Timer Review: Time Tracker Visual, Time Tracker Mini, Stoplight Golight, Time Timer Plus, Dataxx, Amco Color Alert
For the past year and a half we have participate in a home school community called Classical Conversations (www.classicalconversations.com). Last year I tutored a class of 4-6 year olds and although I had a blast, keeping our class on schedule was a major challenge. In addition to our weekly student presentations (each child has 3 minutes to present on a chosen weekly topic), I have 30 minutes to present 7 topics of new grammar; which breaks down to only about 4 minutes per subject! I tried various apps for my iPhone, but found them frustrating to use as my screen kept going into power-save mode, they drained my battery, and I had to keep switching between setting the timer and trying to teach.
This year I knew I needed something that could help explain elapsing time to a 4 year old and keep me on track during the day. It would also be nice to have something that I could use at home- as my 5 year old has resorted to counting to 60 whenever I tell him "wait a minute" and constantly asks if time is up for anything longer- brushing teeth, watching TV, independent reading, when snack will be ready, how long he has when we are trying to get ready, homework, etc.
I looked at the following timers (and have included the amazon links for reference):
Pros: Good size, like that there is a warning yellow light when time is almost up (you can choose the increment), audible alarm option, can either buy an AC adaptor (sold separately) or unit uses 4 AA batteries.
Cons: Most expensive of timers I looked at, appears complicated to operate, doesn't look like it would hold up well if dropped, not a fan of the verbal alarm phrases- too disruptive but they can be muted.
Pros: I like the size and portability of this timer
Cons: Can only be set in 5 minute increments with a minimum time of 5 minutes, no child-proof controls, uses 3 AA batteries
Pros: I like that it give you a warning yellow light before time is up, most inexpensive
Cons: I'm not a fan of a strobing light and the green only works if the timer is set 10+ minutes. Audible ticking as timer counts down, poor quality control, maximum time of 60 minutes, uses 2 AA batteries
Pros: Very easy to operate (my 5 year old can easily set it), only uses one AA battery, the plastic cover keeps little hands from ripping the red disc, high contrast and 7" size makes it visible from across the room, can set to any amount of time using simple twist knob, no ticking, ability to adjust alarm volume.
Cons: Very simple construction, no child-proof controls, maximum time of 1 hour, cannot be plugged in- will have to wait and see how long before the battery needs replaced.
I plan to use mine in class next Monday and will write a more detailed review of it's operation afterwards.
Pros: Simple to use; just flip up the number of minutes and it starts counting down, ability to choose which model works best for your application based on most frequently used preset times
Cons: No warning that time is almost up, cannot customize length of time
Pros: Child-proof controls, appears to be durable construction, ability to plug in or use batteries for portability, can set highly visual design with easy to understand concept- my 2 year old understands how a traffic light works: red means stop, green means go!
Cons: Yellow light does not work (only for decoration), expensive, timer has to be set by counting how many hours until as opposed to entering a time (example: 8 hrs vs 7AM), lights seem backwards for some activities- red light stays on during timing and green comes on when time's up. I may decide to open it up and see if I can switch the lenses, so that the green light would stay on until the timer reached zero. It would also be great if I could figure out a way to get the yellow light to activate when there is one minute or 30 seconds remaining.
I want to disclose that I requested and did receive a Time Timer Plus to review. I also requested a Stoplight Golight timer on two separate occasions but as of yet have not had a reply from the company. The Time Tracker and Time Tracker mini I was able to check out at my local education supply store in town. Both seemed very cheaply made and I decided that I definitely wanted to wait and find a better solution. I was not able to see the Dataxx or Amco timers in person to evaluate but decided they would not fit my needs for the following reasons; the Dataxx did not have a 4 minute preset timer option (although the blue model does have a 3 minute timer setting), and the Amco made an audible ticking sound and the yellow warning light only worked if the timer was set for over 10 minutes. In the end, I think I prefer the Time Timer Plus for classroom use (4 minute intervals and 3 minute presentations as well as the 30 minute activity periods) and the Stoplight Golight for home tasks- morning wakeup, cleaning room, etc. Overall, the Time Timer seems to be the most versatile for home and school use but it's the only one I was able to test out in person, perhaps I would find the Stoplight Golight more durable and easy to use in the classroom despite the backwards color indicators.
This year I knew I needed something that could help explain elapsing time to a 4 year old and keep me on track during the day. It would also be nice to have something that I could use at home- as my 5 year old has resorted to counting to 60 whenever I tell him "wait a minute" and constantly asks if time is up for anything longer- brushing teeth, watching TV, independent reading, when snack will be ready, how long he has when we are trying to get ready, homework, etc.
