Customer Reviews

Zelco Itty Bitty Book Light, Volume 2

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I cannot go to sleep without reading. My wife, on the other hand, goes to sleep in 60 seconds except if there is a light on. So you can understand why we both thought that this book light would be a gift from the gods:-)

Unfortunately it did not turn out to be so. My wife actually gave me the vol.1 light first, as a gift. The first few hours were great: the tool is light, VERY adjustable, and reasonably well put together. However, the bulb burned out approximately 6 hours later. I took me several hours of searching over a couple of months to find a replacement, which burned 2 hours later. I did not have the time to buy a relacement bulb again for a while and the book light went back into a drawer.

I later bought the booklight vol.2 (this model), which is also quite a handy and adjustable design. After about 10 hours of use, the connection between the light and the power adapter stopped working. That was it for the second light.

Finally, my wife bought me a second booklight vol.2, which I plugged in immediately. Bulb burned up in 1.5 hours. Only replacement bulb I had burned up in another 2 hours.

So that's it for me: $100 and 3 successful purchases got me about 20 hours of total use - that's $5 an hour! This light adjusts well and looks good but its reliability is so poor that I have to give it a thumbs down - avoid at all costs.

I've tried virtually every book light, and so far this is the best all round. I tried one with an LED bulb, because the regular bulbs don't seem to last too long (perhaps burn hotter when using the AC adapter?), but the light from the LED was not sufficient for comfortable reading. It's also nice that the light and battery units are separate: makes it easier to clip to the book. The only problem is not with the product, but the fact that amazon.com is selling the "Paperback" version here, which does not include the AC adapter. The "Hardcover" version, that includes the AC adpater, is, at present, available at the same price or cheaper elsewhere. UPDATE 2008: The version that includes the AC adapter is available on Amazon at a lower price than this one (without adapter).

I used this light for months, thrilled with it. I didn't have any battery problem, because I used the adaptor. The design was fine, the light was bright... BUT, just as another viewer said, the connection switch needs major improvement, as suddenly it would no longer turn on. I replaced the bulb, but that turned out to not be the problem. I would have rather had a regular on-off switch that might last, than the automatic switch with extension/retraction that so quickly malfunctions.

I've tried most of the other lights and this is the best I've used.

I've used this version (#2) nightly for over a year and only replaced the bulb twice. The construction is better than version #1 -- no more broken solders. The light is brighter than the original, but the light cover is also larger and enables a good (not excellent) containment to keep my sleeping partner, sleeping.

The biggest problem lies in the arm, which droops. However, a quick turn of the screws to tighten the hinge and I'm back in business. The AC adapter has lasted well and I use the battery (4C's) when I go camping -- the battery pack lasts 4-6 looong reading nights and I save $$$'s using rechargeables.

I'd like a longer lasting bulb -- the flourescent looked promising until I realized the batteries are contained in the lamp; I've found, in other lights, that the extra weight can be a real pain when reading paperbacks.

It may not be perfect, but it's a heck of a lot better than the alternatives!

While these book lights work well while they are working, they just don't hold up to frequent use. They seem to develop short circuits often and the hinge loosens up too much so the light flops over. Also, the bulbs burn out pretty quickly. I've had 7 or 8 Itty Bitty booklights / both original and volume 2 and have had to replace each of them within a year or less with normal (nightly) use. Keep looking there are better ones out there. I recommend the Phorm. It's a whole lot sturdier.

Well, when it arrived from Amazon.com, it didn't work. I didn't have time to deal with it, and so it wasn't until 31 days after it arrived, that I tracked down the problem: the bulb. That's too late for Amazon to have any interest in helping out, so, I was on my own.

Next step was to try to get a replacement bulb. Seems that the only ones on the face of the earth to sell this bulb is . . . Zelco. Don't bother trying to buy it anywhere else, you won't find it (even stores which specialize in selling light bulbs).

Now you might ask yourself, why did Zelco choose a bulb which they, and only they, sell? Simple: it's a built-in monopoly. They control the price, and the profits. Never mind if that makes it inconvenient and expensive for the consumer. What's more, I doubt that the life of these bulbs is very long at all (maybe 15 hrs.?). Quite a cash cow for Zelco.

I recommend the Phorm Light Voyager Book Light instead. It produces good reading light, and the fluorescent light bulb is rated at 10,000 hours. It also folds up into a nice little 'package', and is even a little cheaper than the Zelco.

I have had both the original and the volume 2 book light. Both lights developed shorts in the wiring that cause the light to flicker --- very annoying. The light will not stay upright and flops down to the page. Have the same problem with both lights. I am looking for a new book light without an arm to flop or wires to bend.

I've owned both versions of the itty bitty book light. I always use the AC adaptor since the battery pack is heavy. The "Volume 2" is lighter and brighter than its predecessor. The extra brightness must be because of a better reflector, since the bulbs and power transformer are exactly the same specifications (0.5 Amp, 4.8 Volt). I've had no problems with bulbs burning out as long as I used 0.5 A bulbs.

Unfortunately my unit just broke. I'd had it 14 months and the warranty is for 12. I got 4 years of service from the previous version of the book light. Out of curiousity I disassembled the "Volume 2" and found a broken solder joint in the head-unit. (these units are not designed for home maintenance and reassembly so don't do this with yours unless you plan to throw it away afterwards).

Before this happened I was delighted with the light. I'm a bit frustrated that I won't be reading in bed for a few days, but this won't last long since I plan to buy another one immediately.

I've seen a few reviews critical of the on-off pull-out switch, but I have not had any problem at all. I used the original ityy bitty booklight for years and, while it was better than heavier alternatives, I always had to try tightening the pivots but could never get the thing to stay in place. Volume two has no such problem: It stays in place and adjusts very well. If there is a better alternative out there I'd like to know about it. (NOTE: the new white LED camping headlamps seem like they would adapt for this purpose terrifically: they last so long that you wouldn't need to wrestle with the AC adapter cord, which is my main complaint with these book lights. Battery packs are too heavy and cumbersome, but the new LED's can use AAA batteries and last for 100+ hours.

This is a wonderful light. The light quality is good. It is lightweight and clips easily to books and magazines. However, mine broke after 2 years of infrequent use. Loose wiring connections make the light flicker and I can't fix it. Also, the arm keeps falling down, which is pretty annoying, and I can't fix that either. It seems to be designed to be thrown away after moderate use.