the Elgin Travel Alarm clock have several feature that I like . it be battery operate , which be convenient not only when travel but in case the electricity go out at home and you need a functional clock . it have a protective cover so the clock face will not get scratch during travel - say cover double as a stand for the clock . the clock not only show the time -lrb- you have a choice of a twelve hour or twenty-four hour format -rrb- , but the date -lrb- date and month , not include year or day of the week -rrb- . the number be easy to read , even for someone as nearsighted as I be . there be also a backlight that activate for approximately five seconds and then automatically shut off . there be also a alarm feature ; a snooze button -lrb- this shut off the alarm for five minute and then it automatically sound again -rrb- ; and a nap timer which you can set in fifteen minute increment for up to four hour of nap time . all of the alarm feature be loud , but not annoyingly so . unlike other reviewer , my clock have keep perfect time and have not gain any minute after over a month of usage . while I really like the Elgin Travel Alarm clock and use it all the time -lrb- even when not travel -rrb- , there be a couple of thing that I do not like about it . the button to unlock the mechanism to set the alarm , time , and calendar be all on one side and it be a bit tricky to use they . the snooze alarm and backlight be activate by the same button - you press the left side to activate the snooze alarm and the right side to activate the light - and on several occasion I have wake up in the middle of the night and go to activate the light to see what time it be only to inadvertently activate the snooze alarm instead . on those occasion I have have to turn on a light to figure out how to deactivate the snooze alarm -lrb- which be not all that easy to do . -rrb- also , you have to be very careful to make sure the door to the battery compartment be on tight . I accidentally knock the clock to the floor one night , dislodge the door , and the clock start make a grate beep noise until I figure out how to latch the door properly - not a fun thing at 3:00 in the morning ! all in all , I really like and get a lot of use out of the Elgin Travel Alarm clock .