What is this device/object that the SpaceX astronauts are holding?

Question

Watching the SpaceX Demo-2 launch preparation livestream, I saw both Bob and Doug using some sort of little gadget. It looks like a chunky cell phone, or a flat gopro. It appears to have an LCD on the back side (the side we can see).

pictures and learnings from the Saturday launch- he removes it from his leg pouch and sticks it above the monitor. I assume it is velcroed on.

This question was posted only a few seconds before a similar question. If one of them receives an answer, the other should be closed as a duplicate. — DrSheldon, May 27 '20 at 19:50
Guesses:

Accurate clocks, synchronized in-person with the ground equipment. You can't have enough clocks in space travel; accurate timing determines whether you can execute precise maneuvers at all.

Wireless receiver for telemetry or radio communication from the suits

Matching retro iPods — CourageousPotato, May 30 '20 at 02:43
This looks like what was called in shuttle an "egg timer". Just a cheap LCD timer with Velcro on the back. Will seek confirmation. — Organic Marble, May 30 '20 at 16:59
yeah, @OrganicMarble, you and CourageousPotato have the leading theory. Especially since I saw him 'stick' it up there, which is what you'd do with a timer. — 300D7309EF17, May 30 '20 at 17:02
Picture of the shuttle eggtimer here https://i.imgur.com/nmiPqK4.jpg (red arrow) — Organic Marble, May 30 '20 at 17:02

score 5 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 09 '20 at 03:21

5

Not entirely sure of his source, but Scott Manley seems to assume these are portable timers. Timestamp of 5:00 at this Youtube Link.

edited Jun 09 '20 at 03:21

300D7309EF17

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answered Jun 07 '20 at 08:07

CourageousPotato

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That's great! Accepting based on DJSnM's knowledge, if anyone comes along with a more solid source I'll unaccept and move it to theirs. – 300D7309EF17 Jun 08 '20 at 21:03

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 19 '23 at 07:10

3

I believe it's CDN PT2 kitchen timer. In shuttle era PT1A was used.

answered Sep 19 '23 at 07:10

user52175

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Your answer could be improved with additional supporting information. Please [edit] to add further details, such as citations or documentation, so that others can confirm that your answer is correct. You can find more information on how to write good answers in the help center. – Community Sep 19 '23 at 09:00
It sure looks just like it and CDN is a brand that NASA has used in the past. In fact here is a CDN timer on a Soyuz. NASA has used other brands also, here is a shot from STS-132 showing two timers, the brand on the right is Time Check, the brand on the left is different but unfortunately illegible because of a sticker placed over it. Here's John Glenn's Time Check from STS-95 – Steve Pemberton Sep 19 '23 at 14:03

What is this device/object that the SpaceX astronauts are holding?

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