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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: CephalicCarnage on Sun, 10 April 2011, 17:00:47

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: CephalicCarnage on Sun, 10 April 2011, 17:00:47

I'm in the market for a new lamp for my computer desk, with either a very small footprint, or perhaps a clip-on style for the edge of the desk.

The goal here is to have the main lights turned off to allow my GF to sleep across the room while my desk is lit enough to work math/chemistry problems without eye strain due to poor light (also for me to sleep while she's up all night cramming for an exam).

Anyone here have a desk lamp they would recommend? Also, do you guys have a preference on the light source? (i.e., Halogen, incandescent, CFL, LED)

Cheers~

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: .XL on Sun, 10 April 2011, 20:27:20

I've got this (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70027794), and I love it. It's not cheap, but  it does the job. I've had it for a year and use it every night, and it hasn't burnt out on me yet. My other halogen light I got for my girlfriend's desk burnt out after 4 months of use :(

It will give you plenty of light to be able to study and if pointed towards a wall the soft light will allow your girlfriend to sleep fine.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: Input Nirvana on Sun, 10 April 2011, 21:34:59

I have way too many lights, but this is a very cool techy-lite that I have I thought someone here would like. The drawback is that it's halogen, which produces glare.

I use desk lamps in a darkened room.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: typo on Sun, 10 April 2011, 22:30:22

get any lamp you want at walmart that has a rocker switch on the lamp base(no cord switch). make sure the inside of the lamp is white. get a ott-lite 60 watt replacement edison(screw in) bulb. this should set you back less than $20. it is the highest quality light you can obtain. the downside is it is very bright. mine is 21 feet away right now and my keyboard and display are well lit. i do not know of anything lower output that provides this quality of light.
maybe you could "diffuse" it somehow. it is ok to cover it because it does not get hot. you cannot use it with a dimmer though. do not confuse the ott-lite bulb with "daylight" bulbs at hardware outlets. not even close to the same.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: CephalicCarnage on Sun, 10 April 2011, 22:53:35

.XL, thanks for the recommendation!  Man, I would love to shop at Ikea...  none out here locally though so that's out since shipping across the ocean wouldn't be worth it.

input nivrana - nice looking lamp,
ripster - uuh... I guess Halogen might not be the best bet eh? :P

typo - Ottlite sounds great!  I think I'll investigate this option.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: .XL on Sun, 10 April 2011, 23:37:54

I don't know what Amazon's shipping policy is to Hawaii, but this (http://www.amazon.com/Architect-Style-Finish-Adjustable-Halogen/dp/B0006BH178/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1302496584&sr=8-8) might be something to look into. It's a pretty good lamp, pretty much same quality as the Ikea one.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: CephalicCarnage on Mon, 11 April 2011, 00:21:59

Thanks again, I'll take a look.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: digitalleftovers on Mon, 11 April 2011, 01:43:11

I have two of these in red:

(http://www.konceptech.com/images/ledlamp/highpower/zbar/HL3001.jpg)

http://www.konceptech.com/highpowerzbar.html (http://www.konceptech.com/highpowerzbar.html)

Expensive, but all the light you will ever need (and adjustable).  Lighting shops occasionally have them on sale, cheaper than you can get them online.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: Pylon on Mon, 11 April 2011, 19:27:45

Quote from: ripster;328284

Good for burning your apartment down.  Like Lionel Hampton. (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE6D71F30F93AA35752C0A96E958260)

You never fail to amuse me.

Also vibraphone is an awesome instrument.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: zaerst on Mon, 11 April 2011, 19:53:02

I use a $20 ikea lamp, with a $50 led bulb. lol
Love the bulb, very bright cool white light.

(http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/format-work-lamp-nickel-plated__29517_PE116931_S4.jpg)

(http://www.earthled.com/i/evolux_sh_sc_sm_1.jpg)

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: The Solutor on Mon, 11 April 2011, 19:56:22

I use a five led USB rope light connected  in one of the front USB ports of my PC.

Is more than enough for the my needs.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: CephalicCarnage on Tue, 12 April 2011, 07:24:48

digitalleftovers - Wow! Looked it up.  Seems that one store carries them locally. I think I'll check them out in person when I get a chance.

zaerst - I'm going to investigate those bulbs.

The Solutor - got a link to what you're using?

