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Reported by Peggy MarshI have to begin today's critique by telling you how perfect this product line was for me to review. Being that I use a magnifier in addition to eyeglasses when doing some detailed crafts, I am also super-sensitive to blue-white (LED), halogen and fluorescent lights; I find the soft yellow tones of incandescent lighting much more soothing and comfortable for me. In fact, many people are sensitive to different types of light. So what a great product for me to review and share my perspective.
When the product arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to see three versions of Beam N Read... each one unique in it's own way. So, I'll be giving you an overview on all three of these items, all manufactured by ASF Lightware Solutions.
The first is Beam N Read LED 3. It's light (weighs 5.5 ounces), easily worn around the neck and provides a steady stream of light for crafting, reading, etc. The light is engaged by flipping open the reflector hood, and flipping back down to shut it off. It uses four AA batteries which allows up to 120 hours of light; the LEDs never need replacing.
Beam N Read LED 3
(Stock photos courtesy of ASF Lightware Solutions)
The next product is the Beam & Read Plus Magnifier. It holds 3 energy saving LEDs and can extend battery life to 120 hours of use. The product includes three 4"x5" magnifiers (2X, 4X and 6X power magnification) that are interchangeable. Of course the Beam N Read can be used without magnification too. It weighs a comfortable 8.1 oz and flips open to engage the light feature.
Beam & Read Plus Magnifier
(Stock photo courtesy of ASF Lightware Solutions)
The last product in this review is the BNR LED 6 Beamer Light. There are six LED lights with an attachable orange filter which converts the blue-white light to a softer white beam. It also allows for use of an attachable clip-on magnifier for better viewing of projects. This item weighs 8.2 ounces and still is quite comfortable to wear.
Beam N Read LED 6 Beamer Light
(Stock photo courtesy of ASF Lightware Solutions)
All of the Beam N Read projects shown are worn around the neck and have a comfortable adjustable nylon strap. The handy tool makes it easy to use light anywhere without disturbing those around you, like on a plane, or when good light for reading or crafting just doesn't exist (camping trips, power outtages, etc.). It can be used in all circumstances where low light is an issue.
Pros:
- All of the Beam N Read products are lightweight
- They are comfortably worn around the neck and rest on the upper chest
- LEDs never need replacing
Cons
- People with sensitivity to certain types of light will want to chose a model with a snap-on light filter
GIVEAWAY!
Leave us a comment and let us know what YOU'D use a Beam N Read for, and you'll be entered for one of your very own. One comment per person, per Beam N Read post, winner will be selected on Wednesday, May 12, 2010.
Disclosure
81 Comments:
What a cool article and product.
I think I would use this for coloring images in the living room. There is poor lighting in there AND it is where the family gathers to watch tv. I would love to sit with them and color stamped images while "watching" tv.
Thanks for the information, Craft Critique!
This is just what I need for my failing eyesight. Seems very convenient also. Thanks for the review.
Cheryl Sims
We take long car trips to visit my son in college. The overhead light bothers my husband while he is driving. So, this would be the perfect solution. I would use it to crochet, work on card making or scrapbooking crafts. This product will make these boring trips fun and productive for me. Thanks so much.
Wow, this light would come in so handy when I am doing detail cutting and sewing. Would love to have one.
Wow, what a great idea! I'd love to have one of these. I would use one when I do my crafting. The light I have isn't the best and I my eye sight isn't as good as it used to be. I have trouble lining things up and I bet this would really help.
Karen
eskiesmom@aol.com
I think it would be great for extra light when working on crafts. I also would use it in the car.
This is a great product.
I would use it for many things but particularly for my japaneese embroidery! Thanks for giving us a chance to win one!
I would definately use 'Beam N Read' for knitting, crocheting, reading, and anything else I could use it for. This looks like something I REALLY need.
Hope I win...
Peg Graham
I would use the magnifier light one to do my paper creations !!!!
I would love to use this product. I could use it both at home and when I am on the road. It would let me work on things in my booth at the craft shows where the light is always a little dark for beading.
Having this product while on vacation would let me read into the night without bothering anyone else. It looks like a real winner.
I would so love this product. I could resume counted cross stitch again. I would be able to read or work in the car while traveling, it would help me with being able to thread a needle. Would make it easier to do the tiny stuff with scrapbooking and all kinds of other crafts.
I sooooooo need this! I am constantly saying, "I can't see!" My husband said I need a Miner's Hat! LOVE it--I would wear it everywhere, and use it all over the house and in my studio! I seriously can't see....and I need more light:) THANKS for the chance to win --and your review!!
I would give it to my mom. She is a HUGE crochet-er. But, if I was lucky enough to find two, I would use it to color with my copics. Non-crafting, I would use it to work in bed at night while dear hubs sleeps away.
I would use it for my nighttime crafting while the bf is sleeping!
I NEED NEED this so BAD! This would be great for all the details on cutting, sewing, and even reading the small things in my crafting life. Thanks so much for a chance.
