Meet the Mighty Bright (http://www.mightybright.com) Full Spectrum CCFL (http://www.mightybright.com/Book_Lights/26/ProductDetail.aspx) Book Light

http://www.mightybright.com/upload/images/33736103293369511430BL_NaturaLamp_Blue.jpg

This light seems to go by several names: "NaturaLamp Full Spectrum Daylight Book Light," "Sight Reader," (the particular one I'm reviewing), and another that seems to be the same, though it's priced $10 more, "CoolGlo Full Spectrum Daylight" (the specs are mostly the same, though this one includes a 'durable gig bag').

It's available from a number of places besides directly from MightyBright: Amazon, Musician's Friend (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/), Gieardinelli (http://www.giardinelli.com/) -- I even saw one at Borders last night -- and the prices vary anywhere from $20 to $30.

Physical attributes:• weight with batteries, a bit more than the Reader, so 10~12oz. at a guess
• batteries: 4 AA
• bulb length: 1.5"
• head length: 1.75"
• arm length: 4.75"
• battery compartment: 5.75" X 1.5" X .75"
• sliding switch on the end of the battery compartment closest to the arm connection

Articulation:• shade rotates in its long axis ~ 170°
• shade bends with respect to the arm ~ 180°
• head rotates with respect to the arm ~ 350°
• arm rotates with respect to the battery compartment ~350°(this rotation is 'notched' in that it rotates in a series of clicked steps, thought it doesn't make any sound to speak of)


Okay, now that the details are dealt with, let me begin by saying that I found this light very agreeable to read from my Reader by. The full spectrum light makes the display very 'contrasty' (see attached photo), and due to the length of the arm, it easily and evenly lights the entire display.

The 'business parts' of the large clip are lined with a neoprene-like substance, which means it's very kind to the Reader's cover, and the size of the clip means that it will clip comfortably on any edge of that cover. I found that either side works best for me, though the weight of the light with batteries means that it's most comfortable clipped to the very bottom of the cover where it actually makes the reader almost stand on its own. Not quite, but it does make it easier to hold up.

The dimensions of the arm mean that when it's clipped to bottom edge of the cover, on the right-hand side, the head of the lamp is pretty close to centered vertically on the display. The rotating shade means that most of the spillover light goes off to one side, nice for those whose Significant Others are light sensitive.

It seems that I was correct in my guess that the thing is a battery hog. I'm using 2050 mAh NiMh rechargeable batteries, so it's not that big a deal, but I actually saw the light noticeably dim after about 4 hours of use. It's still plenty bright to read by, and I don't know yet how long it will run before it gives it up, but that should be adequate run time to allow for a 'read at night, charge in the day' cycle. There is a wall-brick available for it, but it doesn't charge batteries (it specifically warns to remove them before connecting the AC adapter).

In short, I'm pleased with the light, and if the limitations don't crimp your style, you might be pleased with it too.



Note, the lighting sample picture below, was taken in darkened, windowless room, on batteries that had been used for ~5 hours, so it's actually noticeably (though not radically) brighter on a fresh set. I'll try to add another one when they've recharged. The glare (which isn't as bad in real life) can be eliminated by angling the Reader slightly -- easier done while reading than photographing. :nice:

Thanks for review. It sounds very perspective for me.

You're welcome, vvaann, I'm glad you found it useful. :nice:

Nat,

Could I ask a question completely off at a tangent? :grin:

I notice your screen shots are of the Bible. Was this a free download, or a commercial product? Either way, I'd be very interested in getting hold of it - could you provide any more information about it?

Thanks!

Oh, no! Off topic? The horror, the HORROR! :grin:

I picked that 'cause I figured it wouldn't stir up any 'piracy' flack. :wink:

It's a variation of the World English Bible (http://ebible.org/) (which is, indeed free -- it's an updated version of the American Standard xlation), the particular one I'm using there was compiled into a single linked BBeB version by elf (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/member.php?userid=6977), and is in post #34 of this old thread (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8278), which also contains a number of other interesting resources. Enjoy. :nice:

Wonderful! Many thanks.

