choosing a lightbox

hello everyone,

i am going to buy a light box any day now, but am finding it difficult to choose one. i am a student, so i have a limited price range (around £100).

i have found a few options that are in my price range, and am wondering if anyone knows anything about these.

the first is this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/20000-LUX-SAD-LIGHT-BOX-LIGHTBOX-LAMP-DAYLIGHT-THERAPY_W0QQitemZ300148921271QQihZ020QQcategoryZ122748QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

it's from ebay, but i'm not sure if will work the same as other, 'official' lightboxes. is it one of those converted lightboxes? i'm not sure on this one.

the second is this http://www.allergymatters.com/acatalog/Best_Lightbox_Inspiration.html

it's from an 'official' source, has anyone got any experience of this?

the other option is the brightspark. anyone got any opinions on any of these?

as money is so tight, i need to make sure i'm getting good value for money, so any help would be much appreciated!

thanks,

sandalau

hello everyone,

i am going to buy a light box any day now, but am finding it difficult to choose one. i am a student, so i have a limited price range (around £100).

i have found a few options that are in my price range, and am wondering if anyone knows anything about these.

the first is this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/20000-LUX-SAD-LIGHT-BOX-LIGHTBOX-LAMP-DAYLIGHT-THERAPY_W0QQitemZ300148921271QQihZ020QQcategoryZ122748QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

it's from ebay, but i'm not sure if will work the same as other, 'official' lightboxes. is it one of those converted lightboxes? i'm not sure on this one.

It doesn't say at what distance it does 20,000 lux at. Even weak lightboxes can do 20,000 lux at very close distances. 20,000 lux at 1cm would be my guess for that one judging by its poor specs. I would steer well clear of it if i were you.

the second is this http://www.allergymatters.com/acatalog/Best_Lightbox_Inspiration.html

it's from an 'official' source, has anyone got any experience of this?

According to the specs on that website that lamp only does 10,000 lux at a distance of 15cm. That makes it almost useless as a viable lightbox. You are better off buying a more powerful lightbox and a dawn simulator separately.

Just keep in mind that if you need to use it every day, you will need a portable one. I spent quite a bit of money on mine 10 years ago, but I still use it now, and I certainly have had my moneys worth out of it. Just remember that you will also be using it perhaps every day for a good number of winters!

This year I have ordered new bulbs as mine have gone as grey as some white laundry washed with darks. They cost me £34 for 3 including delivery.

I think the new version of my box is the bright spark. love it to pieces.

hope this helps
ME

I bought a smaller lamp, Paulst, that I use for less time than my Brightspark. It has LED bulbs that won't ever need replacing in the same way that those little fluorescents do. This on its own must make it more economical as a purchase!

Hi purplelvy, the reason I want a bigger light is, to have a bigger surface area of brightness, you never know, I might even convince my brain its Summer.

I've just bought the Brightlight desk lamp - does anyone have any experience with this one. Please don't say anything negative!! lol

Also it doesnt say if it's battery or mains operated..

Mains operated.

I thought I had a bright spark, turns out ive got a superlite 3S. Love it though it was expensive 10 years ago. It has natural daylight bulbs 10,000 lux, handle and is a box big enough to use daily and yet portable.

Love it

Me x

Ok... I've been investigating on Amazon for lights and there's 2 that I might be able to stretch to money wise... There's a Lumie Bodyclock Sunray and there's a SAD Light Therapy Pad. They're both the same price... Any reccommendations???

These onoes are both £60 tho!! Lol

Lol - thanks! Trying to figure out what would be more use to me now... a dawn simulator or a light box...

I use mine every day in the winter (well mid September to mid April). Only just got the dawn simulator this year and use that every day. Both great.

Hi everyone, I've been doing some research on light boxes too. I've been looking on Amazon, I'm thinking of spending around £100. Am I right in thinking that as long as the light is 10,000 lux, it might not matter which make I get? My dad says Philips have done a lot of research into flourescent lighting for sad. The official sad companies arrange a box for the light system and market and sell the fittings. Does anyone have a philips light box?

Kaz me, I was trying to decide between a light box and dawn simulator too. I've finally decided on a light box, but if you could stretch to £120 there's a dawn simulator and light box in one on Amazon, that looks great!

Hello hello :D
I only ordered it today, I'll give a review at the end of the week.

A few other folk have a britespark and have rated it well :)

The impression I get is that as long as it has the right rating (100000 lux i think) it's fine. The "which is right for me" tool on this site is quite good.

I didn't bother shopping around too much (which is very unlike me!) as everyone on this forum is so ace, so I thought I'd just give Lumie my business on that basis alone! That and their products do look very good and reasonably priced, of course!!

Finding a 10,000 lux lightbox is only part of the equation...

The typical daily time needed in front of your lightbox will vary eg. The Brightspark requires 2-3 hours for me, while my Pharos Max requires 45 minutes to an hour.

The maximum distance at which the magic 10,000 lux figure is achieved varies. For example, my Brightspark is 30cm, while my Pharos Max is 80cm.

Space is another consideration. My Brightspark takes up about the space of three mugs on my computer desk, while my Pharos Max (on the stand) needs space for the feet that are about a foot apart.

You know ive obviously got my SAD head on again. Been reading through the last 15 or so messages here and couldnt work out who LOL was.

Ive just burst into laughter. Ive just worked out that you're not swearing after all!

Oh deary dear.
Me x

At first you wont know, When you have been using your lightbox for a few days you might begin to notice a difference. Many people start with about 30mins a day and then slowly increase the time until they start to feel better. So really its just experience that will tell you when you have had enough, the instructions with your light should give you a rough guide, but we are all different.

i just received my litebook elite and it's great.
i only had lighttherapy last year in the hospital here in holland and had 3 big lightboxes all to myself. but this little one does the same trick for me. i can put it everywhere and take it with me. www.litebook.come. i got it from ebay and cost me incl. shipping and customs about 120 pounds.

I used to do an hour with my Bright spark, I do about half an hour with my golite

My lamp is workigna treat - feel so much better :-)

I've only been using it a week and notice a HUGE difference in my sleeping pattern and mood overall..

It is possible for light therapy to work quickly. I felt better last winter within hours of arriving in Nice from the UK! I felt so well, so quickly!

I am a misery in the winter and want to get a light box. I have a toddler, work part time and am studying law, so as you imagine I don't have much time space or money. I would ideally like something quite portable for around £100 that doesn't take up much desk space and I don't have to use for longer than 30 mins or so as I don't get to sit still for long - any suggestions

Hi All

I wish I had found this site before I bought my light box. I just received it yesterday and have so far only used it twice. I bought a sound, light and aroma therapy station to try and lift my spirits. It is LED.

Do you think this will help me as some people on here say that LED lights dont work the same??

I am new to the site today and have enjoyed reading all of your experiences and has made me realise that I am not alone.

Thanks
Rachel

Gareth - Don't be so sure! I first experienced SAD around 15 years ago for a couple of winters. I was fine for around 10 years then it's returned with a vengence for the last two where I've also had to resort to the dreaded medication to see me through.

I suffered from suspected SAD 6 years ago, my cure was to live overseas for 6 years in the sunshine, it worked a treat. Unfortunately I am now back in UK and suffering very badly, sounds like I need a light box ASAP. Limited budget too. No-one mentions electricity costs, assume nominal as effectively a large light bulb? Jersey P