I purchased this lamp a couple months ago. It is a "Sight Saver" lamp. It is not apparent on any web site I've read, but this lamp requires a specially made bulb (the "Sight Saver"). It's just a CFL lamp in general but it has a special base with a small point on the end. The socket for the lamp is designed to contact the bulb at the end of this point. Standard bulbs will NOT work in this lamp (see below for the fix to this). Here's the kicker... THE BULBS ARE $25.00 EACH!! Probably 5 times the cost of any other CFL bulb out there, and you have to buy them from the manufacturer. You won't find these bulbs at Lowe's or Home Depot. To add insult to injury, the bulbs apparently are available only in the 30 watt model, which was WAY too bright for my tastes (almost blinding). Nothing great about the bulb.... it's just a CFL.
I figured out how to solve this problem though. At first glance, it appears that the socket on the lamp is not a standard socket. But further tinkering revealed that is indeed a standard socket with a slight modification. A plastic plug/insert has been placed in the bottom of the socket to accommodate the special base on the "special" bulbs. All you need to do is UNPLUG THE LAMP then (VERY carefully) use a pair of needle nose pliers or other fine point to break the plastic plug and remove it from the socket (you did UNPLUG the lamp, right?). I suggest working on the outside edge of the plastic plug to snap pieces off. Directly under the plastic plug is the metal contact tab common to standard sockets so be careful you don't damage that. It took me about 60 seconds, and I had a standard socket in which I can use the 15 watt bulb that I wanted and I can now buy the bulbs just about anywhere.
Basically, it's a well made lamp that I am now happy with. If you decide to buy it, be prepared to make the small modification. Either that or be prepared to pay through the nose for bulbs.
No comments:
Post a Comment