AcuRite® atomic digital alarm clock 13131, operating, front view, stock photo.
Back in 2010, we bought three copies of the tabletop AcuRite Atomic Alarm Clock 13131 and we review it here. Most impressive about this time piece is that it receives radio signals from the master atomic clocks in Colorado. It then syncs itself most every night to those signals. Thus the time it displays is almost always accurate.
So the time it displays is accurate to within one second of the official world time. Yet this seemingly complex alarm clock cost less than $18. But just several years earlier, we paid over $50 for a similar device. That was not however, an AcuRite® clock though. This is a great buy for all that you get in an atomic alarm clock. This clock remains about as modern an atomic clock as you can get. And that’s even though they introduced it over a decade ago.
The thick plastic case shows a dark gray metallic contemporary look. So it’s pretty neutral in most any home or office décor.
The display is big enough to qualify it as a wall style atomic table clock. Yet this decently large model sits well on a shelf, desk, bedside nightstand, or any flat surface.
So no moving parts to wear out. Quite cool, because even after several years, this all-electronic model performs just as well as the day we bought it.
Of course, like all atomic clocks, the AcuRite atomic alarm clock 13131 keeps highly accurate time. It does so as long as not too many days pass by without receiving the WWVB time sync signals.
Also, the 13131 sets its date from the WWVB atomic master clock radio transmissions, wirelessly. You need no subscription to use this clock’s accurate time keeping features.
Now the AcuRite atomic alarm clock 13131 model runs on two AA batteries. So it keeps ticking during power outages. Typical battery life exceeds a year when using fresh name brand batteries. A fresh set of alkaline cells can last more than two years normally. Surprising, given the extra large size of its display screen. Plus the fact that the radio draws more power each night when receiving the WWVB signals.
Receives the WWVB radio control signals from the atomic master clocks near Boulder, Colorado. Furthermore, it can pick up these signals at just about any location throughout the US. So live in a big city. Or live off of a single-lane dusty drive in the country. No matter where you are in the US, this atomic clock will usually work well for you.
The radio signal strength meter helps in positioning the clock for best WWVB signal.
The AcuRite 13131 also displays…
All this extra stuff shows up alongside and underneath the large time digits. These are easy for low vision users to read from a few feet away.
We especially like the deep blue yet bright LED back light provided and the indoor temperature readout too. These lamps fully light up the LCD display in a uniform fashion. That is, no one part of the LCD display is brighter than any other – not much anyhow.
The 3-inch by 5-inch LCD display is pretty easy to read overall. True, so long as the ambient light in the room is adequate. Otherwise, you must use the back light to see it.
The alarm is loud enough to firmly arouse but not so high in volume. It does not startle most people awake. Rather, gently nudges them.
Plus, the LED back light keeps glowing for five seconds. It then shuts off again, saving the batteries.
Further, since this back light is LED, its battery drain is indeed modest. So press that button a lot without fear about draining the batteries.
Setting the AcuRite atomic alarm clock 13131 model is a snap.
Costs less than $20. This clock is cheap enough that you need not fret over the warranty terms. Should the device fail, it’s inexpensive to replace. But for those that do care, the AcuRite 13131 comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
Absolutely quiet operation. No ticking. Unlike the analog style clocks that tick as they move a second hand around their faces.
The AcuRite Atomic Alarm Clock 13131 uses no outside power. So this clock can run remotely, off the grid, for years without a battery change.
The indoor temperature readout tends to run several degrees higher than other thermometers tested. All three of the 13131 clocks we own show this as well. So better calibration of the thermometer would be in order.
This alarm clock seems sensitive to position. That is, it picks up the atomic signals best when you position it broad-side to Colorado. This means that the signals hit this unit at near right-angles. But if you position it at too great an angle from this, this clock might not always sync.
Even if you’ve positioned the 13131 the right way, it does not get the signal every night. Sometimes it can go for days without “hearing” from the master atomic clocks at WWVB. The signal is indeed quite susceptible to noise from electrical storms, and power tools. But the built-in clock keeps pretty accurate time without frequent refreshes from WWVB.
This is NOT a projection atomic clock. That is, it does not project the current time and temperature readings on a wall for larger and easier viewing. However, its over sized LCD back lit display more than makes up for this little shortcoming.
No indications of outside weather conditions display here; just the temperature of the area around this clock. Not intended for outdoor use.
Uses rather old-style, analog radio signals for its time source which, as mentioned above, can be unreliable. A handy upgrade would be to add WiFi access to internet time sources.
This model works with the National Bureau of Standards atomic time signals. So, it likely will only work well in places inside or within a thousand or two miles of the US. The further away you are, the less reliable these signals.
The clock listens for the time signals only once per day, and at a preset time. But the best time each night to pick up the WWVB broadcasts may not always be at this preset time. Why not? It depends on location of the 13131, time of year, and other factors.
So it would be nice to be able to set this listen time. Also it would be useful to set the number of times it listens each day as well.
It’s a little big for a travel clock.
In the main, We like the good reliability of the technology in this affordable AcuRite 13131 atomic alarm clock. But due to the temperature readout problems and the positional sensitivity discussed above, we rate this clock a bit lower. So we give it a 90 out of 100. Yet because of how little it costs, the 13131 rivals the best atomic clocks we tested.
We found ours at Walmart. But this unit is widely available from online vendors. However, We’ve not seen it in any other brick-and-mortar shops to date.
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