LaCrosse Projection Weather Forecasting Alarm Clock

Be sure to ask why you are buying this clock before making the purchase. I read many reviews in advance and saw they were pretty split but I decided to see for myself. I think the reviewers -- both good and bad -- were correct. Here are my pros and cons:PRO -- Projection feature is nice, especially when I have my contacts out. Also, I enjoy seeing the outdoor temperature on the ceiling. The clock allows you to adjust the angle and direction of the projection very easily. It was simple to mount the outdoor component and it works great.CON -- As many have said, you cannot see the projection unless it is dark. Although you may be thinking this is obvious, the problem is that without the projection, you cannot see the time at all. The display is a tiny black on grey display that is not lit up at all. So, unless you are right next to the clock, you have no idea what time it is in the daytime. You can push any button and it will light up for two seconds, but you have to be right next to the clock. If you are using this as just a travel alarm clock, then this may not be a problem for you. PRO -- Dual alarms are a great feature and were one of the main reasons I bought this clock. They are easy to set and the little symbol for each alarm shows up on the display so you never have to wonder if you have the alarm set. The snooze feature is great! You can set it for any amount of time from 0 to 59 minutes. No preset time like 5 or 10 minutes only. Also, at any point during the snooze period, you can hit the snooze button and it will reset for the full period again. I love that feature. CON -- As many have noted, the alarms are not loud. There are no options either. Just a plain beep-beep-beep that will not wake someone who needs the sky to be falling in order to wake up. It's fine for me but really unimpressive. Even my phones give me about a dozen different alarm tones so I'm surprised an alarm clock like this just has the basic beep. One of the alarms does get louder after 25 and 50 seconds, but it's not really loud. There is no radio or buzzer, so that's all you have. PRO -- I found it very easy to set up but you do have to use your brain and follow the directions. You have to be sure to put the batteries in the remote transmitter FIRST and then you have to wait the 10 minutes for it to set up. It was really cool to see how the clock "found" Fort Collins, Colorado, and knew what time and date it was. I did have to change the time zone but that was easy enough. CON -- As some have said, the manual is very small and thick. Most of that is other languages, though, and I found the instructions easy to follow and not a problem. Maybe they could have been better organized, though. PRO -- It was all packaged very well. Some commented on the smell. I noticed a smell when I opened it up but it was fleeting. CON -- You need to fight through the packaging to get everything out. I hate this kind of plastic packaging that you have to find a way to cut open and then you end up cutting yourself! It does seem a bit cheaply made and the buttons are not the best. If you don't push on them in just the right spot, they don't seem to work. But this is not a deal breaker, just a nuisance.SUMMARY -- I would probably not buy this again -- mainly because of the small display. I like the novelty of the projection and weather features but didn't realize that I would not be able to see the time on the clock from anywhere else in the room except when I am right next to it. I have it in my bedroom and never know what time it is when I am getting ready for work, unless I have a watch on. Fortunately, I did not pay the retail price for this. I would have been majorly disappointed if I had. Frankly, I could have gotten a large display, dual-alarm clock at any retail store for half the price and it would have done the job. I fell for the projection feature on this and decided to try it. I've only had it a week and it seems to work fine but I doubt I would replace it, if something goes wrong with it. Also, I would not buy it for the guest bedroom b/c I think guests would want to be able to see what time it is. It's a cute travel alarm clock but I use my cell phone for that when I travel. If you just want the projection/weather feature, then you probably won't be disappointed. Just be sure to ask yourself why you are buying this clock.