led for reading

[generallobster]

I want to get a light specifically for reading, is neutral white easier on the eyes at close distances in terms of eye strain? Also, what lumen output makes for comfortable reading?

 

[saabluster]

I want to get a light specifically for reading, is neutral white easier on the eyes at close distances in terms of eye strain? Also, what lumen output makes for comfortable reading?

You definitely want a DEFT here. Ok not really. I can't remember who makes it but I saw a very cool LED light made specifically for clipping onto a book. It does this little dance as the LED pops up from where it is normally tucked away. I'll have to google it.

 

[saabluster]

Ok I found it. Look here on Amazon. Not saying it's good or that you should get it from there. The reviews on it seem to go both ways but at least it's cheap.

 

[generallobster]

Thanks for the link, but I think CPF has set the bar too high. I'm actually wondering if a nitecore ez in neutral white or even tk20 will make good reading lights. I think the tk20's 45 lumens is probably just right for reading from about 2 ft. I don't know, I've also never seen a neutral white tint.

 

[saabluster]

Thanks for the link, but I think CPF has set the bar too high. I'm actually wondering if a nitecore ez in neutral white or even tk20 will make good reading lights. I think the tk40's 45 lumens is probably just right for reading from about 2 ft. I don't know, never seen a neutral white tint either.

You don't need a ton of light to read with. Sounds like you are looking for an excuse to get an new light though. Just a little something to think about. If you are using the light to read a book right before you go to bed the blue tinted LED lights can affect your body's production of melatonin and make it harder to go to sleep. This is one time I'd really want a nice soft incan. Just a thought.

 

[SuperTrouper]

I'm not sure if you've considered this but I've recently purchased a fairly low power LED lamp with a flexible but rigid neck on it, for reading at night without disturbing my other half.

The light is very directional, fine for reading, low power consuming, and you don't have to worry about making noise looking around for batteries late at night.

Not sure what country you're in but such lights are widely available online and in the UK home furniture stores Homebase.

Here's a pic of what it looks like:

The neck is adjustable, so you can point it just how you like for reading!

 

[bstrickler]

You could also get a Quark with a neutral LED. The Quark goes as low as 0.2 lumens, and goes up to 170 lumens. I'm able to read fine with the 0.2 lumen setting (quoted to last 30 days on this mode, with 2AA), but if I want more brightness/easier reading, I'll up it to the 3.5 lumen mode.

It's both a reading light, and a utility light

Hmmm... Anyone up for making a book light using a Quark head? Load it with a CR2 (or 2-3, if you get the 3-9v head. Use a single AG-13, if you use the 0.9-4.2v), and you'll be set!

~Brian

 

[drmaxx]

Zebralight - the best reading light in my book. I just don't like these clippy lights. Try using one on a magazin or newspaper. Additionally, for pictures or similar you just need more light - that's what you get with the zebralight.

 

[chef4850]

you really only need a very little amount of light to read. something in the 1-3 lumen range would work. with too much light - the tk20 with that high of a low mode would be difficult to read with. I just purchased and have not recieved as of yet a zebralight h60w it has a low low and based on all the info on CPF it is great for reading.

chef

 

[mcnair55]

What about one of those little lights you where on your ear like a bluetooth device?

 

[applevision]

You definitely want a DEFT here. Ok not really.

DEFT all the way!lovecpf

 

[Theatre Booth Guy]

Zebralight - the best reading light in my book. I just don't like these clippy lights. Try using one on a magazin or newspaper. Additionally, for pictures or similar you just need more light - that's what you get with the zebralight.

+1
For me, a super floody and smooth beam is the easiest to use. When reading in bed, dim is also a huge positive.

 

[HarveyRich]

If you want to hold a light while reading, think about the iTP 3A EOS. It's really tiny, takes AAA commonly available batteries as well as 10440s and has a low, low in the 3 lumen range, perfect for reading. With 10440 on high it's very powerful and can light up a huge area. Hey, even with AAA NiMH batteries or Alkalines, it is quite bright on high. It would be very light on the fingers for reading and as you can see is extremely versatile--great EDC. Best of all, it's only about $22, so won't be hard on the wallet.

 

[LEDconvert]

+1
For me, a super floody and smooth beam is the easiest to use. When reading in bed, dim is also a huge positive.

+1
Have to agree...
I use my H50 (on lowest setting) all the time and it's perfect for night-time reading.
I move the rubber grip sleeve up to cover half the emitter in order to lessen the flood (and keep it from waking the missus).

 

[Sub_Umbra]

A few months back I saw a cool light that was designed for reading paperback sized books. It ran on two AAAs (a plus for me). It was very flat and it's LEDs squirted the beam into a clear rectangle of plastic. You just turn it on and lay it over the page to be read.

The really great thing for low light culture users is that the beam travels through the clear plastic and right onto the page with as little spill off the page as possible.

It looked like it could be rotated 90 D for use with the larger 'trade paperbacks' and some hardcovers.

 

[dracodoc]

I think the first important feature for a reading light is a even beam. At least use a diffuser for any regular light.