L**N
Great lamp, great features, great value
This review is for the product: TaoTronics® LED Desk Lamp (Large Emitting Panel, Gradual Dimming and Color Temperature Control, Eye-caring, Night Light, USB Charging, Fully Adjustable) - TT-DL09 Black .I will start by saying I could not be happier with this purchase, and would recommend it highly as an office/study lamp.As always, I do a lot of research before purchasing products, including reading the best and worst ratings. I work and study at home and have a special home office room used for that purpose. Because it is a permanent arrangement, I wanted something that: 1) would provide sufficient light to read books and other printed materials, 2) would allow me to see what is on my desk without glare, 3) adjust its direction so it did not shine in my face, and 4) fit aesthecially into my modern white furniture theme. I can safely say that this light fits every requirement,and offers even more than I expected. Here, one at a time, are the ways it does so:1) sufficient light: the surface area of the light, combined with it being flat, spreads its illumination broadly and evenly across my desk; reaching from where it is placed on the left, where I read and write (I am left-handed) all the way across my keyboard in the center and a little past that.2) the frosted surface area of the light provides an even source with zero glare. It is just simply a pleasant glowing light.3) the directonal adjustments are shown in the illustration on the product's page http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/aplusautomation/vendorimages/5ad01c5f-dbe6-4ade-8304-60f45f4f0196.png._CB330182370_.png, and are as described. With the base placed squarely facing the front edge of my desk, and with all of the pieces that can be rotated, I can face the light to shine down on my work but away from my face so I do not see the face of the light at all.4) I ordered the black model, which fits perfectly with my white work surface, my black keyboard and mouse, and my black-trimmed monitor.Now for the things that were more than I would have thought about, better than I expected, and that work out so well for me:1) The base has a nice heavy weight to it. Yes, I do agree with a few other reviewers that if you extend the lamp head far enough forward, it may have a tendency to want to tip over. However, at any other angle or with slightly less extension, there is no chance of it toppling over unless you purposefully push it down. In my case, it is basically, "set it and forget it." Once I had it positioned where it works the best for me, I am not likely to ever reposition it, so this is not a negative for me.2) The "warm" and "cool" color options are better than I expected. They use a cute "coffee cup" symbol for the warmer color scheme and what I think is a symbol of refrigerator doors (?) for the cooler color scheme. The warm setting provides a very nice brownish hugh that is much better than any incandescent bulb, and the cool setting changes the light to a bluish hue. I think the two options at least give you a way to personalize your preference in a way that is as pleasing to your eye as possible, and it was a very thoughtful design consideration.3) The brightness adjustment provides a subtle and smooth variation from brightest to dimmest. Again a very nice design decision, because they could easily have just offered "low," "medium," and "high" options. Now you can pick your perfect level preference, whatever it may be. This also makes it very easy on your eyes.4) It is not a surprise that all of your settings are remembered when you turn it off and on, but this also goes to the thoughtful design of a product that is electronic rather than mechanical, and no matter how fine-grained your adjustments, it is so nice to just touch the power button and get exactly what you have configured every time.5) The glowing power button is another nice touch. While some have not been so happy with it being used as a night light, and I see how the brightness of the button in a dark bedroom beside your bed could be distracting, but as a desk lamp that is not an issue and is actually the perfect implementation in this case, because it stands out so you can just reach over and touch it without having to look directly at it to turn it off and on.6) The controls are all touch, not mechanical, and they are set under a smooth glass surface, making it super simple to keep clean (it comes with its own cleaning cloth), and adds an element of sophistication to the product.7) Something the product description does not mention, but I read in other reviews, is the haptic feedback of the brightness control. When you reach maximum or minimum brightness, the base literally vibrates to let you know you've reached those levels.8) The USB charger is a nice plus, as I can leave my phone or Kindle plugged in while I am working and not have to worry about taking up a USB port on my computer. And, it works even when the lamp is off.Is there anything I would change if I had a choice? Resoundingly "no!" What you see is what you get with this product. I have not found anything that remotely compares to its quality and functionality, at least by description and price. There is nothing cheap about this lamp; they did not cut any corners, and its design was clearly well thought out and executed.
