Philips GoLite P1 Blue Spectrum Light Therapy Device
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Customer Reviews of Philips GoLite P1 Blue Spectrum Light Therapy Device
Customer Review: Better than standard white light
Summary: 4 Stars
I used an Apollo light box for about 8 years for acute SAD, and it was pretty effective. Then it broke, and I wound up chosing the GoLite P1 after reading more about blue-spectrum light.
I love the size and portability of this device. My old lightbox was enormous. I couldn't take it anywhere, which precluded travel during "the season". Also, my doc wanted me to give myself a 10-15 minute afternoon tune-up every day, and since I work full-time, that was out of the question during the week. With my P1, I simply put it in the included carry case, which is the size of a lunchbox, and bring it to work.
I've had no issues with quality. It is a bit tricky to program the first time, but once you get the hang of it, it's no harder than programming any other device.
I've found that 45 minutes a day--30 minutes laying in bed before I get up and 10-15 minutes around 4 pm--switches me from depressed to OK on a normal day. If it's been especially dark and dreary, I need about an hour in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon.
In terms of the study (one) that says blue light causes macular degeneration: The researchers compared mice who live in the dark (receive NO light) to those exposed to 400-500nm blue light up to 6 hours a day. I can't sit in front of my box 6 hours a day without getting sick. More than 90 minutes a day literally makes me throw up. I work in medical research, and I appreciate these scientists efforts. However, you have to hold the infinitessimal risk of AMD against debilitating and potentially life-ending depression. I'll take the AMD risk.
Customer Review: This is quite possibly the best thing for someone suffering from SAD
Summary: 5 Stars
I realized last year that I always seem to be so much happier when the spring and summer time came, and had been like this my whole life. Of course I didn't know why until I started researching why and found that a possible reason could be seasonal affective disorder. I'm 20 years old, and thinking back on my childhood, I realized that I would get terribly depressed have terrible anxiety during the the school years. If only I had any clue back then. But I got this light last January or February and realized that this is what had been my problem for my whole life. I was absolutely amazed.
I work in construction during the summer and am outside for almost all daylight hours, so I definitely get my share of light, but then I am hit with so hard when the working season is over because I go from 12 hours of sun to maybe an hour. Its tough, and it's hard to believe that this blue light shining in my face is the solution to my anxiety, social, and emotional problems that I have during the cloudy seasons up in Seattle.
Maybe it's a placebo effect, it doesn't really matter to me. It works. It is the solution to many problems, and until I can afford to move somewhere tropical this is just going to have to be my little pocket of paradise for now.
I can't recommend this enough to someone who feels like they need it. I would gladly (maybe not gladly, but would pay) for the benefits of this device. I thought about taking some medications for the type of depression I would feel, but realized that I no longer need to.
Customer Review: Love the euphoria
Summary: 5 Stars
I was skeptical at first but then I noticed a consistent euphoria with continued use, and when I slacked off and didn't use for it for a few days, I noticed a difference. Right away I noticed after using it a few days I was more productive. The difference in errands getting done and just my general get up and go energy was night and day, pardon the pun. I haven't played with the fully programmable settings yet. I just hit power, check the timer and intensity, and leave it while I do my hair and makeup and such before work. Sometimes I take it to work with me and use it at the lower settings so as not to disturb co workers but I prefer the brightest setting. Some at work find it hypnotic and enticing. The AC adapter is durable so far and easy to plug in. No sunburn noticed as promised by the manufacturer. I like how you can adjust the timer with just a button press--easy. The automatic shut-down is one of its best features, one less thing to do before I sail out the door for work. I like the protective front flip cover; very reassuring to know the light surface won't mar or scratch, that the light will always be its brightest. Weighs so little I have taken it to work only to forget it was in my bag. The model I bought doesn't appear to be battery operated. I recommend springing for that. With the anti-glare diffuser lens even at the brightest setting after some initial adjustment I don't feel like it's glaring at me. Can't figure out how to change the clock. Didn't need the carrying case but it does come with one.Customer Review: Apollo is Over-rated. High on hype, low on product delivery.
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased 5 different brands of Light Therapy devices because the information out there is very little. One of the purchases was the P1. Out of all the brands, Apollo is high on the scale of hype. The box it came in, the advertising and the owners manual are the most extravagant in product promotion and statements about health benefits but I don't think the light box actually delivers anything. The product box is 5 times larger than the light box inside. They have a 5 inch cardboard spacer inside the box to fill in space. The advertisement makes it appear that it is a fully "programmable" device (with a clock on the front). You cannot use it to wake automatically, in fact the clock is a 12 hour clock. The programming is for 3 personal settings, a, b, c, and you can vary the intensity and duration. Good luck. The programmable part is not usable. You try to program it using the instructions and the thing turns itself on. I followed the instructions step by step and it still does not program. It definitely needs better user interface. Portability is good. The blue LEDs are unique to other Light therapy devices but I doubt there is enough intensity to make a difference.
If you are tight on space and can find one for less than $60 then I would say its a possible good purchase. Other than that I would say Apollo is good on providing a glossy box but low on a product delivery. Any of the Apollo models that use the blue LEDs and have this type of front interface will likely work same way.
Customer Review: Miracle in a small box!
Summary: 5 Stars
For a couple years I was suffering from severe sleep disturbances (was extremely tired, falling asleep at the wheel and at the dinner table, waking up at 2-3 am daily, being very irritable) and tried literally everything to get back into a normal sleep rhythm. The only time I was able to sleep ok. was when we were on vacation in a place with plenty of sunlight (we live in Seattle). Finally I consulted a sleep specialist who told me my problems could be related to a number of things but that I should try out the Apollo GoLite for a while to see if perhaps by Circadian Rhythm was off (related to Seasonal Affective Disorder).
I ordered the GoLite from Amazon, read all the instructions and went to the www.ApolloHealth.com where I took a questionnaire related to my sleeping problems. The results of that questionnaire told me that my Circadian Rhythm was off by 6 hours. I learned exactly when to turn on the light, for how long, etc. The results were immediate and nothing short of a miracle. Within one week I was able to go to bed at 10 pm and wake up refreshed by 5.30 am. I can now read a book in bed without falling asleep, in fact I read with the light in front of me and I look forward to using the light (sense of well-being and euphoria, as mentioned by others).
When I tried to get by without using the GoLite for a few days I was waking up again at 2.30 am. This thing really works! I've been using it now for 3 months and have not had a problem with its quality.