Looking for a good atomic sync clock
August 4, 2024 8:32 PM Subscribe
What can you suggest?
I recently got into atomic watches and have found them to be game-changing. Obviously a phone does the trick when you need the time and, depending on your phone provider, is usually as accurate as atomic time, but I like to have at least one wall clock up and love the idea of the time always being accurate to the second and the time automatically changing for DST. I’m a bit anal and hate the time being off by even a few seconds.
When it comes to atomic clocks I’m more interested in digital than analog and would like it to be quite big and legible. I also require it to be able to sync with the atomic tower in Fort Collins, Colorado. Bonus points if there’s an hourly signal / chime such as what’s found on digital Casio watches as it really helps keep you up-to-date with the time and prevent you from being late for anything.
I recently got into atomic watches and have found them to be game-changing. Obviously a phone does the trick when you need the time and, depending on your phone provider, is usually as accurate as atomic time, but I like to have at least one wall clock up and love the idea of the time always being accurate to the second and the time automatically changing for DST. I’m a bit anal and hate the time being off by even a few seconds.
When it comes to atomic clocks I’m more interested in digital than analog and would like it to be quite big and legible. I also require it to be able to sync with the atomic tower in Fort Collins, Colorado. Bonus points if there’s an hourly signal / chime such as what’s found on digital Casio watches as it really helps keep you up-to-date with the time and prevent you from being late for anything.
I believe they're talking about WWVB, a radio station run by NIST that broadcasts atomic-clock-accurate time across North America.
I have a La Crosse analog wall clock that updates itself from that signal. They have lots of different digital wall clocks, too. One of the analog models lists "Accurate to the second" and "Automatically updates for daylight saving time (on/off option)." The digital ones at least mention the DST update.
I'm looking at mine right now, and it is nine seconds behind, fwiw. That may be because one of the two broadcast antennas is currently not working.
posted by whatnotever at 9:02 PM on August 4 [6 favorites]
I have a La Crosse analog wall clock that updates itself from that signal. They have lots of different digital wall clocks, too. One of the analog models lists "Accurate to the second" and "Automatically updates for daylight saving time (on/off option)." The digital ones at least mention the DST update.
I'm looking at mine right now, and it is nine seconds behind, fwiw. That may be because one of the two broadcast antennas is currently not working.
posted by whatnotever at 9:02 PM on August 4 [6 favorites]
I also require it to be able to sync with the atomic tower in Fort Collins, Colorado
Out of curiosity, why specifically that one? I normally sync to the USNO Master Clock (US Naval Observatory) because I figure the military would be particularly on top of having the correct time, but I don't think it really matters which one you use, provided it has a track record of being reliable.
I have a La Crosse clock like this one. I know it works well because the minute changes at exactly the same time as my phone and laptop. They are all synced with atomic clocks somewhere.
posted by Meldanthral at 9:36 PM on August 4 [1 favorite]
Out of curiosity, why specifically that one? I normally sync to the USNO Master Clock (US Naval Observatory) because I figure the military would be particularly on top of having the correct time, but I don't think it really matters which one you use, provided it has a track record of being reliable.
I have a La Crosse clock like this one. I know it works well because the minute changes at exactly the same time as my phone and laptop. They are all synced with atomic clocks somewhere.
posted by Meldanthral at 9:36 PM on August 4 [1 favorite]
I've been looking for the same thing, and haven't found anything reliable. I can only point to the absolute trash I've already tried and which does not work for shit (Marathon travel clock). That model is absolutely useless at automatic time keeping.
posted by Rhomboid at 10:49 PM on August 4 [1 favorite]
posted by Rhomboid at 10:49 PM on August 4 [1 favorite]
Depending on your location in the country and the type of building you live in, you may find that any automatic clock that meets your aesthetic requirements will work perfectly with zero thought whatsoever.
In other areas or other types of construction, you may have difficulty finding a location in your home where the clock can reliably receive the time signal. Generally speaking after the initial setup they only attempt to sync once daily in the middle of the night when reception is best. That's ok because even the worst quartz movement doesn't go out a second a day, but it may give you some grief when trying to do the initial sync if you're doing it during the day or you may find that it's able to receive the signal fine when you hit the button while holding it in your hand but it won't when it's on the wall.
