The DB-81 was near the apex of the plain DB series (the ultimate elaboration including both a calculator and voice memo); these larger successors to the hallowed DB-520 feature electroluminescent lighting, which although subject to slight fading over the decades, remains far superior to the LED lighting which generally displaced it. An optional scrolling memo can be set to replace the weekday/year display, a potentially very useful feature, among a comprehensive array. The backlight can be set to flash with the alarm and hourly chime, and stays on for a minimum of 1.5s, longer if the button is held. The 24hr timer has a one minute resolution. The world time, alarm, timer and stopwatch modes all keep the time displayed on the second line.

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