I would use it to cross stitch. I haven't cross stitiched for years now because of the eye strain...maybe this would help.
this is very cool.
TFS
ang@todybran.com
I never knew such a handy item existed. Boy, could I use that!
I appreciate your review of this product. With early cataracts, I find that my vision up close is not what I need it to be for certain tasks. It is difficult to know what products to choose. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to review this product in particular, it most certainly would be of use to me and others like me.
Thank you!
Linda M
Oh this would be so nice when using my Netbook computer OR reading my Kindle when the stand light I have between my hubby and my chair is buggin him when I use it. OR even when crafting in my make-shift office which has BAD BAD lighting. Can't wait to get my new shop remodel finished!!! Thanks for the chance to win one!
This so versatile and useful in so many ways. I can see where everyone in my family would use this. It would be nice to do some crafting while "watching" tv as there is no good light in that room. At least I would be with my family!
Christine
One of these would be just great to do fine coloring work on my cards - as I am getting older the eyes just don't function as well - have blue light magnifier and it does bother my eyes a lot!
I agree with Tona, I could cross stitch again with the magnifying glass light. Had to quit a couple of years ago when my eyesight started getting so bad.
I would use this during my subway commute because it will provide 1. a light I can read by, and 2. a reason for people to stay away. At home this would be very handy when making jewelry almost like having an extra set of hands.
Sounds great. I know I need this for my eyes. Would love to try it. Thanks, Nancy P.
i could use the maginification to thread a needle!!!! and i would also use it when doing handwork with that needle. using it in bed for my crossword puzzles without turning on the big light would be a favor to the girlfriend.
This would be a great help for me in my very favorite artistic endeavor--beadweaving--you know- those little beads? ;>) and..it would allow me to get back to some of my needlepoint-
i've tried other magnifiers and they haven't worked- this seems perfect for me!
marilyn goodman
ggood4509@aol.com
I do many crafts-cards, needlework, children's church crafts and never seem to have enough light when I am working. I am in my late 60's and crafting consumes a lot of my time. I cut out a lot of things and I am sure these would help me.
Thanks for offering them and explaining the different uses/types.
This is awesome! I'd use it to craft with, I always need a more direct light and you know it would be good to position for taking pictures for blogging too! Suzie
I think this would be great for travel, when I would like to work on a small project at night while my husband is sleeping. Also, It would be great for reading at night.
I would love this! Our lighting stinks and I would use it for hand sewing in the living room, beading anywhere, reading in my bedroom and I'm sure I would find more uses for it too :)
I can think of many uses for this product beyond the usual crafting hobby. It would be a great light for each family member to have during a storm (power outage during a hurricane), use walking to the mailbox late at night, unlocking the door, locating an errant pet, etc. It would also be a comfort to have when shopping late at night (hands-free!) and also might possibly deter parking lot crime. Extra light is always a good thing! Thanks for the opportunity to win a Beam N Read.
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=677202456518127806&postID=5214527672689498068
Wow I use glasses and still need help for small work and i do a lot of small work i can't wait to try list!
Pye
Would love to try this with paper crafts and detailed cutting!
Annie Wolfe
I would use this in our family room which has no overhead light, and the floor and table lamps are to far from my chair. I miss not reading in the evenings, and could also do some craft work with the Beam N Read.
wow! That is pretty neat, I could use that!
Sandra
I think this would work perfectly for my old eyes...I do a lot of crocheting and knitting.
I would love to have this Beam N Read lamp...thanks for the great review.
I read my craft magazines in bed at night and have a flashlight and a magnifying glass handy to see the small print. The Beam N Read looks like it would work great for my magazine reading.
I would get a lot of use out of this light! I crochet, knit and stitch and am forever looking for my glasses...I'm so happy to know this product exists, please enter me in this giveaway...thankyou~
This is a wonderful giveaway! There are so many things I would use the Beam N Read for. I love to do counted cross stitch and can not do it at night for lack of light. I would use to read, I see the lamp helpful for when I want to cut out stamped images. I could use it when I'm quilting or simply just doing simple sewing repairs.
I do beading and this would be great. Won;t have to make sure I sit under a lamp.
I would use this for working on my papercrafts---rubberstamping and papercrafts. I have very poor lighting over my craft table and this looks very easy to use and would not take up space on my table. Is it available in stores?
Yippie!!! This is a God send for me. I use to have perfect 20/20 vision and could do any type of crafting / reading without needing glasses. Now at age 50ish... well I up to 200X mag in my reading glasses. I use the book wedge to read that has the light and migi in it but it's hard to hold when reading paperbacks. My paper crafting and sewing projects would go a lot quicker useing the Beam N Read as well. Looking forward to purchasing one!!! Hope I win :)
Ooh, these look fantastic. I'd use it for my cardmaking. Even if I'm doing it during the day, sometimes the light is not the best and I have a tough time matching colors.
The closeup feature would be handy for the times I'm cutting out tiny elements by hand!