Very nice NatCH. Now do they really have a color in that bright blue? (Karen the color Freak and blue is my favorite)

Wonderful! Many thanks.

Got it - thanks! The WEB Bible isn't my favourite translation, but it's certainly not too awful. I wish OliveTree would come out with versions of their stuff for the Reader. My favourites are the NRSV and ESV, but obviously they are most definitely not "copyable".

Very nice NatCH. Now do they really have a color in that bright blue? (Karen the color Freak and blue is my favorite)Yup, blue and silver are your choices. :nice:


Got it - thanks! The WEB Bible isn't my favourite translation, but it's certainly not too awful. I wish OliveTree would come out with versions of their stuff for the Reader. My favourites are the NRSV and ESV, but obviously they are most definitely not "copyable".NIV or NASB for me, though the NKJV is a heap better than its predecessor, IMHO.

I wrote OliveTree a while back inquiring if they would do a version for the Reader, probably the first they'd ever heard of it. Their response was optimistically non-committal, you know, the "we're always looking at new stuff" sort of thing.

I've been thinking of writing them again, as it's been several months. Perhaps you'd like to do the same. :nice:

Yup, blue and silver are your choices. :nice:

. :nice:

hey I just went and looked, they also have PURPLE..... another favorite. Although now on second look its a different light...... not as good as the one you got

http://www.mightybright.com/upload/images/33736104353370124864BL_Mini_Purple.jpg

. couldn't delete this comment, LOL.... so just writing something.

I've been thinking of writing them again, as it's been several months. Perhaps you'd like to do the same. :nice:

Done!

I just hit 'em again too. :grin:

Bummer, just got this back (excellent response time those folks have, though)

Hello Nathan,

Thank you for your inquiry. At this time our development team has no immediate plans to pursue the Sony Reader platform, but I will certainly forward your request to them for their consideration.

Sincerely,

Kristi Allen
Technical Support
Olive Tree Bible Software

Curiously enough I've had the same reply back too. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say.

Quick and consistent. :nice:

I figure if enough folks ask for it, they'll check it out. :shrug:

NatCH -- looking at the pictures, there seems to be a darkness on the left edge of the reader (away from the light), particularly in the corner farthest from the light. Are those words in the darker portion still legible?

One problem I've found with the MightyBrite lights is that I'm constantly having to move the light-head to illuminate darker parts of the page when I'm reading dead-tree books and am wondering if the same problem might be there for me with the Sony reader.

Thank you for posting this review, especially given the full-spectrum nature of this reading light, because proper illumination of reading material is always an issue.

Hey, dhbailey, yes the extreme corners of the display are slightly less lit than the rest, but the picture exaggerates it somewhat. I find the entire screen legible without moving the head at all -- once I get it where I want it, of course. The arrangement you can see in the second pic is the one that seems to work best to me.

I think part of the reason for that is because the CCFL bulb is a good deal brighter than any other reading light bulb I've encountered, and part of it is because it's a good deal larger than those other bulbs. :)

It also doesn't hurt that the Reader's display is smaller than most paper book pages. :p

Say NatCh! How's that light compared to my box's ? I used soft white LEDs. Don't worry I can stand criticism! :smiley2:

The coverage is slightly less complete with this light than with your box, but the full spectrum lighting means the display is contrastier. I'd call it down to a matter of preference. :shrug:

I would suggest you look into using CCFL in your box, but I expect the inverter circuit and the extra 2 batteries would add too much bulk, :sad:

They appear to be sold out of the CCFL light. I had the standard but the bulb only lasted a couple of weeks. I think I'll try the led version (40 hours).

Paul

If you run a Google search on the name, you'll probably find other vendors -- I recall seeing 3~4 of them -- that is, if you're still interested in getting one. :shrug:

I've already ordered the LED MightyBright. The battery life is better and they have them in stock. I almost chose it before finding the CCFL was out of stock. I have an LED book light with a single bulb but find the glare unpleasant. Hopefully this one is better.

Paul

You may be able to find (both of) them in a B&N or Borders, if you live near one of those (you could bring your own batts and try it out). That wouldn't be ideal, as the store would be lit, but it might give you some idea. :shrug: