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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect to be able to get a bedside clock with a display that you can see I the dark?

13 replies

Dixiebell · 28/09/2017 14:15

I mean, what is the point of a digital bedside clock that you have to actually press to be able to see the time in the dark? Looking for one for my soon to be 7 year old son, to replace the groclock he's had since a baby, and they all seem to have that grey display that you can't read in the dark. I want him to be able to glance at it, see it's 3am and go back to sleep! Not have to rouse himself to press a button, and actually in his case as he's in a mid-sleeper, with no shelves nearby, he'd have to actually get out bed, and climb down to do it. Just bought one from Smiggle, that says in the online description 'with backlit display (for night time), and thought I'd cracked it, but the backlight goes off after about 30 secs, no option to leave it on. Presumably because it's batteries. Happy to have a plug in, but can't find anything vaguely cool (it's a bday present) that does this, and getting frustrated looking at the online descriptions in John Lewis and others as it's just not clear whether the display is visible in the dark. I say again, surely this is a crucial feature for a bedside clock, which should be highlighted in the product description!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 28/09/2017 14:30

www.argos.co.uk/product/2553593 has red numbers

dementedpixie · 28/09/2017 14:35

Ds has a projecting one that projects the time onto the ceiling. So does dh

MipMipMip · 28/09/2017 14:36

Could you get a clock radio? I have to cover mine up at night because its too bright!

kaytee87 · 28/09/2017 14:36

If I had a clock that was lit up all night, it would disturb my sleep. I thought that was why you had to press them.

Dixiebell · 28/09/2017 14:37

Thanks demented, I'm maybe being a bit fussy, but was hoping to get him something a bit more funky or exciting, there's loads of cool looking clocks in bright colours, or exciting features like talking or projecting the time on the ceiling....something a bit more birthday-ish! But can't find one of those with a permanently lit display. Feel ridiculous that I'm spending so much time online searching for a bloody alarm clock!

OP posts:
Appuskidu · 28/09/2017 14:39

Go for LED rather than LCD-I am the same, I like to be able to see the clock in the dark without having to actually move or press a button! There used to be pages of them in Argos for about £6.99 but seemingly no more?!

Dixiebell · 28/09/2017 14:41

Yeah I know some people would prefer one not lit up. He has his old groclock at the moment, which acts like a sort of nightlight, so that wouldn't bother him. I need the slightly older child's version of a groclock I think!

OP posts:
WhooooAmI24601 · 28/09/2017 14:43

A Lumie is like an older child's version of a gro clock. DS1 has one in his room and I do, too. You can see the time all through the night unless you choose to switch it off.

JaneCope · 28/09/2017 14:43

Ha! I am exactly the opposite. Trying to find one with an unlit display where you have to press a button to see the time. I am probably being dim when I read the descriptions, but could you let me know where I can buy one?! Thanks. For me the holy grail is a wake up lamp with an unlit display. I am not sure that such a thing exists...

JaneCope · 28/09/2017 14:45

Sorry, so excited about a clock discussion that I did not read your post properly OP. Will check out smiggle.

dementedpixie · 28/09/2017 14:48

www.argos.co.uk/product/2555223 dh had this one which projects all the time (has a switch to make it on constantly)

Dixiebell · 28/09/2017 16:26

Thanks for all the suggestions! Will have a look at them all. I like the look of the Lumie clocks, but not sure I want to pay quite that much! Have just found this too, so a possibility www.amazon.co.uk/Acctim-Portola-Multi-colour-Electric-Bedside/dp/B013WFO0WI/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1506606393&sr=1-1&keywords=portola+alarm+clock&tag=mumsnetforum-21

OP posts:
Firesuit · 28/09/2017 16:45

I wanted the same thing for myself, with the further restriction I wanted a battery one. It's incredibly difficult to find something that seems so basic.

I do have an Acctim one, not the one in the link, but it turns out if put somewhere that's higher than your head, the display isn't visible. The screen has some sort of filter so it's only viewable from certain angles. I have to stand it on its side then angle it so the display points to the centre of the bed, in order for the time to be readable from my pillow.

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