Customer Reviews

Normande Desk Lamp, Brushed Steel (Not CA Compliant)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I tried to overcome the negative comments about this lamp falling down from its base pivot hinge -- smugly thinking that some people must really hate screwdrivers -- and are a tad lazy. So I bought this lamp anyway in late March 2009. Boy, were they right. I WAS WRONG. (And trust me, I'm good with my hands when it comes to basic office furniture.)

Yeah, the lamp arm fell down a few times -- but a good tighten with a screwdriver fixed it immediately. Then it happened again -- and again -- and again. Full disclosure: I like to pivot my desk lamp in different directions from time to time, depending upon what I'm working on. Sometimes I like to bounce the light off a wall to get a more even cast. I consider this normal use; not rough handling. Any desk lamp equipped with joints/hinges MUST be able to pivot in almost every direction without falling. I use compact fluorescents, so the weight of the bulb is NOT the problem. And then it happened. The lamp fell down again yesterday -- and no amount of tightening would bring it upright again.

I figured out the problem. The two rubber washers at the base pivot hinge -- can only take so much tightening -- before they fail completely within 60-90 days of normal use.

Hence despite glowing reviews elsewhere, keep the box. The warranty is good for two years. Better yet, don't buy this at all until Normande comes up with a better base pivot hinge -- or restricts adjustment settings to just the lamp's head, not the lamp's arm.

This is a FATAL engineering flaw. I can't believe Normande would release such a elegant looking lamp as this -- without first putting it through a 24-hour motion test. What a hassle.

A bit pricy and the joints are a bit loose out of the box. However they can be tighened with a screwdriver, so that is really no problem. May be able to get a better value at a big-box store.

For task lighting this lamp does its job well and works well with a CF bulb. The only other thing that I don't like is that the on-off switch is on the base instead of the lamp head. Some may prefer it this way, but I find it more accessible on the lamp head than on the base (harder to get to).

This is a great lamp. Larger (almost 2ft in height and 8in diameter at the base) and heavier(8lbs) than i expected. Its made of silver aluminum though out. the lamp swivels at the base and at its head with side swivel also. The added plus is the socket located at the base. Its convenient for plugging in chargers (cell phone ipod ect). Great price and fast shipping, and it even qualifies for amazon prime.

I wanted to like this lamp. It looked good and the AC socket on the base is a real bonus to plug a charger into. But sadly the screw at the base gets lose easily and the lamp falls down. Tighten it up and a few days later it falls down again. Just not a good design.The shade is poorly mounted also.

I hate to say it but do not buy this lamp. It has a really bad design and the head is too heavy and does not sit upright and falls on the desk. Very Awkwardly shaped lamp not like the picture. Kind of really cheap and that's why it is priced so low!!!

The bolt mechanism that is supposed to raise and lower the lamp DOESN'T work, no matter how carefully you tighten it. Beware!

This is a really nice looking desk lamp and very functional. The brushed steel gives it a more expensive look than the reasonable price I paid on Amazon. I like the broad light that is cast from the tall frame, and the extra power outlet is very handy to have on top of the desk. I bought two, my 8 year old put them together and they both work great.

Very nice looking lamp. I like the additional plug in outlet attached. Does not occupy much desk space.

This would be a great lamp, and I can see how those reviewers who've not had problem would love it.

Despite some of the warnings here, I took a chance and bought one - and yeah, after only a couple of times of adjusting its position, this guy now just flops over. Didn't even get to put a light bulb into it before it broke. Not a loose screw issue, as I've tried adjusting that (and have even taken it apart to see if I could fix it. No luck on that so far.

Amazon really should be ashamed of marketing such shoddy merchandise.

As some people seem to have working lamps, apparently it is a mixed-bag. If you like to gamble and need a light, this is the lamp for you.

Otherwise, STAY AWAY from this one.

Maybe if I use a string to keep the top up...

I bought two of these; and they work perfectly. They are designed with a swiveling shade. They are not designed to have the arm move up and down. In other words, this is a stationary lamp. Those who have tried to raise and lower the arm are stripping the screw. It's not designed to be moved up and down. I particularly like the on/off button on the base as well as the extra electrical outlet in the back. I installed fluorescent light bulbs since incandescent bulbs get too hot. Perfect for my desk. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V77B4K/ref=oss_product