Tell me more ×
Personal Productivity Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people wanting to improve their personal productivity. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 6 down vote favorite
1

I have been using focus booster app for pomodoro method. But I think i should invest in a physical timer, that I can set next to me while I work. I do have an IPod touch (with pomodoro apps) and could just get a kitchen egg timer, but I thought something dedicated and digital would be worth the investment.

Requirements:

  • Set 2 countdown times ( 25 minutes & 5 )
  • Alarm sound

Ideal Requirements:

  • Ticking sound
  • Big digital display
share|improve this question
2  
I suspect the "ticking sound" would make this more stressful. – Paul Beckingham Aug 1 '11 at 15:42
1  
The "ticking sound" is part of the by-the-book Pomodoro method, although I too find it too stressful to use. – J.T. Hurley Aug 1 '11 at 19:28
2  
From personal experience, ticking can be helpful to focus, to help realize how the time is passing, and how much work is still to be done. But it really dependes on mood, a type of task, ... – Skarab Aug 2 '11 at 1:41
I've no philosophical quarrel with a ticking timer, but please do make sure to consider anyone else who has to work within earshot of it. – Belisama May 31 '12 at 19:27

3 Answers

up vote 4 down vote accepted

I purchased a timer at Bed Bath & Beyond that has three separate timers and an overall timer/clock. It's cheap ($15) and does the job. Each timer has a large digital display where I use the top with 4 Hours, the middle with 25 minutes and the bottom with 5 minutes.

Here's the link:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=13121940

share|improve this answer
Nice, is it easy to use? – Adam Aug 2 '11 at 18:30
Quick and easy. It sits in front of my keyboard and below my two monitors. – Guy S Aug 2 '11 at 18:48
I bought one, it works well. Three timers is great, and they remember what they are counting down from. Takes a while to get used to the buttons, but once you do it works quite well. Also, good or Bad, it is surprisingly loud. – Adam Oct 11 '11 at 16:18
If it's too loud you can tape over the 'speaker hole'. – blizpasta May 1 '12 at 14:00
up vote 0 down vote

This retro style kitchen timer looks nice and it's only 10$.

share|improve this answer
up vote 4 down vote

I think just the typical kitchen timer is the best investment you can get (for a physical device). Anything "fancier" would be too distracting.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.