The desk lamp on my hobby table gave out last week. I got a replacement bulb, but it still didn't work. So much for a generic item--it only lasted about a year and a half. I was trying to decide what to get as a replacement, when I remembered this lamp--I have had one in my bedroom beside my bed for years--3 1/2 years now--no issues, the lightbulb still hasn't needed replacing, and I use it every day. I have loved Ott Lites for years--I was first interested in them when I realized I--a Southern Californian by birth--was overwhelmed and sad in the gloomy cold winters here in the US South. They are wonderful and bright. Now, as I age, I love them all the more. I was able to set this new one up behind my desk--since I'm still using it as a floor lamp, I'm saving space on my desk surface! It also works as a tabletop lamp, though the base is quite large for that. In my bedroom, I haven't used the magnifying lens much, but it does come in handy. For my craft space, I know that I will definitely use the lens more often. I wish it had a flip-top cover to keep the lens from getting dust on it, but that's a lttle complaint. It's easy enough to wipe off periodically. The neck bends easily but stays where you put it. I can also twist it to the side easily (I do that all of the time in my room--toward me on the bed, then away from me when I'm not using it so it isn't in the way)--the entire top part (including the connector) moves easily on the lamp post. If you are hesitant, I say GO FOR IT. Read more
Great light with nice versatility. You can make it a tabletop or floor light. The light is very bright and the magnification is perfect. Downsides- the goose neck does not bend down enough to get the mirror over your lap. It bends at an awkward angle. If you say, sew in a comfortable chair the angle may be difficult. I t needs a 350 goose neck instead of a 180. The bubble magnifier on the glass is useless and distorts. They don't need it. My eyes are very bad and the full magnifier glass is more than adequate. I can thread the tiniest bead needle with ease. The light is the real hero here. Just perfect. I haven't used this as a tabletop light yet but I would think it would be easier to move it to the right position but it might be too tall to bend the neck just so. If you do any beadwork you will want this. I don't think it would be quite as functional to read by. I use my hand held glass that is more movable and user friendly. Read more
I bought this light for my 91 year old Mom who loves to embroider. The floor lamp seemed a little too tall and the neck didn't seem to put the light in the right spot for her. We ended up removing the bottom post, unscrewing the threaded inner part of it and screwing it into the bottom of the top post so it would be half as tall, then set the light into that as normal. It ended up being the perfect height for her as she sits in her chair. If the neck of the lamp would have been longer, it would probably have been fine, but the flexibility of it was not enough that she could place it to use comfortably. It was nice we could configure it work perfectly. She loves it and will probably use it daily. It's heavy enough to be stable for her, but not too heavy that she can't move it around to suit her needs. She can see great with or without her glasses using it. The lights are nice and bright I plan to get one for myself now for handwork and quilting. Read more
Where do I begin?? Well first off, I was FLOORED at the amazing light strength, it is like having a good quality ceiling light right by you WITHOUT hurting your eyes, better than the sun actually. I loved the magnifying glass, it doesn't distort things like some do, and brings things into bigger view with amazing clarity and focus along with its amazing size the lens are bigger than my palm (I wear a large for gloves). The quality of the entire lamp is impressionable, and way well worth the money. The just right range of flexibility in the neck is awesome, stiff yet bendable. Just the right balance. The heavy base is perfect as it counteracts and secures the lamp while you reposition the neck, and definitely keeps cats from knocking them over, haha. It being able to be converted from table to floor is also another bonus. Very nice gadget with many top of the line qualities to boot. Easy to operate, even without a manual. It only lost one star due to a couple of things that I felt that the manufacturer should've taken note of and adjusted on before putting it on the market, to uphold Ott's legacy to its truest form. The first thing is there was no sleeve provided for the lens, to keep the glass from collecting dust when not in use so I had to use a stretchy one size fits all beanie hat to serve as a cover, which does work out rather well. The second thing, I am wheel chair bound, and spend a significant amount of time bound to the sofa with my illness, the floor lamp height was too tall for me when I was on the sofa, rendering the lens useless. When I changed it to table lamp, it was far too short. I ended up having to use a foot stool to get it to just the right height when in table lamp mode. I had noticed that.in the middle of the two piece tier, that the manufacturer could have easily changed it to be functional as a 3 tier, giving the consumer 3 height settings in total. Instead, they only made it fuctional as a two tier instead. It was a bummer for me. Had I been at a desk, I'm sure it would work fine but that isn't in my ability to do so. The third thing, with the base being large and heavy, it could have easily been converted into a rechargeable battery storage, making it ideal for transportation, for road trips, out in a camper or even on the floor of the vehicle as the head is low enough and easily concealed from the driver as to not cause any driving distraction. Despite my feedback on the drawbacks that I discovered, I am definitely a satisfied customer and without a doubt would gladly purchase another product from this company because the quality and thoughtful functions are just nothing short of outstanding. Keep it up, you guys are on the right path to dominating the competiton! Read more
Great to have a magnifying glass with good quality lights. You can set it up as a floor or table model. The base is very heavy. I wish the gooseneck bent a little bit more or was 3 inches longer as that would give me more options for placement. Like having the on/off switch on the magnifier rather than somewhere inconvenient like down on the cord. The extra dot of magnification is super handy for things like threading a needle or really detailed viewing. Read more
