La Crosse Technology 404-1235UA-SS 14 Inch UltrAtomic Analog Stainless Steel Wall Clock

My wife hates the aesthetics, but I love the clock. I'm a form follows function guy. In my perception, the primary purpose of a clock to reliably display accurate time, which the La Crosse 404-1235UA clock does.One of the things I like about this clock is the robust electro-mechanical drive mechanism. Many large analog clocks are underpowered by a single AA battery and start losing time when the battery voltage drops just a little from a new voltage near 1.6V (nominal loaded voltage of a new Alkaline battery is 1.5V, but unloaded open circuit it is higher) to the mid 1.4s, which is still good enough for a flashlight, but not enough oomph to drive a large dial analog clock. This clock uses 2 larger capacity C size batteries in series so the voltage is double (1.5x2=3 volts), and you can optionally add another pair in parallel for more amp hours (a bigger tank of the same pressure).Setup was simple. I live on the coast in the Pacific Time zone at the base of a mountain range that obstructs our line toward the transmitting station in Colorado. The clock's default time zone is PT, so I didn't need to change any of the default settings. Simply put in new batteries and hung the clock on an interior wall downstairs, not near any windows. When the battery connection was made, the clock mechanism cranked around to 4 PM. About 5 minutes later (after hanging the clock on the wall) it cranked again to the correct time within a second of another La Crosse RCC (radio controlled clock) that I have nearby.I couple of comments on some of the earlier reviews (I read all 6 of them prior to purchase). My clock purchased from Amazon in October 2016 doesn't have the battery compartment issue or the wall standoff gap mentioned in other reviews. The batteries fit snug and the clock sits flush against the wall. Perhaps La Crosse updated the design? I do concur with accurate and descriptive comments about audible "ticking", so you wouldn't want it in your bedroom, but the ticking is minor and not an issue in our dining room.I've had several RCC clocks in the past. The newer ones seem to be more reliable than the models I tried in the 90s. I think the LCD models have an advantage in that they don't need a power-hungry mechanical drive mechanism, but I needed to replace a round analog clock in a prominent location.I did some research and discovered the new Phase Shift Modulation ( NIST aka PM or BPSK ~ Binary-Phase-Shift-Keying) technology, which NIST began transmitting in 2012. My understanding is that PM (or PSK) it somewhat comparable to RS-485 vs RS-232. The phase inversion results in a "differential" signal that is more robust than simple amplitude modulation (AM). PSK is now utilized in many binary radio standards like Bluetooth and Wireless LAN. Sounds good, unfortunately after an extensive web search, this is the only PM clock I found for sale. Fortunately, the La Crosse 404-1235UA clock is well built and seems to be robust.Update, August 2018, about 2 years after my initial 10/2016 purchase: My La Crosse 404-1235UA clock(s) have continued to perform flawlessly. Out of curiosity, I checked the battery voltage. After 22 months of operation each of the 4 Rayovac C cell batteries is reading 1.40 volts. I also purchased a 2nd clock about a year ago, and after 13 months of operation, its Duracell Procell batteries are measuring 1.48 volts.The reason I’m updating my comments is because one of my smaller analog clocks stopped working (not one of the clocks in this review), and since the La Crosse 404-1235UA clocks (I now have 2 of them) have easily been the best clocks I’ve ever owned, I wanted to get something similar, but smaller. I thought by now the market would be dominated by the newer more robust phase shift modulation (PM, or BPSK) signal compared to the legacy pulse width modulation (PWM, based on an amplitude modulation (AM) signal), however the La Crosse 404-1235UA clock is still the only device I can find (at consumer retail pricing) that advertises utilization of the newer PM signaling. The newer PM / BPSK format began broadcasting in 2012.In addition to my newer La Crosse 404-1235UA clocks, I also have a La-Crosse digital clock that as been performing flawlessly for about 5 years, and I think it uses the older PWM / AM signaling. I think the transmitting power was increased when the system was refurbished in 1999, which might explain why the newer clocks are more reliable than the ones I tried in the 1990s, however everything I’ve read indicates the newer PM / PBSK transmitting protocol is significantly more robust than the PWM / AM signaling, plus the mechanical drive mechanism of the La Crosse 404-1235UA is clearly more robust than the underpowered alternatives.In October 2016 I paid $61.76 plus sales tax for my first 404-1235UA. In July 2017 I paid $57.97 plus tax, and today (8/20/2018) Amazon’s price is down to $45.89, which seems like a bargain. As noted above, I think digital clocks that don’t need to physically drive a mechanical mechanism can operate reliably on less power, but I’m still looking for a round analog clock as robust as the La Crosse 404-1235UA but in a smaller size.

First off, when I opened the box, the second hand had fallen off. Maybe they dropped the box. I thought about sending it back, but decided to try to put the hand back on. It took a couple tries to figure out, but the trick is to power it on and let it go to the starting position and then put the second hand on exactly on the 12.After fixing that, it will set itself to atomic time and the hands line up fairly accurately with the indices. It can take 10 minutes or more for it to get the time signal, it is waiting a specific time marker and I guess those come every 15 minutes? I don't know the spacing, but it will get it and then set itself.This best thing is, unlike the atomic clocks I have had in the past, this one really works. It will receive the signa anywhere in the house as far as I can tell. The older atomic clocks I've had worked so poorly with reception that I gave up on them. This one really works.The clock is decent looking, but it is plastic and cheap, and priced accordingly. The tech is solid and well executed given the options you have on the back and the ability to add extra batteries. It is a solid 5. But, I wish more expensive quartz wall clocks had this newer atomic reception ability. I would so buy one. Even a nice digital clock with this tech would be great. But I would never buy a clock with the old tech after having this one. This is pretty cool having a precise time reference with which to set my watches to and not have to go to my phone.

My initial impression is very positive. Followed the setup procedures for time zone and such, then installed 4 batteries. I have three other atomic clocks, and receiving the WWVB signal can be a challenge (cinder block walls). This clock received the signal and set itself in 3-5 minutes max. It was amazing. It also has some smart features like eco mode to stop the second hand from running overnight to save battery power. My one complaint is they don't provide directions nor hardware to hang the clock. The "hanging hole" is poorly designed, not be wide enough to allow a large screw or hanger.

Nice finish, works well, but needed surprising C batteries (4) I did not have. Would have liked it more if it would be made in USA.

Set up was easy and quick having only to wait a few minutes before receiving the WWVB signal from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Fort Collins, CO. The clock is clear and visible from a distance. It is well made from stainless steel and doesnt look or feel cheap. Definitely worth the money and investment. I only used two "C" batteries as not to make it to heavy to hang. Clock runs extremely quiet except for a clunk sound every 15 seconds that you can barely hear. It's been working flawlessly and keeping accurate time. I'm very happy with this clock and recommend it for looks, quality and accuracy.