I would find this very useful for detailed aspects of the various crafts I do. Being portable, I would be able to craft where ever I choose instead of being limited to where there is good lighting.
sucor_2@hotmail.com
I would use it for many close-up projects; coloring small images, beading, etc. AND reading small print!
I would use this for reading in bed, traveling and maybe for crafting.
I would love one of these for my mom, so if I should happen to win, I would give it to her. She is 90 and still does crafting (a variety) but it is getting more difficult for her to see when she is working with more detailed items, especially when the light isn't that good. This sounds like a wonderful product that could benefit so many!
Wow... not only perfect for late night reading, but also being able to cross stitch again! Thank you for the opportunity. God bless.
This light and magnifier would be great for the bead work that I do. Even with glasses I still have trouble seeing the holes in tiny beads. I also love to read and this seems like it would be great for that.
Oh great! Another chance to win this fabulous looking product. Was not familiar with it but it is sure on my Wish List now.
Thank you
Diane Loy
loyaz1@wbhsi.net
Hi!
This is exactly what I have been looking for. Now in my 4o's, my eyesight is not what it used to be!! I love to embroider, knit and crochet but I find that the light at night just isn't bright enough. The only bright light is in the kitchen but I love sitting with my husband on the couch while he is watching his shows. This would allow me to craft AND stay beside my hubbie...my two favorite things together at last!
Thanks for the review.
Terri Ann
This looks like a wonderful product! I do lots of cross stitching and while I don;t feel old I often need extra light or a magnifier to work the stitches. This looks like it would help immensely to "light up my life!"
I would definitely use the Beam N Read for reading! but also for papercrafting! Great article!
This looks like a great product!! I would use it for doing needlework; as I get older I find it is not so easy to see. Thanks, Sharri C
Since I craft in the evening and the light in my craft room is not the greatest, this light might be the answer to my light problems and limited space. I could also use it on long air flights.
This would be great for any sort of sewing and handwork. Thanks for the information.
Sounds like a great product, since I never seem to have enough light when crafting at night.
What a terrific review! I would use this to read in bed, to knit and to color my stamping and adult coloring books!
I would use this for counted cross stitch. The magnifier will be handy and the light will allow me to work indoors instead of in the sunlight only. Plus the light would allow me to color images with my copics in the livingroom!!!
Looks like a great product. I hate it when I buy a new magazine at Chapters but can't enjoy it on the way home (with someone else driving of course). This would be perfect!
What a very clever tool! I hate to admit it but I probably need this for my aging eyes! I would use it for all sorts of projects: papercrafting, embroidery,crocheting. . .and tons of other detailed projects and crafts!
Thank you for the info that there are light filters available for these. That would make them PERFECT for migraine-susceptible me! :P
This sounds like the perfect product for my aging eyes. Thanks for sharing the info.
On the go....good for reading on a trip! Thanks for the chance to win one!!!
Jan
Having trouble posting my comment...here's another try! Thanks for the chance to win one of these handy lights!
Jan
I would give the Beam N Read to my mother-in-law, who loves to cross stitch but can only do this in the bright morning light through a window where she sits. This would enable her to do her beloved craft whenever time allows! (Which would be often!) Thank-you for this opportunity to win.
This is an amazing product! Where has it been? I need one! Thanks for sharing.
I would love to have this product, there are so many times I would like more light on what I'm working on but it would bother the people around me.
Sounds like a perfect product! A little extra light could help these "older" eyes a lot!
how cool is this!!??!! I bead in teh evening--and having more 'mature' eyes now, this would be AWESOME to have!!!!!!!!!TY
I'm a new first-time GRANDMA and am so thrilled to have a darling little girl to sew for. I joined a quilting group in January so I could make my precious Isla a quilt. After not sewing for several decades, I've discovered that I have a terrible time seeing to thread needles and do detailed work. I've also begun crocheting again, but have the same problem. The Beam N Read is portable, so I can use it at the sewing machine, the cutting table and back in the living room, where I usually crochet. It would be REALLY helpful when I do the laundry as well. I usually have to bring the item into the kitchen to find the best light, get the reading glasses and try to read those tiny labels. At the end of the day, I like to read a chapter or so in bed. My hubby of almost 38 years likes the light off. The Beam N Read would make us both happy. It really sounds like a multi-purpose product. I'm impressed. Thanks so very much!
THis will definitely be something I would look into to give to my hubby's grandmother...
Diane Cooper
diane7@rogers.com
i would give it to my mother. she is legally blind with stage 4 cancer, so anything i can do to make her life easier is a blessing! if i don't win i may just buy her one!
I love to knit in bed and would love to try this! Thanks for all you do!
Will be keeping my eye out for one of these!
These would be so handy to have for so many different things. Thanks for the chance to win.
These look very handy! I had never heard of them before. I would use them when reading, knitting, and doing puzzles.
This would be fun to try with my cross stitch.
Wow!! What a great review!
I certainly could use this so I can get back into my cross stitch and embroidery again!
Thanks for the article!
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