Customer Reviews

3M Glare Reducing Task Light, Charcoal (TL1000C)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I needed a desk light for my office and my hope was this light would offset the need for me to use the high discharge florescent ceiling lights. The faint "zinging" noise and glare associated with florescent ceiling lights bothers me. The 3M Task Lamp adds a comfortable extra "dimension" of light to my immediate desk space. I do not understand the physics behind this technology but the spectrum of light produced by the Task Lamp is genuinely comfortable on the eyes.

My primary disappointment is this light is not bright enough. You need to have your material directly under the shade for it to be effective. It covers my desk-area but for example; if I'm reading something and lean back in my chair, it is not bright enough to continue reading in a reclined position. This is especially challenging when working at night. I have found my best application for this light is daytime use with the ceiling lights off and additional natural light coming through my window. At night I must use supplemental lighting.

My other disappointment is the feel of the material and mechanics in the power switch. The majority of the light is plastic. It is very light-weight and just does not compare to the finish and integrity of the twenty year old drafting lamp it replaced. The power button is glossy plastic. It has moderate wiggle and it clicks into place in a way that seems to echo cheap quality.

On the positive side- For such a lightweight lamp it is well balanced and not prone to tipping- even when the arm is extended far from the base. The light never gets hot, it does not produce any "hum or zing" and although the locking switch (holding the shade at the desired angle) is plastic, it tightens with consistency and securely. Finally, the lamp does not look cheap. It looks metallic and modern. It has a low cross-profile and so it is minimally intrusive when people are standing opposite my desk speaking with me.

In summary, this is a good "Task Lamp." The polarizing filter technology is legitimate and the lamp will complement any modern or contemporary office. I feel the cost of the lamp should be less expensive given the entire unit is made mostly of plastic. Finally, this lamp does not discharge a great volume of light. For reading, writing, typing, et cetera it is only adequate in the immediate area of your desk or work bench.

Respectfully submitted, K.R.K.

Would not recommend this product. On the plus side, it is a good task lighting lamp (worth 5 stars). However, the heat from the lamp burned (roasted) the plastic/ceramic above the bulb after about two years of use. The engineers in China have yet to make a decent task lighting lamp. The heating problem could possibly be corrected by an air vent to dissapate overheating. I am very surprised that a company like 3M who sells the product does not realize this.

3M Polarizing Light Lamps do exactly what they say, reduce strain on your eyes. Normal light is what is called 'unpolarized', that is, light waves are erratic and the eye has to strain to see them. 3M's lamps polarize the light, filtering out waves not of a certain orientation. Indeed, having this lamp for about 1-2 years, I find the lamp still gives out a strong light, without the strain on the eyes you would associate with this lamp.

Try it, you won't regret it. The only gripe I have is that the tightener to hold the lamp in place has slackened a little, requiring some propping up to get the angle of light I desire, but other than that, its been a good servant to me.

The heat from the bulb burned the plastic near the bulb after one year of use. So, the light became "yellow".

I'm a full-time proofreader, so my work requires excellent lighting. I enjoyed using the 3M glare-reducing task light for the last three years: it definitely reduces eye strain and provides a very crisp and balanced light. I was completely satisfied until I started smelling burning plastic this week. The white film around the bulbs had melted! How long have I been unwittingly breathing in these fumes?! It's simply not worth the health risk to buy this lamp again.

This modernly styled 3M task lamp produces a light that is very easy on the eyes. As long as reading material is in or near the cone of illumination, reading is no problem. It is bright enough for other uses outside that range as well, though it isn't what I would consider a powerful lamp. Eyestrain is magically vanquished by the polarized illumination from this lamp in the hours I have read under its glow. It adjusts easily to help you get the light in just the right spot.

This lamp was very quick and simple to assemble from the box (just one screw) and it is quite sturdy. It's weighted at the bottom and the wide footprint keeps it securely in place when pressing the front facing on/off button or adjusting the lamp level. The button has a tiny green light, so finding it in the dark is a snap. The lamp seems well made, though construction is heavy on the plastic for something in this price range. Time will tell how the plastic stands up to wear and tear and heat from the bulb, but for now it is doing well and the bulb doesn't very hot. During a month of moderate use, I have detected no off odors, nor have I been able to hear the 'hum' one might usually associate with a fluorescent bulb. I find the satin grey finish quite classy as well.

