Philips 818566

I’ve been waiting for this lamp to come out in North America for over a year now. I first saw this while visiting friends in Hong Kong. I was smitten at first sight and purchased one for myself. On a subsequent trip, I bought a second one and I use them on each of nightstand alongside my bed. These lamps are just plain sexy. My best friend, who is a designer, loved it at first sight and she’s a picky one. Two of them are almost bright enough to read by but not quite. However, just one lamp can drastically change the mood of a dimmed room. These are not bright enough to have any impact during normal daylight hours. It’s more of a subtle device.

For a sense of scale, these lamps are about the size of a volleyball.

I recently purchased my THIRD lamp (that’s how much I love this product) on Amazon.com but it was defective and had to be swapped out. However, I can tell you that there are subtle differences in the Asian and North American lamps.

1) the faceplate with the bulbs is a bit sturdier and has a few plastic dimples
2) the function which continuously cycles the colors is very gradual v. the rapid-fire changes in the Asian-market lamps
3) These lamps ARE NOT the new Generation 2 lamps that are currently out in Europe. Amazon.uk has these lamps but will not ship to the USA for some incredibly stupid reason even though the AC transformer can handle US voltage with a simple three prong adaptor. Gen2 lamps have SEVEN bulbs and are 50% brighter. These are the Gen1 lamps with 4 bulbs but they are still plenty bright.
4) There are some theorized mounting accessories in the works for these lamps but I have not seen any yet

Now, all this being said, I also recommend this over the mini-lamp due to the RF remote which can operate up to six lamps simultaneously. The remote, by the way, uses a touch-wheel similar to an iPod and it also allows a dimming function and an intensity function which means you can change the illumination to a white light, if so desired.

The only drawback I have with this lamp is that it’s pretty easy to roll off of its infinity-shaped base-plate (which actually, now that I think about it may not be part of the US-release), or the flattened area at its base where the cord inserts. This is not a lamp that you want to have near a high-traffic area or in a home with kids, pets, or clumsy folks.

Bottom line? This is a spendy, but endlessly pleasing product with killer looks, and a “wow” factor that will amuse even the most demanding consumer. You won’t need to paint your walls anything but white and with a couple of these installed you’ll be able to change the entire look of the room with just swipe of the remote. Now some people will argue for LED bulbs with a remote, and it’s true that they are much cheaper, but the aesthetic of this product can’t be beat.

Buy one. Buy two, actually.

Reviewed by : P. Park,   Jan 30, 2010

AeroGrow AeroGarden with Gourmet Herb Seed Kit

The AeroGrow AeroGarden is a treat, especially during the cold months where working an outdoor garden is difficult. The instructions are easy to follow, the kit is well packaged, and the customer service people are knowledgeable when you need help. The online FAQs were lacking in my opinion, but at least they exist. Assembling the AeroGarden is not difficult and planting the pods is simple. Plug them into the holes and snap on the clear domes. Select the product you are growing on the display, have water and the first nutrients in the water reservoir and you’re all set. You can program the unit to turn off at a particular time and I’ve found that although the instructions said it’s not necessary, when the power went out, I had to reset the program. When the seeds sprout, remove the domes. When the signal light alerts you, add more nutrients. Always keep the water level high and use room temperature distilled water if you can, absolutely not well water. Raise the hood when the growth reaches within a couple inches of the lights. Watch for disease and bugs. Enjoy the harvests. That’s about it, pretty simple, not “dirty,” and quite tasty.

Watching the seeds sprout and reach toward the light is fun and the interactive “garden” can be simple or more complex, depending upon the seeds you select. I had a great experience with the herbs, but the replacement sweet peas I purchased were a disaster. I’ve learned that the peas seed package has been discontinued and I understand why. Fortunately, the telephone customer service person was fine and sent out a replacement of his favorite kit, the peppers. So far, so good with the peppers and I’m eager to have fresh hot peppers in the dead of winter without having to leave the warmth of my home. Unlike the more simple to grow herbs or lettuce, this is a more hands on kit, as pollination is necessary. It will be even more fun.

Until the nutrients are ultimately replaced with liquid (“like soy sauce”) product, the tablets need to be kept in the freezer. The first ones I received were all clumped together. The replacements were crumbly, but not terrible. They really need to be solid and firm, not mushy, powdery or in pieces. Can’t wait till the liquid nutrients are available!

I’m thinking of purchasing another AeroGarden but there’s one negative which prevents me from doing so. It is loud. I’ve tried all sorts of things, but I cannot reduce the sound level of the machine. When the machine turns off and the lights go out and I’m nearby, I’m more startled by the sudden absence of sound than the absence of light. This is the only reason for a 4 star and not a 5 star review.

Reviewed by : J. Offenbach,  Dec 18, 2009