Sony ICF-C318 Automatic Time Set Clock Radio with Dual Alarm (White) Reviews

• Dual Alarm Function Worth It

  
  By AKK3223RTJ5BM on 2007-08-31
  Two alarm feature very easy to program. All functions work great. Battery backup and automatic time updates. I bought a more expensive Sony multi-alarm clock a few months ago and it works OK, but this clock is by far a better and less complicated unit.
  
  

• Good for Its Size

  
  By A2WW8WQNEJEFH7 on 2007-07-28
  This is a good clock radio for its size, and all the features are easy to use. If you are looking for quality sound, this is not the clock radio for you. The only problem we have with it is that the buttons to turn the alarms on are on the top of the radio and easily moved - so easy that our cats often turn on the alarms by walking across the top of the radio!
  
  

• Good simple Alarm Clock

  
  By A2LPGL12YEPJWT on 2007-06-20
  This clock sets the time automatically and the alarm is very easy to use.
  
  The radio is nothing special but for $14.00 it makes a great alarm clock
  
  
  

• Barely gets the job done

  
  By A62CTOSCWYNKD on 2007-08-14
  Extremely low alarm buzzer, only slightly louder than a wristwatch alarm. The backup battery isn't a standard 9V alkaline battery like most other alarm clocks, instead it's a round lithium watch battery which costs more.
  
  

• Easy, accurate, but politely quiet

  
  By A3G54JDX4E3YKO on 2007-12-01
  I bought two of these, (one for my husband and one for my teenage son), since they would automatically reset themselves after a power outage. They both immediately complained that the alarms were not loud enough, (both are VERY heavy sleepers). It does have a very light and polite beep with no volume control. However, the beeps gradually increase in frequency and after week of use, both of them are waking up easily to the sound and without the jarring blasts from our old alarms.
  So, it may require getting accustomed to for heavy sleepers, but it's great for those of us who don't like to be blasted awake every day.
  
  
• Very good no-frills clock radio
  By AK3GKIV8DEY8B on 2007-11-18
  I wanted a simple clock radio to replace my simple Sony clock radio, which unfortunately got "fried" during a lightning storm. This model seemed like the logical substitute, and it does exactly what I want it to, with no complications. Even though I don't live in the US, it gives me accurate time after power outages (its internal battery works great) and everything is easy to set, with time controls that go up or down -- meaning that if you miss the time when setting it, there's no need to do the whole 24-hour rotation again. Brightness can be controled so that this clock never wakes you up unless it is supposed to. I've had no problems with the alarm volume or any other aspect of this product. It is a great bargain, with a low price and great quality.
  
  
• Best Alarm Clock we Ever Owned - Called a Dream Machine and it really is!
  By A2H4633ER418Q3 on 2007-11-24
  When our old alarm went out I had to find a new alarm quickly. When I found the Sony ICF-C318, I was just happy to discover it had no external antennae to deal with. What a bonus to find that not only was it small and inexpensive, but had no funky extra wires. It has two alarms & the time and date are automatically set! All I did is plug it in. The date was automatically correct. And if there's a power surge or power outage, it has a battery back-up (battery is included and already installed) and it loses no time. We didn't believe that, of course, and had to play with it by unplugging it a few times to test it, but it worked great! We didn't even have to re-set the time zone. Also, I usually had to re-set the alarm for my husband, but no longer. I set the A alarm for me and the B alarm for him and we are done. What I also found wonderful about this alarm was that when you set the alarm time, you can go backward or forward. Our old alarm could only go forward and it took forever; setting this alarm is a breeze. Amazing, truly.
  
  
• Not very loud
  By A2AC3GSCGP4NVG on 2007-11-07
  I bought this for my 14-year old son who happily slept right through the loudest setting. Really NOT very loud at all.
  
  
• alarm clock
  By ANWIV5HGLYB8 on 2007-07-22
  It is a good alarm but the radio is not good. Loud alarm!! And the dual functtion is good. sets time by itself when plugged in and comes with the back battery.If you need a simple alarm clock that will work well this is it!! But but a radio separtate.
  
