Based on previous reviews, I expected it to be too bright but that was a non-issue for me. I like the ease of changing the alarm time (forward or backward) and the big button you use. What is disappointing is the small circular dial that you use to engage the alarm. I have to put the light and my glasses on to figure out whether it is on, and whether I have selected alarm or radio. It seems loose and cheesy. For me, it's the most important selection so I'm not sure why it was made so difficult to use.
[+]
8.0
A solid no-frills clock
I wanted something inexpensive that performed basic clock and alarm functions and this does the job nicely. The radio is pretty weak and doesn't get especially good reception. The alarm can be set to be either a beep or radio. The clock display is bright enough to read, but it isn't so bright that it affects my ability to fall asleep (I keep it right next to my bed). There are a lot of buttons and I think they could have been arranged in a more logical order. Also there are separate buttons for setting time/date and alarm which seems really unnecessary. The snooze is in 10 minute intervals and it'll last for up to 60 minutes.
[+]
10.0
This clock works great for both of us.
I recently purchased two of these Sony ICF-C218 Automatic Time Set Clock Radios. One for me and one for my sister who lives 25 minutes from me. Now, I'm a true techno geek, so I knew that I would be able to figure out how to set the alarm etc., but wasn't sure if my sister would be able to handle it. She's more of a normal person, not totally into computers and iPhones like I am. We both love this Clock Radio and neither of us has had a single problem it. I'm completely happy with my purchase and feel that I paid a very good price for two clocks that will probably be the last I ever need to buy.
[+]
8.0
Its an great alarm clock at a great value
I read a majority of the reviews of this item. Its a great clock. It set itself. The only minor issue is the alarm toggle switch looks kinda flimsy.Other than that it works great.
[+]
8.0
Nice alarm clock, except for the FM Tuner
Well I receive this clock like a week ago, the set up was very easy, in fact, the clock came with a battery for keep the time data without, so, I just need to adjust my time zone and that's it. The alarm set up is very easy aswell, just move to the right for late or left for early.
The BIG numbers are very nice, and the bright is good enought for see the hour during the day without disturb at night.
My only problem with this clock is the FM tuner, I live in Bogota and there are just 2 or 3 radio station with rock music, but there are like a hundred with other music, so is very difficult tune my preferred radio station because the antenna of this thing is in the power cord, so you have to expend some time (too much for me) for find the right position for tune your favorite station, maybe that's not a great deal in a small city with few stations.
[+]
6.0
Simple clock radio
This is what I was looking for: a basic clock radio. The auto setting clock is very easy to use. It uses a coin-type lithium cell as a backup for the clock during power outages. Sound is adequate (small speaker). My only complaint is that the clock display is not very bright. This can be good if it's next to you bed, but a little hard to see across a lighted room.
Sony says they set the time at the factory. However, the two units that I have show different times, two minutes apart. That's not very accurate, though not critical. It would be nice if the times were the same, so my wife and I would be better coordinated.
[+]
10.0
exactly what I was looking for!
This little item was a very pleasant surprise. All of my former clock/alarm systems have been a pain from day one. Not this one! Out of the box and fully set up in less than 5 minutes. The alarm is loud enough to get you up. It can easily be seen across the room. You can see at a glance if the alarm is on or off, whether it is AM or PM. It comes with the battery to reset itself if you have a power failure. It even accounts for leap years. you are not going to find a better clock radio with such ease of use at twice the price or more compact than this one.
The radio section is not digital, but it's fairly good in accordance with its price.
This is a basic but nifty clock for the price. I like the alarm feature that if you don't hit the snooze button within a short time the alarm beeps increase in frequency for those heavy sleepers. My old alarm clock used to jolt me out of bed with its horrible screech alarm but the Sony alarm is much gentler on the old nerves. It has an Daylight Saving feature which is nice and a large easy to read LED screen readout. The radio recption is very good ( better than my main tuner! ) and the sound is clear. There is also an internal battery backup so if there is a power outtage you don't have to enter the settings again.
But the best thing about this clock is that it's simple to use!
If you're looking for something small, bright enough to read at night but not so bright it keeps you up, then you'll like this clock. It's transportable, it's cheap, and above all, it works!
That is the word I use to describe this product. Excellent Product. No complaints so far.
[+]
10.0
A relyable Alarm clock
This alarm clock is much better than what I have expected I am very impressed with the settings which makes the old alarm clocks seem like the computers that taken up the whole house. This Alarm clock is a terrific thing to have especially for those who are not technical savvy. "Not saying that I am not a technical savvy person."
[+]
10.0
Happy with this alarm
Very happy with this purchase. Inexpensive and does everything that I wanted. Nice display, comes with time already set, easy to set alarm, and easy to turn off alarm, no worries about resetting after power interruptions.
