West Bend 40055 Kitchen Timer with Large Easy to Read Digital Display, Electronic Alarm with Magnet and Kickstand, White Import

Excellent Travel CompanionEven though this is sold as a “kitchen timer;” it has excellent uses for travel.

As good as old versionFirst, good timer. Had a previous version for 30+ years and looked for one like it. 70s beige version was smaller and more elegant. Clip/magnet nestled in the case. Button battery was likewise inside. This one has clunky battery and clip protruding from the back. However, magnet is larger and battery a more convenient AA. This one has larger display.As to timing, some reviewers must not actually have had this model. #40055 has an hour button and 99-hour-plus capability. (Resetting? Directions are clear.) It counts up as well as down. I used my old one as a stop watch. E.g., 22 minutes or more of commercials and promos in 60 minutes of TV or radio.New version has these advantages too: Thicker than old one, stands on the counter better; clip is more robust; when the clip is out it’s more stable at a tilt than the smaller, older, elegant version; and, more heft is easier for older and younger hands.Have two complaints.Worst is that if timer is not stopped before 1 minute signal is over, beeps continue (more slowly) but cannot be stopped or cleared except by removing battery. (Mr Ickowski’s review.) This then resets clock to midnight and resets timer so memory/repeat cannot be used. This is an important fault. I use the reset feature often. No clock is no sweat. Must say that once so far (two months) I failed to stop timer for several hours and it wasn’t beeping when I finally woke up. Note also that while beeping goes on, so does the count-up to tell how long I’ve overcooked the eggs. (Old version had tiny “time up” note in display.)Second, signal varies in volume, and is not very loud anyway. 1970s version was louder enough to notice difference. Hard to hear in another room. (Found same problem with Lux & off-brand mechanical ringing timers.)I give the new timer 4 stars. In twenty years, may upgrade to 5.A side note. A few days after receiving the timer, Amazon sent me a “You might be interested in buying” email for it. Price was cheaper! It still is.

Very Handy & Useful ToolI like the West Bend timer very much. I purchased 2 of them. I use 1 as a clock on my desk & also as a timer to remind me to do certain things at a specific time. I use the other in my bedroom as an alarm clock; the only thing that I do not like is the beeper is not very loud. I have had to move the timer in my bedroom closer to where I rest so that I will be able to hear it for wake-up! But this timer is a handy & useful tool, works very well, is accurate & reliable and I use 1 or both of them almost everyday so if you need a timer I recommend it!!

Large easy to read numbersI love I am able to set hours, minutes, and seconds on this timer. If you are late in stopping the timer at the end of your setting, it continues to count to let you know how late you are to stop it. The chime could be a little louder, but is OK.