Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I call it the Magic Light, December 19, 2008
I have this light on my desk at work and use it at full strength for 30 minutes in the morning, and sometimes at 10% or 20% strength for a bit later in the day. I live up north where there's no daylight in the middle of winter. This light has totally changed my life. But I think it would have even if we had more sun, and I'm going to continue using it throughout the year.
I was so tired and low on energy before I got this, increasing my coffee intake little by little, and it wasn't helping. This light resets your body clock. I can feel it happening immediately. Suddenly I'm awake and completely "on it" and feeling clear and attentive at 8AM. That is NOT typical for me. And I get tired at the appropriate time at night. I have real, normal energy, not like nervous caffeine energy. I've been getting a ton of work done, on the job and at home since I got this about 3 weeks ago.
I can't recommend this product highly enough. Its small, and portable. Its also the cheapest light on here, and I really don't know what the other lights can do that would be better. This thing is very bright, and its that blue spectrum light that causes the brain reactions that you want to achieve. You can program it for a time and intensity, or just manually set it. The casing is a little flimsy--the stand broke after just a couple weeks for no reason, but I put a piece of tape on it and its fine.
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36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Affordable, portable light therapy, February 6, 2009
I have mild Seasonal Affective Disorder, which didn't rear its head until I left sunny south Florida, where I grew up, and moved midway up the Atlantic Coast after graduating from college. Although our winters where I live now are *nothing* like the harsh, gray winters in the northern US and Canada, I do tend to feel a mild case of the blues each November-March. Adding to this problem are the following:
1) My internal clock is skewed: I'd prefer to go to bed at 3 am and wake up at 11. I've never been much of a morning person; my body seems to hate normal waking/working hours.
2) I work in a dreary, cubicle-filled, fluorescent-lit office for 8-9 hours a day, nowhere near a window.
This past November, I did several days' worth of research into SAD and related conditions (my internal clock is connected to SAD!) and eventually decided I was a reasonable candidate for light therapy. I had been eyeing this Zadro Sunlight unit, and when it went on sale before the holidays, I bought it. (Might as well start small, right? What if it ended up not working? I didn't want to waste hundreds of dollars on a huge designer SAD light. The Zadro unit fit the bill, literally.)
I can honestly say that it has worked, but it took 3-4 weeks for me to notice a big change. The human brain interprets blue LED light as sunlight, and that's why this unit is effective. I find the strongest light intensity (100%) to be too great, so I set it to 50% and leave it on for 60 minutes in the morning at my desk. It has noticeably helped me feel happier and more alert. Surprisingly (I was doubtful I would see any effect), it has helped regulate my internal clock: I wake up more easily in the morning, get hungry at normal times (noon instead of 2:00 pm), and start to feel tired around 10:30-11:00 pm. It's a huge difference.
Unit specifications:
- 10,000 LUX
- 35 individual blue LED lights with variable intensity (10% - 100%)
- No UV rays
- Clock: The numbers you see on the small blue panel in the picture (03:14) are the clock. I think it can only show 24-hour time, which I personally prefer; but this may be annoying to some people. The directions don't tell you how to change it to a 12-hour clock.
- Timer: You can set the light to turn off after 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes.
- Programs: Three separate program options (A, B, C) allow you to pre-set the desired intensity and duration of light.
The unit functions via power adapter, is very lightweight, and measures about 5" x 2.5". It comes with a two-compartment black microfiber carrying case and a small circular battery for the clock. (The lights will only turn on if you plug in the power cord.) The directions aren't terribly informative, but the unit is not difficult to figure out.
Do your research beforehand, as the recommended "dosages" (duration/intensity) of light are different for each person, although it seems to be universally beneficial to use the light first thing in the morning as you go through your normal routine (breakfast, computer, TV, etc.). While in use, you should place the unit at arm's length, angled slightly away from you, just a few degrees outside your direct line of vision; simply glancing at it, very briefly, 1-2 times during each session should be sufficient.
A word of caution, though: While you're programming your Zadro or in any way messing with the buttons, be sure to angle it away so it doesn't shock your eyes when it suddenly turns on. Some reviewers have bemoaned the light's intensity, and I only have one response to that: The directions clearly state NOT to stare DIRECTLY at the light! :) If it hurts your eyes to glance at the unit, angle it farther away and/or decrease the light intensity. (For what it's worth, I actually find it quite pleasant to glance at the turquoise-indigo colored lights. It's a very soothing color that reminds me of the Caribbean.)
I can absolutely recommend the Zadro Sunlight unit to those who would benefit from light therapy, whether for SAD or internal clock resetting. Good luck!
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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Big Impact at Low Cost, December 8, 2008
I was a little unsure about the benefit of light therapy. So, rather than plunking down a lot of money at first, I decided to try a smaller cheaper light. I knew it was a risk, and that I may not be giving light therapy a fair chance going this route, as a cheaper light might just not be providing the spectrum and intensity needed to get the full impact. However, I have had my light now for about 2 months and I am now a full believer in light therapy. I have always had issues with feeling lethargic, gaining weight and having an overall feeling of mild depression once the winter months start to set in (my usual onset begins in about October). Since using this light I have seen a huge difference in my energy level (and by extension no weight gain like I usually see at this time of year), my sleeping patterns (not difficult to get up in the morning anymore), and my mood. I use the light 5 to 7 days a week, for about 45 - 60 minutes in the morning. During the work week, I use it at my desk at work when I first get in (which is around 6:30am, and I have been up for about 1.5 hours by then). On the weekends I usually have it on by my laptop when I get up around 7 - 7:30am. Considering how cheap this light is compared to others I am amazed at how well it seems to work for me. Not to mention, the size is fantastic (lightweight and extremely portable - it fits right in my laptop bag). I may buy a second, more expensive light for comparison, and so I can keep one at home and one at work. But, if you are looking for an entry level light to see if light therapy might work for you...this one is an excellent place to start.
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