Discount Zelco Itty Bitty Book Light, Volume 2

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I cannot go to sleep without reading. My wife, on the other hand, goes to sleep in 60 seconds except if there is a light on. So you can understand why we both thought that this book light would be a gift from the gods:-)

Unfortunately it did not turn out to be so. My wife actually gave me the vol.1 light first, as a gift. The first few hours were great: the tool is light, VERY adjustable, and reasonably well put together. However, the bulb burned out approximately 6 hours later. I took me several hours of searching over a couple of months to find a replacement, which burned 2 hours later. I did not have the time to buy a relacement bulb again for a while and the book light went back into a drawer.

I later bought the booklight vol.2 (this model), which is also quite a handy and adjustable design. After about 10 hours of use, the connection between the light and the power adapter stopped working. That was it for the second light.

Finally, my wife bought me a second booklight vol.2, which I plugged in immediately. Bulb burned up in 1.5 hours. Only replacement bulb I had burned up in another 2 hours.

So that's it for me: $100 and 3 successful purchases got me about 20 hours of total use that's $5 an hour! This light adjusts well and looks good but its reliability is so poor that I have to give it a thumbs down avoid at all costs.

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I've tried virtually every book light, and so far this is the best all round. I tried one with an LED bulb, because the regular bulbs don't seem to last too long (perhaps burn hotter when using the AC adapter?), but the light from the LED was not sufficient for comfortable reading. It's also nice that the light and battery units are separate: makes it easier to clip to the book. The only problem is not with the product, but the fact that amazon.com is selling the "Paperback" version here, which does not include the AC adapter. The "Hardcover" version, that includes the AC adpater, is, at present, available at the same price or cheaper elsewhere. UPDATE 2008: The version that includes the AC adapter is available on Amazon at a lower price than this one (without adapter).

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I used this light for months, thrilled with it. I didn't have any battery problem, because I used the adaptor. The design was fine, the light was bright... BUT, just as another viewer said, the connection switch needs major improvement, as suddenly it would no longer turn on. I replaced the bulb, but that turned out to not be the problem. I would have rather had a regular on-off switch that might last, than the automatic switch with extension/retraction that so quickly malfunctions.

Honest reviews on Zelco Itty Bitty Book Light, Volume 2

I've tried most of the other lights and this is the best I've used.

I've used this version (#2) nightly for over a year and only replaced the bulb twice. The construction is better than version #1 -no more broken solders. The light is brighter than the original, but the light cover is also larger and enables a good (not excellent) containment to keep my sleeping partner, sleeping.

The biggest problem lies in the arm, which droops. However, a quick turn of the screws to tighten the hinge and I'm back in business. The AC adapter has lasted well and I use the battery (4C's) when I go camping -the battery pack lasts 4-6 looong reading nights and I save $$$'s using rechargeables.

I'd like a longer lasting bulb -the flourescent looked promising until I realized the batteries are contained in the lamp; I've found, in other lights, that the extra weight can be a real pain when reading paperbacks.

It may not be perfect, but it's a heck of a lot better than the alternatives!

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While these book lights work well while they are working, they just don't hold up to frequent use. They seem to develop short circuits often and the hinge loosens up too much so the light flops over. Also, the bulbs burn out pretty quickly. I've had 7 or 8 Itty Bitty booklights / both original and volume 2 and have had to replace each of them within a year or less with normal (nightly) use. Keep looking there are better ones out there. I recommend the Phorm. It's a whole lot sturdier.