OttLite Review

[NJFlyMAn 0]

ott lite or cfl

 

can you tell the difference?

 

 

 

That bobbin looks slick. Is it worth the money?

 

I Just love mt Ottlite, Got it for 40%off at Michaels craft store..

So for the money & 40% off retail price, it's definitely well worth owning one.

 

 

Worth every penny.

 

Guess you don't want to sell me yours?

 

Since I'm getting tired of threading bobbins. And this one looks like it would take only 2 seconds to swap out thread for a color change. Instead of me having 12 other types of bobbins b/c i hate threading them. Now you guys sold me on this one. Any sources for a good price? PM please..

 

Since I can't buy it from where I get My Ottlite from

[williamhj 0]

Interesting review. I have a few different lights around my tying table, but none made for something like fly tying. Might have to think about upgrading. Thanks Matt.

[JohnP 0]

I tried an OTT light but something about the characteristics of the light gave me a headache. I also get that way in shopping malls with their overhead fluorescent lighting. Just my two pfennings worth.

[Kirk Dietrich 0]

Just to be fair Kirk, I know of a number of tyers who have had Ottlites for 10+ years without any problems. I've read a couple of comments from people who had the light go out after a few years, but I have also read of lights purchased long ago that are still going strong. My point is simply that to write that something is "throwing your money down the drain" based upon a few instances seems a bit much. Also, when I called their customer service to ask a question I got through no problem. Perhaps the company has made some changes since you last dealt with them.

mdraft,

I did say that their designs are top notch.

Okay, I guess to be fair, I should have wrote, "If you're a gambling man and don't mind putting up $100 on something that may or may not last and the company offers no recourse if it doesn't, then go ahead and drop the money."

You see, in my book, if you make a product that commands top dollar, every single one needs to last for years. If not, you have to bite the bullet and offer customer service that will make good on the ones that fail.

Ott Light is a company that offers a product, it is not a casino where you may or may not make good on your investment. I can not afford that risk and extravagance of going to casinos. When I purchase a product from a manufacturer, I expect it to perform as good as their best one, which from what I've read, some seem to last over 10 years. So, if you can make a light fixture that lasts over 10 years, then again, every single one needs to last over 10 years.

I'm not discounting your review, I would have wrote the same review about mine had I done it in the first few years of using it. The issue is the INCONSISTENCY of the product and neglect of its company's customer service exchange policy, not its design.

Fair enough?

 

Kirk

[mdraft1 0]

Fair enough, but I have never heard of a company that has a 100% reputation with quality control. Ottlite has a two year guarantee on all of their lights. No doubt, for some, that isn't enough but there are also people out there (I'm not talking about you Kirk) who just like to complain about something.

[JSzymczyk 0]

well said Kirk.

[NJFlyMAn 0]

Ottlite is just awesome. I don't care if it last's only a few months. The quality of the lite and the less strain on my eyes, and seeing my fly tying material in true color. Makes it well worth the investment. I got some 13Wt Ottlite replacement bulbs from Lowes tonight for around $6.00. And I picked up a few other 100wt bulbs from ottlite at a great price from Lowes. Since I had a coupon for $10.00 off my order. I basically got my 2 bulbs for free. Since my wife was going to buy mulch and flowers at that store anyway.

[dilettante 0]

mdraft,

I did say that their designs are top notch.

Okay, I guess to be fair, I should have wrote, "If you're a gambling man and don't mind putting up $100 on something that may or may not last and the company offers no recourse if it doesn't, then go ahead and drop the money."

You see, in my book, if you make a product that commands top dollar, every single one needs to last for years. If not, you have to bite the bullet and offer customer service that will make good on the ones that fail.

Ott Light is a company that offers a product, it is not a casino where you may or may not make good on your investment. I can not afford that risk and extravagance of going to casinos. When I purchase a product from a manufacturer, I expect it to perform as good as their best one, which from what I've read, some seem to last over 10 years. So, if you can make a light fixture that lasts over 10 years, then again, every single one needs to last over 10 years.

I'm not discounting your review, I would have wrote the same review about mine had I done it in the first few years of using it. The issue is the INCONSISTENCY of the product and neglect of its company's customer service exchange policy, not its design.

Fair enough?

 

Kirk

Agreed. I can't claim to have spent as much $ as some of the rest of you. But, I expected better life and service from OTTlight.

 

My Task Light w/battery lasted less than 5 months before the lamp lost a noticeable amount of light output. OTTlight suggested a replacement bulb. I purchased one and saw NO improvement. I called OTTlight back and the tech suggested that I purchased the wrong bulb... I confirmed that it was the correct bulb. I had to get the packaging and read it to him in order to be believed. They offered to sell me the AC adapter for just under $20!! I should add that they weren't even sure that the adapter was the problem. And, from what I could tell the cord wasn't the source of the problem.

 

I'm done with OTTlight. Their not worth the $. Out of the box, I was impressed. However, OTTlight's service life is questionable and they did not back their product. I now get what seems like equivalent performance for much less money from "daylight" bulbs and standard lamps. In hindsight, I should have at least tried other CFL bulbs and compared them against my friend's OTTlight task lamp (which BTW, has failed too) before purchasing. I believe I would have opted for less expensive solution and have been a happy camper.

[mybadhabit 0]

I guess I just got lucky, I got mine of ebay used for $10 and like $10 for shipping and it has worked like a charm. I have crappy light where I tie at so I need the extra that it provides.

 

Blane

[Crotalus 0]

I got both of my ott lites pretty cheap. Found one of the flexible arm types at a discount store several years ago, it has worked well except the arm is too stiff and is difficult to get into the right position. Last year I bought one of the rechargeable types from Lowes. It has done well so far and i very convenient for taking on road trips.

[TOM PRUETT 0]

mdraft1 i like the ott lite but after looking at your pictures .I would have to say you camera needs to be set up right - :)

- ISO

- Kelvin color temperature

-D-Lighting----is for Nikon

- and use RAW

not sure what camera your using but most have these setting now!

[Lance Kekel 0]

I've got the flex arm plus light with the 3x magnifying arm. Bough it new on ebay and it has been going strong for a little over ten years. On occassion I have to re-seat the bulb if it doesn't turn on but generally it's been a gem. It's even seen some rigors of travel to some of the shows I tied at.

[bowfin47 0]

I've had 3 Ott lights, one "grew feet" at large tying event, my daughter took one to college, and the "10,000 hour bulb" in the third only lasted a fraction of that time. After the "promise of 10,000 hours", I was no longer a happy Ott customer, after all Ott wanted $25+ for a replacement bulb and a the time, the best price on the web for a replacement bulb was $17 + shipping, which IMHO was far too much for a 13 watt bulb. So, the Ott went to the garage "junk' shelf.

 

However, just to posting this, I did a quick Google search, which revealed an Ott 13 watt bulb for $10, including shipping at Amazon... So I guess, I'll be resurrecting my last Ott light real soon.