What kind of clock do you use at comps?

SCSmoke · 12-31-2012, 09:02 AM

We have been using our cell phones for comp clocks. They work okay but we probably have thrown away an extra 200 gloves pulling them out of our pockets. Not to mention you can't sync them with the official clock.
So.... what is a good clock? One that has big enough numbers to read easily, battery powered, easy to sync with official clock, and affordable. Thanks!

lcbateman3 · 12-31-2012, 09:04 AM

El cheapo clock from a dollar store. Pull the battery out after every comp, next comp put it back in and sync it with the official clock.

Ford · 12-31-2012, 09:09 AM

Atomic clock like reps use. Had mine for 10 years now.

SCSmoke · 12-31-2012, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford

Atomic clock like reps use. Had mine for 10 years now.

Any specific brand?

dmprantz · 12-31-2012, 09:16 AM

I used one of these for two years and thought it was great:

Amazon.com: La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase: Home & Kitchen

My big complaints: It's overkill. You don't need cycle of the moon or "outdoors temp" for a comp clock. Also, while you can make it display seconds instead of the outdoors temp, it's a few button presses every time you install batteries. I sold it to another competitor because....

I still had this clock on my Amazon wishlist and some one bought it for me:

Amazon.com: La Crosse Technology WT-8005U-S Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Indoor Temperature, Silver: Home & Kitchen

It's more affordable, isn't as much overkill, and has seconds by the clock. I haven't used it yet, but I can't imagine it being any worse.

There is a third clock available, that I don't think was around before. It has two temps like the first clock, but no moon, and is the same size as the second one. It only costs $1 more on Amazon, but do you need the display to be crowded? Still, I like these clocks. I recommend either storing the clock somewhere where it can get a signal, or taking out the batteries between comps because not getting a signal will drain the battery.

dmp

EDIT: Maybe you do want outdoor temp if you use an RV or trailer. It would be nice to know the temp when you get up first thing in the morning. I've always competed in an EZ-UP, so the "indoor temp" was the "outdoor temp."

sdbbq1234 · 12-31-2012, 09:27 AM

SAMs also carry some of the Atomic clocks.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/atomic-...navAction=push

It is a little busy and we were ready to pull the trigger on one, but found the older Skyscan model (a lot less busy) at a garage sale for $5.00 last year.

Works great!

Just make sure to pull battery out after each event.

wallace

daveinwestmont · 12-31-2012, 09:30 AM

Andrew - My wristwatch, set it with the KCBS judge Friday night, check it again in the AM - Cross check it twice against my cell during the course of the AM on Saturday.

Happy New Year bud!!!

JS-TX · 12-31-2012, 09:38 AM

Great idea, this is something I need to add to my comp. supplies. I got my cell phone with alarms/alerts but it's not convenient when your hands are all filthy. I lost track of time (which is easy to do!) at my last comp. and almost got DQd with my rib turn ins.

TRS · 12-31-2012, 09:53 AM

Atomic Clock from Walmart or Target, approx $25. Can be hung in the comp trailer and also has 2 legs so it can be set on a table. Has big numbers to read easily and always dead on with the reps clocks.

Pole D · 12-31-2012, 10:00 AM

If you are in a NC BBQ Society event you can just use a sundial. We did an event last year where the organizer (head of NCBS) went and bought a clock at walmart the night before.

He didn't spare any expense. He bought one that not only had an hours hand but it also had a minutes hand and a seconds hand!

Ron_L · 12-31-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmprantz

Amazon.com: La Crosse Technology WT-8005U-S Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Indoor Temperature, Silver: Home & Kitchen

This is the one that we have. It's hanging on the wall of the trailer in easy view from our prep table.

Cast Iron Chef · 12-31-2012, 10:05 AM

I use the Sams club one. Works great.

Rookie'48 · 12-31-2012, 10:35 AM

Yep, the La Crosse one that dmp & Ronelle use is great. I've got one for home & one in the RV.

nucornhusker · 12-31-2012, 11:04 AM

I use the usual $20 atomic clock on the prep table. It so nice to have a clock that is easy to see at any time to see if there is anything you need to be doing (rubbing, foiling, brining, putting on meat, etc).

smoke-n-my-i's · 12-31-2012, 11:44 AM

Just an old el'cheapo analog one... check it on Saturday morning with the atomic and cell phone, and good to go... just pull the battery out after your done using it, and it will be ready for the next time. Been using it abt 8 yrs now and has never let me down....

12-31-2012, 09:02 AM	#1
SCSmoke Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-30-11 Location: Chicago, IL	What kind of clock do you use at comps? We have been using our cell phones for comp clocks. They work okay but we probably have thrown away an extra 200 gloves pulling them out of our pockets. Not to mention you can't sync them with the official clock. So.... what is a good clock? One that has big enough numbers to read easily, battery powered, easy to sync with official clock, and affordable. Thanks! __________________ Andrew: formerly of Second City Smoke, now one of The Smoke Hunters!?!

12-31-2012, 09:04 AM	#2
lcbateman3 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-24-10 Location: Durham, NC	El cheapo clock from a dollar store. Pull the battery out after every comp, next comp put it back in and sync it with the official clock. __________________ --Lionel You only fail if you do not try.