[+]
10.0
very nice for the price....
Very nice clock radio for the price. It was for a gift..so I can't rate the performace, but I am sure it is fine.
[+]
10.0
excellent product
I was looking for a reliable and inexpensive clock and I have found it. Great reception, easy to set, and a Sony, what more could you ask for and under 15 dollars.
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2.0
You get what you pay for
Forget the radio. It's an alarm clock. And it'll cost almost as much to return it as to keep it.
I have been very satisfied with the Sony radio that I purchased. It works just as advertised and I have had no problems with it. The two recommendations to Sony that I ha;ve is (1) make the alarm a little louder or have a volume control for it and (2) have the alarm control so that it could be left on without resetting it every day.
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10.0
All that you could ask for
Great alarm clock. Full featured, yet never had to read the manual to use them. I'd buy it again.
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6.0
Alarm "beeps", doesn't "buzz" and it's not loud enough
I bought this to replace a toy-ish "Spongebob" clock radio which my son has outgrown. I could live with the fact that the radio sound quality is worse than the Spongebob unit. And the fine tuning of the Sony radio does seem better. But the Sony said that it was a BUZZER/radio alarm, but it's actually a beep, and a rather quiet one at that, whose volume cannot be raised. You can raise the volume if the alarm is set to RADIO, but if you're accustomed to falling asleep with the radio on, you're not going to wake up to the sound of the radio playing. The Spongebob BUZZER was good and loud, which is a must-have for waking up on school mornings. The Sony is nice looking and easy to use, but without a good, loud buzzer, it's of no use to me, and I'm afraid it's going to have to go back. (I wanted to change my rating from 3 to 2, but I can't . . .)
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6.0
Good clock but deceptively named
This is a very decent little clock, but by calling it an "Automatic Time Set" clock, I thought I was buying a radio-controlled clock that sets itself based on radio signals like other so-called atomic clocks I've owned in the past. That is not the case - this clock simply has the correct time preset at the factory. Contrary to what other reviewers have said, it will not sync to the correct time automatically once the installed backup battery fails. And I haven't had it long enough to determine how well it keeps time or if I'm going to have to readjust the time every so often just to make sure it's accurate. Still, I'll keep it but I feel duped by the name of the clock and kind of regret having bought it.
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10.0
The clock work really well
I am really happy with the alarm clock. If the am fm radio had great reception this clock would be a steal. As it is a really good buy for an alarm clock.
This is such a lifesaver! Our power blips often and since my boyfriend is a chef he often has to get up really early after coming home really late. If the alarm doesnt go off he is in a big bind. This clock doesnt stay on while the power is off, but it does reset both the time and alarm setting after a power blip. it hasn't failed us once!
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6.0
Sony's cheapest clock radio
When you buy a clock-radio for less than $15, you should not have high expectations. I bought mine to fill a small space on my night stand. We are getting to the place where our only non-automatic-time clocks are found in major appliances. I wish our GE microwave oven were automatic! This Sony fills the space available very well. Pluses are it's good looks, large led readout, and good FM radio reception. If I wanted AM radio I'd be forced to return it. There are no AM stations strong enough or close enough to make it but I could care less!
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10.0
Good deal and a good clock radio. Happy with purchase.
Great price for this clock radio. Works good, clock is easy to see, sound is pretty good. Battery back up so it keeps the time in a black out.
[+]
10.0
GREAT, COMPACT CLOCK RADIO!
Easy clock setup - automatically on correct time! Amazing technology, IMHO. Definitely buy this cute little clock radio. It's perfect!
Sony ICF-C218 Automatic Time Set Clock Radio (Black)The one I received is totally useless. will not set time automaticall or manually in any zone.
This is just what I wanted. The numbers are large and easy to read. I figured out how it worked without reading the manual. The buzzer is very nice. It is just beeping, not startling. It starts out slow and gets faster and faster the longer you leave it go. I have not used the radio on it yet so I cant review that part but I like everything else about it.
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8.0
Good clock for the money
We have a lot of power surges and I got really tired of resetting several clocks. This clock is easy to read and sets itself. The alarm is a little tricky to set and it is not for a heavy sleeper. But for the money, a good little clock.
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10.0
Really nice alarm clock
Great alarm clock. I love the easy way to change the setting of the alarm (just move a small lever instead of having to push two buttons at the same time as in traditional alarm clocks). The radio stations are very clear, no background noises. The time is automatically set! Just choose the time zone you live in.. Wonderful, especially for the really low cost.
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10.0
a nice alarm clock
I've really enjoyed this alarm clock so far, or at least as much as you can enjoy an alarm clock. It's easy to use and easy to read, and as a bonus the radio gets better reception than my stereo.
