Customer Reviews

Belkin Clip-On Reading Light for Kindle (White)

5 star:		(111)
4 star:		(40)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(25)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

Length:: 1:41 Mins

Edit on July 10, 2010:

I have added a very short video comparing a few of my reading lights, but please understand I am not a videographer, so it really isn't that good. But I hope it helps someone though.

I still use the Belkin light the most and no longer look for any other reading lights for my Kindle - it broke my addiction! :)

Original Review:

I admit to collecting reading lights for my Kindle (you can see my review of others here: Mighty Bright MiniFlex Book Light, Black), so it wasn't surprising when I ordered this one after seeing it mention on the Kindle forum here on Amazon.

The light is very bright - even on the lowest setting. It might actually be a bit too bright if you are reading in bed with a significant other, but I don't have that problem at the moment.

I read my Kindle naked - sans cover. This light firmly holds onto the Kindle without or without a cover. It is different than the other Might Bright Lights, as this doesn't clip on per se - it will slide onto the naked Kindle, and will extend to fit over the Kindle with a cover. I have added pictures above to show this in more detail.

For me, the biggest issues are weight of the light and limiting a hotspot on the Kindle screen. I find this light to weigh about the same as the Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Clip-On Light (Kindle Version) Black [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging], (maybe a little less) but it seems more balanced because of the wider base - easier for me to use in bed while I am lying on my side. The front edge also will not touch the Kindle screen like the Might Bright will. And I am able to adjust the light so I have no hotspot on the screen.

Some of these things are probably personal preference, so your mileage may vary. If you like the Kandle, this probably isn't for you. If you like the Mighty Bright, this is slightly better in my opinion, but a bit pricier.

Enjoy! :)

The light has really only got to do two things well: stay in place and provide glare-free light.

The clip mostly works, though it can be dislodged rather easily. The clamp is not a levered-clothespin, but a parallel clamp that doesn't exert a whole lot of pressure when in place. Not a dealbreaker for bedtime readers, but just don't expect to leave this thing in place while walking around the house or transporting in a bag.

The LEDs put out as much light as a decent flashlight. It's not a peaceful, soft glow but a serious task light on a gooseneck. It's bright enough to annoy a spouse... even a spouse that's watching TV. If Belken knocked the lower setting down to about 1/3 its current brightness, it'd be plenty bright for reading the Kindle. The switch is on the lamp head, which itself is pretty small. Flicking the tiny switch with a thumbnail isn't that bad, but it's easy to flick right past the lower setting and end up lighting up the whole bedroom for a second --before switching the thing off by accident (missing the lowest setting, again). By doing this you end up creating a momentary disco effect in the bedroom just trying to get the thing turned on.

Having AAAs instead of coin batteries in the light is a welcome convenience. You're more likely to have AAAs around the house than some little watch battery. Changing the batts is as simple as changing the batts in a TV remote control; there are no little screws contend with. I haven't had it long enough to judge its battery life, though.

But be aware that the using 3xAAAs in a light does add a considerable amount of weight to the top of the Kindle. The concern isn't really with the weight it adds, but the way it affects the balance and ergonomics of the Kindle. I found the I had to hold the Kindle up a bit higher than I was used to. Holding something for an hour or two, you find that a little change can make a big difference. I found I liked clipping the light to the bottom of the Kindle to keep the center of balance low. But, this covers up the space bar and some other keys. The next best thing is to clip it to the side of the Kindle I'm holding, just above the page turn buttons.

Pro:
AAA battery's easily available and simple to replace
2 brightness settings
Flexible head is easily adjustable for glare-free reading

Con:
Too bright. Even on it's dimmer setting, it lights half the bedroom.
Heavy, affects the handling and balance of the Kindle

Like Periwinkle I have been collecting various lights for my Kingle 2. After reading Perkiwinkle's review, I bought this light. I absolutely love it. It is much lighter than all the other lights for the Kindle 2. It can be adjusted where there is no glare. I have been using it every day for going on a couple weeks. I do a lot of night reading so the weight, amount of light is important to me. I find this to be the perfect lightweight and the amount of light perfect.

Now I have to figure out what to do with those other lights as this is the perfect light for the Kindle 2.

I have a gel cover on my Kindle 2 and the light fits over it very well. Admittedly it is a snug fit, but that what I would want.

I would give this 100 stars if I could.

So i've been surfing around for a light for my kindle for a bit, the only requirements being that it lights up my kindle and wont hurt it/scratch it. As per these preconditions i've been hesitant to buy some of the others that you can get like the Great Point Light Flex Neck Clip-On reading light or the M-Edge e-Luminator2 Booklight because i also like to read with my kindle 'naked'.

So i saw this one and decided to give it a go -
- Does a great job lighting up my kindle, there are no glare spots that cant be coaxed away
- Fits on my kindle like a glove, an im not worried about any damage done because of the anti-slip grip
- It's nice and light so you barley notice it when your holding your kindle
- It squishes up for easy travel
- And kudos to the 'guaranteed frustration free packaging' which i just found amusing

Overall, i am very happy

For those of you who have tried to find reading lights for your Kindle, you know there are surprisingly few to choose from on Amazon (at least at the time I looked). After reading reviews on the ones available, I decided on this one. I can't compare it to others, like some reviewers have, but I can say I love it. It's light and compact and easy to carry and use. The light has 2 settings, high and low. High is a little too bright for the 6" Kindle but may be needed for the DX. The low setting is fine and even tho there is a bit of glare, you can adjust that by moving the light a bit to counter. So far, the batteries (3 AAA) are lasting a long time. I am very happy with this purchase and hope my review helps in your decision.

