How Your Can Buy the Best Reading Light for You
When you’re looking for the right reading light, it is helpful to keep in mind both where and how it will be used. First, which types and sizes of book will your light be used to light? If it only needs to provide light for standard size mass market paperback books, a smaller, single incandescent or LED design will likely be fine. If it must evenly light a coffee table book, then you’ll need a reading light designed for much greater light output evenly distributed over a considerably larger area. Another thing to consider is whether you prefer the warmer, slightly yellowish glow of an incandescent light or the whiter, cooler output of modern LEDs.
Another important consideration is maintenance. While both incandescent and LED reading lights use about the same amount of power, using up batteries with about equal speed, incandescent designs have a life expectancy of approximately 15-25 hours of use. LEDs, while they are only slightly higher in price than incandescent designs, usually have life expectancies of between 5,000-50,000 hours of use. Obviously, LEDs will cost much less to operate over the long haul if the light will be used for more than 15-25 hours.
Many modern reading light designs provide the flexibility of being powered by batteries or optional A/C operation. Obviously, battery power is convenient when the light is to be used somewhere an A/C outlet isn’t close by, but it can get expensive to replace batteries, as most new alkaline batteries last only for about 20-30 hours of use. A good alternative to consider would be a good recharger and rechargeable batteries.
Lastly, a reading light typically comes with a sturdy clip which allows the light to be securely attached to your book, book holder or book stand. The clip also makes it handy to secure your reading light to a podium, music stand or piano music rack, which greatly increases the uses for your reading light. Some designs also offer an optional base or cradle which allows your light to be affixed to any ferrous surface, such as a refrigerator or other appliance, a car fender, hood or trunk lid, etc. The potential applications are unlimited.
Filed Under: Mag iPhone Authors