Oh!.... I just got a brilliant idea...  Going to check out dealextreme for LED rope lights!

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: CephalicCarnage on Tue, 12 April 2011, 07:43:10

Wow! Wasn't expecting to find this one...

(http://www.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_8598_1.jpg)

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/naughty-p-decorative-bedside-lamp-ac-220v-8598

My girlfriend actually brought one of these home from Thailand (with a red lampshade).

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: The Solutor on Tue, 12 April 2011, 08:13:09

Quote from: CephalicCarnage;329102

The Solutor - got a link to what you're using?

I'm using this one now

(http://www.mediacomeurope.it/ZeusInc/Articoli/Img2/M-USBLL.jpg)

http://www.mediacomeurope.it/Prodotti/Scheda.aspx?XRI=1590 (http://www.mediacomeurope.it/Prodotti/Scheda.aspx?XRI=1590)


I used also for a while this one
(http://eu.kensington.com/images/productImages/26234_w600_h600.jpg)

http://eu.kensington.com/kensington/en/gb/p/609/K33932EU/video+chat+light+for+netbooks.aspx (http://eu.kensington.com/kensington/en/gb/p/609/K33932EU/video+chat+light+for+netbooks.aspx)

The latter is less stylish and heavier  (can a light be heavy :rolleyes:)

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: CeeSA on Tue, 12 April 2011, 09:33:32

i have some leds at the back of my tft. there are some kits avail. maybe "revoltec"

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: 7bit on Tue, 12 April 2011, 10:00:09

^^^ Crap!

I'd go for the real thing:
(http://images.manufactum.de/manufactum/grossbild/78711_1.jpg) (http://www.manufactum.co.uk/Produkt/193737/1405057/Firehand-Hurricane-Lamp-in-black.html)

Cheap and lasts for generations (only needs some petroleum refill)!

Also, you are independent from electricity. Ideal for illuminating your laptop!

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: The Solutor on Tue, 12 April 2011, 10:34:37

Quote from: 7bit;329180

^^^ Crap!

I'd go for the real thing:

Ahaha, a clicky lamp.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: .XL on Tue, 12 April 2011, 11:15:02

7bit: that would go perfect with my typewriter powered by handcrank! Thanks! No more shall I have to use the bicycle pedals under my desk to illuminate my typewriter at night...

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: 7bit on Tue, 12 April 2011, 12:50:38

Quote from: .XL;329251

7bit: that would go perfect with my typewriter powered by handcrank! Thanks! No more shall I have to use the bicycle pedals under my desk to illuminate my typewriter at night...

OK, I will include it as an option for Round 4.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: .XL on Tue, 12 April 2011, 13:30:00

Quote from: 7bit;329320

OK, I will include it as an option for Round 4.

Include olde english font, too. I'm quite old school!

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: 7bit on Tue, 12 April 2011, 17:42:04

Quote from: .XL;329334

Include olde english font, too. I'm quite old school!

OK, consider Þ, ð and æ included. I need to know into which rows these shlould go.

Anything else missing?

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: shako on Tue, 12 April 2011, 18:27:06

(http:// http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/forsa-work-lamp-black__66021_PE166226_S4.jpg )

I have this one from Ikea
 http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80146777

I like it, and it looks good.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: .XL on Tue, 12 April 2011, 18:35:15

Quote from: 7bit;329561

OK, consider Þ, ð and æ included. I need to know into which rows these shlould go.

Anything else missing?

Shiiiiiiiiiit...not THAT old!

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: CephalicCarnage on Thu, 14 April 2011, 07:24:43

Thanks for all the recommendations everyone.  I think I will end up getting a relatively inexpensive desk lamp with an articulating arm and perhaps pair it with some of those nice bulbs I've seen mentioned here.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: British on Fri, 15 April 2011, 06:50:18

Quote from: digitalleftovers;328390

I have two of these in red:

Show Image

(http://www.konceptech.com/images/ledlamp/highpower/zbar/HL3001.jpg)

http://www.konceptech.com/highpowerzbar.html (http://www.konceptech.com/highpowerzbar.html)

Expensive, but all the light you will ever need (and adjustable).  Lighting shops occasionally have them on sale, cheaper than you can get them online.

