I only have one other magnifying lamp, a 12-LED floor lamp by Fulcrum
Fulcrum Magnifier 12 LED Floor Lamp
Each has its pluses and minuses. For your reference, I've added a photo to this page showing the two lamps next to each other. The following comparisons may be helpful in choosing not just between these two lamps, but among similar lamps.
Placement:
**** 4 stars Normande this is a desk lamp. It has to have a hard surface to sit on and its reach is limited so you need to get close to it. However, if you are using a table top, this is easy to pull towards you as it sits on the table. Total height if gooseneck is stretched straight up = 21.5". The head is almost 7" of that. Total bendable gooseneck is 5". Given that the gooseneck is short, it is more difficult to use this magnifier over a large item, such as a large book. Base is weighted, no tip-over even with head totally extended.
***** 5 stars Fulcrum this is a floor lamp. No table-top needed, longer reach, so can be used if you are sitting on your couch or if you are sitting at a table. However, I wouldn't call it a LONG reach. Total height if stretched straight up = 53.25". The head is 9.5" of that. Total bendable gooseneck is 16.5". Base is weighted, no tip-over even with head totally extended.
Size of Magnifying Lens:
**** 4 stars Normande The round lens is 3 1/2 inches diameter. When you are actually working on something underneath the lamp, this is a serviceable size, but it is easy, when you're manipulating something, to wander outside it's range.
***** 5 stars Fulcrum The oval lens is 5 1/2 inches long, which gives you more space to work in. However, about 1 1/2 inches at the gooseneck end is partially taken up by the 1-inch round higher magnification loupe (an inset of a round higher magnification lens). (The loupe is 1/2 inch from the edge of the lens.)
Strength of Magnifying Lens:
A score on this depends totally on what you need. If I am doing counted cross-stitch needlework, or just need a little magnification for reading something, a 2X magnification works great. If I am painting and assembling a dollhouse miniature, or trying to find a deep sliver, or put one of those darned tiny screws in a pair of glasses, a higher magnification works better.
***** 5 stars Normande The lens is 5x magnification.
**** 4 stars Fulcrum The main lens is 2x magnification. The 1-inch loupe is 6x magnification. (Note, as it's small, placement is very important for the loupe.)
Power options:
**** 4 stars Normande This is an electric lamp with an average cord length. On/Off switch is conveniently located on the lamp base.
***** 5 stars Fulcrum This lamp can be powered with three "D" batteries, which makes it portable. According to Fulcrum's website, it should work for 80 hours on three batteries. (I can't comment on that, as I haven't used the battery option.) The lamp also has an AC adapter with an average cord length, and can be used like a regular electric lamp. (They recommend you take out the batteries if you use the AC.) Because the AC option uses an AC Adapter, rather than a regular lamp cord, you are not trailing an electric cord around as you use the battery option: the AC Adapter disconnects from the lamp base (unlike a regular lamp cord). The On/Off button is conveniently located on the top of the lamp head.
Heat Produced:
*** 3 stars Normande The metal shade (that holds the lens and light source) gets very hot if the lamp is on for a while. Good thing the On/Off is on the lamp base. But referring back to Placement, after the lamp is hot, changing the head's position will require an oven glove!
***** 5 stars Fulcrum The lamp doesn't get hot to the touch.
Light Source:
***** 5 stars Normande The lamp comes with a 12-Watt Daylight T4 Circular Bulb. This is a lovely full-spectrum light source resulting in realistic colors. It is also nice and bright. A T4 Circular 12 Watt bulb is the only bulb you should use in this lamp. I found replacement Full Spectrum T4 bulbs available on the Office Depot website, which offered this information: Price $7.99 each. Brand name Victory Light. Energy efficient bulb uses "up to" 75% less energy than an equivalent 50-watt bulb and lasts "up to 5 times longer" than an ordinary light bulb. Output 800 lumens. Average rated life 6,000 hours. As I just got the Normande, I can't comment on the life of the bulb it came with.
**** 4 stars Fulcrum The lamp has 12 LED bulbs inset in the head. The light they put out is soft and easy on the eyes, but just a little to the blue side. It is not as bright as the Normande, but it covers a wider area. Again, whether or not this makes a difference to you, depends on what you use the light for. The LED's are not removable or replaceable. According to the instructions, the LED's "may last up to 100,000 hours". I have had my Fulcrum for a year, and haven't had any problem, but it does not get constant use.
Assembly:
***** 5 stars Normande No assembly needed. Packaging is sturdy and safe for shipping.
***** 5 stars Fulcrum The power cord is threaded through already. You just have to screw the sections together, which wasn't a big deal. Each end had a protective plastic washer, which double insured there was no problem with the threads. Packaging is sturdy and safe for shipping.
So there you have my pluses and minuses. Given that I have room for both lamps, I am glad to have both of them, for different needs.
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
The lamp is great. I purchased it 05/2010. The bulb burned out 11/2010. I had a difficult time locating the bulb. When I found sites that had the bulb, they were out of stock. Either they are out of stock because they burn out so frequently, or they last forever. It is my guess it is because they do not last. I finally found the bulb at Office Depot, I bought two.
I would recommend purchasing an extra bulb if you order this lamp.
I do like the lamp. It has a heavy base, flexible neck, good magnification, and provides more than adequate light under the lens.
Best Deals for Normande Lighting Daylight Desk Lamp w/ Magnifier. 14" in Height
I purchased this light as a replacement to one that was inadequate and had broken. It's a great height for me to work with and I make jewelry using the magnifier and light. It works well. It sits sturdily on its base and the work area is large enough and illuminated enough by the lamp to do very detailed work. Its brushed steel surface is attractive. Overall, I'd say it's a great product for the money. Hope this helps.
Honest reviews on Normande Lighting Daylight Desk Lamp w/ Magnifier. 14" in Height
This is a very sturdy lamp. Looks good. The 5X magnifier is really nice.Lighting is very good. I recently purchased a 2X model (different brand) I wanted another one that I could use on my workbench to view details better. My wife sort of took over my first one. This one is a little fancier, looks better. I am well pleased with this one. It just seems like yesterday when I would see an item like this and think, why would anyone buy something like that??, When I hit 50, looking at up close details is not as simple as it once was. So, I am grateful for products like this. Very well made. If you are looking for a nice one, this is it.
UPDATE.....
I love this lamp, I like the looks of it , the magnification everything was great....except.... The light goes off, and will not come back on. I tried messing with the bulb, just a flicker. Amazon replaced it , picked up the defective one .... It did the same thing , just more quickly. I believe this to be a bulb issue, and not a lamp issue, but I do not think I should have to buy more bulbs immediately after recieving the lamp, plus the bulbs are not cheap either. Amazon insisted on a refund instead of replacement so they could look into this problem (and I respect that) This is just one of those things that I wished would have worked out. I have now purchased a different lamp. I will review it when I have had it for a while. I really would like to try one of these again when they fix the problem.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Normande Lighting Daylight Desk Lamp w/ Magnifier. 14" in Height
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I do a lot of needlework and knitting. It is hard for me to see up close and the magnifier with a nice bright light is really helpful. This lamp is portable enough to move right next to my sewing machine or over my knitting or embroidery project.
This is a good looking lamp, nice brushed steel finish. It seems really sturdy which is good in my house where the dogs and grandkids sometimes race around.
After reading other reviews, I hope the bulb lasts a long time.
