![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoyqwGCKZSropbnrS770NZtLqL4qa2iOZfS9XXY0LO79Ss6fN29AulJdvr7rRQ6MTOqF0DYVVeLLJfaksiGq5d7zO4tPadAjnC_JyeKgFuWAP0UZ7W-zUHlqXK57q9mGiBuM4dA/s400/flavor+and+beaker-flav.jpg)
I am on a perpetual quest for a better lab timer. Unfortunately the features I want don't seem to live in a single timer. I've thought about buying parts and programming/soldering something with the features I want, but it's not worth the time it would take. Here's my list of needed features:
1) Enter countdown time using number buttons, none of that up/down crap. In other words, it should have a keyboard like this:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UTWM70NNWnZ_PWQkw4-xJc9OT7pMpwKF66PITI6S5FS1lq3oP2v070XirOly8sL5bhzguIm7pgBMFo9q-hkMmERZq9Tut0Dm8R1avMy9wt0HZpEDF0XaTCSqm4x8tfYRrwLTUQ/s320/acu-rite+timer.jpg)
1a) The interface for setting the countdown time shouldn't be stupid. For example, I shouldn't have to hold down a "set" button. If I'm pressing a number button, what else might I want to be doing? Obviously, I want to be setting the time.
2) When the elapsed time is finished, if I don't silence the alarm within a minute, it should stop beeping and start counting up so when I come back I know how long it's been.
3) It should show three different countdowns at once, like this:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HF-JLbNxYTWI9lKWWgMKasv6cbjtzxt2kU0Yt2YdUY5piue4TxMUe2v6xQJW7Nv-OAJctxq6WqF6Gkc4iv7FvNAwT6_MmfiCYNrk_6JBGr5y_FQkdQc9kr0Q5eH7luABh91ogw/s320/3channeltimer.jpg)
4) It should have a "lock" slider button that prevents the buttons from responding when I put it in my pocket.
5) It should have a clip so I can attach it the outside of my pocket when I need to take it with me and use it frequently.
6) It should have a magnet on the back so I can attach it to the eye-level metal rail at my bench.
7) It should not be ginormous.
It's this kind of thing that I find to be a ridiculous need given the technology we have today. I can program. I can get a circuit board printed. I can print to a 3D printer. Why can't I make the timer of my dreams easily?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUlUMMO0g6D8132MhxgwGBgWkRKKI7gX50z5ktY3djN3NTEX9QoNTdi1VZGPbmmDNVqNiuJkbdXqELkwOoR3DJUu1djYIWbBvLrskcJXgEYHHkMKjYABrIZzOBCAhIz2JckCJ5Q/s320/frogman_example.jpeg)
(Image and inspiration from http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~sdm/examples.htm)
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