AcuRite® atomic digital alarm clock 13131, operating, front view, stock photo.
Back in 2010, we purchased three copies of the tabletop AcuRite atomic dual alarm 13131. Most impressive about this time piece is that it receives radio signals from the master atomic clocks in Colorado, and synchronizes itself most every night to those signals. So we review this AcuRite atomic dual alarm here.
So the time it displays is usually accurate to within one second of the official world time. Yet this seemingly complex digital alarm cost less than $18, when just several years earlier, We paid over $50 for a similar device (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, even though it was introduced a few years back.
The thick plastic case shows a dark gray finished metallic 21st century look; fits well in most any home or office styling
Though its display is big enough to qualify it as a wall style atomic table clock, this decently large clock is designed to set on a shelf, desk, bedside nightstand, or any flat surface that is out of the weather.
So no moving parts to wear out in this AcuRite atomic dual alarm clock. Quite cool, because even after several years, this all-electronic AcuRite atomic digital LCD alarm clock 13131 model timepiece performs just as well as the day we bought ours.
Of course, like all atomic clocks, the AcuRite dual alarm clock 13131 keeps highly accurate time as long as not too many days go by without it picking up the WWVB time sync signals through the built-in radio.
In addition, the 13131 also sets its date information from the WWVB atomic master clock radio signals. You need no internet subscription to benefit from this.
Setting the AcuRite atomic dual alarm clock 13131 model is simple. Just find the SELECT button at the top of the clock on the right side panel. Press and hold this button until the time zone element (the map of the US) begins flashing. Then, press this button repeatedly until the element you want to set flashes. Settable elements include time zone, daylight saving time operation, the time, and date. Then, with the desired element on the display flashing, use the UP and DOWN arrow keys (also located on the clock’s right side panel) to change the value of that element.
Since two AA batteries power the AcuRite atomic dual alarm clock 13131, it keeps ticking during power outages. Typical battery life exceeds a year when using fresh name brand long-life batteries. A new battery set might last more than two years. That’s surprising given the extra large size of its brightly lit LCD display and the fact that the radio draws additional power each night as it listens for the WWVB signal.
This unit gets the WWVB radio control signals from the atomic master clocks near Boulder, Colorado at just about any location throughout the US. So whether in a big city or off of a single-lane dusty drive in the country, this radio controlled model usually works quite well.
The included radio signal meter in the AcuRite® 13131 helps when positioning the unit for best WWVB reception.
The 13131 also displays the date, day, alarm status, PM indicator, and current time zone alongside and underneath the large time digits that are easy for even me to read from several feet away.
We especially like the indoor temperature readout in Fahrenheit.
Quite easy to read the 3-inch by 5-inch LCD display, so long as you have enough the ambient light. But if not, turn on the back light to see it.
The alarm signal from the AcuRite atomic dual alarm firmly arouses. But it’s not too loud. It does not jolt most people awake. Rather, it gently nudges them.
Plus, the blue LED back light, when activated by pressing the snooze / light button on top of this digital display, stays on for five seconds. Then it shuts off again, saving the batteries. Further, since this light is LED, its battery drain is indeed low. So do not worry about pressing that button a lot and running the batteries dead.
Costs less than $20. This radio controlled clock is cheap enough that one need not fret over a warranty. Should the unit fail, it’s inexpensive to buy again. But for those that care, the AcuRite® 13131 comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
Absolutely quiet operation; no ticking, unlike the analog style that feature an advancing second hand.
The AcuRite 13131 atomic clock uses no external power. So it can run remotely, off the grid, for years.
The indoor temperature readout on the AcuRite® 13131 atomic alarm tends to run several degrees higher than numerous other thermometers we’ve tested. All three of the 13131 clocks we own exhibit this as well. Better calibration of the thermometer inside may be in order.
The AcuRite atomic dual alarm model seems somewhat sensitive to position. That is, it picks up the atomic signals best when you position it broad-side to Colorado so that the signals hit this unit at near right-angles. If you position it at too great an angle from this, this atomic alarm might not always be able to receive enough radio control signal to lock to.
Even if you’ve positioned the 13131 properly, it does not receive the signal every night. Sometimes it can go for days without “hearing” from the master atomic clocks at the National Bureau of Standards and Technology. The signal is very susceptible to interference from electrical storms, power tools, and any device that produces arcing nearby. But fortunately, the built-in clock keeps pretty accurate time without frequent refreshes from WWVB.
This is NOT a projection model. That is, it does not project the current time and temperature readings on a wall for larger and easier viewing. However, its oversized LCD backlit display more than makes up for this itty bitty shortcoming.
No indications of outside weather conditions are displayed here; just the temperature of the area surrounding this model. Not intended to be operated outdoors.
Uses rather old-style, analog radio signals for its time source which, as mentioned above, can be unreliable. A handy improvement would be the addition of WiFi access to Internet time sources for users who have Internet.
This particular model is compatible 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 get, the less reliably these signals will be received.
The unit listens for the time signals only once per day, and at a preset time. However, the best time each night to pick up the WWVB broadcasts may not always be at this preset time, as it depends on location of the 13131, time of year, and other factors. Would be nice to be able to set this listen time, as well as the number of times each day this model listens for WWVB.
It’s a little big to be used as a travel clock.
In the main, We’re quite impressed with the amount of and generally good reliability of the technology contained in this affordable AcuRite® 13131 atomic alarm. But due to the temperature readout inaccuracy and the positional sensitivity discussed above, We’d rate this alarm a bit lower than perfect, and give it a 90 out of 100. Yet given its affordability, we nonetheless find the 13131 to be among the best atomic clocks we’ve played with.
I found mine at Walmart, and 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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