With Some Clocks, Rude Awakenings

No one wants to be tied to electronics when they're traveling, but when you need to adjust to unfamiliar settings or time differences, it's nice to have some help along for the ride. (By the way, did you remember to set your clocks back an hour this morning?)

Whether you've scheduled an early-morning meeting or a hot-stone massage, packing a travel alarm means never having to rely on an automated wake-up call to get you there on time. We tested six timekeepers to see how they measure up.

-- Terri Sapienza

· Travel Alarm Clock from Rite Aid

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($4.99, available in stores only)

Weight: 2.4 ounces with battery.

Special features: None. This travel clock is as basic as it gets.

The good: Small size, lightweight, uncomplicated. One AA battery included.

The bad: The glow-in-the-dark hands didn't glow, and the small, plastic setting screws are difficult to use. The first time we tried setting the alarm, one of the screws fell off.

Grade: D

· Nightfinder II Travel Alarm Clock from L.L. Bean

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($19, http://www.llbean.com)

Weight: 3.7 ounces with batteries

Special features: Eight-minute snooze function, crescendo alarm, backlight, large LCD, indoor temperature and 12- or 24-hour display option.