Coby AM/FM Dual Alarm Clock/Radio for iPod Docking CSMP162 (Black)

Comment: The Coby iPod clock radio would make a better iPod speaker system without the clock and alarm. The time doesn't stay set properly. For example, I set my clock 5 minutes ahead of the time that's on the Weather Channel. Within a week or so, the time is now 7 minutes ahead of the weather channel time. A week or so after that it's now 10 minutes ahead of the time on the weather channel. I'm not sure how else to explain that oddity. If you don't use your iPod or the radio as the alarm, the regular alarm beep is the most annoying noise ever! It took me about a month to figure out how to make the alarm snooze via the remote (since that's the only way you can do it). And every time I need reset or adjust anything, I need to read the manual, because it's not easy to figure out. Also, there is no tech support, I've tried emailing the company several times with no answer. It's only Pro is the sound quality from the speakers for the iPod - it's quite good. I think I may just use it for that from now on. The radio reception is also terrible.

Comment: Not intuitive to use at all. The "buttons" at the top are not practical and really frustrating. There are better options out there. Do not waste your time.

Comment: It's okay for a clock/radio that you can dock and play your iPod. I bought it to use as an alarm clock to wake to my iPod Nano 2nd gen. I tried two other brands before getting the Coby. My decision was based on lights, style and features. I also went to Coby's website to peruse the online manual to learn a bit about this model before buying.

The clock has the classic red LED face instead of the backlit LCD found on many other clocks out there. There is a blue base light that can be turned down/off like Diana writes, but they only have the three settings mentioned in Arlo's review. I find the dim setting is good enough to read the clock in a dark bedroom.

The clean and simplistic design really attracted me to this model. I like the big, read across the room clock display and the shape mimics my Nano. To keep the clean all black look I bought a black insert from iHome. They sell them at their website as accessories to their docking systems. It doesn't have the tight toleances of Apple's insert, but it fits and it works and it's black!

The touch sensitive controls on top are tricky to use especially if you're not watching what you're doing. I suggest keeping the remote handy and learning the raised button placement by touch. Don't anticipate full, rich sound either - it's a clock/radio, not a HiFi stereo. However, I was able to set my Nano's EQ to help with that aspect.

In the end, as a clock/radio you can use your iPod with, it works. Is there a little adjustment to using it? Isn't there always when you get something new & different?

Comment: Like it. No problem with the light, can be turned off. Ease of use. Came with all accesories

Comment: This item looks cool and sounds good, but I'm sending it back for three reasons:

1) All of the item's controls are touch-sensitive pads on top, but they are completely flush so it's impossible to find them by feel. If you try to reach over and press the snooze button, you're likely to change the volume or the radio station instead. If you're sitting up, looking at the item with the lights on, the touch-sensitive controls are cool, but in a bedroom setting they're very frustrating.

2) The item includes a blue lamp, but it cannot be controlled separately from the red time display. There are three settings: lamp very bright and time normal; lamp dim and time almost too dim to read; and lamp and time both completely off. Since this is a -clock- I'd like to be able to read the -time- without having a blue lamp light up my room, but that's not possible. Ridiculous.

3) The item is larger than it seemed; my iPod Touch looks like a Nano when it's perched on top. Also, the depth is 4 inches, but the power plug sticks directly out the back so the effective depth is over 5 inches.

If you have a large nightstand, #3 might not bother you, but after experiencing #1 and #2, I had to wonder if Coby gave this any real-world testing before releasing it.