Alarm Clock

[Adam Alphabet]

Assuming one does not carry a phone when they're racing....
What are racers using as an alarm clock so they're not sleeping in when the body says a few more minutes (hours) but the mind says let's go?

I'd be interested to hear from those who sleep with ear plugs as well.

Thanks!

[fotooutdoors]

A watch works if you are a lighter sleeper. I haven't done any races (ie sleep deprivation), but it had worked for touring

Sent from a one-finger keyboard...pardon my autocorrect

[wookieone]

I like a watch that you can set multiple alarms, about 3-5 minutes apart so that even if really really tired you hear one of them....
make sure the watch isn't deep in your pack, sleeping bag, etc, so you can actually hear it
Jefe

[Done]

What's a guy like you need with an alarm clock, Jefe? It's not like you sleep!

[aaron w]

The Garmin etrex series has an alarm clock, that's what I use.  It's great because you can power off the gps at night and the alarm will "wake" the unit up in the morning. 

The only time I haven't heard the alarm was from sleeping right next to a creek, the water noise was greater than the alarm and I overslept...

[Gimmearaise]

I use my watch alarm, but I tend to just wake up every hour when I bikepack.

[Adam Alphabet]

Thanks for that guys. I'll have to check my Dakota to see if it has an alarm feature. I like my suunto watch for the reasons Jefe said about setting multiple alarms a few minutes apart.

I like to sleep with earplugs, as I say they're the best animal deterrent. So I'm looking for something LOUD cause when those puppies are in I could probably sleep through the zombie apocalypse. Any ideas short of a Flavor Flav type alarm clock that's loud enough?

[Done]

Earplugs are great for hotel rooms, but I like hearing critters. Especially ones that might be eating my big bags, like mice and bears!

[stappy]

Hey Adam. This what I use, it's one of the only pieces of gear I haven't changed. I had the same concerns, I wanted something louder than a watch that I wouldn't sleep through. A little extra weight, carrying a dedicated alarm but I can set this right beside my head.
It's fast to reset and adjust alarm time. Just don't ask Ollie Whalley and Kurt Sandiforth who got an extra hour of sleep at Corbin in 2012. They foolishly relied on my alarm, only I set it for 4 PM!
Craig.
http://www.mec.ca/product/5023-112/casio-travel-alarm-clock/

[flambert33]

I use a vibrating alarm watch (this: http://www.woblwatch.com/).  Works with ear plugs on!  You can set up to many alarms too (up to 8 I think).  I also used a small kitchen timer in the past.  It's loud and easy to set up (I want to sleep 4h, press 4x the "h" button and go to sleep).  I had an adventure race oversleeping misap because of an AM/PM error...  All my watches are in 24h format since!

[Adam Alphabet]

That's what I'm talking about. Never thought about a travel alarm clock. Might pop by mec this weekend to have a listen. Thanks Craig and flambert.

[B_Bock]

I also use my eTrex. I keep it close to my head so I can hear it. Having one less device to deal with works best for me.

[spruceboy]

I would like to second the vibration watch alarm - Timex makes some normal looking watches that have a "Vibration Alarm" - instead of beeping they vibrate like a cell phone on vibrate mode.  I have one of these, and it works great - the vibration always wakes me up, even if I am in super sleep deprived with ear plugs in.  The count time timer also vibrates rather than beeps, so the you can use it to sleep 4 hours (or whatever), and then get up and go, without waking anyone up (like your spouse or other racers).

I think this is what I have:
http://www.timex.com/watches/expedition-vibration-alarm-t498529j