S**Y
A good, but not great lamp.
This lamp seems to be designed as both a desk/task lamp and casual reading lamp. I purchased it for bed-side reading, as depicted in the Amazon ad copy. There are a great many reviews detailing the construction of this lamp, so I won't dwell on them, but just mention a few points.The contemporary design is attractive, and the construction solid. The lamp has an illuminated Power touch-sensitive button- touch On/touch Off. There are four similar buttons: two for color temperature (reading- cool, 6500K; general illumination- warm, 2700K) and two for light output (dim and brighten). The color temperature is changed by illuminating either of two different colors sets LEDs in the light-panel, either separately or together to give a range of color. An interesting bit of tech is using servo motors for dimming, brightening, and color temperature adjustments. You can hear them when they reach the upper or lower end of their adjustment range.There is a night light feature that's activated a fifth, illuminated touch button labeled Sleep. Activating this function dims the light much more than possible in normal operation and shifts the light to the warmest temperature for a soft ambient light.The lamp pivots at three points: just above the base, at the upper end of the longer arm where it meets the shorter arm, and at the end of the shorter arm where it meets the light panel. It rotates at the base, and the shorter arm rotates the panel.It has a USB charging port rated at 1A.PROS: A subjective value, but the lamp has an attractive contemporary look without being ostentatious. It will function far longer than most gooseneck lamps which fail to hold their position after time. The LEDs draw little power (10W maximum) and gives a very bright light. The color range provides either a cool, analytical light for reading; a warm, more pleasant light for a relaxed feeling; or somewhere in between. There is no additional heat generated as with halogen desk lamps, no flicker or harsh shadows as with overhead fluorescent tubes, and typically have a very long life compared to any other light source.CONS: There are several. The base is very light, making the lamp top-heavy which limits the range of adjustment of the lamp. It will topple if extended much from the base. This limits the range of motion significantly, though that might not be a deal breaker.Two hands are required to make most any adjustment- one holding the base in and one twisting the lamp into the desired position. In fact, as the joints are somewhat stiff, two hands should be used for any repositioning of its parts. This won't be an issue for set-and-forget people.The light panel can pivot towards or away from the user but doesn't rotate in the horizontal plane. This means you may not be able to restrict the light to a more precise area. When raising the panel up it's no longer possible to keep it flat. You see the light at it's source instead of just light on your work area. This is distracting and annoying to me, though less so than with an incandescent bulb. This also limits the range of useful motion.This is worse as a bedside reading lamp. In order to get light where I want it without distracting me, I had to put it up high and behind me. Not everyone will be able to do that, if needed.The Power button's illumination is probably innocuous in an office environment. But as a beside lamp, it's far too bright; it's night light bright. I covered the button with some tinted adhesive dots made for that purpose. The touch feature still works fine and I can still find the button in a dark room without losing sleep over it.Speaking of which, pushing the Sleep function really lights up a room. Most night lights plug into a wall socket low on the wall, giving a low, indirect light. This doesn't work as well in a lamp at or above desk height unless you are someone who can easily sleep in a lighted room. It does allow you to move around the room in the middle of the night without shocking you to full wakefulness or disturbing someone else. Unless they're a Ninja.Rated at 1A, the USB port will charge most but *not all* phones, and *not* most tablets. Some tablets may be charged over the course of several hours if plugged in but turned completely off. I only mention this because the sparse manual says tablets and e-readers can be charged. The port is still handy.As of this writing, Amazon shows three prices, two of which to me do not remotely represent a good value. Despite the cons I've listed, the lamp is ok for me. I've been wanting an LED lamp and for sixty USD this works, with some limitation and compromise. Your mileage may vary.Even if this lamp were a gift, I couldn't give it 4 stars let alone 5. Maybe 3.5. But I'd tell Auntie Rachel it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.
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