Verilux VT05FWW1 HappyLight 6000
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Category: Health Care
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Verilux VT05FWW1 HappyLight 6000 Details
Manufacturer: VeriluxBrand: Verilux
Release Date: 2009-10-15
Model: VT05FWW1
Color: White Base
Product features:
- Up to 6,000 LUX of Natural Spectrum Daylight lifts spirits, sharpens concentration and improves energy levels
- Helps address the effects of seasonal change, Winter Blues, shift work and jet lag
- Emulates natural daylight to improve mood and overall sense of well-being
- Sleek space-saving design is ideal for home office or dorm room
- Energy efficient bulb uses only 36 Watts to produce 300 Watts of Natural Spectrum light
Customer Reviews of Verilux VT05FWW1 HappyLight 6000
Customer Review: Do your homework and you will likely be very happy with this light....
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading a one-star review in which the reviewer had clearly not done any research on light therapy--or even TRIED this product--yet made completely inaccurate statements and then told readers not to waste their money on it, I was pretty irritated and wrote a rather sarcastic 'reply', not only refuting her statements but expressing my unflattering opinion on the reviewer's competence. Perhaps a subtle side effect of my short-term usage is my willingness to delete that response and try to present as objective a review as possible, sans the snarkiness. I hope I can counter her remarks here while respecting the concern from some other respondants regarding my approach. (I did hear you.)
What I learned from reading the reviews is that the negative reviewers either did not read the product manual correctly or chose to misrepresent what it says. I'm inserting this comment after writing the following review, but what I realized is that you can go to the Verilux site and directly read the product manual, which is likely the best way to resolve questions when statements by posters are so negative that it seems pretty strange that so many people like this lamp. The reviews do help for subjective reactions to the product, though :)
(I have had a very painful surgery on Jan 13,several days after receiving my lamp on Jan 7, following another several months ago, so I will update this review after a greater duration of use. I wanted to at least get something written which might reach readers in the interim.)
Before I start, some negative reviews involved an issue with flaking paint, which doesn't seem likely for my own unit and wasn't indicated by the majority of reviewers but looks pretty nasty. I'm wondering if this is due to a particular manufacturing source or a different finish (?), but there is a return policy. My unit was perfect out of the box. Personally, I would go through the effort of a return to get one of these without a defect, but that's clearly a concern for some.
My interest in this lamp resulted from just completing some Continuing Ed units on Seasonal Affective Disorder, required in maintenance of a professional license. The research on the symptomatology of the disorder and the effectiveness of light therapy is well documented by standard medical research protocols, and not some New Age marketing of vague benefits, as implied in another one-star review by N. Caruso. Whether someone suffers from deficits in this regard is something they need to assess personally, although above a certain latitude the evidence suggests that it is unlikely that most persons meet the average requirements. (This, and the fact that had I moved to San Diego in the past just for the sun, and after moving to Oregon became Vit D deficient, made me start looking for a reasonably priced product for a test drive.) Tangentially, there is a review where someone is using the light on his foot--I'll be nice--the light receptors affected are in the EYES. (I don't think I'd take his review too seriously.)
The original negative critique I referred to, by JenBuckeyevets, gave the product one star due to requirements that are held in common by all light therapy units, not just this lamp. (I guess chemotherapeutic agents would get reviews like: 'one-star, it makes you nauseous and lose your hair, don't waste your time'--I'm just intrinsically snarky, aargh.) Although she claimed "You need to sit in front of this light for HOURS--not 30 minutes, not 1 hour--think 4 hours within 3 feet of this light", which she said was indicated by her pamphlet. The pamphlet which came with mine, printed in 2010--the year in which she wrote her review--has a 'minimum recommended usage' of 30 minutes to 1 hour--in line with the medical recommendations. The online product manual states: "Optimum time depends upon how your body uniquely responds to light. Typical recommended usage time is 1 to 6 hours per day. Ideally, the HappyLight® should be used first thing in the morning.
The manual continues: "Note: We recommend limiting use during the evening as it may interfere with sleep." JenBuckeye translated this for her readers, as if it was directly stated by the manual, as: "And you should not use it in the evening because it will disturb your normal sleep-wake cycle, keeping you awake at night." (Her change from 'may' to 'will' needs to be communicated to her research team--okay, one more snarky comment. Sorry.) This she extrapolated to "So, unless you have a strict desk job, or have the time to sit in front of this light for 4 hours a day before 5pm, don't waste your money on this product!" Which, had it been accurate, was equivalent to saying 'Don't waste your time on this therapy' as therapy requirements are the same with the only diffentiation being the amount of lux affecting the amount of time. I found this so irritating because there may be persons who could benefit from this product but who will take her comments as literally coming from the company itself, hence the number of 'helpful' responses.
The manufacturer's caution re limiting evening use, and the use of 'may' was based on the variance in current research findings, as the individual variation in sleep promotion/disturbance is enormous. Read the reviews, or take this for a test drive yourself to see if this might be an issue for you. Personally, I found absolutely no problem. I have just started with it but am using it reading in bed at night and find myself falling asleep on the book after an hour or two.
