List Price: $139.95Amazon.com's Price: $81.32 You Save: $58.63 (42%)as of 11/08/2009 12:34 EST
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Binding: Electronics
Brand: Sangean
Color: WHITE
EAN: 0729288050438
Item Dimensions: 650650300400
Label: Sangean America, Inc.
Manufacturer: Sangean America, Inc.
Model: RCR-3
MPN: RCR-3
Publisher: Sangean America, Inc.
Studio: Sangean America, Inc.
Features:- Radio controlled clock
- Large lcd display
- 14 station preset
- 4 wake up timers
- Pll tuners
Accessories:
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Connects To Us Atomic Clock To Set Most Accurate Time Available; Dual Alarms; Wake To Radio Or Alarm; Humane Waking System; Sleep Timer From 15 Min2 Hours; Aux Input; Adjustable Alarm Buzzer Level; Easy-To-Read Lcd Display
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
I was torn between the venerable Proton/Sangean RS-330 and the RCR-3. The RS-330 has been the de-facto ultimate clock radio, one of the last great ones from the early 90s when Proton, Nakamichi, and others produced high-end alarm clocks. At the same time, the RS-330 hasn't been updated in nearly 20 years. No CD player, no atomic clock synchronization, uses vacuum fluorescent displays which fade over time and aren't all that energy efficient (~$20/year to run the RS-330 and RS-332). So, I hesitantly bought the RCR-3 with the atomic clock feature being my primary requirement, still wishing I could get all of these features PLUS the great sound & slave clock of the RS-330.
The RCR-3 is quite simply the best alarm clock I've ever had. Totally exceeded all of my expectations. The more you use this clock radio the more you realize just how much thought was put into it. I'm planning on buying two more, one for the other side of the bed and one for my office. Might even get one for the kitchen.
Pros:
4 alarms, programmable by day-of-week. Each alarm has a separate button on the face of the clock and the actual buttons illuminate to signal which alarm(s) are turned on. The alarm button currently going off blinks to indicate such. I also appreciate that the backlighting fades up to 100% when the alarm is going off. To show the level of thought put into the alarm clock, the alarm's beeper will sound instead of the radio if the radio station's signal is low/off-air. Alarm volume (beeper and wake-to-radio) is separate from radio playback (sleep) volume. Programming the alarms is quite simple as well. Push the alarm button, then push SET and just arrow up/down. No finger gymnastics of trying to hold multiple buttons down or having to go all the way around the dial because you missed the time you wanted.
The digital radio tuner is rather good. I'm picking up FM stations from ~80 miles away crystal clear. AM reception is clear, full-range audio, and rejects interference well.
Sound quality is good, great for its size. It's been many years since I've heard a Proton clock radio, but this sounds very close. Bass depth is impressive and balanced, particularly for a radio of this size. It doesn't suffer from the boxy exaggerated mid-bass many small speakers suffer from. I've heard worse sound out of much larger speakers. I work with and own many pieces of professional (Meyer) & audiophile (Bowers & Wilkins) sound equipment yet am still impressed by this little radio. It's not at the same level by any means as the sound is heavily coloured, particularly the midrange, but it's quite enjoyable.
Large analogue clock: I'm terribly near-sighted. Digital clocks usually require that I put on my glasses to read them. The clock is also very quiet when advancing to the next minute. Even the lightest sleeper wouldn't be bothered by it. No second hand ticking either.
Dimmer: Full range dimmer. From bright enough to read by to 0% brightness, only going to 100% momentarily when you push any button. There's even a night-light button on the front of the clock that will turn the backlighting up to 100%.
Energy efficient: Uses less than 1 watt on standby, even with backlighting at 100%. Compare this to my old typical alarm clock which used 8 watts on standby. I know this sounds insignificant, but considering it's using this 24/7, it adds up over time. Figure 1 watt * 24 hrs * 365 days = 8.76kWh/year , 8 watts =70kWh/year. Multiply this by the # of clocks you have plugged into the house and you're starting to talk about decent money.
