When I discovered the blogosphere it felt like I had come home. I find education and entertainment here. I have been privileged with invitations into people's homes and lives. I have made wonderful friends here too, some of whom I have met, and many of whom I would love to meet. Another very real benefit (to me) is that my introverted self can interact in ways which suit me, and can step away without offending people when I become overwhelmed.
A few weeks ago another blogging benefit presented itself. I received an email from a representative of BenQ, a technology and solutions company based in Taiwan. Their representative had read my blog (particularly focusing on the Words For Wednesday posts), noting my 'passion for encouraging readers to write'.
BenQ believes that reading is an important source of joy, reflection and lifelong learning (and who could argue with that). Their representative went on to say that BenQ believes that lighting was a particularly important component to safe and pleasurable reading. With that in mind they offered me a free e-Reading desk lamp to review, saying that it is particularly suitable for mature adults.
I accepted, and remarkably quickly a parcel was delivered.
It was beautifully packed (and yes Jazz had to investigate too).
Putting the lamp together was a breeze. I don't think I have ever come across a kit which came together so easily and well. The instructions were clear and had only three easily followed steps.
Next step, plugging it in.
The lamp is designed to suit either screen reading
or reading books.
Not only was it easy to put together, it is easy to use. Tapping the silver ring turns it on and off. If you wish to change from reading books (orange indicator) to screen reading (green indicator) touch the metal ring for two seconds. Brightness can be adjusted to suit by rotating the knob. There is absolutely no flicker and the light is soothing to read by.
The swing arm is very flexible. The pedestal base is strong and stable - and a table clamp is available if that suits you better.
I was completely unaware of this product before I received the email and I am very, very impressed.
As a further testimonial, each time himself goes past it he says 'that is such a stylish lamp' and adds 'and it works really well too'. I can see that I am going to have to buy him one to call his own...
***
BenQ Website:
Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/BenQ-Reading-LED-Desk-Lamp/dp/B0178HLTXO/
BenQ Twitter:
That is a great benefit of blogging! So glad you were given that opportunity! You said this: "Another very real benefit (to me) is that my introverted self can interact in ways which suit me, and can step away without offending people when I become overwhelmed." This is me. I have no real life friends (by choice) because people seriously drain me emotionally...it's not them, it's me. :) Blog friends and social media friends offer me the relationships without the pressure. I love it! :)
ReplyDeleteRain: I was very surprised (and equally grateful) to be given this opportunity. And a big yes on the relationships in a way I can cope...
DeleteDitto on the relationships.
DeleteOhh, it looks perfect! I'll definitely check it out, and thanks!!
ReplyDeleteDJan: It really is excellent. I hope you do check it out.
DeleteThat definitely looks very stylish and extremely useful too. I'm so glad you got the opportunity to try it out and review it. I'm totally with you on the blog friends too. I told my husband our kids are the only ones I'm telling when I'm fully vaccinated so other people won't start bothering me to do things lol.
ReplyDeleteMartha: It is both of those things. I am chuckling at your decision to only tell your children when you are fully vaccinated...
DeleteI'm so glad that you got treated to this marvelous reading lamp because you fit the profile they are looking for personal advertising. I hope that they send another one for your Mr. It looks perfect to me too. Word of mouth is usually the best advertisement.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julia
Julia: It would be extraordinarily greedy of me to ask for another lamp. One is gift enough. And yes, it has become very obvious that he NEEDS one too.
DeleteWhen I first started blogging, I expected to find "my tribe."
ReplyDelete"My tribe," as it turns out, is made up of very few. People just don't like me very much. Never did. I've gotten used to it, but sometimes it still hurts.
I'm glad that you got this lamp. It looks excellent!
Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost: I am so sorry to read this. As you know I follow your posts with very real interest and pleasure.
DeleteA disfrutarla!!! sin dudas hay cosas que resultan muy útiles para la lectura y para el uso de la computadora..
