Alarm Clock

Bob, not sure which watch you found but here is a much cheaper option that includes a vibrating alarm. It's $35

I also concur that a small vibration on my wrist works just as well if not better than an audible alarm. I use a fitbit fitness tracker that includes this feature and I've never slept through its alarm.

Jesse, I believe that it is Roger that likes the vibrating alarm, not me.

Besides, that is only two or three times what a normal digital wristwatch costs.

–B.G.–

Bob, I understand, I was just trying to present another option. Sure, it's not a cheapie basic watch and it has more function than most really needs in a watch which I'm sure leads to the increased price.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I do find that a vibrating alarm wakes me much better than an audible alarm (that is when I don't wake up before it goes off, which is my normal routine). I also find that it is a less startling way to wake up. Enough to break me out of my sleep cycle but not cause a heart attack.

Good luck in your hunting. After seeing the thousands of options just on Amazon, that's a rabbit hole I'm not sure I want to enter.

This is an ultralight backpacking website. We do not take alarm clocks in the wilderness.

–B.G.–

"This is an ultralight backpacking website. We do not take alarm clocks in the wilderness."

That's a nonsequitur.

When is wilderness required for ultralightweight backpacking?

–B.G.–

"This is an ultralight backpacking website. We do not take alarm clocks in the wilderness."

Not all of us are early birds. Some of us (yes, I'm one) won't be on the trail until close to noon if we don't have something to wake us up. This can be critical in areas where afternoon thunderstorms start about 2 pm and we need to get our exposed mileage done in the early morning. Ditto if it's going to be a scorcher of a day and we want to be on the trail at the crack of dawn while it's still cool.

I'm following this thread with interest, because I'm still trying to find something that's loud enough to wake me up when my head is buried in the fluffy down of my sleeping bag hood. I might look for one of those vibrating jobs (the cheaper one).

Why oh Why? Aren't alarms at least one of the things we are trying to escape from?

A few of us operate best on the trail during the early half of the day when the weather is still rather cool. So, some of us need to wake up at 5 or 6 a.m. After a long previous day on the trail, that isn't going to happen without an alarm.

Further, when the afternoon thundershower develops, I like to have most of my mileage completed for the day. That way, I can hunker down and sip tea like a civilized person.

–B.G.–

Bob, this doesn't give the weight but it uses only 1 AA battery, which on my scale weighs 0.8 oz but I don't know how much the body of the clock weighs. It may add up to 2 oz total, which may not work for you. Not sure if you would consider cutting your weight by 1 oz elsewhere to make up for the gain in the alarm clock.

Donna, I have one of those. With a battery, it weighs 2.15 ounces. It uses a single AAA battery, not AA battery.

If I could cut one ounce out of my base weight, it would have already been done.

In my opinion, most alarm clocks that use AAA or AA batteries are on the heavy side. Ones that use CR2032 or similar watch batteries are good. Ones that use LR44 or similar batteries have too little power to handle a loud alarm for long.

–B.G.–

it had me up at 4am both mornings a few weekends ago on top of hills in the lake district, definitely gave me plenty of time to enjoy the morning.

I think I've recommended this one to you before so maybe you've ruled it out already. Equity 31571 Battery Operated Digital Stick-On Alarm Clock & Timer, http://www.ebay.com/itm/Equity-31571-Battery-Operated-Digital-Stick-On-Alarm-Clock-Timer-/261187998060?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

Weighs 1.2 oz, cheap but has worked for me so far. I'm not sure how well it will work in below freezing temps; though I've got it down close to freezing and it stayed alive during that time. The display is nice and big and the alarm is pretty loud in my opinion. There is a magnet on the back which could be removed to save a few grams if one is so inclined.

Bob

How about an old fashion wind-up alarm clock? Might be a bit heavy but you won't have to carry batteries and the twin bells on top should be loud enough to ensure that you wake up…..

"Might be a bit heavy"

That's an understatement, right? This is BPL. The shipping weight is 8.8 ounces!

–B.G.–

The one with two bells on top will surely wake me up, but like Bob, I'd like something a bit lighter. It does need to be loud! And I want to listen to it before buying! I have a Casio wrist watch and the alarm just isn't loud enough!

Hey Bob…this link has some alarms with button batteries, but some hold 2. I don't know the weight of the battery or these clocks. I just thought you might like to see them and maybe be able to cut something off the weight if they are more than your old clock.
http://www.independentliving.com/products.asp?dept=118&deptname=

This has "excuse for a new niche hobby" written all over it.

You could build it:

"I don't know the weight of the battery or these clocks."

Right. Nobody does.

When an advertiser offers a product with no weight listed, I don't buy it.

–B.G.–

Since 2012, I've used a Timex Carabiner watch that weighs 1.4oz on my scale. I normally leave it hooked to the front of my back during the day, but leave it in my hat next to my head at night. The alarm isn't really loud, but it wakes me up.

I found a Sharp SPC446 that is 2.0oz on my scale with a CR2032 battery. It has a light and a thermometer too. You bump it on the bottom to snooze or turn the light on. Roughly 3-5/8" tall x 2" wide x 5/8" deep.

I almost bought that alarm clock just now (Sharp SPC446) until I read the Amazon reviews.

Interesting thread.. One of the things i really like about going out into the woods, is the experience of forgetting time (the marking of same) and the so called importance of same. As long as i have a general idea of when the Sun will go down, i'm good. I like going into that kind of no time state.

Always kind of assumed most others were like me in this regard. Learned something new.

2oz with battery….vibrate or beep

http://www.maxiaids.com/products/10142/Reizen-Shake-U-Up–Compact-Vibrating-Alarm-Clock.html

And this one weighs 1.6 and works on a watch battery.

Jon, isn't this exactly the same one that was suggested two weeks ago in this very thread?

Two ounces is on the heavy side.

–B.G.–

Haha. I have no idea. Didn't read the entire thread. I've used the latter and it's a great clock.