Customer Reviews

Westek 6043BC 200W 3-Level Touch Pad Dimmer, Black

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This product is convenient (especially if you're short and can't quite reach the switch on a tall lamp), until it breaks! The first one I ordered lasted about 9 months until it just shorted out. I got a second one which lasted about a month, and again, it just shorted out. Part of it has to do with static electricity generated in the winter time in my house, so when I go to touch it, I shock it, thus making it short out. Luckily the price is reasonable, so I'm not out a ton of money. I will NOT be buying a third and will either buy shorter lamps or learn to stretch if I need to turn on my lamp. You're better off getting an actual touch lamp instead of this quick fix.

I had the same experience as the previous reviewer. I had 2 units, each connected to bedside lamps with 40w incandescent bulbs. When one of the bulbs burned out the dimmer failed. I don't really know which was the cause and which was the effect! There is no way to service or inspect the switch without tearing the case apart. The touch functionality was useful, but it needs to be more robust.

Westek 200W 3-Level Touch Pad Dimmer, Black #6043BC

We've been through two of these. They're wonderful...until....
The first one broke when we screwed in a new light bulb while it was plugged in and turned on. That might be put down to "doing something dumb" - perhaps it would have been best to turn the light off first.
The second one broke when a bulb burned out while it was running!
I am looking for the company that makes it, and intending to complain. I would really like to have one of these - IFF it could be persuaded to continue to work. I'd hate to think I have to use a surge-protector on an ordinary floor lamp!

This is a great product. My wife and I are very pleased with this touch pad dimmer. It is better and more convenient than a rotary dimmer and/or a 3-way lamp (light bulb). Just touch it for on low, medium, high and off.

This dimmer switch is very effective for my ederly (81) mother. It allows her to have a switch near by to change a lamp and she does not have to get up to do it.

This is a great little dimmer while it works. I'm getting about a year out of them until they burn out. I'm ordering my third now, and will buy several in anticipation of the next malfunction.

With a handicapped person in the house, it's important to have a reliable touch lamp dimmer readily available. We have had Westek dimmers on five table lamps in our house for the past three years, and have NEVER had one burn out or "break." Yes, they will occasionally turn on a lamp during a thunderstorm or after a power outage. You just reach over and turn it off. When light bulbs burn out, you just replace the bulb without touching the lamp switch. The dimmer keeps working. If you turn the lamp switch "off" the touch switch won't work until you turn it back on again. No surprise there. We love this product. I'm ordering a couple more for other table lamps in our house. March, 2010. Used the last of six of these that I've ordered over the past four years. ALL of them are still working perfectly. Time to order a couple more for "just in case" we get a new lamp.

Nice when it works. After an electrical storm the thing sort of got a mind of it's own. It randomly turned on the light in the middle of the night. At first I thought the cat was doing it, but I've seen the light go on without the cat being in sight. It worked great for about 8 or 9 months and controlled a halogen bulb.
Edit 11-29-10. The second touch pad failed and won't work at all. It arrived 4-10-08 and stopped working 11-27-10 while changing a burned out bulb. It just made a pop when the bulb was screwed in. The things have a 5 year Warranty but by the time you pay to ship the old one back, and take the chance the claim will be denied, you can just buy a new one. Too bad they can't make these things last longer. They are really handy when they work.

We love them... except after 1 month, static electricty from putting on my robe shocked it, and it no longer works. Other reviewers are saying the same... so if you are going to buy it... buy a bunch cuz you'll need 'em.

I tried a brand called Touch & Glow which is pretty much the same thing, only it's rated at 400 Watts, so it should be even more resilient. You're lucky if they last six months. They don't even outlast the 100 Watt bulb. This is a chronic problem with all these touch dimmers, no matter what the configuration (screw in, plug, pad). I have the same problem with battery powered garden lights. If they last a year, you're lucky. It gets to be rather expensive.