Jerdon Classic JGL9W Lighted Tri-fold Mirror, 5x Magnification
|
List Price: Category: Beauty See more product details |
|---|
(Click here)
Customer Reviews of Jerdon Classic JGL9W Lighted Tri-fold Mirror, 5x Magnification
Customer Review: Great Item
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all I love to read the reviews and look at the pictures. It helps make online shopping so much easier to know what you are getting.
This morning my husband and I had a discussion about mirrors. I just turned 55, just got my first pair of real, full-time, long overdue, eyeglasses to replace those reading glasses I have lived in denial with for so long. For a little makeover I got a new hairstyle and, with my new hair and glasses look, I now want to spruce myself up and start wearing makeup more often again too. I discovered though, that you couldn't wear the glasses and apply eye makeup. So I was back to where I was before, not caring about putting on makeup because I simply can't see to apply it. I mentioned, to hubby, I now needed a magnifying mirror.
This got started when my husband was looking for a hand-held mirror (for another, non-grooming reason) this morning. At that time I also remembered that back in the late 60's and early 70's, my mom had given me a, variable lighted, standup, swiveling, magnifying, makeup mirror, similar to this style. I think it was a GE brand. I loved it. They were a popular item back then. Today it seems they are hard to find, with only a few models made anymore. I had lost track of that mirror and hadn't thought about needing another makeup mirror until now, 40 years later!
The real clincher was that hubby also said he'd always thought it would be great to have a mirror for shaving. (I'm not sure whether he meant tilting or magnifying or both? Yes, of course, we have a regular mirror on the wall we have always used!)
I hunted this mirror down on Amazon and the price was right with free shipping. I looked at the Conair model (Conair also has one without the side mirrors). A reviewer mentioned a Jilbere brand. I looked at those too. The Jilbere's were more expensive and the Conair could be had for about $9 less than this Jerdon one. But reviewers convinced me that the Jerdon was better lit. I'm not sure hubby ever considered or knew about mirrors being lit at all, but when he sees it, I know he's going to be a stickler about the lights being bright enough for him. I also know, at my age, how I'd like nice bright lights too. This made the little bit of extra money for better lighting well worth it.
I also read a review of the Conair (somewhere, maybe not even Amazon) that complained that the center mirror swivel should be horizontal to tilt without having to adjust the mirror stand, and not vertical. I suppose you can look at it both ways though. The Conair is adjustable horizontally on the mirror stand AND swivels vertically. Maybe the dual action, even if a little more inconvenient, is a plus for you. I opted though, through reading the Jerdon reviews, and the picture showing the horizontal tilt (very helpful), that this made more sense. The Jilbere appears to swivel vertically. (My old GE swiveled vertically, as I remember, and I vaguely recall thinking it wasn't my favorite feature to have to adjust the stand for the horizontal tilt.) I figured the vertical angle views could be adjusted enough for my needs on the side panels. Although the side panels are not magnified (side panels are not magnified on any models at all) this still seemed like the one for me.
Pictures of it in different views, especially the closed up view, also revealed that it was styled with clean lines that hubby would like and wouldn't seem like too much of a feminine appliance.
I have to laugh though. Hubby indicated a round standing mirror with his hands when talking about it. Oh my, I looked at the hundreds of those babies that are available now. My personal opinion of them is that even the nicest ones look like a chintzy little utility tool item (albeit handy) that was made in China and you got from Fingerhut. The mirror floating in space (but necessarily supported by some apparatus) style just turns me off. There are a few modern looking rectangle, freestanding and wall mounted jobs but they are always more expensive than they I'd care to pay and, in my minds eye, don't look a whole lot different than the little round ones. No matter how they dress it up they just look like a time worn, antiquated (albeit handy!) design. It's sort of like a toaster. There's not much you can do with a toaster that makes it so significantly modernized and updated that it doesn't still look much like any toaster that was made 50 years ago.
