Comments on: Which desk lamp/task light should I buy?

Question: Which desk lamp/task light should I buy?

NYCinephile — Thu, 25 May 2006 10:11:59 -0800

What affordable, high quality halogen desk lamp/task light would you recommend? Ideally, the lamp should not have too large a footprint.

By: lain

lain — Thu, 25 May 2006 11:35:45 -0800

IKEA

By: johnd101

johnd101 — Thu, 25 May 2006 12:09:48 -0800

Have you looked at the ikea website? They have a couple of seclections that have worked for me.

By: frecklefaerie

frecklefaerie — Thu, 25 May 2006 12:10:04 -0800

I agree with lain. I own two of these and would highly recommend them.

By: plinth

plinth — Thu, 25 May 2006 12:34:04 -0800

Frecklefaerie - thank you for finding that lamp - I had been looking for it as an example of a lamp to avoid, because I have seen it in operation and unless they've changed the design, current runs through those extendable arms. Not enough that you'd notice if you touch them, but enough to cause quite a spark if metal spans that gap and enough to blow the lamp base (if you're unlucky) or a circuit breaker if you are. I've seen both cases happen and neither are pretty (in the latter, the breaker took out half of a small office). This feature was discovered by someone who hung an ID badge on a chain over the lamp.

By: SteveInMaine

SteveInMaine — Thu, 25 May 2006 13:59:56 -0800

You get what you pay for with halogen lights. My favorite desk lamp is a Holtkotter. Not cheap but they'll last forever.

By: CrayDrygu

CrayDrygu — Thu, 25 May 2006 14:03:28 -0800

I've had one of these task lamps for years, and I love it, love it, love it. The indirect light is really easy on the eyes, and the spectrum it gives off is better than yellowy incandescents as well. Plus, replacement bulbs can be bought just about anywhere.

By: phrontist

phrontist — Thu, 25 May 2006 14:17:07 -0800

Holy crap, I can't believe they run current through the structural elements of that lamp! I just shorted a wrench across it to test! It's true... I then push two of these lamps together to power both!

I wish I had my multimeter... does anyone know the potential accross the struts?

By: GuyZero

GuyZero — Thu, 25 May 2006 15:07:11 -0800

If you're talking about the Ikea halogen lamp, I think it's 12V as that's what the bulbs are rated for. 12V DC.

By: NYCinephile

NYCinephile — Fri, 26 May 2006 09:54:48 -0800

I just ordered this USB flexlight.

Has anyone had any experience with it?

By: CrayDrygu

CrayDrygu — Fri, 26 May 2006 19:10:07 -0800

From what I've seen of those lights, you'll be lucky if it lights up a one foot circle. It'll probably be good for around 8".

By: NYCinephile

NYCinephile — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 02:36:06 -0800

The USB flexlight arrived yesterday.

CrayDrygu is right. It provides just enough light to read a single page placed immediately next to my laptop.

Useful for working when you don't want to disturb someone sleeping nearby (I'm in a studio apartment). Definitely not a desklamp, though.

Thanks to Cray, also, for reminding me about ThinkGeek.

By: NYCinephile

NYCinephile — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 04:19:01 -0800

Ultimately, I was not very pleased with the USB task light.

I recently bought this Tensor desk lamp and have been quite pleased with it. It was affordable, is cleanly designed, and throws off pure, bright white light.