HISTORY:
Look what the cat dragged out! This is one of the stranger pieces of consumer equipment that I used for a short time to help me sleep! These days Google/Alexa can provide me with whatever sounds I want when it's time to hit the pillow but this sort of standalone equipment can still be useful in cases where there is no internet access (OMG!) or you are on the move and using your smartphone just isn't a good option.
WARNING .... if you have recently suffered thunderstorm or flooding damage, it would NOT be a good idea to listen to this equipment when sleeping as it could invoke nightmares!
This is basically a small unit (and quite light) that is intended to sit on your bedside table. It runs off batteries or a DC power pack (not supplied - I seem to have lost it!)
Easy to use .... select the sound effect you wish to doze off to, adjust the volume and push the timer button so that it doesn't run all night long.
The sounds generated are realistic and at least in my case, it did help me have a more restful sleep.
Here are the choices of sound ...
Thunder (Hmmm, I can't say this was one of my first choices)
Ocean - nice gentle ocean/beach sounds
Brook - Ah yes, the sound of running water but warning, it could make you want to visit the bathroom!
Summer Night - those nice "jungle type" sounds of the bush or rainforest at night ... good unless you are terrified of flying bugs!
Rain - always a soother, nice to enter 'Dreamworld' with
White Noise - Again not one of my personal favourites, why would I want to recreate the constant tinnitus I hear all day long! But some like this sort of swishing sound.
Here is a young persons video (no relation to me) demonstrating the various sounds ...
HOMEDICS - Fixed Six Sound Effects Generator
Made in China
Model: SS-2000
Sometimes you can see these referred to as "Sound Spa's" or even "Sound Massagers"
Nicely designed (and coloured) unit that should suit most bedroom decor's
Robust construction, if it falls to the floor during the night it will not easily break.
Easy to use (outlined above) Just set the sound, adjust the volume and set the timer
Timer settings (push button) for 15, 30 or 60 minutes
Volume control is easy to use and when turned fully clockwise, it is LOUD!
Underneath is an easy to access battery compartment, designed for 4x AA batteries. I will NOT supply the batteries (very commonly available - use Alkaline type for longer battery life)
Australia Post classifies batteries as dangerous goods and gets just a bit 'touchy' about sending them with the equipment so I leave the batteries up to the new owner.
The equipment can also accept a 6V DC plug pack type of wall adapter but I no longer have it .... meaning that the DC power pack is NOT supplied.
DIMENSIONS:
The shape is something like an oval with wings on each side, sloping upwards from the front.
150mm x 160mm x 45mm height at the rear
(Slightly larger than my hand)
WEIGHT:
225g
(Without batteries)
TESTING:
This unit had been unused for quite a while so I checked the battery compartment (it was empty anyway) for signs of old battery damage - NONE.
Fitted 4x AA batteries and started making sounds! All is working fine, plenty of volume (and changing the volume is not 'scratchy") Volume with the integral ON-OFF switch works fine too.
Cosmetically the case is clean, sterilised and has no marks or scratches on it.
I have finished with the photographs and description so now this equipment has been placed into a sealed clear plastic packet, waiting for a new owner who suffers sleepless nights (or just gets a kick out of hearing the rain falling while they drift off to sleep!)
