Zelco itty bitty Original Book Light

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Product Reviews

(4 stars) - A few tricks
Although this is my favorite book light (and I have tried a few) it still has some basic problems that annoy me. But over the years I have figured out a few tricks:

1) The light from the book light keeps my wife awake. To remedy this, I pull the covers over my head when reading with this light. The weight of the blankets will press down on the neck of the light, pushing it down toward the page. To remedy this, I get a piece of thick gauge wire and wrap it around the body and neck of the light in such a way that if holds the neck of the light permanently in the "up" position. That way I can read under the covers without having to constantly push the neck of the light back up.

2) The light bulbs are expensive. To remedy this, I simply buy cheap flashlight bulbs from Stuff-Mart (in the sporting goods section near the flashlights). These bulbs work fine. Actually, they aren't quite as bright as the original bulbs, but they give off plenty of light to read by and they are really cheap.

3) The place where the wire connects to the body of the light is not very durable. I get a big nut from the hardware store, thread the power cord through it, and glue the nut to the top of light. That keeps the power cord from constantly being bent at such an extreme angle. Use a strong adhesive such as Liquid Nails.

4) When the light eventually wears out, keep the old one in case you need to use the spare parts (e.g. the little removable lampshade).

5) There are 2 ways to buy the original Itty Bitty Book Lite. One, around 40 dollars includes the wall adapter. The other one, around 17 dollars, does not. So when your book light wears out (and it will eventually) buy the cheaper one as a replacement and just continue to use your original wall adapter from the first one.

I will put more ideas here if I think of them.

(1 stars) - Is the name meant to be Ironic?
Look very closely at the reviews from 2002. The pictures do not show the BULK of this light. Think carefully and read on before contemplating buying this piece of garbage. First clue was the size and weight of the box it comes in -- huge...the size of a dictionary and weighing several pounds. Open it up to discover it has a cord which must be plugged into either a] a wall outlet or b] a battery *pack* with FOUR C BATTERIES!!!! Even old-school lights used a single AA battery. This product should be discontinued immediately.

(4 stars) - LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH ITTY BITTY LITE
I've used the original Itty Bitty Book lites since they first came out, I think. I have both the AC adapter one and the battery pack one for when we travel. I really love the light - it is made just right for swiveling the head to view what you're reading easier, it's very lightweight and sometimes the unit works for years - then there's the OTHER times!

I had the same lite for eons! One day it just quit working and I was sooo sad and couldn't stand being without it so I ordered up a new one and was really pleased to find out that I could buy a replacement unit (without the AC adapter) for only $10.00!! But ever since my original one quit, I have had several problems with the replacements. Thinking the $10.00 ones might be the problem (why they would be different is beyond me but I was desperate!) so I bought a whole new set up at a local store. Still broke (wiring)! I took it back to the store and they exchanged it for a new one - the clerk said that she has never had anyone else return one because it broke. Anyway, the new one works great and has been in use for quite a while now.

My other complaint about these is that the bulbs dim so fast! I use the one plugged into the wall with the AC adapter most of the time and I have to replace the bulbs no less than once a month because they get so dim! I noticed that after about a weeks use, the bulb itself turns dark. I know they get pretty hot too! Am I the only one with this problem??? If it weren't for the bulb issue I would have given this a 5 star (even with the recent quality issues) 'cuz I just can't find another book light that compares to this one.

(1 stars) - NO "itty bitty" BURN!!!
I used this "itty bitty" night light a lot. I have a problem with insomnia and my husband can not sleep with regular lights on at night. I also would use this on overcast days if I wanted to lay down and read.

That is exactly what I did last winter when it was a snowy day. I fell in to a sleep while reading a hard back book. My arms were extended over the book and light when I awoke in terrible pain.

On my left inner arm about 3 inches above my wrist was a huge blister surrounded by bright red skin. The bulb had been pressed on my skin. I thought it was no big deal. After all....it was an "itty bitty" bulb.

The blister kept bursting even though I was covering the burn with sterile gauze. I finally went to my Dr. , but by then nothing could be done. I now have a scar the size of a lop sided quarter. You can tell it is a burn scar and I have told many people about how it happened.

I have never used the "itty bitty" book light since then. I am so frightened about the damage done to my arm. I am only writing this to maybe warn any one who has or is thinking of buying this product. PLEASE use caution and don't think that just because it is little it can't do BIG harm.

(2 stars) - nice light while it lasts - bad wiring
Love the light, while it's working. I've bought several of these over the years and each one has died in the same way: the wiring that attaches to the light itself fails, the light works for a short time if I hold the cord "just so", then it eventually doesn't work at all. The connection just isn't robust enough. I agree with other reviews - for this amount of money, they should improve the wiring and it would last a lot longer. I'm going to try the other lights recommended by the other reviewers.

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