In reality even the cheapest unlit round ones are ridiculously priced for such small little viewing areas. Forget the designer lit ones with fancy frame and base finishes. They run in the hundreds of dollars! Unbelievable! I also read that the lights are often specialized and irreplaceable. They are often battery operated, no thanks. Features like dimming, color change, or an outlet on the base, wall mounting brackets ect... make the itty-bitty things incredibly pricey. Give me a makeup mirror that looks like an official appliance and doesn't cost an arm and a leg, instead of a cheap looking tool that cost more than my microwave oven! Maybe hubby didn't know they had these big mirrors. I did because I remember my one from the good old days. He's going to love it!
Oh, and many thanks to the reviewer that explained about holding the light switch a few seconds. It doesn't bother me to do that and, if I remember correctly, I think I had to hold the switch on my old GE mirror too. One of the first upfront reviews I looked at was the one about the bulbs burning out but the other reviewer, favorably clearing up the mystery, eased my mind. Great piece of advice, instead of thinking the bulbs don't work. When I got the thing I did spot the note right above the button, explaining the holding of the switch also. Some people never read labels though.
My next challenge is that those stupid little round mirrors would have fit much better on my tiny little bathroom vanity countertop a whole lot better than this rig, but I'll make it work somehow. After all you can close it up and store it, and those little round ones are pretty much destined to sit on the vanity top all the time.
Customer Review: Not what I thought it would be.
Summary: 2 Stars
I just received my Jerdon JGL9W 5X Magnification Tri-Fold Lighted Mirror. Ordinarily, I would wait to review a product until I'd used it for a while but, since I bought this based on the good reviews I read here, I decided to warn people about its shortcomings as soon as possible.
Besides, it doesn't take that long to see the problems here.
It's the low quality of the magnifying mirror that is the biggest problem (but not the only one). And the magnifying mirror is the main reason to purchase this product, IMHO.
I received the mirror in a very timely manner and in good condition. The packaging was more than adequate. I plugged it in and it turned on.
What don't I like? Where do I start?
Well, worst of all, the 5X magnifying mirror is concave and, therefore, warps the image.
Besides that, the mirrors in general are low quality, the side mirror doors will not close completely unless you have the non-magnifying side on the front, and it's front heavy. The lighting is also nothing to get excited about.
Regarding the front heavy part, my vanity stool is fairly low so I wanted to have it pretty upright. But at the highest of the settings that are grouped together it wants to tilt over onto me.
Yes, I can tilt the middle mirror so I can get by with a more slanted setting, but not the side mirrors.
The worst problem: The 5X mirror, which is very low quality to begin with, is concave. This is apparently deliberate because the plastic housing for that side of the mirror is also concave. It's been designed that way, though I have no idea why.
Is there some reason I'm not aware of why a 5X mirror has to be concave?
The other mirrors are not terrible; nothing to brag about but not that bad. But I buy a makeup mirror for the magnification, and the magnifying mirror on this product is terrible.
Put together the low quality of the mirror AND the warp from the concave shape and I can only see myself somewhat clearly (in small areas, not my whole face at once) if I lean way forward and am within about 5-6 inches of the mirror. Even then, it's not a good image at all, and I'm uncomfortable to boot.
And the lights... well, I did not have to hold a button down to get it to turn on as I've read is the case. This is a simple toggle switch and the lights come on instantly. But the quality of the lighting is not good, either. Can this really be the same model where I've read people brag about the lighting?
I think the only setting I could use would be the Day setting. The Office setting makes everything look green, and the other settings don't light up what I'm trying to see well enough.
I had an oval Conair that I did not consider to be very good and, when it finally died, I chose this one because it sounded like a much higher quality product.
The Conair, with all its shortcomings, is much to be preferred over this product.
One could learn to live with the problems with the casing, the less than wonderful flat mirrors, etc. Even the lighting, since there is one setting that would work reasonably well for me.
But the problems with the magnifying mirror are, as best I can tell, insurmountable. Much as I dislike the hassle of returning something, this will have to go back. Unless, of course, someone out there knows some magic where this situation is concerned.
Customer Review: Problem with Jerdon Lighted Mirror
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm just adding an update to my prior review. About two weeks ago, the light started flickering when I turned the mirror on - eventualy the light stops flickering, but even so, it's not as bright as it was. The right bulb looks about ready to blow out - the top 1/5th is not lit. I tried to return it, but the 'return window' is over and I couldn't find a number to call to complain.
