I've had one of these clocks for about five years. It has really made getting up early (before sunrise) easier. Great customer service, too. We once had a technical problem with it (it was totally on the fritz), and when we called their customer service number, a real human being answered the phone! We shipped the clock back to him, and he fixed it and sent it back to us right away. That's rare to find nowadays.
I purchased this item with the intention of having a light source that can turn on while I'm sleeping to wake me naturally, and thus shift my sleep phase back to normal, as I have a phase shift delay sleep disorder. This is the third light I'm going through, and I wish I had just bought this one the first time, but at the time it was a bit more expensive.
Settings: The instructions are very clear, and the settings are very easy to handle. I had my clock programmed in minutes.
Light: This uses a 110V 60W candle bulb, which doesn't quite match the intensity of many of the other Light Boxes or SAD lights out there. However, it is sufficient light to brighten a room, and if used per the instructions on basically all SAD lights - 12-18 inches from the face, then it is definitely bright enough to wake someone from their sleep. Because it is not a high powered fluorescent bulb, it is allowed to slowly increase in luminosity for 90, 60, 30, or 15 minutes before the alarm is set.
Aesthetics: This modern looking clock comes in the charcoal color, which is almost black and matches my furniture. I'm happy I don't have to have some silver space pod sitting there attracting attention.
What this model does NOT have: Since this is the lower line, it has no radio, which I don't use anyway. But also does not have the White Noise feature that the lighter color model is offered with at the same price. Since I don't have trouble falling asleep, I don't mind, but for those who do that may be something to consider.
The Alarm: This has a beeping alarm that goes off after the light reaches 100% intensity, at the time you set your alarm for. This beep can be disabled.
NightLight: I found that this device is very easy to control the intensity of the light for reading at night, so that it is not a very bright light. This also has the built in function of dimming to either a 0% light or 5% nightlight setting. The nightlight is very dim and provides just enough to see where you are going in a dark room. This was a little more involved to set....ie you have to press two buttons simultaneously, but once you figure it out, it's easy.
Security: THere is a security feature that, when set, the clock will engage the lamp at random times between 4pm and 11pm. That's just nifty! ;)
That's about all I can say about this. The glass isn't too thin, the plastic parts aren't flimsy and cheap... I love it!
Settings: The instructions are very clear, and the settings are very easy to handle. I had my clock programmed in minutes.
Light: This uses a 110V 60W candle bulb, which doesn't quite match the intensity of many of the other Light Boxes or SAD lights out there. However, it is sufficient light to brighten a room, and if used per the instructions on basically all SAD lights - 12-18 inches from the face, then it is definitely bright enough to wake someone from their sleep. Because it is not a high powered fluorescent bulb, it is allowed to slowly increase in luminosity for 90, 60, 30, or 15 minutes before the alarm is set.
Aesthetics: This modern looking clock comes in the charcoal color, which is almost black and matches my furniture. I'm happy I don't have to have some silver space pod sitting there attracting attention.
What this model does NOT have: Since this is the lower line, it has no radio, which I don't use anyway. But also does not have the White Noise feature that the lighter color model is offered with at the same price. Since I don't have trouble falling asleep, I don't mind, but for those who do that may be something to consider.
The Alarm: This has a beeping alarm that goes off after the light reaches 100% intensity, at the time you set your alarm for. This beep can be disabled.
NightLight: I found that this device is very easy to control the intensity of the light for reading at night, so that it is not a very bright light. This also has the built in function of dimming to either a 0% light or 5% nightlight setting. The nightlight is very dim and provides just enough to see where you are going in a dark room. This was a little more involved to set....ie you have to press two buttons simultaneously, but once you figure it out, it's easy.
Security: THere is a security feature that, when set, the clock will engage the lamp at random times between 4pm and 11pm. That's just nifty! ;)
That's about all I can say about this. The glass isn't too thin, the plastic parts aren't flimsy and cheap... I love it!
I ordered this item for Christmas and was contacted by the company. This particular item was on backorder, but they offered another model at the same price. The clock I recieved works great. There is something so calming about waking to the light instead of noise. It allows me to wake gradually and naturally as well as fall asleep to a gradually dimming light if I choose. It seems expensive, but it's worth every penny to me.
I have a hard time getting out of bed when it's still dark outside. When I wake up now, the room is light, which really helps. I also like the alarm sound better than the jarring whah-whah-whah of normal alarm clocks. This one is a more gentle beep. No problems, easy to use. Highly recommend it.
