A Marmite Moment For Projection Clocks
The pre-Christmas online market seems awash with projection clocks, with a score of models elbowing for prominence in what could be a high-selling trend in affordable electronic gifts.
As gizmos go, they suffer from the Marmite effect. Some people love having the time projected on the bedroom wall through the night, so that they can open their eyes mid-doze and check the time without raising a head from the pillow or reach for the specs.
Others hate the idea, particularly those with a penchant for blackout curtains, who get disturbed by any overnight light, especially one that has movement every minute.
The well-rated mpow model, looks streamlined and simple.
Its ten centimetre LED display concentrates on telling the time, which it also projects through a 120-degree rotation.
Its FM radio and USB port for overnight phone charging add to its value and popularity.
The highly-lauded Oregon Scientific models look more clunky but are more generously featured.
The antique radio-style shaping of their RM313 Funky is accompanied by a display which also shows the date and room temperature – the latter reducing shocks on winter mornings.
It also sets the time from radio signals, so no more awkward fiddling after a power cut.
One for the kids, of all ages, is the Tardis Projection Clock, shaped like the good Doctor’s time travelling police box and even sounding like it when its alarm goes off, which is also, however, the only point at which its time projects on the wall.
Of the above, the mpow costs about £25 and the other two about £20, but there are plenty of others to choose from.
