Coby AM/FM Dual Alarm Clock/Radio for iPod Docking CSMP162 (Black)

• Universal dock for iPod charges and plays your favorite iPod music
• Digital AM/FM radio
• Digital clock with 2 independent alarms and snooze/sleep timers, Wake up to your iPod, radio, or buzzer
• High-output, full-range stereo speakers
• 3.5mm audio line-in jack for use with any portable audio device (e.g., iPod shuffle), Full function remote control

This item looks cool and sounds good, but I'm sending it back for three reasons:

1) All of the item's controls are touch-sensitive pads on top, but they are completely flush so it's impossible to find them by feel. If you try to reach over and press the snooze button, you're likely to change the volume or the radio station instead. If you're sitting up, looking at the item with the lights on, the touch-sensitive controls are cool, but in a bedroom setting they're very frustrating.

2) The item includes a blue lamp, but it cannot be controlled separately from the red time display. There are three settings: lamp very bright and time normal; lamp dim and time almost too dim to read; and lamp and time both completely off. Since this is a -clockI'd like to be able to read the -timewithout having a blue lamp light up my room, but that's not possible. Ridiculous.

3) The item is larger than it seemed; my iPod Touch looks like a Nano when it's perched on top. Also, the depth is 4 inches, but the power plug sticks directly out the back so the effective depth is over 5 inches.

If you have a large nightstand, #3 might not bother you, but after experiencing #1 and #2, I had to wonder if Coby gave this any real-world testing before releasing it.

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It's okay for a clock/radio that you can dock and play your iPod. I bought it to use as an alarm clock to wake to my iPod Nano 2nd gen. I tried two other brands before getting the Coby. My decision was based on lights, style and features. I also went to Coby's website to peruse the online manual to learn a bit about this model before buying.

The clock has the classic red LED face instead of the backlit LCD found on many other clocks out there. There is a blue base light that can be turned down/off like Diana writes, but they only have the three settings mentioned in Arlo's review. I find the dim setting is good enough to read the clock in a dark bedroom.

The clean and simplistic design really attracted me to this model. I like the big, read across the room clock display and the shape mimics my Nano. To keep the clean all black look I bought a black insert from iHome. They sell them at their website as accessories to their docking systems. It doesn't have the tight toleances of Apple's insert, but it fits and it works and it's black!

The touch sensitive controls on top are tricky to use especially if you're not watching what you're doing. I suggest keeping the remote handy and learning the raised button placement by touch. Don't anticipate full, rich sound either it's a clock/radio, not a HiFi stereo. However, I was able to set my Nano's EQ to help with that aspect.

In the end, as a clock/radio you can use your iPod with, it works. Is there a little adjustment to using it? Isn't there always when you get something new & different?

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Not intuitive to use at all. The "buttons" at the top are not practical and really frustrating. There are better options out there. Do not waste your time.

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I wanted a digital tuning alarm clock radio with a red LED display, these seem to be most soothing at night and more visible without my glasses (short sighted). Been looking for years, finally found this one to replace an old Sony with rotary tuning.

But: Digital tuning is best because one can have pre-sets. This unit doesn't have pre-sets.

Red LEDs are indeed soothing but this unit has a blue light shining from under the main section. Had to fix that with some black tape! It's impossible to turn off the blue light completely, despite what the manual promises. It is possible to turn off the red LEDs completely, which can be confusing. The number display is large, very visible but legibility is hampered by the 1970s era number style.

Sound quality is awful, the speakers point downwards into a 1" gap under the clock (where the blue light is) and therefore sound very muffled.

Controls on top of the unit are based on touch sensitive areas that cannot be found by touch in the dark.

A small, easily lost remote is needed for many functions, such as turning on a sleep timer. Try doing that when you're tired and/or emotional.

I have yet to try the iPod dock. The sound quality does not inspire me to bother.

The smooth black top surface is truly excellent. At attracting dust.

No where in the manual is it described how one might cancel an alarm. Turns out you need the remote for that.

Opened the box on Christmas morning, plugged it in and it would play the ipod, but that was all it would do.

You can't adjust the time nor the volume by the remote or by the buttons on it.

Just not happy with it at all.