In general, though, the various brands don't have much between them when it comes to the actual time synchronization or reception since they're all made about the same. There's not a lot of antenna optimization to be had within the size constraints these devices are working with.
FWIW, you can get better accuracy with less hassle from both GPS and network-synced clocks, though I don't know what if any complete products are available these days.
posted by wierdo at 2:19 AM on August 5 [1 favorite]
In other areas or other types of construction, you may have difficulty finding a location in your home where the clock can reliably receive the time signal. Generally speaking after the initial setup they only attempt to sync once daily in the middle of the night when reception is best. That's ok because even the worst quartz movement doesn't go out a second a day, but it may give you some grief when trying to do the initial sync if you're doing it during the day or you may find that it's able to receive the signal fine when you hit the button while holding it in your hand but it won't when it's on the wall.
In general, though, the various brands don't have much between them when it comes to the actual time synchronization or reception since they're all made about the same. There's not a lot of antenna optimization to be had within the size constraints these devices are working with.
FWIW, you can get better accuracy with less hassle from both GPS and network-synced clocks, though I don't know what if any complete products are available these days.
posted by wierdo at 2:19 AM on August 5 [1 favorite]
I came at your question from a GPS-derived or NTP time signal, but there's a number of Nixie-like clocks at badnixie.com that will use time signals from national atomic clocks or GPS satellites' atomic clocks.
There are also some project-type kits to put a small board computer (SBC) or microcontroller together with an OLED display, and to use an authoritative network time source to be accurate. I can't see any that might be simple or that might tickle your personal aesthetic desires.
(A response to a question you didn't ask: I used to care about my timepieces being spot on with my local timezone, but delays in every other part of life made me very frustrated until I simply had to let it go and learn to let it gone.)
posted by k3ninho at 2:22 AM on August 5
There are also some project-type kits to put a small board computer (SBC) or microcontroller together with an OLED display, and to use an authoritative network time source to be accurate. I can't see any that might be simple or that might tickle your personal aesthetic desires.
(A response to a question you didn't ask: I used to care about my timepieces being spot on with my local timezone, but delays in every other part of life made me very frustrated until I simply had to let it go and learn to let it gone.)
posted by k3ninho at 2:22 AM on August 5
I recently bought one from Sharp on Amazon, they have a bundle of styles and it does sync with WWVB.
It's reassuring and mildly amusing to hear the ticking be perfectly in sync with the seconds display on my desktop.
posted by spbb at 6:20 AM on August 5
It's reassuring and mildly amusing to hear the ticking be perfectly in sync with the seconds display on my desktop.
posted by spbb at 6:20 AM on August 5
GPS based clocks have somewhat taken over from the WWVB synchronized ones
posted by bug138 at 1:09 PM on August 5
posted by bug138 at 1:09 PM on August 5
We had one on our wall for a decade or more. Brand name Atomix. Unsuitable for you since it doesn't give total control down to 1 second. Any clock you look at, try to check the directions on how it's set.
posted by SemiSalt at 2:22 PM on August 5
posted by SemiSalt at 2:22 PM on August 5
So, for me the issue is batteries -- I am very attracted to "here's two double As, you now run for 4+ years without thought." I've never seen that from a GPS or NTP based clock because they always seem to be found in the same swamps as mobile operating systems, and none of those are running on double As for shit.
But if anyone knows of a clock that uses Wifi and/or GPS or whatever modern hoohahs are out there but which acts like a proper battery operated clock, please let me know.
posted by Rhomboid at 4:10 PM on August 5
But if anyone knows of a clock that uses Wifi and/or GPS or whatever modern hoohahs are out there but which acts like a proper battery operated clock, please let me know.
posted by Rhomboid at 4:10 PM on August 5
Yes, WWVB clocks can run for years off batteries where NTP/wifi sync ones can't. Atomic-sync clocks are rather hard to find these days, and I haven't seen one in a retail place since the days of Radio Shack and Sharper Image.
If you're very, very nerdy, Universal Solder is the sole reseller of the EverSet ES100 DIY radio clock modules
posted by scruss at 6:22 PM on August 5
If you're very, very nerdy, Universal Solder is the sole reseller of the EverSet ES100 DIY radio clock modules
posted by scruss at 6:22 PM on August 5
« Older Interior cameras in people's homes... why? | Looking for a low-cost neutral third party Newer »
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by SPrintF at 8:45 PM on August 4