Sony ICFC218S Clock Radio (Silver)

I've been after a new clock radio for my mum who suffers a bit from Alzheimer's so I was after something that would be very simple to use. This somewhat fits the bill, though does have some problems. This review is based upon my requirements on usability.

Controls:

Most controls are located on the top of the unit. First there are some small buttons for setting the time and switching to daylight savings time (DST). Normally, and thanks to the "auto" time/DST setting feature, you wouldn't need to touch these but if you did nothing really happens. For someone like my mum, this is a good thing since she won't accidentally change the time/date setting. You have to press and hold buttons for 2secs for something to happen.

Next we have a rotary three position switch for setting the alarm mode (off, radio, buzzer). This switch some people may find really very fiddly. It is of very poor quality and I can see that would be the first thing to fail.

After that there is a sleep button and two buttons for turning the radio on and off. The off button has a different tactile feel from the other buttons. Having the radio on/off separate from alarm on/off is good from my point of view. The sleep button allows you to listen to the radio for 90, 60, 30 or 15 mins which is a good feature.

Finally on top we have a big snooze button that also doubles up as a "show the date" button and sleep button; and next a rocker switch for setting the alarm time.

On the side of the unit are two rotary controls (radio tuning and radio volume) together with a AM/FM switch. I would have preferred to have seen the tuning and vol controls very separate (perhaps on different sides) so as to avoid accidental detuning of the radio.

Features:

The "automatic time set" feature is a little misleading - all it means is that the date and time has been pre-set in the factory. Mine was a couple of minutes out initially. The clock is backed up with a replaceable lithium battery so it should last a reasonable time. To be clear, there's no link to the Rubgy time signal here.
The clock stores the date, which is viewable by pressing the large snooze button. The date can be used to automatically adjust for GMT/BST.

There is no brightness control for the display but I find its brightness to be a good balance of not too bright and not too dim.

The clock shows 12hr time with a PM indicator. This is good for people who find 24hr clock harder (I don't think there's a way to go to 24hr mode).

The radio reception seems OK, much as you'd expect from a device of this price.

Overall its pretty OK; has some usability concerns (notably the alarm mode switch). The separate on/off radio buttons and sleep feature should make things easier for my mum compared to her existing clock radio at least.

My husband gave me a very hi tec ipod/radio alrm last Christmas. It was so hard to set, the backlight had to be touch activated every time you wanted to see the time, the radio came on at a pre determined volume (set by the manufacturers),etc,etc.
At the risk of offending said husband,I ordered this Sony Clock radio and I have to say I am absolutely delighted with it. Plug it in and away you go, even when the clocks went back it automatically changed. It is very easy to set and has all the features you need,snooze, auto shut off and a very clear display. I am delighted with it!

I am delighted with this little cheap alarm clock radio. I only wanted something basic and this fits the bill. Was amazed when, as soon as it was plugged in, the clock displayed the correct time! Amazon's delivery was very quick and efficient.