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8.0
Great clock - brightness not adjustable
Works well, the alarm is not too loud, nor is it annoying. Very easy to program. Never a need to set the time or adjust for DST - which is a pretty good feature at this price point. The only problem is that the display is noticeably too bright in a dark room. Wouldn't be a big deal if it were adjustable, but it's not. That said, it's still a very good deal at this price I think.
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10.0
Awesome little alarm clock
I really like this alarm clock! It is awesome! Radio sound is quality and it automatically sets itself! Everytime! It's small, practical and dependable! Buy it!
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10.0
Great for the money
I read the reviews and decided to try this clock radio. I have very bad reception in the bedroom, and getting a radio to tune in and stay tuned has been impossible (I've tried about 3 or 4 different clock radios). This one actually tunes in the station I want, and doesn't stray or pick up other stations at the same time. The station does fade a bit from time to time, but it's an AM station so I think that's kind of normal. It did self-set, but I think it seems about one minute slow. For one minute and the price, I can live with it. I would recommend it. The display is not too bright at night, but is clear in daylight. The alarm is loud enough but not too loud, the radio alarm works perfectly and the sound is not bad for such a small radio.
The AM radio part is horrible... but as for the "alarm clock", it works great.
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10.0
Alarm Clock to Get
I bought a bose, but finally used it as my stereo system in the living room. I looked up the reviews for an alarm clock and decided to buy based on those reviews.
Its a great buy, no more to say but its cheap, its sony and it does its job flawlessly. The radio works up to par or better with other clock radios.
Exactly what I wanted! Battery backup to set the time. Excellent FM reception (wake up to NPR). Easy to see. Simple controls. Great price! Odered on Saturday - arrived Monday (free shipping)! Had an Emerson I really liked - but I think FM antenna in power cord broke and I couldn't fix - only 8 mos old.
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10.0
Sony ICF-C218 Automatic Time Set Clock Radio(Black)
It took me a while to find just the right clock radio for my bedroom. I am very satisfied with my purchase. Fast delivery and excellent service.
has ten minute snooze, never forgets the time. Comes pre-programmed out of the box. Set switch is a little funky, but you get used to it.
I don't know if it's my particular unit but I have a hard time seeing the LCD readout when there's too much sunlight in my room. Only when its night time that I can see it and it's not that good. I hope it's only my unit but now I feel hesitant about buying another Sony clock.
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10.0
Great alarm clock!
Great little alarm clock. Easy to use, inexpensive, and has some nice features (i.e. it automatically adjusts for daylight savings)
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6.0
Inexpensive And Good, Not Great
The ICF-C318 I bought at the same time is great, the C218 is ok and probably would have been better appreciated had I not gotten a C318 at the same time. This is still a right good value in a radio alarm clock but if you have a few dollars more go with the C318 is my suggestion.
Great basic radio. Good reception and large time display. I use it to keep me on time while putting on makeup, etc. Can't go wrong with it!
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10.0
the best simple alarm clock
Works great, easy to figure out. We plugged it in and it had the correct time already. The next day when daylight savings time ended, it changed itself!
I bought this clock because it was cheap and got good reviews on this site. It might actually be the best alarm clock I've ever owned. Granted, any clock will perform well on month into use, but it has great features. My favorite is that it doesn't have that loud, grating buzzer every other alarm clock uses. It's a mild-to-medium bell-like sounds that isn't startling, but still wakes me up.
The only short-coming is that it doesn't have two alarms. I've found that useful on my previous alarm clocks.
Its a nice alarm Clock, easy to read during night, easy to set up, good choice. thanks
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10.0
My clock says 4:20...
I'm very pleased with this purchase. The display is not too bright, just perfect for night-time viewing. It was also very easy to program. The design is sleek, modern and will look cool on your nightstand.
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8.0
Quality clock for a good price
This is a pretty great clock. I don't actually use the radio part, but the clock part does what it needs to and well. It's easy to set the time and alarm. I've never had an alarm with a reset alarm button (so you don't have to turn it off, and turn it back on a minute later), and I gotta say, they're fantastic. The display could stand to be a little brighter, though. When it's really bright in my room, which is admittedly not morning or night, when it's most important), it can be kind of hard to see the time. Of course, the clock's 12 bucks. You won't find a better deal elsewhere.
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8.0
Not more than average
Did not exceed the expectation.
It does what it is supposed to do but some button sizes are odd.
Design can improve.
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10.0
great price, great product
This is a great radio at a great price. I bought it for work and needed something small that had good reception. After getting tired of moving my old clock radio from spot to spot at different times of the day to get decent reception, I finally found this product reviewed on Amazon and decided to give it a shot. It works really well, and the reception is great. Occasionally the signal seems to get lost, but 95% of the time it is crystal clear. I would definitely recommend this radio.
