About 2 years ago, my family and I moved a lot further North than I had previously lived. I bought the older model, the HF3470, to help me wake up in the winter darkness. It was wonderful. Now, my 6 year old daughter has been having a very hard time waking up in the mornings for school (we have to get up at 6:15 to get them there in time, and starting in late September, it is still dark at that time). So I bought the new light alarm clock for myself and gave my old HF3470 to her.
I am a huge fan of BOTH models. Right on the very first morning that I set the alarm clock in her room, she was up when the alarm went off. No complaints about how early it was, no dragging her out of bed, just an easily awoken child! We haven't even been late to school because I don't have to harass her for 30 minutes to get her going. It was like magic. She is using the light only (no sounds) with a loud clock radio across the room (so she cannot snooze the sound, even if she turns off the light!). It is easy enough to operate that my 6 year old can turn it on and off and use the light. (I did set the time and alarm for her, adjust the brightness, etc).
I am also loving my new HF3520 model. It's true that the light at first is very red, then rather orange before it gets bright white. While this is not accurate to a true sunrise, I actually appreciate the color change because when I rouse before the alarm has gone off, but when the light has already begun lighting up, I can tell by the room's redness that it is not time to wake up all the way yet. I don't have to be facing the clock nor do I have to check the time. I like that!
With both light-clocks, I have had them on my nightstand beside my bed, right at my eye/mattress level. My husband works swing shift so he often needs to sleep in, while I need to get up and get the kids ready for school and get myself off to work. I really appreciate that the alarms are unobtrusive enough to let him stay asleep, while still waking me up. The first morning I used the new clock, I had it set at brightness level 20 (max setting), and it DID wake him up (which is great to know for times we both WANT to get up at the same time). I set it to level 12 for the next morning, and it has been plenty bright for me and has not woken him since.
After 2 years of listening to it, the birds tweeting on the old clock was starting to get on my nerves (but it was better than radio, the other option), but I haven't had the new clock long enough to say whether or not that will happen to me with the new sounds eventually. I was pleased, though, that the bird sounds on the new clock are different than the old clock, and I like the other sounds well enough too.
The ONE problem I had with the HF3470 (the bigger, older model) is that the buttons are stiff and the device is light-weight, which means when you go to push the buttons along the front of the device, the whole alarm pushes back. So I end up pushing the device across the nightstand, but the buttons won't click. I had to use two hands: one to hold the device still and the other to push the buttons, until my husband brought me a rubber place mat and put it under my clock. Then it had enough grip to stay put while I was pushing the buttons. This is a minor complaint, though, considering how much I love that clock (and how well it has been working for my daughter!).
The new clock does not have the issue with the buttons, which are more like a touch screen and nothing actually pushes inward at all. When I move my finger near the "buttons" on the front, little lights come on showing me where to press for each button (helpful for setting the alarm in the dark). When I withdraw my finger, the lights turn off. I had fun playing with that. It can sense me coming! I like the dimmable display and even though it cannot be turned all the way off, the lowest setting is plenty dim.
In conclusion, I have 2 different models, and both are wonderful. I would buy either one again without hesitation. I prefer the large toggle switch on the older model for snoozing and setting the alarm because it's so easy to find, but either clock is great. If money is an issue, get the cheaper one and you still won't be disappointed. The upgraded light colors, buttons, style, and sounds of the newer model are great but might not be worth that much of a price difference for many.
Add to your order
-
Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary) -
24/7 support when you need it. -
Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
Cover this product:
3-Year Protection Plan $21.99
4-Year Protection Plan $29.99
Cover all of your eligible devices:
Asurion Complete Protect: One plan covers all eligible past and future purchases (Renews Monthly Until Cancelled) $16.99/month
Select a plan
Add to your order
- Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary)
- 24/7 support when you need it.
- Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
Cover this product:
Select a plan
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Frequently bought together
This item: Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light, Colored Sunrise and Sunset Simulation, 5 Natural Sounds, FM Radio & Reading Lamp, Tap Snooze, HF3520/60
$108.95
Get it as soon as Tuesday, Nov 26
In Stock
+
$55.99 ($55.99/Count)
Get it as soon as Tuesday, Nov 26
In Stock
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Products related to this item
Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