I looked at the following timers (and have included the amazon links for reference):
Time Tracker Visual Timer and Clock (suggested retail $40)
http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Tracker-Visual-Timer/dp/B0007DHU0S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407873702&sr=8-1&keywords=time+trackerPros: Good size, like that there is a warning yellow light when time is almost up (you can choose the increment), audible alarm option, can either buy an AC adaptor (sold separately) or unit uses 4 AA batteries.
Cons: Most expensive of timers I looked at, appears complicated to operate, doesn't look like it would hold up well if dropped, not a fan of the verbal alarm phrases- too disruptive but they can be muted.
Time Tracker Mini (suggested retail $25)
http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Time-Tracker-Mini/dp/B004DJ373G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407873262&sr=8-1&keywords=timer+kidsPros: I like the size and portability of this timer
Cons: Can only be set in 5 minute increments with a minimum time of 5 minutes, no child-proof controls, uses 3 AA batteries
Amco Color Alert Timer (suggested retail $12)
http://www.amazon.com/Amco-8835-Color-Alert-Timer/dp/B0053F7Y8S/ref=pd_sim_t_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=03NMKCKPGTC4QGWZQMGTPros: I like that it give you a warning yellow light before time is up, most inexpensive
Cons: I'm not a fan of a strobing light and the green only works if the timer is set 10+ minutes. Audible ticking as timer counts down, poor quality control, maximum time of 60 minutes, uses 2 AA batteries
Time Timer Plus (suggested retail $30)
http://www.amazon.com/EDUCATORS-RESOURCE-Time-Timer-Plus/dp/B00FVE3LGU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407873839&sr=8-1&keywords=time+timer+plusPros: Very easy to operate (my 5 year old can easily set it), only uses one AA battery, the plastic cover keeps little hands from ripping the red disc, high contrast and 7" size makes it visible from across the room, can set to any amount of time using simple twist knob, no ticking, ability to adjust alarm volume.
Cons: Very simple construction, no child-proof controls, maximum time of 1 hour, cannot be plugged in- will have to wait and see how long before the battery needs replaced.
I plan to use mine in class next Monday and will write a more detailed review of it's operation afterwards.
Datexx Miracle Cube (suggested retail $17 each)
http://www.amazon.com/Datexx-Miracle-Cube-Timer-Purple/dp/B00889AV9A/ref=pd_sim_k_16?ie=UTF8&refRID=0HG2NGQFFQJ8TTEBD2C8Pros: Simple to use; just flip up the number of minutes and it starts counting down, ability to choose which model works best for your application based on most frequently used preset times
Cons: No warning that time is almost up, cannot customize length of time
Stoplight Golight Timer (suggested retail $30)
http://www.amazon.com/Stoplight-Golight-Timer-Yellow-Black/dp/B00CB9G7ZU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407873550&sr=8-1&keywords=stoplight+golight+timerPros: Child-proof controls, appears to be durable construction, ability to plug in or use batteries for portability, can set highly visual design with easy to understand concept- my 2 year old understands how a traffic light works: red means stop, green means go!
Cons: Yellow light does not work (only for decoration), expensive, timer has to be set by counting how many hours until as opposed to entering a time (example: 8 hrs vs 7AM), lights seem backwards for some activities- red light stays on during timing and green comes on when time's up. I may decide to open it up and see if I can switch the lenses, so that the green light would stay on until the timer reached zero. It would also be great if I could figure out a way to get the yellow light to activate when there is one minute or 30 seconds remaining.
I want to disclose that I requested and did receive a Time Timer Plus to review. I also requested a Stoplight Golight timer on two separate occasions but as of yet have not had a reply from the company. The Time Tracker and Time Tracker mini I was able to check out at my local education supply store in town. Both seemed very cheaply made and I decided that I definitely wanted to wait and find a better solution. I was not able to see the Dataxx or Amco timers in person to evaluate but decided they would not fit my needs for the following reasons; the Dataxx did not have a 4 minute preset timer option (although the blue model does have a 3 minute timer setting), and the Amco made an audible ticking sound and the yellow warning light only worked if the timer was set for over 10 minutes. In the end, I think I prefer the Time Timer Plus for classroom use (4 minute intervals and 3 minute presentations as well as the 30 minute activity periods) and the Stoplight Golight for home tasks- morning wakeup, cleaning room, etc. Overall, the Time Timer seems to be the most versatile for home and school use but it's the only one I was able to test out in person, perhaps I would find the Stoplight Golight more durable and easy to use in the classroom despite the backwards color indicators.
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