12-31-2012, 09:09 AM	#3
Ford is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 04-14-07 Location: Lakeland Florida	Atomic clock like reps use. Had mine for 10 years now. __________________ Ford Retired competition cook. BBQ mentor.

12-31-2012, 09:16 AM	#5
dmprantz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-11-08 Location: Nashville	I used one of these for two years and thought it was great: Amazon.com: La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase: Home & Kitchen Amazon.com: La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase: Home & Kitchen My big complaints: It's overkill. You don't need cycle of the moon or "outdoors temp" for a comp clock. Also, while you can make it display seconds instead of the outdoors temp, it's a few button presses every time you install batteries. I sold it to another competitor because.... I still had this clock on my Amazon wishlist and some one bought it for me: Amazon.com: La Crosse Technology WT-8005U-S Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Indoor Temperature, Silver: Home & Kitchen Amazon.com: La Crosse Technology WT-8005U-S Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Indoor Temperature, Silver: Home & Kitchen It's more affordable, isn't as much overkill, and has seconds by the clock. I haven't used it yet, but I can't imagine it being any worse. There is a third clock available, that I don't think was around before. It has two temps like the first clock, but no moon, and is the same size as the second one. It only costs $1 more on Amazon, but do you need the display to be crowded? Still, I like these clocks. I recommend either storing the clock somewhere where it can get a signal, or taking out the batteries between comps because not getting a signal will drain the battery. dmp EDIT: Maybe you do want outdoor temp if you use an RV or trailer. It would be nice to know the temp when you get up first thing in the morning. I've always competed in an EZ-UP, so the "indoor temp" was the "outdoor temp." __________________

12-31-2012, 09:27 AM	#6
sdbbq1234 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-11-10 Location: Northern VA	SAMs also carry some of the Atomic clocks. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/atomic-...navAction=push It is a little busy and we were ready to pull the trigger on one, but found the older Skyscan model (a lot less busy) at a garage sale for $5.00 last year. Works great! Just make sure to pull battery out after each event. wallace __________________ wallace(Don) - Life Is Good But BBQ Is Better - BWS - Fat Boy - WSM 22.5 - A bunch on other outdoor cooking stuff. - KCBS CBJ# 58657 - MABA Member "Take luck!"

12-31-2012, 09:30 AM	#7
daveinwestmont On the road to being a farker Join Date: 04-12-11 Location: Westmont, IL	Andrew - My wristwatch, set it with the KCBS judge Friday night, check it again in the AM - Cross check it twice against my cell during the course of the AM on Saturday. Happy New Year bud!!! __________________ AKA MUDS BBQ - PCC Meat Monster, Jambo J3

12-31-2012, 09:38 AM	#8
JS-TX is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 02-17-10 Location: San Antonio, TX	Great idea, this is something I need to add to my comp. supplies. I got my cell phone with alarms/alerts but it's not convenient when your hands are all filthy. I lost track of time (which is easy to do!) at my last comp. and almost got DQd with my rib turn ins.

12-31-2012, 09:53 AM	#9
TRS On the road to being a farker Join Date: 01-09-10 Location: Nashville Tennessee	Atomic Clock from Walmart or Target, approx $25. Can be hung in the comp trailer and also has 2 legs so it can be set on a table. Has big numbers to read easily and always dead on with the reps clocks. __________________ www.thunderroadsmokehouse.com - Stump's Prince - Peoria Cookers Meat Monster - Lang 36

12-31-2012, 10:00 AM	#10
Pole D is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-06-09 Location: Cary, NC	If you are in a NC BBQ Society event you can just use a sundial. We did an event last year where the organizer (head of NCBS) went and bought a clock at walmart the night before. He didn't spare any expense. He bought one that not only had an hours hand but it also had a minutes hand and a seconds hand!

12-31-2012, 10:05 AM	#12
Cast Iron Chef is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-01-09 Location: Henderson, NV	I use the Sams club one. Works great. __________________ Paul 18.5 & (2) 22.5" WSM New Brumfield Offset Smoker/Grill 22.5" Weber One Touch Platinum [SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][COLOR=RoyalBlue]Genesis[/COLOR] 3 Gasser Bradley [/COLOR][/SIZE]Bisquette[SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000] Pooper Bullpen BBQ Team [/COLOR][/SIZE]

12-31-2012, 10:35 AM	#13
Rookie'48 Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-12-06 Location: Des Moines, Iowa	Yep, the La Crosse one that dmp & Ronelle use is great. I've got one for home & one in the RV. __________________ Dave Compton KCBS MasterCBJ # 22569 Member of the 100+ Contest Club Judge Number 6 competition BBQ team Possibly the only judge ever to get an award from a bunch of cooks UDS 075 UCB WSM and a bunch of other stuff.

12-31-2012, 11:04 AM	#14
nucornhusker Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-29-11 Location: Lincoln, NE	I use the usual $20 atomic clock on the prep table. It so nice to have a clock that is easy to see at any time to see if there is anything you need to be doing (rubbing, foiling, brining, putting on meat, etc). __________________ Yoder Smokers YS1500, Kamado Joe BigJoe & Joe Jr, IMBAS Certified MOINK Baller