Thin plug/power cord. I know some people dislike power transformers (wall warts), but I'd much rather thread a small DC power connector through things than try to fit a full-size AC plug through an already-too-crowded wire hole in furniture. It also is safer and easily replaced if it gets pinched between the bedframe & wall, etc.
The negatives?
Lack of a backup battery. See my solution below. Sure, it has that backup capacitor AND it does show the time on the digital screen while the power is out, BUT the alarm won't sound if the power's out when the alarm is supposed to start.
No line out. I've not hooked this radio up to my bedroom's Bowers & Wilkins stereo yet, but I would prefer to do so via line out rather than headphone jack.
No HD tuner / CD player. Okay, there's a line-in for this, but I wanted just one piece of equipment on the nightstand. MP3 playback via SD card would be awesome.
No remote control. Why a remote control for a clock radio? Because the sound quality on this clock radio is better than many mini stereos!
No Stereo/slave unit. Not that it's entirely needed with atomic clocks that can sync themselves, I'd love to have the master/slave clock setup that the RS-330 ... Read More
Rating:  -
The manual is very poor, many things on the display are not explained. The analog clock would sync up with the digital, then a few hours later the hands would be spinning. I spent a weekend with this thing moving the antenna, trying manual settings, no luck. I really wanted a radio with good reception, and Sangean is known for that. As much as I tried this thing had to be returned.
Rating: -
Extremely versatile with 4 different alarm settings that can be set by day of the week. So if you need to wake up at a different time on the weekend, rather than the weekday, you just set another alarm to on go off on weekends. You never have to change your settings.
Read the instructions. Everyone complains about the instructions being unclear, but if you follow them exactly as they are written.....set up is a breeze.
Some complain about no battery back up, but you don't need it as it saves your settings to memory (even when you lose power). And since it is an atomic clock, it automatically searches for the time when the power comes back on.
It is a very attractive and sleek design. Well worth the price. You will be blown away by the sound quality and its ability to tune in stations that other radios cannot.
Amazon shipped it fast (as always).
Rating: -
Most highly recommended! This is the last alarm clock you'll ever need to buy.
Pros:
The radio is sensitive - much better reception than the radio it replaces. The sound is loud and clear, the tone control helps. The AM and FM channels are easy to set - the tuning button allows for up and down and you just push one of the top located buttons until the channel is memorized. There's both a nap button which allows you to nap a bit before the alarm goes off. There's an auxiliary jack on the back to plug an iPod in but there is no charging provision. There is a headphone jack for private listening. It automatically scans the AM and FM bands and sets the channels to the strongest stations in your area. You can override them simply.
The clocks are easy to read. The LCD display up on top and the big and clear analog down below. They're locked together so that setting one sets both. The clock sets itself either manually or automatically picking up the WWV signal from Colorado. One button changes daylight savings time on and off.
The alarm uses the Human Waking System which gently rises in volume on both the buzzer or radio. There are four separate alarms that you can use. I work a 9/80 schedule so one is set for five days a week and another is set for four days a week. The alarm light glows to tell you which is in affect. The snooze button is large and located on top. When the alarm goes off the clock comes to full brightness and the analog face glows a nice orange. Otherwise the display's brightness can be adjusted with a knob on the bottom. When the alarm goes off the brightness is enough to act as a nightlight to maneuver around the room - a nice touch. There's two buzzer alarms and two radio alarms - you can set the alarm to go off with any memorized radio station. If the radio station's signal isn't strong enough the clock will sound the buzzer.
The build is solid. It doesn't feel cheap at all. The buttons are easy to use.
Cons:
To silence the alarm you can tap the large top mounted snooze button but to shut it off you have to tap the small power button on the face. I suppose this makes sure a sleeper who might drift off back to sleep is fully awake to find that small button. There is no battery back-up for the clock.
Overall this is a fine clock radio with a modern design and features.
Rating: -
Nearly everything I would ever want. US Naval Observatory radio time, digital radio tuner, analog display, multiple alarms, gradual volume increase on alarms, and it looks great. The only changes I would request include a better manual and HD Radio tuner.
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