I have two otto lights that are on a pedestal (sp) I love them! Great for hand sewing and reading too.

Vicky

Can your task light take a fluorescent bulb? I would look at a cheaper alternative to the ott-light. I'm only 36 and I have noticed lately that I need more light to see properly, UGH!

I have a real Ottlight that I bought with a coupon at Joann's long ago - it's the portable kind and I love it when I go to classes etc. I have a fake Ottlight type - floor model from Big Lots next to my machine. You can get replacement bulb things at Home Depot. It wasn't much money at all and I love the bright light.
Kelly

I have 2. One floor and one table. I keep the floor lamp at my cutting table and the table one is used with my computer. Love them both but the bulb does get warm. They give true color, which I like at the cutting table.
I got the table lamp a Jo-Anne's with a 50% coupon. Before I have that I had one from Office Max that was simular but with the coupon the Ott lite didn't cost any more.
Jayne

I've had my portable table Ott lamp for quite awhile. I like it, but don't love it. It does get warm. Lately I've started using a 'head' light....like a miner. It's great for applique/handwork and I also use it at the machine. I bought it at Walmart in the outdoor/camping dept. The light can be adjusted to wherever I want the beam to be and there are various widths of beams to choose from....I think it was about $15.

SharonG/FL

I have a fairly large lamp by my chair I use to read and sew by. I am older and couldn't see to thread a needle even tho the bulbs say they are true color or something like that. For mothers day my daughter got me one of those Ott lamps that are portable and I use that. Is it worth it, by all means, I can now see my work, I can thread a needle, not without some struggle because thats just the way it is, but a lot easier than it was. And the colors, wow, yes its worth every penny. And using a coupon makes it even sweeter.

Rita

Last year my DS and DD bought me an Ott-Lite for Christmas because I also wanted more light on my machine needle. I have a floor model and I really do like it but found that no matter how I position the light I still wanted more light so this year my DH bought me a Bendable Bright Light which is a little light that attaches on the side of my machine and I can bend it and position it where ever I want the light shining. I love it! He ordered it off e-bay and I have seen them in some quilt stores and I think they sell around $40-$50 so they do cost plenty for such a little light but I really do like it.
Lynn

Lynn - That Bendable Bright Light looks like it will solve my problem getting more focused light at the needle - thank you! The funny thing, when I googled it - a website for Patsy Thompson came up - I had linked to her website on this Forum a few months ago to share her exquisite feather quilting she does on a domestic sewing machine - a Pfaff. She uses the Bendable Bright Light on her Pfaff. I also have a Pfaff and I was so impressed with her work, I didn't notice the light!

Thanks all for sharing your opinions.This is such a great group of helpful people! I am also going to look at an OTT Light or cheaper version to help light the cutting area; but I am definitely going to get the Bendable Bright Light. I am taking a BOM class & it will be wonderful to have additional light that will travel w/out having to carry another big piece.

I recently purchased the rechargable small folding Ott lite. I really like it! I can take it anywhere & not worry about an outlet, so great for classes & my small quilting group where I usually do applique. I got it with my 50% off at JoAnns & got free shipping, it was $65.
I have the floor lamp too & it's just not a simple tp trag out & I never seem to get the light close enough. Jill

I love my Ott Lite! I have the floor one and it follows me thru the house if need be! Mine is the 18 watt.
Here's a hint I got from these forums years ago that I use for threading my machine.
If threading with a light colored thread, hold a dark colored piece of paper behind the needle and you can "see" it go thru the needle. When threading with dark thread use light colored paper. My hair dresser uses black business cards, white on the back. All ways keep one by the machine.
Kathy G in MI

Well, I must be the only person in the world who hates their Ott light. I got a very small model (because they are so dang expensive) that can either sit on a table or clamp on. It has got to be the worst design in the world. It's way top heavy, so if it's on a table it falls over, and if it's clamped to something it pops off. I also don't like the light - the color or something is just off to me...I can see better without it than with it. I've noticed a lot of new sewing machines have that same kind of grayish white light.

So...anybody want a used Ott light? :)

Donna

I skipped the Ott light because the Ott specific bulbs are so expensive. I got compact flourescents with regular screw on bases that are great--rated for S.A.D. and bright enough to see black on black at midnight. Got my bulbs off Ebay, from someplace in Penn.

Lynn06- I got my Bendable Bright Light! I love it - it is the coolest gadget. I was sewing on navy blue and I was able to focus the light directly where I needed to see better. I am hoping it will help me in FM quilting, especially lighting up the spot where I want to stitch and not the needle. Thank you so very much! I highly recommend this product.

I was able to order it thru my Pfaff dealer & I got 25% off the list price. I also ordered the extra mounting disc to use on another machine.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bendable bright light

mag, that light looks geat!! I have a small Ott - not sure of the model because I left it in Florida and man I certainly miss it. I also got it at Joanne's in a 50% sale and was smart to get a spare bulb in the same sale. I use it there for sewing and also reading, moving it from place to place. But I may look into a bendable for home.

goldie

I'm glad you like it, I know I love mine and would be totally lost without it. I am going to have to look into getting the extra mounting disc myself. It isn't very often that I use my other machine but it's good to be prepared for when I do. Lucky you on getting a discount.
Lynn/MN