Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsHappy Light works for window-less classroom in MN
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2016
This light is exactly what I hoped it would be: bright, compact, and effective. I had originally considered buying the Sphere Gadget Technologies Lightphoria, 10,000 Lux Energy Light Lamp for several reasons. First, the higher lux output. Second, the LED light would be cooler than the compact fluorescent. Third, the lightphoria is adjustable and the Happy Light is not.
After weighing these factors I changed my mind about the Lightphoria and got the Happy Light because of the cost, aesthetics, and doubting the necessity of 10K over 5K Lux. I really know little about the importance of Lux values anyway, other than it helps you get more vitamin D (maybe? and is it something I would actually notice?)
Also, after reading reviews about how ugly/medical-device-like the Lightphoria looked, I was swayed to the Happy Light for its aesthetic value. I work in a classroom and didn't want an eye-sore sitting on my desk. I figured if I didn't feel the Happy Light was bright enough, then I would order the Lightphoria.
Well, thankfully I have no need to so! This light puts out quite a strong beam, as you can see in my pix (taken in normal classroom light conditions). It almost made my eyes ache a bit when I turned it on for the first time because my eyes aren't accustomed to the brightness. I turn it on for ~15-30mins when I first get to work, and it sits less than 3 feet away from my face, on my desk (see pix). After using it three days, I am more accustomed to the brightness, and I am observing noticeable differences in how awake I feel. OH, and it does build up a normal (not excessive) amount of heat after 30mins, but I usually turn it off by then anyway. I don't mind.
I first thought of getting a light because of my sensitivity to caffeine. A single cup of coffee in the morning is enough to make it difficult for me to fall asleep 12 hours later, so I needed an alternative to help energize me in the mornings. Plus, I was convinced after my third winter in Minnesota (after residing in CO & NM) that I am affected by SAD.
FYI, the screen of the light is not installed when you open the box, so you have to unscrew the top to slide in the screen. The nice part is that the company includes a screwdriver for exactly that purpose (extra kuddos for that attention to detail!). It is for a Flathead screwdriver, and the slit is big enough so you could easily use a butter knife if you didn't have a proper tool (see pix).
I really like the size and shape of this Happy Light. I do not feel that I made a wrong choice by not getting the Luxphoria. I think the 5K Lux is very sufficient for me, and I would think for other people as well. Honestly, I think anything over the 5K brightness would be unbearable! You'd see spots after turning it off!
*This review is solely my own opinion. I was not endorsed or anything. Just trying to be detailed, and candid*
