****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I got this timer because I do a lot of cooking and specifically need an Hour/Minute timer for long-cooking stews, pot roasts, etc.The good:* Has the rare Hour/Minute timer function, so you can set a timer for up to 99 hours 59 minutes.* Easy to use, easy to switch back and forth between the light and the beeper, and pretty loud.* The beeping switches to a more insistent pattern if you don't press the button to stop it.* It has a magnet for the fridge and a clip for your belt loop.* If you set it for minutes, it does show both minutes and seconds in the countdown.* Personally I don't use the blinking-light silent timer feature, but if you need it, it works well and the light is very bright.The bad:* The timer eventually switches the beeper off even if you don't press the button. This means that if I happened to go upstairs for 10 minutes when my 2 hour timer goes off I might miss it.* The fridge magnet isn't strong enough to hold it straight...the timer sags to one side when on the fridge and light pressure will cause it to slide.* The belt clip feature is not very useful for me because I usually manage to brush against the button that stops the timer without realizing it. For the same reason, one can't put the timer in one's pocket. So I end up carrying the timer around in my hand and putting it down here and there. It is too bad the Start/Stop button is so easy to press by accident.Bottom line: there just aren't that many Hour/Minute timers out there to choose from. Most are minutes up to 60, or minutes/seconds up to 99 minutes. If you need to time events longer than 99 minutes, this timer will work for you. To me the worst flaw is the magnet being a bit weak for the weight of the timer, but it isn't a deal breaker because you can still place the timer on the side of the fridge and it will stay put.I bought this for the flashing light, to remind me that there is a meeting without disturbing my co-workers in other cubicles. It is ok, but just the yellow led flashes, which can be easy to miss if the timer is not in your direct line of sight. I would have liked the whole timer to flash, which I thought was the point of the transparent red body. I suppose, though, that people timing tests and the like might prefer the uni-directional flashing of the single light.As with most regular timers that just beep at the end, when in sound mode, this one beeps every time you press a button, which I find REALLY ANNOYING. Just because you want it to beep at the end, doesn't mean you want to annoy everyone around you when you are setting the time. However, as a workaround, you can switch to silent mode, set the time, start it running, then switch back to sound mode.There is a slider to set sound or visual, but not both. Why not both?Also, I would have liked it use AA batteries, not AAA (which are more expensive and don't last as long!), even though it would have made the unit bigger. A final grumble is that you can set sound or visual, but not both.Otherwise it is good. It is surprisingly difficult to find silent countdown timers that flash when the time is up.AWESOME timer to use for work tasks while my kids nap in the other room - light function is completely silent, and the light is bright enough that I can catch it in my peripheral vision. I love the magnet on the back, since I can use it on my magnetic bulletin board in my office.I also have audible sensory issues, and this timer is the BEST - visual timers targeted toward people with sensory issues are upwards of $45 with tons of bugs - this is a fantastic deal.This is quick and easy to set (it took me a while to realize I could hold down the minute timer instead of tap it 45 times to set a 45 minute timer, but I got it eventually!).I love it!This is a great timer for my purposes. In fact I've purchased two of them --one for home, one for work.I primarily use it at my work cubicle to remind me each hour to go for a short walk. They key is that it can alert with just an LED light so as to not disturb my co-workers. And if I'm in the middle of a conversation or something, I can easily 'snooze' it by adding a few minutes. Finally, I was pleasantly surprised that it has a magnetic back piece, so I was able to mount it right at eye level on a nearby cubicle shelf (it also has a clip on the back).I use this timer in a group to time how long people speak. I wish there was a way to change from light to beep without turning it over, because I would like to start out with a light alarm then change to beep.. I also would prefer it didn't beep when setting the time in audio mode. Other than that great timer.It's ok. It does what it needs to do, but the UI leaves a bit to be desired.I use this as a pomodoro timer at work. Works amazingly. The yellow light flashing is noticeable but not disruptive. Fits my needs perfectly.My 4th grader has difficulty with time management during various tasks at school. As a brainstorm her teacher and I thought we would give this a try. Working great so far and the silent alarm is perfect because it doesn't distract the other students.Reminds me to take a pill every 3 days - does that, looks kinda cool and works perfectly. About as simple as you can get.No on/off switch. Not terribly user friendly.
