My favorite gadgets are those which add a unique, unexpected twist to an
everyday object. The Time Technology
LED Binary Watch fits into this category perfectly!
The premise behind the watch is that to work out the time you look at a binary
pattern of lights. Binary is the system of numeration having 2 as its base, as
opposed to our decimal, or base 10, number system. Essentially, to work out the
time, you need to perform a conversion from base 2 to base 10 in your head. This
probably sounds a lot more difficult than it really is: all one really needs is
a basic ability to do mental arithmetic!
The watch comes in a choice of either red LEDs or blue LEDs. The casing for both
is the same. Although I really liked the fiery look of the red LEDs, the cold
electronic look of the blue LEDs won me over.
Image courtesy of ThinkGeek
The watch came nicely packaged in a tin gift box inside a black cardboard box.
The watch itself was well protected by a sponge, and the watch face had a
clear protective plastic sticker over it.
Also included in the package is an instruction leaflet explaining how to set the
time, and most importantly, how to read the watch!
The LED Binary Watch has an arguably very attractive circular design with a
solid stainless steel case and a black genuine leather band. The face of the
watch consists of a dark green circuit board upon which surface-mounted LEDs,
resistors and transistors are visible. The design of the watch face will appeal
to the "techie" crowd. The circuit board face itself is protected by mineral
crystal glass and the watch is rated waterproof to 3 atmospheres.
The watch has an overall design that I think would appeal to both males and
females. Despite being not overly large, the watch might be a bit big for those
with smaller wrists. Here, you can see the watch on my average male wrist.
Two buttons are located on the right side of the watch. The top button serves to
activate the LEDs for five seconds in order to tell the time, or to alter the
hours or minutes when the watch is in time-setting mode. This button serves to
put the watch into time-setting mode when held down for five seconds.
Image courtesy of ThinkGeek
The above diagram explains how to actually work out the time. As you can see, to
work out the time you only need to add up the numbers corresponding to the lit
LEDs on the top row to work out the hour. Although it is difficult to see in the
diagram, the number value of each LED is printed in tiny white lettering on the
circuit board above each LED. This means that you do not have to remember the
value of each LED to work out the time. You follow the same process to work out
the minutes using the bottom row of LEDs.
One thing to note is that the watch only tells the time in 12-hour format: to
tell the time in 24-hour format would have required more LEDs in the top row (5
instead of 4), and nor is there an AM/PM indicator. Also absent is any
indication of the date, or seconds.
So how does the LED Binary Watch fare in everyday life? Having to do some mental
arithmetic to work out the time is a bit of an obstacle, particularly if one is
in a hurry or not in a 100% frame of mind (well, quick mental arithmetic has
never been my forte – your mileage may vary).
I have had lots of comments and questions from curious onlookers who have seen
me using the watch. Most people react with a "I cannot believe you have a binary
watch!" (read "YOU ARE A NERD") attitude, but I know that they are secretly
jealous. If nothing else, it is a good conversation starter. A bonus is that the
watch can be used to provide a little light to darkened stairs, rooms or to help
one to see where a keyhole is located. This of course depends upon the number of
LEDs which are lit, and hence depends upon the time!
In the last two months I have owned the watch, it has proved very durable. The
mineral crystal watch face is impressively scratch resistant; much more than the
stainless steel case. My watch case has a few small scratches from contact with
other metallic objects. If you want to keep yours pristine, do not hastily put
your watch into the same pocket as a set of keys!
Also, the factory-installed battery (the watch uses 1x CR2032 battery) shows no
sign of weakening despite my frequent usage of about five viewings a day.
I was somewhat saddened to realize that this watch wasn’t going to teach me to
recognize binary patterns, as this was one of my aims in purchasing this watch.
After two months, I can still only work out the time by adding up the numbers!
Maybe Time Technology could come out with a model without the numbers printed
above the LEDs. Admittedly, I would probably be the only person in the world to
buy that watch. 🙂
In summary, if you are looking for a watch that will get you some attention, are
more concerned with form over function and do not mind troubling yourself a bit
to work out the time, then this watch could be for you!
Price: $69.99 (available from
ThinkGeek)
Pros:
Unique and interesting
Gift packaging
Can be used as a handy light
Cons:
Could be a little too large for those with small wrists
Lack of seconds, date, AM/PM indicators or 24 hour mode
May be hard to read accurately in a hurry
Doesn’t teach recognition of binary patterns. 😉
Product Information
| Price: | 69.99 |
| Manufacturer: | Think Geek |
| Pros: |
|
| Cons: |
|
Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
Post your comments here on the Time Technology LED Binary Watch review.
http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/time-technology-led-binary-watch-review.html
Just click the POST REPLY button on this page.
I have enjoyed this watch almost a year. I picked the red LEDs. It is very unique looking. I thought that the watchband did not have the right look for the watch. I went to a watchband site, watchband.biz and put down another 70 dollars for a heavy stainless steel band that was similar in texture to the watch. I do like the entire look now. I know that the reviewer says that he cannot read binary. I am the same way. I know that the bits accumulate and fill out the time. When I see the 16 light shining, I know that it is almost equivalent to a “quarter past”. This is the same with the 32 light is like the “half hour”. In this manner, you are really reading binary.
This watch does not keep accurate time. It goes off about 3 minutes every two weeks. This watch is just a one function watch. It keeps time. I have bought other electronic watches that can do 4 modes, also keep calendar. I wish the next generation of binary watches could do more. The watch is thick. It is about 13mm from face to back.
The look of the watch is so special, I put up with the small shortcomings!
The Binary watch has not stopped evolving since this review of the first models. The New Gamma Ray models are a lot slimmer and look spacier and out of this world than any watch I have ever seen.
mywatchandi.com are probably the largest stockists in the UK offering a large selection of the newest models.
I like that the fact that these watches only have only binary number each for the hour and minute – unlike the older binary watches/clocks where i.e. seventeen was one and seven, rather than seventeen. However, I would only buy a binary watch if it were 24-hour.
I don’t understand why they would make a 12-hour binary watch. Sure it saves an LED, but I can’t imagine the sort of geek that would use a binary watch would use 12-hour time format.
If I were a creating a binary watch, it would have three sets of LEDs to display seconds too. It would also have a button to switch it to display the date (obviously in ISO date format (YYYYMMDD)).
I couldn’t agree more with anonymous. I’ve been searching everywhere for a 24-hour binary watch. I can’t imagine a geek that would like a binary watch using 12-hour format. I don’t like not having seconds, and I’d also like the date. Although, YYYY might be a little more difficult, since the current year would require 11 LEDs, and anything after the year 2047 would require one more. Of course then a 13th wouldn’t be necessary until 4096.
can you have the watch without the number print on it?
if not i think thats a big CON: