Verilux Rise & Shine Natural Alarm Clock Deluxe Bedside Lamp, Ivory
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Product Reviews of Verilux Rise & Shine Natural Alarm Clock Deluxe Bedside Lamp, Ivory
Product Review: Great idea, poor execution
Summary: 2 Stars
I recently bought the Verilux Rise & Shine lamp because it is already so dark up here in Seattle (I just moved from SF this summer) that the sun is a good hour away from rising when I wake up to go to work. The idea behind the lamp (with a full-spectrum bulb that imitates light from the sun) is that it turns on gradually over an extended period of time, helping you wake up.
I've been so groggy over the past three weeks that I was willing to cough up $150 for a lamp & alarm clock. This product is a GREAT idea, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
* The lamp itself stopped working after one day. Probably needs a new, $10 bulb.
* The alarm lets you choose whether you want sound, light or both to wake you up. I thought this product would be fantastic if the light started to turn on gradually about 15 minutes before the radio turned on. It doesn't work that way. The radio turns on the same time the light turns on, and this problem is exacerbated by the next complaint.
* There are only four volume settings for the radio. The lowest setting is perfectly clear and louder than I need to wake up. Of course, since the product is supposed to gradually increase the volume of sound, it ramps all the way up to the loudest setting. To add insult to injury, you can't turn down the volume when it's in the alarm cycle.
* The light itself turns on rather abruptly. Mind you, I only got to experience this on one morning before the bulb or lamp was broken, but the light went from zero to about 20% in a fraction of a second, which is more than enough to wake me up.
* The radio has unbelievably horrible reception. The local NPR station, KUOW, comes in crystal-clear on my stereo and cheap shower radio. No matter how long I spent tuning the lamp radio, I got a lot of static. No matter where in the apartment I put the lamp, I got a substantial amount of static.
* The radio tuner is contextless. That is, the dial has no numbers whatsoever, so you can't tell whether you're in the 101s or the 92s. Finding your favorite channel takes about 10 minutes of listening to every channel that sort of sounds like what you're looking for.
* I like the soothing sounds, and I can imagine it would help me get back to sleep on those occasions when I wake up in the middle of the night. I found the "extra" sounds a bit distracting, though. For example, the "surf" sound includes whale calls, while the "forest" sound--rhythmic insect chirping--has an an owl cooing in your year.
Product Review: Happy Camper
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had this lamp for 11 years and am just now replacing the bulb. Mine has always functioned the way I expected and the way that is helpful to me:1) the lamp and sound starts coming on 15 min. before the set alarm time. It begins softly and dimly and increasingly becomes louder and brighter. It has never failed me - I used to dread waking up to a sharp shrill sound or bright light - no longer. I wouldn't be without my Verilux Rise and Shine lamp. I love it because I wake up gradually, not with a start!Product Review: I LOVE this thing!
Summary: 5 Stars
6 months out of the year, I have a horrible time waking up in the morning because it's DARK. The Rise & Shine has been a godsend.
I start waking up gently and gradually. I use the bird sounds or the harbor sound (seagulls) to wake up. It is so natural, and I am ready to get up at 6:00 a.m. rather than being jarred awake and feeling depressed and wanting to stay asleep.
The full-spectrum light is beautiful! It's like real daylight.
I have not had any of the problems some of the other reviewers have reported. Everything works correctly, although I did have to spend some time reading the instructions at first to figure out how to do everything.
In the evening, I use the "forest" sounds to go to sleep, or sometimes the radio. It works like a charm. The radio tuning dial does indeed have numbers on it -- you just have to LOOK. I have had no trouble with reception. It's not some Bose stereo or anything, but the sound quality is good enough.
The Amazon price is a lot lower than suggested retail, and I feel it was well worth the investment to be able to wake up in the morning and actually feel like getting up, rather than feeling depressed and groggy.
In addition to this product, I bought an Apollo Go-Lite P2, which I use for light therapy in the morning for 15-20 minutes. The combination of these 2 products has pretty much cured my SADD! I can actually function during the dark months now!
Product Review: I Love this Item
Summary: 5 Stars
I have used this alarm clock for several years now, and I love it. I could never go back to a regular alarm clock now.Product Review: I can wake up in the morning!
Summary: 4 Stars
Washington State, 90 inches of rain per year, gray skies, SAD. I bought this lamp despite some negative reviews hoping for the best and I'm so glad I did! I have been able to wake up in the morning and not feel like a zombie for the first time in my life. I find the sounds help me not fall back asleep in the morning, yet their gradual increase of volume is not jarring. I did not think I ever had trouble falling asleep, but find the gradual dimming of the light allows me to fall asleep quickly instead of reading too late. Setting the alarms is a bit complicated at first and I was very glad to have read the review about screwing the light bulb in tightly. I had to call the company to ask how to adjust the brightness and they were very helpful, pleasant, and the problem was solved in less than a minute. I highly recommend this lamp for SAD sufferers.
Carol in Grays Harbor