Zzz...Flame

Zzz...Flame, retail $28 (http://www.techass.com)
Manufactured by Technology Associates (http://www.techass.com)
BUY IT AT THELEDLIGHT.COM
Last updated 12-25-04

Flame


When you first pick one of these up, you might be tempted to fill it up out of the faucet and drink out of it. Don't. Shake it once or twice and set it down instead. You'll be rewarded with a gentle, but colorful light show from the goodies hidden inside. The Zzz...flame is designed to be used as a bedroom light, a nighttime sleep aid, and a handy light to take to the bathroom with you when nature calls at 3:30 in the morning.



The Zzz...flame is very easy to use. All you do is pick it up & give it a shake, and then set it back down. You'll be rewarded with a colorful, "flickering flame" kind of light show that runs for 15 minutes, slowly decreasing in brightness until it simply goes out. Automatically. You'll hear a little tinkling noise inside when you shake your Zzz...flame; this is perfectly normal. It's from the "shaker switch" in action.

switch

If you just shake it once or twice, the Zzz...flame will do this automatic light show for you; but if you need it to be as bright as possible without flickering, shake it 5 or 6 times, using a long, slow arm motion - then the Zzz...flame's LEDs will all come on at full brightness and stay that way until you shut it off.

To turn the unit off anytime it's on, just shake it once, and out it goes.



To change the batteries in your Zzz...flame, unscrew the black lid. You'll find the battery pack and the electronics mounted to a white round disc.



If necessary, you can jiggle the "guts" out of the black cap. Remove & dispose of the old batteries, and insert three new ones into the holder with the flat (-) side of each battery going towards the spring in its compartment. Place the electronics back in the lid, and screw the housing & lid back together.

The Zzz...flame signals it's time for new batteries by displaying a reddish color when you first turn it on. With nightly use, a set of good alkalines should last up to several months.



The Zzz...flame is definitely unusual, but is also quite nice to look at after dark. Never mind that it was built into a plastic water bottle - this turned out to be the perfect housing for it. The slightly milky, transluscent plastic of the bottle diffuses the LED light just enough, and it also keeps the electronics & batteries out of the elements. So if you want to take it camping, go right ahead.

The Zzz...flame appears to be water resistant, seeing it's made out of a water bottle. :) If you took it to the bathroom one sleepy night and dropped it in the toilet, just wash it off. As long as the black lid is on tightly and the label on the lid is intact (insomuch as the label still covers the straw hole in the center), it should be water resistant. You could also unscrew the cap & remove the guts, and then hand-wash the bottle if you're really that worried. Just make sure it's completely dry before putting your Zzz...flame back together again.

The first night I took the Zzz...flame to bed with me, I noticed something almost immediately: this sucker is BRIGHT for the first 10-12 minutes or so. If you're somebody who prefers to fall asleep in a dark room, this may be a bit on the bright side for you. But all is not lost - the next version of the Zzz...flame may very well have a "dim" mode just for "dark people" like myself. I can't sleep with a Sauce Light Sprite or a 4 watt nightlight bulb next to my bed; it has to be plugged in all the way across the room and hidden behind a table. :-P
You on the other hand, may do perfectly fine getting to sleep with a nightlight-level source in the headboard right next to your pillow or on your night table at the head of your bed. So throw away that bottle of sleeping pills and replace it with a bottle of tranquility - a Zzz...Flame!


A couple of shots of the Zzz...flame in action.
No camera can truly capture how nice it really looks.






TEST NOTES:
Unit was received on 05-15-02, and testing is continuing. I find that by placing it on the floor next to the bed and then facing the other way, I can tolerate the brightness; though I'm missing out on the best feature of the light - it's enchanting "flicker flame" effect. So I've been using mine as a mood light right here while I'm typing up web pages, then take it to the bedroom at night to use as a handy-dandy "candle" when nature calls.

I also made an observation that if there is an earthquake of sufficient magnitude to knock the unit off your nightstand or headboard, it will come on by itself when it hits the bed or the floor, serving as an automatic emergency light even if the quake knocks out power to your house. Those living in Seattle, San Francisco or Los Angeles can appreciate the Zzz...flame for that feature in addition to its other uses.

Note: Light makes a slight ticking or tinkly sound when shaken - this is normal and does not indicate a problem with the unit.


UPDATE: 12-24-04
My original Zzz...Flame got left behind in a move on 10-11-04, but I liked it so much I had to get another. I ordered it on the 18th, and it arrived today!


UPDATE: 12-25-04
I placed the Zzz...Flame at bedside like it was intended, shook it once, and watched the entire 15 minute cycle. Just like my housemate says "...to be sure it's Westinghouse". I just wanted to be sure it would work properly, and it does.


PROS:
Very unique in the world of lighting devices
Uses batteries that are readily available and relatively inexpensive
Long battery life
Waterproof/splashproof
No exterior switch to leak or break off


CONS:
Could lose water-resistance if bottom label is removed
May be too bright for some users - shield it (place it behind something) if this is the case - this is a very subjective opinion though, and will not affect final rating!


    MANUFACTURER: Technology Associates
    PRODUCT TYPE: Low-level bedside light
    LAMP TYPE: LED, 1ea. green and blue; 2ea. red
    No. OF LAMPS: 4
    BEAM TYPE: Very diffuse with visible source
    SWITCH TYPE: "Tilt" or "shake" activated switch
    BEZEL: Transluscent milky enclosure
    BATTERY: 3x AA cells
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION:
    WATER RESISTANT: Yes
    SUBMERSIBLE: No
    ACCESSORIES: None
    WARRANTY: 90 days

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star Rating









Zzz...flame * WWW.TECHASS.COM






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