Product Description

The Enso Clock is an innovative new meditation/yoga timer and clock. It allows for interval timing in which the user can set sequential timers that run one-after-the-other to compose an overall session. At the end of each interval or timer, one of several available soothing chimes is played. The Enso Clock's chimes are recorded from Tibetan and Japanese singing bowls as used in traditional meditation sessions. Using the latest audio technology, the Enso Clock's reproduction of the singing bowl chimes is very high quality and virtually indistinguishable from original. In addition to countdown timing, the Enso Clock can be used as an alarm clock, featuring the same soothing chimes. Enso, which means "circle" in Japanese, symbolizes enlightenment, elegance, and the universe. Traditionally, the enso is painted with a single clockwise brushstroke, beginning and ending at the bottom. The central display feature of Salubrion's new clock is the Enso that surrounds the screen and is gradually brushed on-screen as the timer progresses. This way, the user can glance at the Enso and see the relative amount of time that has elapsed, eliminating the distraction of focusing on the exact numerical time that remains. The Enso Clock can be placed flat on the floor in front of you for use during seated meditation, or propped up using the elegant hinged stand that folds out of the back of the clock. Each Enso Clock also includes a convenient carrying case with an integrated cleaning cloth that both protects and polishes. Specifications: Diameter: 3.8 inches / Thickness: 0.8 inches / Includes 2 AAA batteries

Product Details

• Color: Black
• Brand: Salubrion
• Model: EC-100-K
• Dimensions: 3.80" h x .80" w x 3.80" l, .50 pounds

Features

• Includes carrying pouch and two AAA batteries
• Display lights with the press of a button
• Low-battery symbol on clock face will tell you when to replace the batteries
• Four sound choices
• Countdown timing, interval timing, and alarm

Customer Reviews

Great timer, but not perfect.
I purchased this excellent clock back in March of 2008, and have been using it daily since then.

In my opinion, the key strengths of this device revolve around flexibility and looks. It allows you to choose from a number of wonderful, rich sounding chimes and other sounds (they actually sound better than the real bells & chimes built in to other meditation timers I own). You can set the tones to repeat "forever" after your meditation period has ended, or sound only twice at varying volumes. Good stuff.

You can also create very complex "programs" for yourself (Chime after x minutes, then y minutes, then z minutes, etc. etc.)

I also find the clock very attractive, but that's just personal opinion.

The flexibility that this clock gives you comes at a price, however - setting (time, alarm time, etc.) the thing is a bit complex. The first thing I normally do with any new electronic gizmo I purchase is throw away the instructions - it's an ego thing, I admit it. Anyway, 3 months later, I'm guarding the instructions to this baby with my life. While setting up a basic timer is easy as cake, doing more interesting programs will take a bit of trial and error.

The backlight button on the clock has also been hit or miss for me. I have to touch it just right or the backlight won't come on. I'd also like the ability turn the backlight on and keep it on. In it's current incarnation it only stays on for 5-ish seconds.

Finally, it would be nice if the buttons had some sort of tactile "nubs" attached (this comment is stolen shamlelessly from another reviewer). At 4AM in the morning, I need all the help I can get making sure I have actually activated the timer.

So, this clock isn't perfect, but it is the best one I've found so far, and it is fantastic for travel - packs really easily.

Surprisingly poor human factors
The chime sound is beautiful; would that the rest of the timer were as well done. Much as I wanted to love it, and much as Chime 1 pleases me, this is not a usable device.

I bought this as a yoga timer. The timer has 1-minute resolution; for yoga you need something finer, to allow 45-second or 90-second poses... or 85 if I'm feeling tired, 100 if I'm energetic. Even if it had 1-second resolution, setting intervals is challenging: you can't just say "chime every 90 seconds", you have to define a fixed number of intervals through a clunky interface. Perhaps there's something I missed? I emailed the manufacturer, then emailed again after a week of silence, and still (5 days later) haven't heard back from them.

The product shows signs of not having had usability testing. For instance, the backlight button--one of many on the circular face--has no tactile signature. It can't be identified in the dark. And even though the chime is lovely, it sounds twice. That makes it unusable (for me) as a meditation timer. A "chime once only" option would fix that... but I could find no such setting.

Great idea; very unique product; unfortunately I had some problems with it
Might just be one of the very rare alarm clocks or timers that doesn't suck (and was actually thoughtfully designed), but I experienced a few problems. It's three chime sounds are very nice, especially compared the hard beeps of most alarms and timers, and the ring timer display is interesting. Ultimately, however, I don't know if it is quite worth $100, at least for my needs. The build quality (especially the buttons and the look of the display) is slightly less than I was hoping. In fact my clock was defective, and I had some serious problems communicating with Salubrion about it, though they eventually got back to me with a refund etc and resolved the problem completely. So mixed feelings -- pretty good idea and design, a bit problematic in my individual experience. If it has all the features you are looking for (timers, visual progress, size and shape [note, includes a very nice carrying case], and fits your budget, then you could give it a try.