Consumer tip: Vibrating timer for $9.99

by Brian McKim & Traci Skene on September 20th, 2008

Some comics are meticulous when it comes to time. Open mikers are especially concerned about time, as going over might be getting disinvited from next week’s open mike. Some wear a watch. But glancing at the watch is frowned upon.

Some comics have hit upon the solution: A vibrating timer. There are a few models out there. One version is sold through a website that specializes in products for the blind. They tend to be a little pricey, and a few models use expensive button or specialty batteries that are also inconvenient.

One solution is to purchase a Kyocera K127 phone, sold via Virgin Mobile as the Marbl. (No, that’s not a typo. Virgin likes to misspell things. It’s cool, we suppose. We currently use their Kyocera KX9D, which has been dubbed The Oystr.) Currently, the Marbl is available at major retailers (Target, WalMart, etc.) for $12.99. And is available at the reduced price of $9.99 throughout the Rite Aid chain.

It’s lightweight, small and unobtrusive in a back pocket or clipped onto a belt or on a waistband. It’s possible to set five different alarms. And, using the included charger, it’s quickly rechargeable, using a sturdy and fairly long-lasting LiIon battery.

Revision: The battery on the unit we bought might be a little weak in the longevity of charge department. We charge it and get maybe two uses out of it. Still pretty good, considering that one can use the AC charger to recharge the battery. And the charger is pretty compact.

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