  
• Gotta Have Dual Alarms? This Is It!!
  By AWQYKNNS3MVUJ on 2007-09-13
  The dual alarm option is a must-have if you share sleep quarters w/ someone on a different work schedule. The radio is certainly not B&O quality, but it suffices for the purpose of waking you. And, you can set it to beep you awake if you prefer. I particularly enjoy the large number display...easy to see and easy to read (even when you're half-awake). I felt I had to dock it one star for the radio quality. And you can't beat the price!! Very easy setup procedure and equally easy to reset (you can reset backwards, so you don't have to travel through an entire day and a half setting the time/alarms...whew!!).
  
  
• Had to set date and time
  By A2IRT4NMHW22PS on 2007-12-16
  I just got the Sony ICF-C318 to replace an alarm clock that had died. When I plugged it in the time needed to be reset and it appears the clock had been inventory for so long that the lithium battery was dead and needed to be replaced so the factory advertised time setting was lost.
  The instructions on how to set date and time as well as the alarm are OK if you read them precisely while looking at separate clock pictures that show the various controls; however, they could be clearer and more user friendly.
  Overall the clock has worked fine (in the week I've had it), but I shouldn't have had to reset the time and buy a new battery.
  
  
• Be great if the backup battery wasn't dead
  By AZXPMWE0LIOGS on 2007-12-24
  I was really pleased to get this clock, and have always trusted Sony, BUT, the backup battery indicator light came on as soon as I set it up. So I had to manually set up the time--not automatic as advertised. That's not so bad, but Sony evidently finds it too much trouble to just send me a battery. I made 3 calls and an email, and they are all telling me that I must send the battery to Texas and when they receive it, they will send me a battery. For a $14 radio? Come on! This is a brand new item, and what, a CR2032 battery is too priceless to mend customer relations and trust? I have purchased many Sony items in the past, but never had to ask for anything before. I can see now that customer satisfaction is very low on their priority list.
  
  
• Not for heavy sleepers!
  By A3GXWXJ80W22AZ on 2008-02-25
  This clock radio has the weakest sounding alarm of any clock radio I have ever used. This might be fine if you are a light sleeper. If you tend to be a heavy sleeper or a little hard of hearing, I would skip this radio. Sony didn't put much effort into this design. I will return for a refund and get a different brand.
  
  
• Don't be misled!
  By A30QFEQVSGZAN6 on 2008-04-05
  Don't be mislead: "automatic time set" doesn't mean that it uses the atomic clock to update the time. "Automatic time set" means they preset the time at the factory. The clock arrived with a time that differed seven minutes from the actual time (as displayed on an existing atomic clock), so you still need to set the clock and to periodically readjust the time.
  
  
• Too Bright
  By A13CKODVWQNLQG on 2008-04-28
  I liked this clock, nice size, dual alarm, auto time, etc. Ultimately it was too bright for my bedroom and it's keeping time in the basement now. Also I found the time/alarm set to be awkward (too fast/slow).
  
  
• Sony ICF-C318 White Automatic time set clock radio with dual alarm
  By A2UW69AB92YW60 on 2007-08-09
  its awesome! im a super heavy sleeper and i hear that thing every morning...because i set it to the radio stations i dont like so i have to wake up just to turn that thing...its really loud.
  
  
• Sony ICF-C318
  By A281I9C4B1UAJI on 2007-09-16
  Clock arrived when Amazon said which is typical. Very happy with Amazon shipping. For about $15 this is a great product. Easy to setup. When you turn it on it has the correct time already. Just change the time zone and you're ready. The display is easy to see in daylight or nighttime. There are two alarms and both are extremely easy to set up. Radio works great for its price and alarm is great also. My only complaint was the internal battery had to be replaced after 5 days and no power outages. The replacement battery at WalMart was about $2. Hope the new one lasts longer. I would highly recommend this clock radio.
  
  
• A smart little radio
  By A2IMI5E1YTXQI8 on 2007-10-02
  This little radio is not only smart in what it does; it is also "smart" looking and it doesn't take up space on your night stand.
  
