this unit be a good basic alarm clock for those who do not want the standard annoying alarm that most digital alarm clock come with . I find the bird wake sound to be the best , wake I gently . I like that the cycle get a bit louder the second time around so that if you be in a deep sleep it can still wake you . one problem I have with it , the volume dial when set to the loudest point cause the sound to completely cut out . I assume it be a flaw just in my unit , not enough to go through the trouble of send back . also the unit be a bit bulky , the display be large , but I think they could have make the unit smaller without loose any function .