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The CL-PJ1 is a highly
accurate digital quartz clock (not an atomic clock). In the LCD panel on the
base and in the projected image, the time is displayed as hour and minutes
in your choice of 12-hour format with PM, or 24-hour format
(switch-selectable). A flashing colon (:) between hour and minutes
indicates the passage of seconds. An alarm icon (sound waves) appears
along with the time when the alarm is on, and Zz appears along with the
alarm icon when the optional snooze function is on. The LCD panel just
over 1 inch wide and 7/16 inch tall. The hour and minutes digits in it are
5/16 inch tall.
The projected image from this clock is
big, bold, and bright. Unlike most projection clocks, this one projects in
a pleasant shade of green. We tested the projector in our low-light test
lab (the windowless restroom in our warehouse). With the clock on the
floor, the image was still visible (and about 1 foot in height) on the
10-foot ceiling. We also found that the black focusing ring on the top of
the projection unit works very well. If the alarm and snooze are on,
you'll see their icons in the projected image. The projection unit can be
angled to about 20°
from vertical in any direction and can also be rotated about 325°. With this flexibility in
adjustment, it's almost
impossible to not find an ideal location for the projected image.
Note: With the alarm turned
off on this clock, the projection is also turned off. For the clock to
project when you tap it, the alarm (with or without snooze) must be on.
The CL-PJ1's alarm sounds with a series
of beeps for about 30 seconds and then turns off automatically if not
silenced by the user. As mentioned above, you tap on the clock base to
turn the alarm off. Do this with snooze on, and the alarm sounds again
after 8 minutes. Do this with snooze off, and the alarm resets for the
next day. To turn the alarm off permanently, you must set the
alarm/projection switch on the bottom of the clock base to X.
We found that to set the alarm, you
need to move the SETTING switch on the bottom of the clock base to SNOOZE
and then back to ALARM. You'll know that you're setting the alarm time
because the previously set alarm time appears instead of clock time and AL
is displayed below the time. When you're not setting the clock time or
alarm time, move the SETTING switch to LOCK unless you want the snooze
function on, in which case you set the switch to SNOOZE and enable the
alarm as described below.
The alarm/projection switch on the
bottom of the clock (the one mentioned above with the X setting for alarm
off) has three settings. The other two are an alarm icon (circle and waves) by itself and an alarm icon paired with a light bulb icon. Either
setting enables the alarm. Contrary to what is implied in the manual,
either setting also enables the projection function. The two-icon setting
causes the projector to go on when the alarm goes off.
The clock in the CL-PJ1 is powered by
one LR1130 button cell battery, which is included. The projector portion
is powered by three AAA (1.5V) batteries, which are also included. When
installing the button cell, be sure to place it in its holder first
(observing the proper polarity, of course) and then insert the holder into
its slot. Do not insert the battery directly into the slot because it can
fall through the opening at the back and get lost inside the clock base.
Because the CL-PJ1 is battery powered,
its projection is temporary (15 seconds with auto-off). If you want
constant projection, you must power the clock from an optional ac adapter
(120Vac 60Hz input, 6Vdc 300mA output, center positive dc plug). You can
purchase one on-line from Maverick as indicated in the manual.
It's not often you can pick up
a projection clock and feel the weight of metal. This unit weighs in at 10
ounces (284 grams). And you won't mar your
surfaces with the CL-PJ1 because it has three rubber feet on the
bottom to prevent it from slipping and sliding around.
With its metal construction, unique styling, and attractive price, the CL-PJ1 is a
real value. Of course this clock makes a perfect gift, but you'll probably want
one for
yourself, too. The CL-PJ1 is covered by a 1-year manufacturer's
limited warranty.
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