Conversational lamp
My interest in the lamp stems from sleep issues, including circadian rhythm.  I knew ahead of time that research indicates the amount of light put off by the Per2 lamp isn't likely to have a physical clinical effect.  Compare this one with the lumens of their other lamps.  But if use of the lamp can help me establish good sleep habits, routine awake/sleep time, then it will be worth the purchase.<br /><br />Let me talk about what the lamp does.  My misconception of how it was supposed to work, probably added to my frustration with programming the device.  The programming can be tedious as mentioned in other reviews.  A video would be great.<br /><br />a) As a desktop lamp, it provides bright, adjustable light for reading.  It also includes a digital clock.<br />b) As a dawn simulator, you program what time you want the light to come on.  The light turns on and stays on for an hour or so, gradually increasing in brightness.  Then it turns off.  It doesn't stay on all day with the light automatically adjusting to the time of day.  If you want it back on, you turn it on.  Adjust it to the brightness level manually or use the autoshift feature discussed next.  The dawn activation only has to be activated once.  Going forward, it will begin the gradual brightness everyday at whatever time you set.  If you get up at the same time every day, less programming..<br />c) You can have the lamp automatically adjust corresponding to the time of day.  No programming is involved, like for the dawn, dusk and alarm settings.  Turn the light on, then click a specific button to automatically shift between three discrete stages of light: dawn (5 am - 1 pm), daylight (1 pm - 9 pm), dusk (9 pm - 5 am). These stages are factory set, meaning you can't change them.  An easy to use feature, but less flexible.  As mentioned above, you can always adjust the brightness up and down manually.<br />d) As an alarm clock, you program the start time just like you do the dawn simulator.  If the gradual brightness of the light does not wake you up, you have a fail safe with the alarm.<br />e) As a dusk simulator, you don't set what time the light will go off, you just program the activation.  You can then start the dusk simulator any time you want.  Once activated, the first click of the power button gradually dims the light off over a 30 minute period, until it is turned completely off.  If for some reason, you want to turn the light off right away, press the power button a second time.  You only have to activate the dusk simulator once.  Going forward, whenever the light is on, the first click of the power button will start the 30 minute power down, the second click an immediate shut off.<br /><br />You can tell when a feature is activated, because its symbol will continually blink.  Good.<br /><br />Since I often read and fall asleep with the light on, the dusk simulator with its automatic power off, is the most useful feature.  If you are more interested in an adjustable reading lamp, which puts out similar types of light and has an auto shut off option, but not the dusk/dawn timings, I suggest another purchase I made [[ASIN:B00KSQ8ZNA LAMPAT Dimmable LED Desk Lamp, Black]].
Rating: 3 stars