coastalcollector
Member 
Inactive
Posts: 98 
What I collect: Worldwide Space, U58, U59 Entires, Machine Cancel Covers, German Private Postage of the late 1890's, Misc.
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Post by coastalcollector on Apr 19, 2017 17:55:49 GMT
I've been using an Ottlite that just quit on me. I replaced the bulb but it still doesn't work. I was wondering what desk lamps other members use and any pro's/con's about them. I'm trying to decide what to buy as a replacement. All comments are welcome.
Mike
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator 
Posts: 5,654
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Apr 19, 2017 18:13:22 GMT
Mike, I use a lamp with the model no. LS-3421. I bought it a few years ago, and it has been serving me well ever since. I can't remember where I bought it, but when I did a web search on the model, several sites came up, including this one below, which has pretty good pictures. arcadianhome.com/ls-3421Pros: I like this lamp because the intensity is adjustable, it has a very stable base, and the arm and light source are both also adjustable. Cons: The metal housing where the bulb is gets very hot when the lamp is on for awhile. That's why there is a small handle on that housing so that the lamp can be adjusting without burning yourself. -Chris |
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Anping
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 533
What I collect: Hong Kong, Aden & States & odd stuff I like.
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Post by Anping on Apr 19, 2017 23:23:51 GMT
Mike,
It's a shame your lamp has died, as I bought one just under a year ago.
It too is an OTTLite. This particular model has a USB port on the back which can be used to charge other devices. Previously I used an anglepoise lamp, to which I fitted a daylight (blue) bayonet fit bulb especially for looking at stamps. Because incandescent bulbs of this type (which were the most common fitting in UK homes) are all being phased out, I looked for an alternative, lightweight and flexible (bendy neck) design. I found this OTTLight to have been a good buy for the price (bought in Costco).
 EDIT: I should have said the light is adjustable in four steps, by pressing the on/off button in a cycle. In addition, it is (as you probably know) a cold light, so there is no danger of scorching a stamp in close proximity to the lamp shroud. I even twist the lamp head upside down and place a stamp on it to try and detect watermarks. |
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coastalcollector
Member
Inactive
Posts: 98
What I collect: Worldwide Space, U58, U59 Entires, Machine Cancel Covers, German Private Postage of the late 1890's, Misc.
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Post by coastalcollector on Apr 19, 2017 23:40:47 GMT
So what is the better type of bulb for our hobby, an LED or halogen or Compact fluorescent bulbs? I'm not sure which provides the truest color and the least amount of eyestrain. The Ottlite I had was the CFL but a con is the bulbs are quite expensive and it provides quite a bit of glare on shiny surfaces. A pro of the CFL is that it does not generate much heat at 13 Watts.
What about the other types? I'm not crazy about a halogen if it get's too hot to touch but maybe it's less strain on the old eyes?
I'm mainly interested in looking at postmarks as opposed to colors of stamps but I also need it for reading my reference material and for my other desktop hobby of building plastic models. I never really gave buying a desktop lamp much thought before but now it seems more important to me.
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Anping
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 533
What I collect: Hong Kong, Aden & States & odd stuff I like.
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Post by Anping on Apr 19, 2017 23:54:55 GMT
I would say LED for its quality of light with least eye strain. LED's, certainly in the UK come in 'white' light, or 'warm' light. The OTT range seem to be 'white' light. Any lamp that is incandescent (a filament is heated to produce light), will cast a colour e.g. fluorescent light is greenish and can over time cause eye strain. Plus they cost more to run. LED lamps are very frugal.
Just to correct myself, fluorescent light is as far as I know a gas filled tube and not a filament, but the colour cast is as I stated.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Apr 20, 2017 2:41:11 GMT
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Post by carabop on Apr 20, 2017 21:01:53 GMT
I use this lamp. Elecwish LED Floor Lamp light Reading Task Goose Neck Flexible Full Spectrum Natural Bright White 6000K 12W 900lms. Although it is a floor lamp it is very short standing 5 feet if the goose neck is straight up which you wouldn't use the lamp with it straight up. So with the goose neck bend down so it lights the desk top it is about 3 feet and lights the top of the desk very nice. You can move the goose neck around to your liking and it sits nicely right near the desk.
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coastalcollector
Member
Inactive
Posts: 98
What I collect: Worldwide Space, U58, U59 Entires, Machine Cancel Covers, German Private Postage of the late 1890's, Misc.
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Post by coastalcollector on Apr 20, 2017 21:58:44 GMT
I think I'll go with an LED type, but now with all these choices I need to decide which model. Most likely a desk lamp style with adjustable brightness and a goose neck. Now I'll start comparison shopping. Once I get one, I'll provide my own review.
Thanks for all the replies/information...Mike
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Anping
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 533
What I collect: Hong Kong, Aden & States & odd stuff I like.
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Post by Anping on Apr 20, 2017 23:00:07 GMT
Must have a look to see if Costco have one. The trouble is, our branch keep changing the stock so frequently. |
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,346
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Apr 20, 2017 23:10:16 GMT
I like a lot of light and like more than 1100 lumens (equivalent to 75W incandescent).
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coastalcollector
Member
Inactive
Posts: 98
What I collect: Worldwide Space, U58, U59 Entires, Machine Cancel Covers, German Private Postage of the late 1890's, Misc.
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Post by coastalcollector on Apr 20, 2017 23:17:17 GMT
I'm having cataract surgery tomorrow so this should help me immensely along with my new lamp. I can't wait to see what I'm working on again 8D . I'll be able to start posting more about my stamps and covers and sharing some of my goodies!
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Apr 20, 2017 23:31:57 GMT
Must have a look to see if Costco have one. The trouble is, our branch keep changing the stock so frequently. They are no longer available in our store and haven't been for awhile but they appear to be available for ordering online (at least in the U.S.). |
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coastalcollector
Member
Inactive
Posts: 98
What I collect: Worldwide Space, U58, U59 Entires, Machine Cancel Covers, German Private Postage of the late 1890's, Misc.
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Post by coastalcollector on Apr 30, 2017 12:35:44 GMT
I ended up purchasing a LuxLED Dimmable LED Desk & Table Lamp - Touch Sensitive Control - 7-Level Brightness & 5 Temperature Setting Color Mod for $18.59 from Walmart (original list price of $129)including free shipping and of course no tax (living in Oregon has its additional benefits!).
I received it Friday and used it yesterday for the first time and have to say it out performs my old OTTLite. I'm very pleased with the purchase and it allows me to look at watermarks of postal stationery paper and helps me with my collecting and identifying.
Thanks for everyone's suggestions.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Apr 30, 2017 15:45:31 GMT
coastalcollector, Thanks for posting about your purchase -- I just ordered one for my wife's desk! I got free shipping but had to pay Virginia sales tax.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on May 2, 2017 19:11:39 GMT
Mike ( coastalcollector ), Thanks for the tip! The lamp arrived today and it is impressive, especially given its low price...I just may order another. |
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