Architects Halogen Desk Lamp

Good for the right purpose and person

Although this lamp has some important flaws I can live with them and it has some excellent qualities for the price.

For a lot more money you can probably find better archiect halogen lamps but this looked better than other similar lamps in its price class to me.

The pluses:

* bright 50w Halogen bulb provides intense balanced white light
* arm can be positioned anywhere within a hemisphere of radius 3'
* light be oriented in any direction
* Elegent Euro styling
* black matte finish
* very light weight arm
* illuminates a rectangle about 5' x 3' at 2' from the lamp

the minuses:

* The weighted base is not quite heavy enough to balance the lamp.
- When the lamp is fully extended in the horizontal position it is not completely stable (you might not need to do this).
- When pulling the lamp quickly into a position far from the base it might tip over (you can maneuver the lamp more carefully.
- A clamp-on lamp will do better in this regard. However this lamp can be put anywhere on the table and looks nicer than a clamp-on.

* The lamp comes with a warning not to look directly at the lamp due to UV light eye damage. This is scary. There is a glass cover to filter out UV but apparently it is not enough. In some situations with the lamp positioned high above the work area it is impossible to avoid sometimes glancing at the lamp.

* The lamp comes with a warning not to shine it on your skin if you feel the warmth. More scary UV damage.

* the rectangular metal lamp shield/hood gets very hot. I don't get a burn from a quick accidental touch but it's scary. To position and orient the lamp there is a long inelegant metal screw projecting from the base of the hood and a metal handle with a plastic cover at the end of the hood. The plastic cover easily falls off. The metal screw gets uncomfortably warm but not too hot to grab. Orienting the hood is thus a bit awkward and takes two hands as well as coordination so as not to pull the lamp over.

* The 50w bulb is bright enough to light a desktop but not a room.

I use this as a night reading lamp. I love the elegant looks and thin lamp support. I far prefer the balanced white of the halogen bulb. I can position it exactly where I need it over a large area to illuminate the book very brightly. It takes up little room on my night table.

Also it was reasonably priced. I intend to get another for my work desk.More detail ...