Home > Consumer Reviews > Chaney Instruments Thor Large Display Alarm Clock

Original Review 2007:
What a great surprise! I ordered this simply to have a clock in the bedroom that could be read in the dark without glasses... and that is exactly what I got, but much much more! I plugged this guy in and it showed the correct time! Checked the instruction pamphlet (actually printed large enough to read!) and found that this clock will automatically keep up with the correct time and automatically reset for changes to daylight savings and back! This is great for me because we have a lot of clocks and getting them all changed twice a year is a real chore... especially the ones that require two buttons pushed at once or whatever. I've been buying expensive atomic clocks simply to get rid of this problem, but this one is MUCH better than an atomic, where you have to diddle with getting good reception and then wait while it updates... sometimes overnight! This little guy is programmed for all time zones, just flip a well labeled switch on the back to select yours... not a menu, a good old switch that you just have to change one time! What a great invention... I hope all clocks will adopt this system. NO worry about power outages, no problems if you're moving... just unplug it and plug it in at your new location... it kept time while it was unplugged!

And as far as being readable in the dark, the numbers are so big it's almost scarey when you look at it at night... 10 STARS!

I'll get back with an update if I discover any problems or failures.

UPDATE after one year of use.

1. This clock has never failed to show the correct time and has never failed to alarm properly, even in my rural area where power blips are a norm.
2. One reviewer says there's no way to change the time if it's wrong... that's INCORRECT!
3. One reviewer can't figure how the clock knows what time it is... well obviously it's set initially in the factory... but probably the reviewer was just joking. It is set up and maintains its settings with a small battery which is rated "up to 5 years" durability.
4. Another reviewer pulled the batteries and says this ruined his clock... can't imagine why he'd pull the batteries in the first place, but I do know there are instructions for doing this. Do note that the clock itself is the plug-in type... it only uses the battery to power the memory/setup chip.

After a year of use, this is still my favorite clock and I get mad every time I have to change batteries on my Atomic Clocks because they are such a hassle and I paid over twice as much for them. This is the one to buy. I am looking for Chaney to come out with one that can show me the outdoor temperature as well and I'll scrap all my junky atomics.

This has a large display and is therefore easy to see even with the unaided eye. I don't need the clock as an alarm so I can't rate that function. Also, I don't know if the DST feature works since no DST date has passed yet. But if you want an easy to use and easy to see clock, this is it. I just ordered two more.
A peek at the instructions tells how to set the time manually if you so wish, and also how to change the batteries. Instructions are wonderful things.
Since there are two dimensions for the clock on Amazon web page just let me clarify: dimensions are 3 1/4"H x 7 1/8"W x 2 3/4"D. So a pretty small footprint.
This is not to be confused with an "atomic clock". There are no radio signals and the clock operates on house current with battery backup and resets itself after a power interruption.

UPDATE 3 MONTHS LATER
I did buy two more clocks for a total of three. All kept accurate time and changed day light savings time correctly.

This is a well designed clock that performs very well as advertised.There is a simplicity to it that makes it very easy to use.The set it and forget it is a very nice feature.Having said all this I prefer another model they make that has green numerals and a dimming switch, as the above model with red numerals is quite bright, although very easy to read at night. The green numeral clock does not have the set and forget feature. The green numeral clock also does not have the blinking second dot which annoy some people with the red numeral clock. All in all both clocks are very good and easy to read at night.

I enjoy the Chaney Instruments Thor Alarm Clock that I purchased in December, 2007. The large numbers are easy to read from anywhere in the room, and I can always count on having the right time. The alarm clock I used before this purchase would stop working if the electricity went off briefly in the night. This clock not only comes back on, but it resets itself to the correct time. I consider it a very smart purchase.

They did say 2" display. I just didn't think much about it. Should have.

I rated it 5 stars 'cause it's everything they said. It's not their fault the BIG display causes a distraction if it's near the "line of sight" to a TV, window, whatever.

I had it on a shelf, about 4 feet above the tv. I moved it..the clock. The blinking light draws your eye to the movement as does the very large display.

Be great in the sleeping area since your eyes are usually closed. And, if half groggy you'd have no problem seeing the time.

But, consider the placement of this clock. I didn't get it for the sleep area but will use it there and get another clock for the Mantle. One not quite so large, blinky and bright.

This clock has nice features and I do not regret my purchase. Taking into consideration it's placement, I could recommend this clock for purchase.