To LUGNET HomepageTo LUGNET News HomepageTo LUGNET Guide Homepage
 Help on Searching
 
Post new message to lugnet.generalOpen lugnet.general in your NNTP NewsreaderTo LUGNET News Traffic PageSign In (Members)
 General / 23801
23800  |  23802
Subject: 
Review of 4394 Dolphin Clock
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.reviews, lugnet.general
Date: 
Thu, 2 Nov 2000 03:14:53 GMT
Viewed: 
92 times
  
I just received my clock today. This is a pretty nice item. Note that if
you order from the Holiday catalog it is $29.99, if you order from the
Fall catalog, it is $34.99.

What you get:

1 trans light blue dolphin
2 orange starfish
1 4x12x10 light blue clock w/blue accents
2 blue 40z large Technic gears
2 grey half-pin w/#1 axle Technic connectors
1 AA battery

The light blue is the same light blue as in the Belville sets such as
5825.

The gears are the dials to adjust the time and the alarm. The axle holes
for them will line up with Technic beams, though they are offset by a
plate or two (i.e. if you stack a bunch of Technic beams beside the
clock, the holes won't line up, you need to use some plates.
Horizontally, the holes are between the 2nd and 3rd studs in from the
side, so they will line up with normal Technic beams from that aspect.
The gears drive permanently attached 12 tooth gears to adjust the time
and alarm time.

The clock is powered by a single AA cell. The box claims a 12 month
battery life (probably plus or minus several months depending on alarm
use). The alarm is a "beep beep" sound. A 2x2 button on top of the clock
activates the alarm. The button pops up one plate height to activate. A
snooze button is on the front of the clock.

A rotate able dial with the minute markings covers the clock face. The
clock face is decorated with bubbles and sea plants.

The clock runs quietly, though if you put it up to your ear, you can
hear the click click as it makes time.

The clock back is attached with two screws. I haven't opened it to find
out what's inside.

It's a real shame the clock drive isn't exposed as Technic axles. That
would be just too cool! Of course, you can use a Technic drive train,
potentially run by an RCX, to adjust the time and alarm. I've given
thought to using the RCX to drive the time setting knob to run the clock
in fast time for train stuff, in that mode, I'd leave the battery out.
The only catch I could see is it might not be good for the life of the
clock motor (but will down the road provide a way to use the clock when
the motor burns out).

I picked this particular clock because I figured if I was going to pay
$30 for a few LEGO elements, I might as well get ones that are very hard
to get. I also like the color, so that's an added bonus. It's a bit of
an expensive novelty clock, but I'm glad I bought it.

Looking at the catalog, I think 4393 may come with dark pink gears, but
they could be red. 4391 looks like it comes with grey, black, or dark
grey gears. 4392 comes with green gears. 4383 looks like it comes with
grey gears (but should come with red based on the color scheme).

Frank



1 Message in This Thread:

Entire Thread on One Page:
Nested:  All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:  All | Brief | Compact
    

Custom Search

©2005 LUGNET. All rights reserved. - hosted by steinbruch.info GbR