(no subject)

[eirias]

To my embarrassment, I am actually considering a purchase from Hammacher Schlemmer. They sell these "progressive wake-up" alarms that come with a lamp, and the light level is gradually increased starting 30 minutes before the alarm. I think that this is potentially brilliant for getting me to work at a reasonable time when I am overseas; I remember the way the low light level and lack of structure sapped my energy, and sunrise happens around 9:25 there. However. I have some reservations and thought I'd ask on the off-chance any of you guys know anything about it.

1) It's got this obnoxious "aromatherapy" aspect where you put in scented beads and this is supposed to help wake you up as well - the idea sounds frankly revolting and I'm wondering whether, if you just don't put scent beads in, the lamp sets itself on fire or something awful.

2) Ditto with the sounds they provide as "alarms" (New Agey rolling thunderstorms 'n' shit).

3) It's Hammacher Schlemmer and I saw it advertised in SkyMall, the only publication I know of that manages to be both shady and kinda frou-frou.

4) Really, I just want the light part but I think it's still patent-protected because no one else is selling them as far as I can tell.

I can email the company, too, and I probably will - I just wanted to see if you guys had any suggestions first...

Comments

[marphod.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine that this device is all that hard to build. THrow money at a EE for supplies, and I bet they could build one.

[exilejedi.livejournal.com]

SkyMall definitely has a weird vibe about it, but I must confess that the one product that it has ever inspired me to purchase has been outstanding. (Our "big" suitcases that we took to Italy, among other places; they have a dual-mode handle that allows them to transform into a wagon-like configuration that utilizes four caster wheels. They allow one person to navigate an airport quite comfortably with a LOT of luggage; very convenient!)

I must confess I have been off-and-on intrigued by such a progressive alarm clock... If you end up getting one, let me know how it works out! :-)

[mokatz.livejournal.com]

If x10.com is still giving away the free computer light thingy, you can get one of those (or pay a small amount for one). Remeber when scott and I had those at the Bellefield House and I had it turn on G's Electric Psyhedelic Pussycat (Yeah, Baby!). watch out for pop up ads, x10 is notoroius for that shit.


Just set your computer to gradually increase the light level on a desk lamp or something. You need to use an incandescant buld however.


You could also check out Sharper Image. They sell the same overpriced crap as SkyMall. :)

[mokatz.livejournal.com]

on second thought, maybe don't go to the x10 homepage, it is shit. :/

[upsilon.livejournal.com]

SmartHome.com is a good place to buy X10 stuff. X10.com itself long ago went to crap.

there are others

[(Anonymous)]

if you poke around the sites that sell seasonal affective disorder lights, they often have dawn simulators, as well. just poking around for a minute, i found the "newdawn sunrise alarm clock", "soliel alarm clock", and "verilux rise & shine lamp" . . . .

and no scary scented stuff, either.

-janel

Re: there are others

[eirias.livejournal.com]

That is tremendously helpful - thank you!

[harleybitch.livejournal.com]

I always end up looking at skymall stuff. It started to laugh at the stupid inventions but every now and then you find something that you just might not be able to live without....sigh.........

[ksledgemoore.livejournal.com]

I hope it works out and that you find a good one of these. I've been considering one myself, because I do so much better when I wake up to light rather than an alarm. Normally I just wait for the sun to rise, but seeing as I live in Michigan now (which is in the eastern time zone but NOT the east coast), the sun rises super-late so if I let myself get up naturally I'll be waking up at 7:30 or 8 when I used to do it at 6:30 or 7. And in the winter this will just get worse (though when daylight savings switches back soon, it will be momentarily better.)

[exilejedi.livejournal.com]

It'll be even worse next year when DST gets extended for an extra few weeks into the fall... The news about it a while back said there would be places that wouldn't get sunrise until almost 9 AM!

:-(

[harleybitch.livejournal.com]

i used to sleep naked and leave the windows open, it only works during cold months but if your alarm clock is far enough from the bed you WILL wake up.

[gieves.livejournal.com]

I'll ask my mother about those; she's - oh, the shame! - an occasional Hammacher Schlemmer shopper (usually once we all stop laughing hysterically, we realize just how useful some things could be) and I'm pretty sure she has purchased one of their progressive light alarms. She has a strong averson to aromatherapy stuff, so it may not be this model, but I'll ask and let you know. :-)