Can you give details on the transformer, like if there's a switch of some sort to toggle between 110V and 240V ?
I'm quite interested by that model, but I couldn't find it sold in Europe anywhere but in some french boutique, at the fine price of 197€.
Yep, that's around $280...

The product pdf (http://www.konceptech.com/specs/Z-Bar_High_Power.pdf) says it's indeed a 110-240V 50/60Hz transformer, but I'm not sure it means it could work on my 240V from the get-go.

And in case everything works according to plan, I am yet to find a store that ships to Europe...

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: The Solutor on Fri, 15 April 2011, 06:56:22

Quote from: British;331268

The product pdf (http://www.konceptech.com/specs/Z-Bar_High_Power.pdf) says it's indeed a 110-240V 50/60Hz transformer, but I'm not sure it means it could work on my 240V from the get-go.
.

Likely you have just to change the plug/use an adapter, and then the lamp will work, will be just more efficient than in US.

BTW there are many places where the lamp can bought in Europe, France included

http://www4.fnac.com/mp3462077/Lampadaire-LED-Mini-Zbar-noir-lumiere-naturelle

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: digitalleftovers on Fri, 15 April 2011, 15:01:22

Quote from: British;331268

Can you give details on the transformer, like if there's a switch of some sort to toggle between 110V and 240V ?
I'm quite interested by that model, but I couldn't find it sold in Europe anywhere but in some french boutique, at the fine price of 197€.
Yep, that's around $280...

The product pdf (http://www.konceptech.com/specs/Z-Bar_High_Power.pdf) says it's indeed a 110-240V 50/60Hz transformer, but I'm not sure it means it could work on my 240V from the get-go.

And in case everything works according to plan, I am yet to find a store that ships to Europe...

WOW, Yeah, thats double what I paid.  I think it would be cheaper to just ship one from the US.  I will look at my transformer tonight and post what it says.  I have found that if they say 110-240v, then they are auto switching and will set to the correct voltage themselves.

I was in europe a few months ago and used my phone's US wall charger with the same 110-240v marking (with prong adapter).  It worked, but I found that the transformer became much warmer than when I use it at home.  It was never hot, though.  Maybe this is normal.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: British on Sat, 16 April 2011, 06:05:43

Thank you dlo, for whatever further details you can find out :]

Solutor, all the french boutiques I've seen those lamps in, do get it from a single boutique.
And once again, I'm not going to pay *that* much for the sake of having it distributed in France.
I'd rather pay $100 for shipping from the US.

Now the problem is still to find a US boutique that ships to France/Europe...

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 16 April 2011, 07:24:59

Quote from: British;332034

Thank you dlo, for whatever further details you can find out :]

Solutor, all the french boutiques I've seen those lamps in, do get it from a single boutique.
And once again, I'm not going to pay *that* much for the sake of having it distributed in France.
I'd rather pay $100 for shipping from the US.

Now the problem is still to find a US boutique that ships to France/Europe...

How much you pay the lamp in the US ?

I saw it at amazon.com 169$ which (roughly) translates in 169 + 50 + 50 $

269 $ = 186 €...

Fnac sell it for 165 € + 6€ S&H

Unless you have a proxy in the US to skip the toll/import fee or you find a place that sell the lamp for a much lower price, buying it in France is still a better option.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 16 April 2011, 11:55:56

Quote from: ripster;332086

The other thing to consider is that the technology is changing so fast.   Ott lites used to be super expensive.  The first Cree quality flashlights used to be expensive now I buy them for $10 and free shipping at DealExtreme.

This is true, when I bought the first blue LED I payed it 4000 £, something like 4$ of the time. now they sells for 0.10$ or less.

BTW the price of this lamp is mainly due to its design, not because it has 5 leds.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 16 April 2011, 12:00:31

Quote from: ripster;332182

My rule of thumb is to buy new technology when it hits Costco.

And before hits the Louvre.

Title: Desk lamp recommendations?
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 16 April 2011, 12:23:23

Quote from: ripster;332188

I'm into MOMA myself.

Me too...

this

(http://www.thinkpads.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/lenovo_thinkpad_701c_butterfly_keyboard.jpg)

http://www.moma.org/collection/object.php?object_id=2168

and this

(http://www.moma.org/collection_images/resized/925/w500h420/CRI_3925.jpg)

http://www.moma.org/collection/object.php?object_id=2967