ReplyDeleteY lo que dices acerca de los blogs también es importante. La interacción con otros y la socialización nos saca un poco de nuestros propios problemas y nos sitúa aprendiendo , disfrutando y compartiendo con otras personas. Fuerte abrazo Hijo de Elefante!!!
eli mendez: Thank you so much. I am so grateful for the continuing education and interaction I find here. Best wishes to you and yours.
DeleteNice design which will prove very useful when reading. I could do with one of these myself.
ReplyDeleteSpacerGuy: Couldn't we all. I hope you will check them out.
DeleteOf course you need to buy him one. I'm pleased it works so well and has different illumination settings for screen or book. The look is a little too modern for me though.
ReplyDeleteRiver: It is more modern looking than I would generally choose too - but fits in surprisingly well.
DeleteWhere are you hiding all the books? I see a few next to your bed. But everything else looks way to neat. We want to see the chair with books stacked to the ceiling on both sides with the base of the lamp duct taped to the top of the chair.
ReplyDeleteMike: That is a fairly accurate description. Many of our bookcases are stacked two and three deep and there are STILL piles. Mostly my piles. Which doesn't include the hundreds of e-books.
DeleteSounds wonderful. Good luck to you.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter..
Margaret D: It is wonderful. A very Happy Easter to you and yours.
DeleteThe company had a good web site, too. Well done, you.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: I was lucky wasn't I?
DeleteIt looks stylish and practical. Happy for you!
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: It is both of those things.
DeleteWith this being April 1, i almost expected an "April Fool" to come in somewhere.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this does look like a great product.
messymimi: It is April 2 here. And it is a great product - whatever the day.
DeleteNot cheap, but it looks like it would be a real benefit to anyone!
ReplyDeleteBill: It isn't cheap I know, but beautifully made and seems to do everything it claims. Definitely beneficial.
DeleteSometimes...things just line up and all the pegs slot into their proper holes.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you were chosen for this stunning lamp.
dinahmow: I was flabberghasted. And grateful. I didn't know that such a lamp existed...
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteA perfect gift for a lovely person - the stars aligned for you. It is a very stylish light.
Best wishes
Ellie Foster: Thank you. It IS stylish isn't it - and works really, really well.
DeleteI do like how far it extends. Yeah, it looks pretty good and practical.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: Not only does it extend a long way it is really flexible. It has already improved my reading experience.
DeleteYou know how I love my freebies, so yay to scoring such a great one, EC! Something like this would work perfectly near my laptop on the table, and for reading on my couch. Even better, it's so beautiful! Thanks so much for the fabulous review and enjoy! Hugs, RO
ReplyDeleteRO: It sounds as if this lamp would work perfectly for you. I am enjoying it. A lot.
DeleteGreat gift, Sue, and it looks both stylish and effective. There are advantages to blogging!
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: There are HUGE advantages to blogging, and this is another (and unexpected) one.
DeleteHi EC - what a surprise ... I love the look of the light - and what a treat ... and yes looks like another is required! Jazz might want one too?!
ReplyDeleteFun - and bloggers are wonderful - such a range of great, fun, interesting, intelligent and loyal readers ... we're so lucky to be participating in the world of blogging.
Amazing - thanks for writing it up for us all ... cheers and enjoy your reading in your darkening days ... cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Jazz doesn't share well, but will have to share this time. I will buy one for himself though.
DeleteIsn't the blogosphere a wonderful place? Friends from around the world...
I love the design of that light! How cool to be contacted by someone to review their products. That's so awesome. I'm really glad you liked the light and that Jazz did too.
ReplyDeleteElsie Amata: Wasn't it amazing? And so unexpected. I was worried that I might not like the lamp (and would have posted an honest review) but I did. And it also got Jazz's seal of approval.
DeleteWow. How cool is that?
ReplyDeleteHoppy Easter.
Sandra Cox: Very, very cool. And a happy, hoppy Easter to you too.
