I expected it, thanks to the other reviews. It beeps when you press every key - unfortunate. I wish it had an alarm function - would make it complete. However, despite the few shortcomings I, like the other reviewers, love this timer. It looks pleasing to the eye, which is nice when you have it with you a lot. For the functions it has, it performs them well.
  
  
• Bumps
  By A2UVJIGWYS0P1X on 2007-11-12
  Loud enough to hear... but
  Way to easy to bump and stop the timer if you wear it around your neck or in your pocket...
  Would I buy another one... no
  
  
• Not quite what I was hoping.
  By A1KXJCXS6HFRQZ on 2008-02-26
  Lets start with the positive: 3 features; Clock, "Count-Up" and Timer. It also includes a magnet on the back and a strap. The battery is easily replaced and doesn't require a screwdriver or anything like that. The timer has an auto-memory feature so that when it completes, it returns right back to the time you set it at. This is ideal for me as I bought it to have recurring 2 minute intervals for use while working out.
  
  Now on to the negatives: Each button push releases a loud beep, and it's annoying. The "count-up" feature is the stopwatch whose smallest unit is a second (no 10th or hundredth of a second). The magnet is weak and can barely keep itself righted. There is no way to turn off the auto-memory timer.
  
  So, nice positives and fairly insignificant negatives make me very pleased with this device. I, however, already own a fully accurate stopwatch, so the lack of tenths and hundredths in the "count-up" feature is not a big deal for me.
  
  
• Polder 898-95
  By A1TT17L5CBY9TE on 2007-05-19
  It is used often, works well and would buy the same product again.
  
  
• This timer is great!
  By AS6FYEHJBNVYQ on 2007-06-18
  I've used several kinds of timers in the past. This timer is my favorite hands down.It's easy to use and can be carried around my neck as well. I highly recomend it.
  
  
• Easy to use.
  By AP2VDDH5CEQS3 on 2007-08-06
  This timer/stop watch is very easy to use. The only thing I would change would be a volume switch as it beeps very loudly for every button that you hit. Other than that it works very well.
  
  
• Very handy for timing walks
  By A33E9JZ063S6PN on 2007-11-22
  I use this timer mostly for timing walks. I can set the timer for half the time that I want to walk and then turn around when it rings, or I can just time the whole walk with the counter. The only thing I dislike about this product is that I have to be very careful not to accidently bump the "clear" button against something. Switching to clock mode (while letting the timer or counter run) makes this less likely, but it's still possible to hit a button accidently and screw everything up. Other than that, I really like it.
  
  
• Fantastic, with minor problems
  By A136HDXOIAFJ28 on 2008-03-04
  I have previously bought two of these and plan to purchase a third. As the ADHD parent of an ADHD child, time management issues are a constant in our household and this wonderful little tool is a lifesaver. I wear it constantly (when we're out people regularly ask me if it's a new kind of cell phone!), and use all three of its functions for everything from keeping on schedule to time-outs to science/math lessons for home-schooling. Sometimes I even use it for cooking...!
  
  I do have two problems with it, however. First, I couldn't figure out how to set the clock. It took my software quality assurance engineer husband to figure out that you have to put all of the zeros in at the end of the time when you are setting it, including the seconds. This was not sufficiently clearly explained in the directions.
  
  Second, the two I have already purchased both broke in the same place - specifically, the little plastic ring molded into the corner of the case. This is where the lanyard attaches to the timer. On both timers the rings broke after minor trauma, one after being dropped onto a laminate floor, the other after being yanked on by my toddler daughter. The timers themselves worked fine afterwards, one even surviving a soaking in the sink. It is an surprising weakness in an otherwise tough little device.
  
  
• Watching and counting time
  By A1JZOKY7KCP8BB on 2007-05-30
  Love this little time machine! It is easy to operate and accurate. I've finally STOPPED burning food since receiving the Polder Timer. I even use the Polder to time my exercise workouts!
  
  
• easy timer
  By A17NWNK5KOKKM9 on 2007-08-08
  this is my favorite timer.
  It is easy to set the timer, clock and count up.
  You will never regret to buy this.
  
  One thing that i don't like it that the panel (the glassy material) detached easily.
  
  
• Love my Polder Timer
  By A2GRNWU9O0H8L2 on 2007-09-06
  This is a great workout timer. Especially if you are doing circuit training. I had one before, but someone else liked it so much, I never saw it again. That's okay -- now I have a new BLACK one. It just looks cooler. Like it doesn't necessarily belong in my kitchen anymore.
  
  
• Polder timer
  By AG5QJ9LF6WC4T on 2007-12-12
  The clock portion doesn't seem to work, but that isn't the feature I bought it for. The timer works. The buttons are small but color coded for the function that you want to use. One really good feature is the neck strap.
  
  
• Cool timekeeper with a couple of litle problems.
  By ABZ8DCDY5BK1V on 2008-01-13
  The size, shape, button layout, chouce of time, count up timer, count down timer is neat. Good for timing your work or cooking food. Has a magnet on back and long cord so it's handy to carry, store on fridge, other metal.
  
  Main drawback is that timer only goes to 9:59 hours. No good for timing long events (ie consulting jobs). Buttons are a bit sensitive and there's no hold button so if you do carry it you have to be careful pushing by mistake.
  
  
• Almost perfect timer
  By A1OD5F83ZA8O95 on 2008-05-02
  I have been using this timer for 5 weeks now and I love it.
  I have to take meds on a very set schedule and so I have been looking and looking for a great timer that is both easy to use and very portable. I have been through MANY different models and brands of electronic timers over the past year.
  
  I have to say this one is *almost* perfect. It never gets lost in my purse or pocket, it slips into my bra if I don't want to have it hanging on my neck.
  It is discrete and not one bit ugly. Very easy to set and reset. I would buy it again if I needed to.
  
  
• So good I purchased two
  By A3LYNCR9PHR1SW on 2007-01-19
  This is the greatest timer I have ever used I time laundry, Time outs. Time to come in from outside with my 2 year old granddaughter have gotten easier it's the timer saying we must go in now. My second one keeps being given away I need to order yet another one.
  Sandy D.
  
  
• Best timer ever.
  By A2JC9T6XOMTBC2 on 2007-06-27
  Has all the features you need. It is always with you so you don't space out and not hear it. I should have a couple of them.
  
  
• Perfect BBQ timer
  By A2YOSGV8YE3NJ8 on 2007-09-13
  I bought this to use while grilling, and it's perfect for this task.
  
  It works well, it's easy to use, and it's easy to read. It has a handy laniard so I can wear it around my neck and not have to dig around in my pocket for it while my hands are all gunked up with BBQ sauce or raw chicken juice, as I did while I used my cell phone clock as my BBQ timer (bad idea!). It also has a handy magnet so you can stick it on the fridge or even a metal part of your grill that doesn't get too hot.
  
  One minor gripe - it doesn't have a light. Not a big complaint but at the same time I can't see why they would overlook such a simple and useful feature.
  
  
  

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