PROS:
- Easy to Program
- Easy to Read Display
- User Replaceable Backup Batteries (Two L44 button cell)
- Runs Without Batteries
- Takes Only One Slot In a Vertical Two Slot Socket System
- Time and Switches can be set by as little as one minute
- Override On Switch
- No bright light emitting from the device
CONS:
- No Override Off Switch
- Limited to only turn on and off once per day
- Can take up two slots horizontally
- No temporary backlit display feature
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
I've owned a Woods digital timer and it worked fine until the internal battery died in it. The bad part about the Woods timer is that the battery wasn't user replaceable! As soon as I opened the package and saw the battery compartment I was excited to see this feature! I first bought this because it was the cheapest digital based timer switch I could find and it didn't mention anything about a backup battery in the unit or that it was user replaceable.
My main concern about this item was if I could set it to turn off in one minute and turn back on. I have a skype phone which works fine, but every now and then it needs the unit to be reset (power turned off and on). So this device fit the bill perfectly with added features I didn't expect. Since it is digital it doesn't make any sound as a manual based timer (the ones with a circle based clock with plugs or pins you'd place to set it). Again the user replaceable battery feature is nice because obviously you can replace them yourself and it remembers your settings if the power happens to go out.
It is rather simple to program as in to set your times by just holding down either the TIME or ON or OFF button and then press the hour or minute button to set it. Since the display isn't backlit then you might want to program this in a well lit area or take your flashlight when trying to program it. This really isn't a bad thing since I'd prefer the display to be off during the night, but it would be a welcome feature to have when programming the device. the device does also offer a override on switch, but no off switch. Not a big deal for me, but if you want to forcefully turn it off then you will have to unplug it. It isn't very tall so it doesn't take up that much space in a two slot socket, but in a six based socket it might about two sockets worth of space horizontally.
It uses two button cell batteries (LR1130) 1.5 volt or more commonly known as L44 which aren't that expensive to get and used in most devices such as laser pointers, led keychains, etc... You can also extract these type of batteries from an A23 Energizer 12 volt battery which contains 8 of these button cell (1.5 volt) batteries, but just hidden inside the energizer wrapper. So it is fairly easy to obtain these batteries, but I can't comment on how long they will last in the device. The device seems to be able to run without the batteries plugged in as well and that is a plus if you don't care if it remembers your settings (especially if power outages isn't that common in your area).
Other technical details left out were that it can power supposedly a 600 watt device at 5 amps. This unit has only two prongs and only accepts two prong devices which can be a plus or minus depending what you plan to do with this device. Also lastly I can't really comment on the reliability, but so far so good and it appears to be a good solid construction. Stanley 38424 TimerMax Digislim Daily Digital Indoor Timer, White
Stanley 38424 TimerMax Digislim Daily Digital Indoor Lamp Timer, WhiteWe have candles in each of our windows hooked up to timers and have replaced many of the analogue ones over the years. I first bought model 38425 which is identical to 38424 (this one) BUT came in a package of 2; so they were half the price of 38424 (Amazon no longer sells 38425). Anyway, I bought 10 to try and loved them so I bought another 9: the best features are
1. Extremely easy to use
2. Large screen numerals
3. Battery backup (a godsend as we typcially lose electricity in the summer and winter seasons)
4. Will run without the batteries
5. Does not block other outlet
Another reviewer noted a con as only on-off once per day; but this is the reason I bought them. I had previously purchased another brand that had multiple settings for every day but WAY too complicated to set for my needs.
Have used an old fashioned mechanical timer for years, and not infrequently, returned from being away and found that there had been a power outage, so the timer was wrong by the amount of time the power was off. Not the greatest thing when you're using it to make the place look occupied by turning lights on and off at appropriate times! Not long after we got this unit, we had a brief several minute power outage, and the battery backup of the settings worked as advertised.
The reason we selected this specific unit was comments from other users that the internal batteries were user replaceable (a couple of button cells). A second factor was that it had to have a load-bearing capacity to handle an electric blanket - it does, and works fine.
This timer has been reviewed in detail by another AMAZON purchaser. I agree with what has previously been said. Its merits are simplicity of operation, low cost relative to other units and a nice form factor. I have purchased 5 of them so far and use them as lamp timers (to turn on morning lights in our living room and family room) and to limit standby current use in appliances. Given their low cost, they are useful for that purpose. I also use a GE -branded surge strip I have not seen on Amazon (for about $20) which allows more programming complexity and multiple appliances to be plugged into one timer (eight max). I am impressed with the quality of the Stanley (no bad units so far). The lack of a backlight is not a deal-breaker for me since these are designed for "set and forget use") IMO. - Lamp Timer - Programmable Timer - Indoor Timer - Programmable Digital Timer'
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