Customer Reviews

SADelite 10,000 SAD Light Therapy Desk Lamp

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This light therapy lamp is not the prettiest or smallest (though I don't think it's ugly nor excessively huge either), but it is very solid in long-term performance and sturdiness. I've had one for years, have moved homes with it three times, tossed it carelessly in the closet for spring and summer (I know, I shouldn't do that) and still works like day one. If you have a spot where you can set it and don't need something portable or high fashion, this lamp will stand by you for years to come. It also can be angled down, so that you can sit next to it or in front (I usually read for a bit by it's light) without burning your eyes off. I have SAD, but I also have very sensitive eyes and didn't want something I had to stare right into like some of the others that emit light right out of the front. If you want it straight on, you can do that too, but that's too much for my eyes and this lamp gives me options that work.

I've owned this light for 4 or 5 years now. It has performed flawlessly. The parabolic design lets me sit several feet away, without it blinding me, and do my deskwork naturally. It is UV safe for the eyes. I get seasonal depression in winter or any time of the year if I'm not outside in the sun enough - and this is the next best thing to being outside on a sunny day. I use it every day. With this light, I can work at my desk and keep a "sunny" disposition. I wouldn't want to spend a day indoors without it.

Light therapy is very potent, with potential for great benefit, but it has equal potential for messing up your sleep cycle and energy levels when used inappropriately.

Below is a link to the website of the Center for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms, a part of the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University. Read the info there before you start dosing yourself with light.

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This is a GREAT lamp. I finally settled on it after trying out two Apollo products, which proved to be too harsh for my eyes (Apollo uses a very white light). This light is somewhat softer, and I am able to use it without nausea or headache, which I experienced with the other lights. The SADelite does the trick beautifully-- it has boosted my energy, and the quality is excellent. I gave the Apollo brite lite to a friend who can use it without any difficulty. My advice -- if at all possible, try to visit a store so that you can actually see the lights before you buy! The Apollo lights are great products, but too harsh for some people.

I have used the SADelite for over 5 years with great success. I have learned to start using it as soon as daylight savings time ends. Even one session brightens my mood! Usually, I just have my cereal and coffee in front of it, for 15-20 minutes in the morning, and that does the trick.

Although the Sadelite did not improve my energy level, I was very happy with the money back guarantee, which I received in a very prompt manner after returning the lamp. Also, the customer service was very good: whenever I had a question, I had no problem reaching a human being who answereed the questions I had.

I have heard that bright light therapy doesn't work for everyone, and I guess I was one of those for whom it did not work; however, it was worth the chance because of the money back guarantee, which may only be available when you deal directly with the manufacturer.

I got this lamp over ten years ago when I was diagnosed with SAD. It did seem to help at first (though, being in combination with anti-depressants it's impossible to say how much was due to the lamp). The only problem was that, several years later, I became more sensitive to fluorescent lighting and found that when I used the lamp as directed, I became severely nauseous (regular fluorescent lights also make me slightly nauseous or give me headaches as well now). However, I was able to continue to use the light as a room lamp, by turning it upward to the cieling, and find that not only does this create a wonderfully bright and cheery room, it also helps to wake me up and energize me almost as much as sunlight does. I would also note that the lamp has been very very durable... I've tried to be careful with it but have banged it around a bit and it still works as well as ever (and I haven't even had to change the bulbs yet!) The one exception is the plastic UV screen - it became brittle and broke about 3 years after I bought the lamp. I can't compare this product to any others as it's the only one I've tried but all in all I would definitely recommend it.

As soon as I unpacked the lamp I had to get out my cleaning solution and cloths to scrub off darkly colored-marks and strange-looking drips on the reflective surface of the lamp shade, as well as the base and electric cord and plug. I was angry to have paid more than $100 for a dirty lamp, but was not about to pay to ship it back. So I plugged in the SADelite and now am happy to own an amazing lamp. The owner advertised the desk lamp was gently used, but should have revealed it was never wiped off! Unless you're okay with nasty dirty products, I wouldn't recommend buying from this seller. But Northern Techlogies makes a fine lamp. My SAD is now in remission, with 30 minutes exposure each morning. Don't know yet how long the bulbs will last.