I just wanted to warn would-be buyers. I'll stick with stores like Costco next time that have a better return policy.
This was my prior review.
I purchased this mirror about 1 month ago and have used it daily since. I am very happy with this purchase. It's not quite as large as it looks in the pics, but it's still a very nice size.
I've had lighted make-up mirrors for a very long time. I would rate this the best for several reasons.
1. I keep it propped open on a dressing table. I think it is very sturdy. As I recall, the piece that props the mirror up is the most flimsy (in other models) and one of the first things to go. This feels solid and there are two pieces used to prop it up.
2. The lighting is very good. You have the ability to choose Day, Home, etc., but I generally only ever use Day.
3. I especially like the fact that it has two side mirrors so you get to see the parts of you that you never see (and maybe never want to see:)). I've had compliments lately on how I look and I think it's because I apply better make-up.
4. The reverse side of the mirror has 5X magnification, and it likewise is a very good mirror - not distorting as I sometimes find magnification mirrors to be.
I read some of the other reviews before purchasing but I don't find some of them to be true. The light turns on with a switch very easily; you don't have to press and hold. I've seen that in other models but not this one. Perhaps the manufacturer improved the product since the first reviews were written.
All in all, I'm very satisfied with this purchase and I would recommend it to anyone. I believe it is a quality product and I think it will last - it's sturdy, solid and seems to be made of good materials (not flimsy).
Customer Review: I Read all the Negative Reviews and Bought this Mirror
Summary: 5 Stars
My wife's makeup mirror lost much of the mirroring material.
So, she needed a new one.
This mirror is similar to the older style type I bought for her as a gift many years ago from Basco.
This is a Very large triple makeup mirror with two Bright 9 watt flourescent light tubes.
18 Watt Florescent = about 100 Watts incandescent.
IMO, Appears to be one of the brightest makeup mirror avalable.
I looked at the ConAirs and we almost purchased one of the round styles with the light inside.
(but I realized they are not very bright)
I carefully read the negative reviews about this product.
That is why I had to take a chance and buy this mirror.
The reviews that caught my attention were that you need a professional electrical person to replace the bulbs.
And the reviewers that mentioned that the bulbs burned out after a few uses.
I have some electrical experience with light tubes.
My wife told me the bulbs burned out right away.
I came in and had to have a quick look.
No, The lights are not burned out.
The trick is the light is manufactured with the old fashion preheat ballast tubes. (old reliable technology)
In order to light the bulbs you must hold the "ON" switch DOWN for 5 to ten seconds then the lights light and you let go of the switch.
The light bulbs are very bright and should work well for years if you do not damage or drop the mirror.
My wife complains that she has to hold the "ON" button down.
But, the mirror is indeed extremely bright.
Good Luck if you buy this mirror.
Hope my tip helps you.
Customer Review: A Good Buy for the Price
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had this mirror for perhaps ten days now and, although it is a bit bigger and dimmer than I had imagined, it appears to be a good product for a reasonable price. My dressing table has maddeningly low lighting directed at the ceiling (which doesn't help much), so this purchase was intended to correct the situation. It's slide mechanism for changing to different lighting situations (day, evening, office, and home) when one may presumably be seen in daylight (less makeup?), low light (more makeup?), beneath fluorescent light (aging), and around incandescent light (more flattering), respectively, and thereby be applying makeup differently, strikes me as rather misguided. Many of us are using fluorescent lighting throughout our homes these day, and, with the exception of the Day setting, the three other settings aren't bright enough to be all that functional (for my aging eyes). Nonetheless, the Day setting is fine, and it's helpful to have the two side mirrors, along with a choice to flip to a magnified mirror when needed.
I noticed that some purchasers had an on-off button which they had to hold down for a few seconds in order to get the lights to turn on and stay on... mine has a toggle switch which turns the lights on immediately, so I can't comment on their issue with this. Perhaps Jergon has changed the feature now? Also, a few people noted that one of their doors would not stay in place. There, again, mine are tightly hinged and stay where I set them.
All inexpensive products (and especially those made of plastic) need to be handled gently, and will last surprisingly long with a little care. All in all, it was a good purchase for the price.