Bought this portable talking alarm clock, model #6300452 at that electronics store in 2012 locally. Here, we review the Radio Shack 6300452 talking alarm clock Although its somewhat distorted female voice could sound better, this clock gives blind and vision impaired users a convenient way to hear what the current time is.
Thrilling to see that Radio Shack is once again carrying digital talking clocks, as their prices on them are generally cheaper than what you find at the visual aids stores online. This is another fully accessible, voice enabled clock, that announces the current time of day as well as the alarm settings, with clear and pleasing female vocals. At under $15, almost anyone can afford one, and even if you’re very rich, you could still benefit from the ease of operation of this clock, especially if you are vision challenged or sightless.
Radio Shack 6300452 Talking Clock Review: Benefits, Pros, Advantages, and Features
Blind Friendly Clock
This is a highly accessible clock for the blind and vision impaired. All featured can be operated by the blind with the five buttons on the top and the volume control on the right side. These include time and alarm setting, selection of alarm sound (cuckoo, rooster, or beeps), hourly time announce, current time announce, snooze, alarm on off toggle, and reset operations. The clock provides audible feedback via voice prompts and tones as the time and alarm-setting functions are actuated.
Easy to Read LCD Display
It has a large, high-contrast digital display that remains active at all times, so that sighted or low-vision folks can see the current time without having to press the button.
Intelligible Voice
The voice is understandable and easy to hear tens of feet away when the three-position volume control is set to maximum.
Radio Shack 6300452 Talking Clock Review: Battery Powered
The unit is battery-powered by two AA alkaline batteries, that can last over a year.
Keeps Good Time
It keeps accurate time. We ran it alongside the DVR for a couple of weeks, and the two clocks never got out of sync.
Back Lamp Included
A bright amber LED backlight illuminates the display for nearly five seconds each time the TALKING/SNOOZE/LIGHT button is pressed.
Hourly Time Announcements Option
This digital clock can also be configured to announce the time hourly, at the top of each hour.
Radio Shack 6300452 Talking Clock Review: Lots of Loudness
The speaker, found at the back, is less than an inch in diameter. Yet it is surprisingly loud. When placed near to and facing a wall, the wall reflects the voice sounds back into the room for great across-the-room volume. Plus, an icon appears on the display to show when hourly announce and alarm features are turned on.
Alarm Stop for 24 Hours Button
When stopping the alarm sound, you do not have to turn the alarm completely off on this unit. You can still do that if desired. But if you want to just stop the current alarm but still have it sound again the next day, then just press the stop-alarm-for-24-hours button (the MIN button). With this feature, you need not remember to turn the alarm back on for the next day.
Reset Button
You can restore factory default settings by pressing the recessed reset button with a sharp object.
Audible Time Announce Convenient for Most Everyone
The talk feature helps even fully sighted people, who do not want to have to look at the clock to get the time. They can just press the TALKING/SNOOZE/LIGHT button to hear the time. This is the biggest of the five buttons on the top of the unit. So it’s quite easy to locate, even in the dark.
Lightweight
The unit weighs in at just 5.6 ounces, and that includes the batteries. So it makes a great travel clock. Just pack it so that vibration and shock do not accidentally press the buttons during travel. Otherwise, you might run the batteries down by the time you reach your destination.
Radio Shack 6300452 Talking Clock Review: Low Cost to Buy
We paid $20 for this talking clock, which seemed reasonable and affordable for such a device. No need for an extended warranty, though they did offer one.
Radio Shack 6300452 Talking Clock Review: Disadvantages, Problems, Limitations, and Cons
A Button Lock Feature Would Be Useful
Be sure to remove the batteries before packing this clock into a backpack or suitcase, lest you hear it repeatedly chiming while riding in a bumpy train or car. The motion can press the talk button.
Unevenly Lit Display
While the amber back lamp does not uniformly illuminate the LCD display, there is enough light over the whole screen to see all the numbers when it’s dark.
No Date Announce Function
Neither displays nor announces the current date. No calendar functions whatsoever.
Radio Shack 6300452 Talking Clock Review: Our Rating
We like the Radio Shack 6300452 talking alarm clock. It’s cheap, easy to operate, and fully accessible to the blind. It lasts a long time before needing new batteries. Plus, its voice is clear (enough) and loud. A big thumbs-up to Radio Shack for once again offering such a useful and affordable clock for the vision impaired. Thus, we rate this little clock at 95 out of 100.
Where To Buy The Radio Shack 6300452 Talking Clock
Now that most (if not all) Radio Shack stores have closed, you may have to look for this talking clock as a used item online, at eBay or Amazon. Look for the silver trim on the front that surrounds the easy-to-read LCD display, with the black and shiny plastic case. It comes in a gray, red, and white box, along with a users guide.
Comments
2 responses to “Radio Shack 6300452 Talking Clock Review”
I thought that this was a pretty neat clock. Glad we got a second clock for your living room.
It’s still working after more than two years. With just a bit of care, these things last virtually forever.