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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: noisyturtle on Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:08:47

Title: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: noisyturtle on Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:08:47: Have I got your attention? :))

But seriously, what do people use as a desk lamp? What, in your opinion, is the most reliable and helpful desk lamps? What qualities do you look for? Just looking for a really good desk lamp, sturdy and efficient, to do work under and will last 10+ years.

some musts are: Adjustable height - Weighted base - Adjustable light direction
Title: Re: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: Psybin on Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:16:20: I have one of these, I like it a lot, its not super bright, but perfect for what I use it for. You can see it in my stand up link in sig.

(http://i.imgur.com/rM6AJLq.jpg)
Title: Re: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: Findecanor on Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:20:38: "LED lasts longer and saves money" - is true only if you can exchange the "bulb".

It must be possible to adjust the lamp without burning myself without having to look directly at the lamp while doing it.
Title: Re: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:21:48: LED desk lamps along with CCFL are both Very high on the blue-band..

So, for night time use, it could potentially keep you awake at night (for longer)..

The only desk lamp I use is for calligraphy, and I use CCFL because I do calligraphy in the mornings..

But If I was doing it at night.. I'd use a low wattage tungsten.
Title: Re: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: noisyturtle on Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:30:53: Quote from: Psybin on Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:16:20
I have one of these, I like it a lot, its not super bright, but perfect for what I use it for. You can see it in my stand up link in sig.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/rM6AJLq.jpg)

See, the only issue there is it doesn't have a shade. I hate getting hit in the eye by a stray beam of light from some haughty lamp that thinks it's too good for a shade ;)
Title: Re: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: Psybin on Tue, 31 March 2015, 17:33:05: I just keep it pointed straight down, its never been an issue. I'm sure you could find much cooler lamps out now, this one is pushing five years old. I keep a lamp in the opposite corner of the room, plus this, plus backlights on the monitors, so this just kinda adds to the backlight.
Title: Re: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: jacobolus on Tue, 31 March 2015, 18:01:48: All the cheap-ish desk lamps I’ve tried have absolutely awful articulating arms. I want something that moves very easily where I want and then stays put, how hard can it be?

I think I’ll ultimately spend some time researching to find a well made articulating arm (without anything attached) and then put some kind of DIY light box on the end of it (maybe something with enough power that if I turn it up all the way I can use it for photography). Way down my list of projects to work on though.

I prefer incandescent bulbs, but the right set of LEDs could also be okay, especially if I can control the color a bit. Fluorescent lights are horrible, and basically unsuitable for any purpose IMO.
Title: Re: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: pr0ximity on Wed, 01 April 2015, 21:16:01: I've got a brass piano lamp and it's a) baller as hell and b) lights the **** out of my desk. Highly recommended for the savvy, stylish yet reserved, keyboard enthusiast.

Seriously though, not a bad choice at all.
Title: Re: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: heedpantsnow on Wed, 01 April 2015, 22:13:21: Quote from: pr0ximity on Wed, 01 April 2015, 21:16:01
I've got a brass piano lamp and it's a) baller as hell and b) lights the **** out of my desk. Highly recommended for the savvy, stylish yet reserved, keyboard enthusiast.

Seriously though, not a bad choice at all.

How do you get it up to usable height? I have one too but it seems too low to do much
Title: Re: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: Novus on Wed, 01 April 2015, 22:24:43: I like the ones that clamp to the side of the desk.
Title: Re: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: jwaz on Thu, 02 April 2015, 11:16:35: There are a ton of these Art Specialty Co. Desk Lamps NOS on eBay:
http://ebay.to/1BUbOEx (http://ebay.to/1BUbOEx)

They look alright aesthetically but it's really not what I wanted and the LED bulb I put in it is a tad harsh (read white), I think I'm going to end up moving it onto the work bench I'm putting together and pick up something a little more high-end for the desk.

Anyone have a recommendation for LED bulbs they use primarily for reading?
Title: Re: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: zombimuncha on Thu, 02 April 2015, 14:36:19: I have a lavalamp that I won from work, but I need to change the bulb already.
It's not much use for providing light, but it's good for zoning out my brain and slowing down the random synapse firings.
Title: Re: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: engicoder on Thu, 02 April 2015, 15:04:42: In addition to a few old school arm halogen desk lamps, I picked up one of these
http://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics%C2%AE-TT-DL01-Dimmable-Lighting-Touch-Sensitive/dp/B00APAQSP6/

It has adjustable "color" by mixing yellow and white leds. Also has adjustable brightness.
Title: Re: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: sethk_ on Thu, 02 April 2015, 15:08:28: Quote from: jwaz on Thu, 02 April 2015, 11:16:35
There are a ton of these Art Specialty Co. Desk Lamps NOS on eBay:
http://ebay.to/1BUbOEx (http://ebay.to/1BUbOEx)

They look alright aesthetically but it's really not what I wanted and the LED bulb I put in it is a tad harsh (read white), I think I'm going to end up moving it onto the work bench I'm putting together and pick up something a little more high-end for the desk.

Anyone have a recommendation for LED bulbs they use primarily for reading?
I am about to order one of these, love the look and color of it!
Title: Re: DESK LAMPS!
Post by: sethk_ on Thu, 02 April 2015, 15:30:13: Just got the one that jwaz linked! Now we wait for next Thursday!