Philips HF3480 Wake-up Light
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Philips HF3480 Wake-up Light Details
Manufacturer: PhilipsBrand: Philips
Release Date: 2009-08-22
Model: HF3480
Color: White
Product features:
- Gradually wakes you up by light for a more pleasant feeling
- 20 different brightness settings allows you to use as a bedside lamp
- Optional FM radio and 4 nature sounds
- Dusk simulation helps you drift to sleep by gradually dimming light and sound
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Customer Reviews of Philips HF3480 Wake-up Light
Customer Review: On second thought...
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
***1-8-10 Update***
I really liked this device initially. I gave it five stars in my original review because it worked like a charm and it was such a wonderful alternative to traditional alarm clocks. Both my wife and I loved it. Unfortunately, like many other users, mine eventually malfunctioned prematurely. I got nearly four months of great use and reliable wake-ups, but the light failed to turn on this morning. It worked for my wife, however, when she reset the clock for my wake-up, the light dimmed for good (by the way, dual alarms might be a good idea for the next version, as well as obviously increasing reliability or making the light user-replaceable). Attempts to get the light working again were futile. Given the number of complaints about the light prematurely failing, there is obviously an issue with this device. I can no longer recommend this until/unless this issue is resolved. It's such a shame because it really is a great device when it works. Unfortunately, I would not invest in an unreliable device with so many complaints for the same issue. I have not yet called Philips, so their warranty repair service had no impact on this modified review. If I could rate it again, I'd give it one star. Although I don't "hate" the device, there is just no way I could recommend such an unreliable product, especially since the bulb is not user-replaceable. After being spoiled, I now have to retrieve my old irritatingly loud alarm clock until Philips resolves the issue. It's not worth the substantial risk to purchase this. It's not even simply the fact that the light is not user-replaceable. I have several devices with internal lighting that may or may not go south one day (laptops, LCD TV's, iPods, etc). The difference is, these items have been reliable for years. The wake-up light apparently has a problem merely lasting six-months for a lot of folks.
Original review left intact below, so you can see how I felt when it worked
I've used an extra loud (literally the name of the device) alarm clock for the past four years. Even then, I still usually hit the snooze at least twice every morning. I also started using a Philips GoLite Blu light therapy device during the fall and winter months last year. I find it helps with my sleeping issues as well as seasonal affective disorder. I usually have little trouble waking early in the spring and summer, when days are longer and the sun rises earlier. Light is nature's alarm clock and it just happens to be the best there is. Fall and winter have always been my difficult seasons. While the GoLite Blu has helped tremendously, it's more like an energy boost after you use it. I still needed my ear-piercing alarm clock for mornings. I was very eager to give the Philips wake-up light a try. After receiving the device, I followed the quick setup instructions, adjusted the settings, and selected my desired wake tone. The menu was simple to use. There are four selectable tones you can wake to. I selected what the device specifies as "African Jungle", although it sounds more like a warm Caribbean steel drum tone. It seemed to have the best mix of loudness while still being relaxing. I set the volume at 15 (goes to max of 20). Afterward, I tested the device in demo mode and will admit, I initially had my concerns. It was three in the afternoon and the light was almost completely washed out by the afternoon sunlight. Also, even at 15, the drums sounded quiet and a little too soothing for me to believe they would be capable of waking me. Fearing it might not work, I set my old alarm clock to go off five minutes after the wake light (little did I know, I'd never need the old alarm again). The next morning, I actually woke after the light started glowing dimly, but before audible alarm of the wake up light. When I realized the audible alarm hadn't yet sounded, I looked at the time and saw I had an additional 15 minutes to sleep. As the light got brighter and brighter I could gradually feel myself awakening more until I heard the soft sound of the drums begin very quietly and gradually raise in volume until reaching my preset maximum loudness. The best part is, due to the gradual awakening instead of the abrupt snatch-you-out-of-your-sleep-like-a-baby-out-of-the-womb waking I'm used to, I had no lingering drowsiness and I did not feel the need to hit the snooze once. I merely flipped the alarm lever to "Off" and hopped out of bed, feeling surprisingly refreshed and well-rested instead of groggy. It was like waking naturally on a weekend.
I can happily report that I had the same result the remainder of the week. By the third day, I didn't get to bed until 2am. The wake-up light still managed to wake me at 5:30 with only one press of the snooze button. Not only did I only have to press it once, I woke on my own before the 9-minute snooze period was up. (By the way, the pre-determined snooze time is non-adjustable).
I see there are some concerns about the light being non-user replaceable. While I completely understand this very valid concern, it's also a chance we take with many things. We don't know if that $400 MP3 player or digital camera will function as long as we hope. The most popular (and expensive) line of MP3 players still come with non-user replaceable batteries (and backlights). LCD televisions and laptops all use backlights, so you're putting your trust in the life of a lamp at some point for many things. This light comes with a two-year manufacturer warranty, so you can take comfort in the fact that you will get at least two years of use out of it. If you're really worried, purchase it with a gold or platinum credit card and you can tack on a third year of warranty coverage free of charge. I'm not certain this is a deal breaker.
So far, I can't really find any negatives (other than maybe not being the most aesthetically pleasing device to some people. My wife says it looks like a humidifier with a dot matrix clock on the side). Philips light therapy products have really impressed me up to this point. You see so many rip-offs and health products promising results that usually don't deliver. Just like the GoLite Blu (which still impresses me after a year of ownership), this wake-up light does what it says it will do. Of course, everyone's chemistry is different and I can't predict it will necessarily work for everyone. I just know, after four years I'm glad I no longer feel like I want to shoot straight up out of bed and cling to the ceiling by my claws like a scared cat when my super-loud alarm clock goes off in the mornings.
Description of Philips HF3480 Wake-up Light
Introducing the new Philips Wake-up Light, a more pleasant and natural way to wake-up in the morning. Light gradually increases for 30 minutes before your wake up time to gently prepare your body to wake up and feel more energetic at the start of your day. With optional FM radio and nature sounds, waking up will be a pleasant experience. Its innovative design includes a light that can be adjusted to 20 different brightness settings, making the product suitable to use as a lamp in any bedroom. At the end of your day, set the dusk simulator to drift you off to sleep by gradually dimming the light and sound.Light Therapy
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