  
• Great alarm clock, volume of alarm not for the heavy sleeper
  By A1DHR4BBHYYHZW on 2007-10-08
  This is a great alarm clock - it's not too big, the numbers are very easily readable, and at the same time are not too bright. I'm a light sleeper and like the room to be as devoid of light as possible, and this clock casts merely a light glow and does not disturb me whatsoever. The dual alarm is very useful and incredibly easy to set, as is the option to change the snooze time.
  
  The one issue some people may have with this clock is that the alarm, even the 'high volume' level, is not very loud. I am a light sleeper, so it is fine for me, but for those who are either heavy sleepers or who have a lot of background noise in their room may need a louder alarm.
  
  Overall, I highly recommend this clock.
  
  
• sony ifc-c318
  By ATLW1YRZB3Y4K on 2007-11-14
  great little alarm radio - not as tinny as some radios, decent sound - compact and easy to use
  
  
• The Sony Clock
  By A3R04IC07GZ6F3 on 2008-02-14
  This clock is nice if you dont like the alarm being loud enough to awake you. I feel it was a waste of my money and i never knew any alarm clock could be so low in noise.
  
  
• Easy, perfect, simple...
  By A3ERZJOEULP54U on 2007-07-29
  I wanted an attractive alarm clock with two alarms, a radio and no frills. This little clock is just perfect, and the auto time set is a great feature. I just loved plugging it in and having the correct time pop up. It's a nice, compact size. You really can't beat the price either.
  
  
• GREAT NOT TO RE-SET THE ALARM
  By A274YPH07VVSS0 on 2007-08-10
  If you are tired of setting your clocks again and again...try one of these. You won't be disappointed. After power outage I no longer have a long face "setting the clock"...Try it, you will like it.
  
  
• Great Radio Alarm Clock
  By A2AXAX08YVN6SN on 2007-10-28
  This radio clock looks like any others on the market, but you will see the difference once you have it. Dual alarm function helps me and my wife keep our working schedules separately. Internal battery keeps the time during blackout: when electricity comes back, the time shows properly and no need to re-setup alarm time. Radio works just fine since no external antenna is attached. All functions work as advertised.
  It cost me about $14, which is few dollars higher than a normal alarm clock, but really worth it.
  
  
• Wake up to soothing sounds
  By A161X59SILN8OQ on 2007-11-01
  This alarm clock is very complete. I like the fact that it comes with a battery and that it is already set by time zones. It comes with two alarms, and the sound is very nice as long as you keep the cord unraveled. Wonderful!
  
  
• Ok - like other ones better
  By A3PB9ESCWWIL5X on 2007-12-07
  I have three dual clocks. I like the buttons and turn on and off much better on the others. The reset alarm button is hard to find.
  
  
• Decent clock - internal battery leaves something to be desired
  By A2VRGK8AAJ96HM on 2007-12-25
  Love the clock. It's small, easy to use. A nice basic clock. I like having the ability to dim the display. The internal backup battery indicated it was weak upon arrival.
  
  
• Weak Batteries, Incorrect Time Set On Arrival
  By ABD2YOAZDRTGW on 2008-01-01
  Like others, my weak battery indicator was lit, meaning I had to replace the batteries on the each of the two units I purchased.
  
  The one thing I don't yet understand and can't find the answer to is, When you unplug the AC power, to simulate a power outage, is the display supposed to be blank? When I tried this test, the display went blank but when I plugged it back in, all the times were correct.
  
  Do I have a defective Dream Machine?
  
  
• Flashing time no matter what
  By A20N2G3UIZ7DFF on 2008-03-10
  I plugged this in and the wrong time flashed constantly, read the directions for time zone etc and nothing worked. I purchased a new battery from Amazon and the the clock still did not work. I have the single alarm version and that worked out of the box.
  
  I'm out the cost of a battery and the cost of the clock as I am unable to get out of the house to return. Shame on Amazon.
  
  
• Good alarm, poor radio
  By A2S6DJ7CXJ26K5 on 2008-03-23
  Does what it is supposed to do, i.e, waking me up every morning. The choice of 2 different alarm time is what I bought it for (morning teaching schedule differs in different days of the week), and it works well. It sets the time right by itself (also for DST). Good solid alarm; except the radio reception is weak. All I get for my favorite station is white noise - but well, I'd never use an alarm clock as radio anyway
  
  

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