Review of the MightyBright Full Spectrum CCFL "Sight Reader" light

NatCh · 03-12-2007, 09:36 PM

Meet the Mighty Bright Full Spectrum CCFL Book Light

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, Gieardinelli -- 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.

vvaann · 03-13-2007, 04:05 AM

Thanks for review. It sounds very perspective for me.

NatCh · 03-13-2007, 08:31 AM

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

HarryT · 03-13-2007, 08:41 AM

Nat,

Could I ask a question completely off at a tangent?

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!

NatCh · 03-13-2007, 08:57 AM

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

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

It's a variation of the World English Bible (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, and is in post #34 of this old thread, which also contains a number of other interesting resources. Enjoy.

HarryT · 03-13-2007, 09:09 AM

Wonderful! Many thanks.

Aprilbeginnings · 03-13-2007, 09:14 AM

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

HarryT · 03-13-2007, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

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".

NatCh · 03-13-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aprilbeginnings

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

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.

Aprilbeginnings · 03-13-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Yup, blue and silver are your choices.

.

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

Aprilbeginnings · 03-13-2007, 11:15 AM

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

HarryT · 03-13-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

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

Done!

NatCh · 03-13-2007, 11:35 AM

I just hit 'em again too.

NatCh · 03-13-2007, 12:56 PM

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

Quote:

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

HarryT · 03-13-2007, 01:13 PM

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

03-12-2007, 09:36 PM	#1
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Review of the MightyBright Full Spectrum CCFL "Sight Reader" light Meet the Mighty Bright Full Spectrum CCFL Book Light 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, Gieardinelli -- 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. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by NatCh; 03-13-2007 at 08:29 AM. Reason: Added pic of lighting with fresh batteries

03-13-2007, 11:15 AM	#11
Aprilbeginnings Guru Posts: 632 Karma: 404 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern CA Device: Sony PRS-500 /prs 650 soon	. couldn't delete this comment, LOL.... so just writing something. Last edited by Aprilbeginnings; 03-13-2007 at 11:21 AM.

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03-13-2007, 04:05 AM	#2
vvaann Enthusiast Posts: 27 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2006	Thanks for review. It sounds very perspective for me.

03-13-2007, 08:31 AM	#3
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Note: new pic added above! You're welcome, vvaann, I'm glad you found it useful.

03-13-2007, 08:41 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Nat, Could I ask a question completely off at a tangent? 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!

03-13-2007, 08:57 AM	#5
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Oh, no! Off topic? The horror, the HORROR! I picked that 'cause I figured it wouldn't stir up any 'piracy' flack. It's a variation of the World English Bible (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, and is in post #34 of this old thread, which also contains a number of other interesting resources. Enjoy.

03-13-2007, 09:09 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Wonderful! Many thanks.

03-13-2007, 09:14 AM	#7
Aprilbeginnings Guru Posts: 632 Karma: 404 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern CA Device: Sony PRS-500 /prs 650 soon	Very nice NatCH. Now do they really have a color in that bright blue? (Karen the color Freak and blue is my favorite)

03-13-2007, 11:35 AM	#13
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	I just hit 'em again too.

03-13-2007, 01:13 PM	#15
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Curiously enough I've had the same reply back too. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say.

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