I learned from my course on SAD that the therapeutic recommendations are a work in progress right now, with determination of the most effective type of light and levels still fluctuating as data accumulates, reflected in the manual comments. Clinically, at this lux level (6000), for persons with significant (per certain clinical criteria) seasonal depression, 4 hours would likely to be needed to achieve maximal therapeutic benefit--perhaps 4 hours at 10,000), but this is not an 'all or none' event and there is no reason to believe that a person with minor depression and some sun exposure driving to work, etc., might not receive exactly what they need with this lamp at much shorter exposure times, even 30 minutes. In regards to what mild to moderate clinical levels of SAD involves, it is pretty 'enlightening' to realize that sufficient (effective)light exposure really does reduce or eliminate the need for anti-depressant medication.
Importantly for a purchaser, there is still individual variation in what will work, and since it is not a 'all or none' effect, even less than ideal exposure might be very helpful. (As a simple analogy, just because a person may not get the type of food that would build an ideal body doesn't mean it's not worth eating at all....)
A 'flaking' complaint person, N. Caruso, also found this to be so bright as, well here's a direct quote "The fine print ways that you need to keep it no more than 18" away for hours (or was it 6"?). Now the fun part... imagine trying to work 18" away from the landing lights on a Jumbo Jet. That's what this is like." (The 'w'ays for 'says' is his typo.) I would suggest he get his eyesight evaluated, as, barring some extreme variation in the construction of his lamp, that is an abnormal sensitivity. (I had to eval eyesight years ago in doing physicals and this is more than normal individual variation.) Maybe he misread the instuctions and did use it at 6" and stared directly at it, but I'm quoting the following directly from the product manual:
"Light therapy consists of sitting close to the HappyLight® 6000 with your eyes
open. While staying oriented toward the light, feel free to engage in other
activities such as reading, writing, hobbies and crafts, sewing, needlepoint,
applying makeup, painting, or working at your computer or desk.
1. Turn on the lamp and allow a few seconds for the bulb to achieve full
brightness.
2. The HappyLight® 6000 should be positioned about 12-24 inches from your
face, and could be slightly offset from center (see diagram) Note: Do not
stare directly at the light."
(Repeat: 'Do not stare directly at the light.' Point those toes away.)
Since I received mine close to a surgery, I'm going to edit this post with a review of my own experience after a few weeks and then edit it over time to see how it holds up with use and whether I feel any subjective results. I've used it approximately five times and I can really see an improvement in my mood state, despite my pain and physical limitations having increased, and without an increase in pain medication. It is actually a help in reading and I plan to use it for jewelrymaking, as well. A number of reviewers, as well as myself, really enjoy the quality of this light. I'm also going to continue to use it for reading at night, so it will be a personal trial as to affecting my sleep-wake cycle. I bought this based on reading the reviews and what I learned in the course, and I hope I can be as helpful as the persons who provided truly informative reviews when I write my own.
One last thing: I didn't buy this for aesthetics, but I know people complain about the appearance of the lamp. I think it looks like what it is, which in some circles (form follows function) carries its own integrity, and I'd rather pay less than factor in the 'decorative cost'.
Description of Verilux VT05FWW1 HappyLight 6000
The HappyLight 6000 Energy Lamp emulates natural daylight to deliver up to 6,000 LUX of white light for improving overall mood, energy and concentration. The HappyLight's Natural Spectrum light stimulates the body's natural energy enhancers without exposing you to harmful UV rays. Use the HappyLight 6000 while you're on the computer or reading the newspaper to experience improved mood and overall sense of well-being without the use of drugs or artificial stimulants.Beat fatigue and the winter blues with the HappyLight 6000 Energy Lamp. Medical studies show that decreased exposure to sunlight due to seasonal changes, shift work, travel, or other factors, can negatively affect your well-being. The HappyLight 6000 simulates healthy, natural light that cues your body's energy enhancers to improve mood and fight fatigue.
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 Space-efficient tabletop design allows for easy, convenient placement. View larger. |
 Enjoy light therapy sessions while you work. View larger. | ||||
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Benefits of Light Therapy
Light is nature's stimulant. Deprived of light, the body's natural cycles and functions are adversely affected. Light deprivation can disrupt sleep and concentration, increase appetite, and decrease sex drive. The HappyLight 6000 provides Natural Spectrum Daylight to prompt your body to naturally improve mood, energy, alertness, and well-being.
Safely Simulates Natural Sunlight
The HappyLight 6000 emits Natural Spectrum Daylight to simulate the patterns and spectrum of natural sunlight without any harmful UV rays. Emitting up to 6,000 LUX, the HappyLight 6000 is one of the most powerful and compact energy lamps available.
Convenient Design for Busy Lifestyles
Because the HappyLight 6000 delivers a moderate dose of light, it's ideal for both shorter sessions and all-day use. Its space-efficient tabletop design makes it easy to position anywhere in your home or office.
Simply position the light towards you while working or relaxing, and enjoy the natural, mood-enhancing effects of the HappyLight 6000. Use the brightness control to adjust the light to suit your needs. No matter what the setting, the HappyLight 6000's energy-efficient bulb uses only 36 Watts to produce 300 Watts of light.
What's in the Box
HappyLight 6000 Energy Lamp and instructions.
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