DeleteI absolutely love this lamp, must investigate it further. I stopped reading in bed as I can't seem to get a good lamp for it. I don't e-read, though I tried, love the paper thing.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree on the blog buddies, out here on the Edge, there is a dearth of real conversations, mostly small talk, so making friends in the ether is a wonderful bonus to my life, though alas, there are many now gone beyond the ether.
XO
WWW
Wiswebwoman: I hope you can investigate it. I was super surprised and impressed at how well it works. Like you I much prefer books to e-reading.
DeleteAs you know I agree with you about the friendship. Precious friends - including those who have moved on...
That is so cool you got a lamp out of your blogging. And that lamp is extremely stylish!
ReplyDeleteStrayer: That very modern style is not something I would have chosen for myself - but it fits in really, really well. I was wrong. Again.
Deleteblogosphere can make us happy and bring us some benefit...i love blogging to and want get something after blogging from my heart..
ReplyDeleteand ya..i agree with you that with blogging we can get entertainment beside many knowledge bout anything ^^
Gustyanita Pratiwi: The blogosphere is a wonderful place isn't it? I treasure the friends I have made here and the lamp was an unexpected and very welcome bonus.
DeleteSweet lamp swag, EC!
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: It was. A very sweet swag.
DeleteEine sehr schöne Lampe damit ist das Lesen im Bett
ReplyDeletemöglich.
Gruß
Noke
Noke: It is a very nice lamp indeed. I ALWAYS read in bed. It is part of my night time ritual. This lamp makes it much easier.
DeleteThe blogging world is a wonderful place for so many great reasons. That looks like a great lamp. It makes a big difference to have good light when reading.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: It IS a great lamp. I am endlessly grateful to have found the blogosphere. Your reading selections often tempt my weak-willed self.
DeleteHow cool! It looks lovely, and if it makes you "see lovely", too, then it's a winner. :-)
ReplyDeleteDiane Henders: Definitely a winner - which I would never have found it BenQ's representative had not contacted me.
DeleteThat is awesome! I love that bloggers get emailed by companies at times and are asked to do reviews for products like this. It's a nice perk when it happens.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: It is indeed awesome. I WILL buy one for himself, but it is expensive and I will have to save for it. If I had not been given the opportunity to do this review I would never have found it. And it really is an excellent product.
DeleteWow - what a beautiful functional lightwork.
ReplyDeleteI have a special place in my heart for lighting.
Beautiful light is one of life's greatest pleasures, isn't it.
Especially these days when I'm missing my young eyes:)
Thanks for sharing!
- Jennifer
SingindRiverSoulSpa: I hear you on the aged eyes. MS isn't kind on eyes either and this lamp will help.
DeleteI hope you didn't accidentally switch on the stove while the lamp was standing on it...
ReplyDeleteThis is a very stylish lamp and I like how flexible it is. A good lamp for screen working/reading is certainly a good thing. My husband would still complain if I would use it while reading in bed (that's why he gifted me a Kindle Paperwhite a couple years ago) but it's still good to use it anywhere else. Great blog benefit!
Carola Bartz: Fortunately no, the stove top stayed off.
DeleteMy partner and I both read in bed, and he wouldn't dare criticise me for it. I really, really like that I can dim the light down too.
I agree with "Himself." That is a very stylish lamp. And it couldn't have gone to a better blogger!
ReplyDeletemolly: Thank you. It could have gone to many more deserving bloggers - but I am glad it didn't.
Deletewowzer good on you. xx
ReplyDeleteaussie aNNie: Definitely wowzer. Wasn't I lucky?
DeleteLooks a very high tech design and versatile lamp especially since the lights can be changed for different types of reading. Must look into it. Well, you ll be blogging in better light now in more ways than one.
ReplyDeletekestrel: The light where I blog is not too bad. The light in the bedroom is a different matter and that is where my wonderful new lamp lives at the moment.
DeleteWell that makes me very, very happy for you EC
ReplyDeleteKim: I was very chuffed too.
