Our Recommendation
Our Ratings
Pros
– Small enough to place on your desk
– The adapter works on voltages for all countries
– 10,000 Lux output
– Downward tilting stand
– 7 Year unlimited warranty
Cons
– Although they claim it is portable, not really suitable for travel
– No brightness settings
– No timer
- Offers 10,000 lux of diffuse light at a distance of up to 12 inches, UV blocked
- Full Spectrum Lighting. Size-13 inches x 7 inches x 3 inches
- Its compact and light-weight design make the Travelite a truly portable desk lamp
- Electronically powered ballast assures reliable performance with no flicker and no hum
- Made in Canada following strict QAI safety guidelines
Analysis and review
Manufacturer
The manufacturer is Northern Light Technologies, a Canadian based company formed in 1989. The company specializes in light therapy products to treat SAD. The company manufactures a number of lights and has been a leading player in the Canadian market, helping co-found the Circadian Lighting Association in 1993.
Look and Design
This unit is a plain, nice looking affair with a case made from aluminum. Although this has been on the market for over 10 years, it has gone through upgrades and maintains a nice aesthetic. The UV filtering screen slightly overlaps the aluminum case giving it a sleek, if not a plain looking front. Weighing in at 2.9 pounds, the TRAVelite is not the lightest of units we have reviewed but it is one of the lighter more modern units we have come across. The unit is 7 x 2.5 x 13 inches giving it a rectangular shape which looks good either horizontal or vertical.
The stand is simple and as previously mentioned allows the unit to be positioned either horizontally or vertically. There is also a hole where you can mount the light on a tripod or on the wall. A good feature the has stand is that it enables you to tilt the light down. For ideal SAD treatment, the light should be positioned above your eye level so this feature allows you to position the lamp in the ideal spot.
There is one switch on the unit, an on/off switch which is located on the top/side (depending on how you have positioned the unit) which is fine and allows you to turn the device off without blinding yourself while staring directly at the light.
As with most of these lights, the manual is a small affair with just the basic information in it.
Setup and Ease of use
The unit is powered via the mains and comes with an 8-foot power cord. There is nothing to attach, you simply plug it in and press the on/off switch to turn on the TRAVelite
Performance
The light outputs 10,000 lux at 12 inches and 6000 lux at 18 inches which is pretty much the standard. The light it provides is white with a hint of yellow in color and is provided by two CFL bulbs that use 48 watts of power. I found the light to be a nice brightness and comfortable to use.
The two bulbs have an expected lifespan of 20,000 hours although they degrade by 15% after 2000 hours and Northern Light technologies recommend that you replace them after this period of time.
Features
This unit really has no additional features to talk about. It contains one simple on/off toggle switch and a stand that allows you to position the unit upright or on its side. We find the lack of timer a downside.
Price
This cost of this light is $183.91 including shipping. This puts it in the medium to higher price bracket but this can be justified by the sturdy build quality and the 7-year warranty Northern Light technologies provides with this unit.
