SONY Dream Machine AM/FM Clock Radio ICFC218BLACK SONY Dream Machine AM/FM Clock Radio ICFC218BLACK

Pros: Low price
Sony Quality
Decent radio
Nice big display for viewing without glasses
Easy set up
DST
Built in battery backup
Easy intuitive controls

Cons: None for me

Other Thoughts: This replaced an old Sony Dream Machine that finally died....20 years old. That old machine had a poor LCD display that could only be viewed at a certain angle, had digital radio and dual alarm. Turns out that I only listen to 1 station, and only ever used one alarm. It is amazing that I can buy a clock radio for 1/4 the cost and it works better than the old one 20 years later. Very satisfied with the new unit.

Pros: It's solidly built and it's one of the relatively few alarm clocks on the market today that doesn't have a red display (which is not exactly a happy color to wake up to). The range of settings is impressive, and nice for a change, you can choose the snooze time in 10 minute intervals, starting at the standard 10 minutes. You can set the time if you need to, but you may not need to as it sets the time automatically, including adjusting for daylight savings time. The alarm starts slow and gets faster and louder if you don't either get up to hit the snooze or turn it off. One of the nicer features is the battery back-up, which is a lithium battery that (at least according to Sony) lasts up to 250 hours, though I hope never to have to find out.

Cons: There aren't many, but there are a couple of things that could be slightly better. The switch to turn off the alarm is difficult for me to find in the morning and I don't like to mess with it when I run the risk of waking the better half up. The only other thing that I consider an issue at all is the size. It's not huge, but they could probably cut the size in half without a problem.

Other Thoughts: This is not the first Sony Dream Machine that I've owned, but it is the first in a number of years. My previous Dream Machine lasted for 10 years until it was knocked off of my dresser onto my (at the time) hard wood floor. I should have bought another one right away, but I waited and got something that cost $5 or so less. In the 8 years since my previous Dream Machine and this one I have gone through multiple alarm clocks. I have no idea why I waited to buy another one, but if I manage to break this one I'm buying another Dream Machine to replace it