First let me say this. The ONLY reason I didn't give this light 5 stars is that the switch used to select the brightness is a little clunky. I find I need to use one hand to hold the light and the other to get the slide switch to stop in the middle position which is my favorite.

That said this light is wonderful in all other respects. From reading some of the negative reviews before purchasing I was a little worried about bright spots. My fear was ungrounded. You can adjust this light in any number of ways to have a glare free experience.

The light is surprisingly light but has a sturdy well built feeling to it. It's infinitely adjustable and stays in the position you put it in, no creeping.

Battery life is great.

It clamps firmly to the kindle and almost feels like it's a part of it.

A surprise benefit I discovered is when the light is attached and you are lying on the floor or on the bed reading it tilts the Kindle up a bit for a more comfortable read.

ANOTHER surprise benefit is how well it also works on my laptop and clamped on the top of my clothies locker door above my mirror. I am working in Northern Iraq right now and my CHU (Combat Housing Unit) mate works nights so the CHU is dark. My keyboard on my laptop is unlighted and this thing has REALLY helped me out there. When I put it on my locker door I can now see my face in the mirror.

This thing is really invaluable in my situation. Get it. You won't be disappointed....

I read at bedtime to prepare myself for a good night sleep. So, I've always been in search of a good book light--even before I owned a Kindle DX. I had been using the M-Edge e-Luminator2 Kindle DX Booklight (Fits 9.7" Display, Latest Generation Kindle DX) in combination with the M-Edge Platform Leather Kindle DX Jacket (Fits 9.7" Display, Latest Generation Kindle DX), Pebbled Navy. But the e-Luminator2 just did not illuminate the full screen of my Kindle DX. I had resorted to adding a second generic clip-on LED light to the bottom of my Kindle. The entire contraption weighed about as much as an average Robert Jordan hard cover novel.

Then I noticed this light had recently been added to the Kindle line of accessories. Based on a few good reviews I bought one. I'm glad I did. The three LEDs provide more than enough illumination to cover the complete reading area of a Kindle DX. Yes, because it is bright, it can create hot spots. However, the Belkin has a wonderfully long arm that can easily be adjusted to a glare free position. Also, the flexible arm holds its shape and position extremely well.

I now can read my Kindle DX at night, without the cover and with only a single light. The entire combination is about as heavy as Robert Jordan paperback.

I bought this item for my Kindle and after using it once I am returning it back to Amazon. I love how this item clips onto the Kindle or Kindle and Case. I also like the long gooseneck, but the problem is the glare. This product has three leds that are very bright and very white. I tested this item along side another light I got, the M-edge eLuminator2 Booklight. I really like the light from M-edge because there is very very light glare plus the greatest benefit is that the single led produces a slight bluest/white glow that is very appealing to the eyes. The Belkin booklight bothered my eyes within two minutes of using it. I believe the M-edge is one of the best if not the best booklight for your kindle or other e-reader, but the only downside to that light is that you have to use a M-edge cover. The M-edge eLuminator does not have a clip to attach to a e-reader or book. The belkin was bothered my eyes so much that I had to take a break from reading. I wanted to love this item but it produced too much glare. My wife was laying next to me in bed and noted that the Belkin booklight was too bright and also bothered here while she was trying to read. I then proceeded to do a test by swithing booklight and test out the M-edge eLuminator2 and she commented that it was way better, there was no glare on my Kindle and that she could get some sleep while I read. In my opinion, I would recommend buying the M-edge eLuminator2 as long as you don't mind buying and using a M-edge cover while you read for your Kindle/Nook or other e-readers out there. Sadly, I am also returning the M-edge eLuminator2 because I find it is more comfortable for me to read without a case/cover on my Kindle. I rather read without anything attached to my Kindle. I guess I will have to give the Kindle a try. The belkin clip-on reading light and the M-edge eLuminator gave me no problems with darkest towards the bottom of the Kindle screen like I've read on the Kandle. I guess I will give the Kandle a try, but if anyone has any suggestions on other reading lights for my Kindle please let me know throught the comment section. Thanks!

This light is outstanding; the best I have used. It fits securely over the Kindle and the book cover. No need to remove the cover to use. The flexible arm is really flexible and can be adjusted to any angle. The adjustable depth of the clip makes it possible to use it with or without the cover.

I was sceptical about buying this light after being unhappy with the others I'd purchased. I was also not too happy about the fact that it takes 3 AAAs - I was concerned about it being too heavy.

It's a great light though, and I haven't noticed the weight to have as much of an impact as I thought it would. I love the way it fits onto the top of my Kindle. There's no awkward clip and it just slides on and off while remaining in position when it's on. The light is even when placed in a way that it aims down (there is also no glare if you do it this way), and the neck is incredibly flexible, almost soft, yet it retains its shape almost perfectly.