There are a few things that keep this lamp from being perfect in my book. It stands about two feet tall at full height and it doesn't fit under some shelving where I had my old lamp. I had to find a different location to place it. The wide base takes up a good bit of desk real estate, so if you have limited space you may want to keep that in mind. The 3M Task Light is quite expensive when compared to your standard desk lamp, and that would be my primary hesitation in recommending it. If eye strain from the glare of standard lamps is not an issue for you, I say save your money. If you do have such issues and want a quality adjustable task light, then keep this glare reducing light on your short-list. I never though I need a specialized lamp like this, but I have been amazed at how much less stressful it is to read for long periods of time, and how crisp and clear detail is under it its illumination. If you can, test this unit out at a local office supply store. You may just decided the extra cost is worth it.

~ Kort

I've been used this task light for years in my country
even though I move to US now
It's still my first choice because the function and quality

As many will attest, I spend WAY too much time at my desk. Between work, writing, internet usage, etc., many of my waking hours are spent in front of a monitor and keyboard (like now). As such, desk lighting is important to me. I was able to get the 3M Glare Reducing Task Light via the Amazon Vine review program, and I must say it was was an excellent selection. It looks stylish, and the level of lighting it provides does the job while reducing eye strain.

The lamp was easy to put together, and given my lack of mechanical abilities, that was nice. :) In a matter of just a couple of minutes, it was set up on my desk, plugged in, and doing its job. The base provides a solid foundation for the lamp regardless of how you adjust the arm, so there's little danger of it tipping over. In the pictures, it looks like it's a black brushed metal, but everything is plastic. Given the list price of almost $200, that was somewhat disappointing. Time will tell how long the plastic holds up over a metal alternative. I tend to leave the light on constantly, and I've had no problems with heat buildup or bulbs burning out, so that's a positive. The anti-glare screen is a good mix between providing adequate light for the chore while not casting a harsh glare in the corner of my range of vision. While I liked the lamp I had on my desk before, it didn't have a covering over the bulb and it could be somewhat annoying if I happened to glance in that direction.

While I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to dish out the amount of money it would take to buy this lamp off the shelf, I'm happy with the aesthetics and functionality of it. Now if it only provided my daily dose of vitamin D for the amount of time I *don't* spend outside, it'd be perfect...

Disclosure:
Obtained From: Amazon Vine Review Program
Payment: Free

I work on my computer most of the day and was looking for a better light that would make my eyes more relaxed and less dry. The lights are very expensive, but when I saw one this one on a lightening offer I quickly ordered it. I am really glad I did. In fact I'm waiting for a second offer for another room! The lamp was easy to set up and I placed it toward the front of my desk. The arm and flexibility of the light made it a cinch to light up the work area whether it's the computer or a writing place. With the lamp at the front of the desk I'm easily able to swing it over any reading material I'm studying from my chair. I just love working under this light, my eyes feel so much better and I find myself wanting to move to my workspace where ever I am in the house to read comfortably.

If you're looking for a nice task light, this is a good but somewhat pricey option. The base is pretty big (about 8 by 8 inches) so it does take up a bit of space on a small desk, but on the other hand the base is flat so you can actually put pens or something on it if necessary - plus it obviously also means that the lamp won't tip easily. If you extend the arm all the way, the lamp will be about 20 inches high, or you can bend the arm forward to lower it. The light is nice, perfect if you're working in a room with some ambient light, but might not be strong enough if the room has no other source of light - in other words, the light may be insufficient by itself (for me at least) but is perfect in a room with some daylight or another light source. The design is great: it looks sturdy without looking clunky, and the charcoal coloring of the exterior is beautiful. If I had one complaint, it's the price tag: you can find decent task lights that will do the same thing for you for a quarter of the price of this one. However, if you don't mind the cost (or can find it on sale), this is definitely a quality task light.