DeleteThis is awesome! Like you, i was surprised at the depth of the personal connections i made out here in the 'sphere. Have also enjoyed the opportunity to meet a few face to face through the years. Very happy that you were given this opportunity! How cool!
ReplyDeletedaisyfae: The personal connections take blogging to a whole new level don't they? I am pretty certain that they are what keeps me here. So many people have become very dear to me. And yes, this was an additional (and very welcome) bonus.
DeleteThis looks like an excellent product. So useful too with different settings for screen reading or book reading. I would have liked to have seen more of Jazz though.
ReplyDeleteKalpana: It is excellent and I love that it can be adjusted to suit my personal tastes/needs. I will put up a Jazz post soon. He is a difficult cat, but much loved.
DeleteIt really is a stylish lamp. I have never seen one like it either. I think it would go great in my kiddo's room!
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: I hope you will investigate. I love mine.
DeleteHow wonderful, now you can give a glowing report back to the company. Looks like a super useful product. Yes, blogging certainly does have it's rewards, and it makes the world so much smaller!
ReplyDeleteShammickite: I find it fascinating that blogger expands my horizons AND makes the world smaller. Bigger and smaller simultaneously.
DeleteReally interesting and beautiful lamp. Never hear it before. I hope you enjoy it for a long time.
ReplyDeleteHugs
orvokki: Thank you. I hope I do too - and note that the literature suggests that it will be seventeen YEARS before the bulb needs replacing...
DeleteOne of the youtubers that I regularly visit, Dan Tirels, a British artist, has just reviewed the same lamp.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu6OPnqd_rQ
Shammickite: I had a quick look - and that is one impressive and stylish review - to go with the lamp.
DeleteThat is so good.
ReplyDeleteThe design looks very modern.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: It is a modern design - but fits in surprisingly well with our far from modern decor. It works like a charm too.
DeleteI can't believe I missed this post. I always love an honest review and you certainly gave us one. I like how you shared the options this lamp provides. Although it's a bit out of my price range, I am thrilled the company picked you to try it out. They certainly couldn't have found a more capable or honest person to do so.
ReplyDeleteBleubeard and Elizabeth: Thank you. This lamp is more expensive than any I would have even considered if the company had not given me the opportunity to test-drive it. Having done so, I will save up and purchase one for himself. In the interim he can just admire mine.
Deletethis is so beautiful, glad you got the opportunity to test such a functional and lovely item, what a blessing!!
ReplyDeletekaren: I am very grateful. I have bitten the bullet and ordered one for himself too.
DeleteGreat that you got to try this out and are very pleased with it. I looked the web site and the information on it is very good. A bit pricey I thought however it is not currently unavailable in the UK.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Birding For Pleasure: It isn't cheap, but does a beautiful job. We are also told that the bulb will need replacing in seventeen years or so. I am sorry it is not yet available in the UK.
DeleteWow, that is so cool EC!!! Thank you for sharing! I'm glad you got this opportunity!!!! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteMagic Love Crow: I am very grateful for the opportunity too. Stay well, stay safe.
DeleteYou have listed many of the reasons I also enjoy blogging. I'm so glad this company recognized that you deserve some recognition for your 'passion for encouraging readers to write'. I do not know of a more loyal reader to my blog (You read more of my posts than even my family ever does!) Thank you E.C. The lamp does look wonderful. We were just talking about getting table lamps instead of the tall floor ones by our bed that we can't reach without standing up. I'm going to check this website out. Hopefully they will send you another one for the good advertising you have done for them!
ReplyDeleteSusan - of every moment: Thank you. I do hope you will check out the website. The lamps are not cheap but they are excellent. I bit the bullet and ordered one for himself - who is very, very happy. And both of them sit on our bedside tables.
DeleteI was saying the same to Kim, photographer, a week or two ago. Blogging is a soft and quiet space. I love what you say, about being invited into people's homes...that's exactly how it feels.
ReplyDeleteWow. I love this lamp. I'm saving this post!