I only have one other magnifying lamp, a Normande Daylight Desk Lamp Normande Lighting Daylight Desk Lamp w/ Magnifier. 14" in Height with Brushed Steel Finish I'm comparing it's features to the lamp offered on this page, the Fulcrum 12 LED floor lamp Fulcrum Magnifier 12 LED Floor Lamp Each lamp has its pluses and minuses. The following comparisons may be helpful in choosing not just between these two lamps, but among similar lamps. Placement: ***** 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. **** 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. Size of Magnifying Lens: ***** 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.) **** 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. 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. **** 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.) ***** 5 stars Normande - The lens is 5x magnification. Power options: ***** 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. **** 4 stars Normande - This is an electric lamp with an average cord length. On/Off switch is conveniently located on the lamp base. Heat Produced: ***** 5 stars Fulcrum - The lamp doesn't get hot to the touch. *** 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! Light Source: **** 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. ***** 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. Assembly: ***** 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. ***** 5 stars Normande - No assembly needed. 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. Happy Reader
