Zelco "itty bitty" Book Light, LED Edition
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List Price: Our Price: $29.94 You Save: $5.06 (14%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $15.37 (click here) Category: Lighting See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Zelco "itty bitty" Book Light, LED Edition
Customer Review: Batteries and DC Adapter don't mix! Clip destroys books
Summary: 1 Stars
The design for using the DC adapter with this little light is extremely poor. It is possible that I missed the warning that tells you to remove the batteries before using the DC adapter. But, it must not have been very big. I combined the two and ended up with batteries that leaked all over inside the battery case. These were brand new batteries. There does not seem to be anything protecting the batteries from the DC adapter and so the power goes right into them. This is bad. Modern devices are expected to work with either battery or adapter without having to remove the batteries.
Then, after I cleaned it all up, it worked for about a week w/o the batteries installed. Then the LEDs started flickering. The next day, it was dead. To see if it had to do with the battery leak, I took the little guy apart and found that the power was still getting all of the way up into the head. But something on the little circuit board must have blown.
The other part of the design that is bad is that the metal clip has a sharp edge that digs into and tears up the pages of the book. I found this a problem with soft cover books, at least. Putting a little electrical tape of the end made it better.
I had hoped that the design of this edition would last longer than previous editions. I've gone through many Zelco lights and stretched out their lifespan by repairing the poor connections as they wear out. This one is beyond my ability and I'm done giving Zelco my money. They are a nice idea, but have no durability. If they were cheaper, it might not be such a big deal, but for their price I would like to see them be far more durable.
Customer Review: So good buying two more for gifts.
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this light for wife who reads EVERYWHERE. Previous book lights ate batteries like crazy and built up a fair amount of heat-enough to get annoying and uncomfortable after 30 minutes. The Zelco LED however is light weight, though well constructed. One reviewed said they broke it after 2 days though that has not been my experience. I believe that that was probably bad luck, because if you treat this well (maybe not for young children) it will last a long time. We certainly don't baby ours, throwing it in overnight bags without a case etc. The other great feature is that it takes AAA batteries. I find the light to very pleasant to read by and not very distracting to those around you. I recently saw a similar model that runs on 3 LR44 button batteries (good for size and weight) but who keeps those around the house? OUr experience was that the first set of batteries lasted over 6 months with reading at least 20-30 minutes per day. This is one of the first reviews I have written, basically because I am so pleased with this product.Customer Review: Nice AND Disappointing, but there's a follow-up...
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this booklight 3 months ago along with the adapter. In the last couple of weeks, one of the lights has gone out. I have it positioned on a shelf above my head so I can just turn it on at night, read for a while, and then turn it off. So it hasn't been handled roughly and has barely been moved other than to turn it on and off. I really like the idea of not having to change the batteries and I like the amount of light the 2 bulbs give off from the shelf above my head so I don't have to fumble with the light while I'm reading. But I'm very disappointed that the one bulb doesn't work anymore...especially after investing in the adapter!
FOLLOW-UP: I contacted the mfr (Zelco) and they said that the product was under a 1-year warantee and if I send them the booklight along with a check for $5 (for S/H), they would send me a new booklight. I received it recently and so far so good.
Customer Review: Light was ok while it lasted
Summary: 2 Stars
Been through about 4 book lights in the last 6 months trying to find a good one, this one seemed like a keeper as it lasted a month longer than all the rest, but... it wasn't meant to me.
1) it has 2 LED's, within a month 1 of them died, not a big deal 1 was plenty bright, infact I kind of liked it a little more at 1/2 brightness, easier to read in total darkness.
2) the head doesn't swivel at all, on big books the page on the far side isn't that bright, maybe if I had 2 leds...
3) after about 2 months of use (all this on the first set of batteries, so kudos's there) the last remaining LED started to flicker and I had to throw it away.
All this was w/o any traveling or abuse, it pretty much got clipped to book and went from my nightstand beside my bed into my hands, and back when I was done reading for the night.
Customer Review: LED last forever?
Summary: 3 Stars
I do like the concept of the "itty bitty Book Light" a lot. Since I love to read in bed what only would disturb my husband this was a great solution. But this is the second one I had to buy in 3 years. They did say it will last forever and the bulbs never burn out. Well that's not true. My old one started blinking and eventually blacked out completely. Since they is no way to get a new bulb you buy a whole new light and well I have to admit, at almost $30.- that is a little much if it can't be repaired.
I did buy another one but if the same defect happens with this one in the next few years I will not buy it again. I will look for something more reliable. The itty bitty lite takes 4 AAA Batteries and they do have to be replaced quite often. It's best to get rechargeable batteries, helps the cost and the environment.