With its vision-friendly features, 3M's TL1000 polarizing light lamp might just be every student's best friend.
According to 3M, the lamp's special filter is able to reduce glare and reflections on documents and surfaces, thus making reading easier and more comfortable.
I tested the TL1000 out with several copies of glossy magazines and found the lamp to be pretty effective in cutting out glare and reflections.
This was especially evident when placing glossy printed materials under the light. The lamp was able to filter the light such that glare was almost unnoticeable on almost all but the most glossy pages.
Even when I tried looking at photos printed on high glossy photos, the TL1000 was effective in cutting out excessive light.
To test the TL1000's effectiveness on reducing eye strain, I worked for several hours on three occasions using the 3M lamp instead of my own, and compared it to my experience with a conventional lamp.
I found that the 3M polarizing light lamp does make reading generally more comfortable, and I was able to read text-heavy documents longer with the TL1000 without feeling tired.
The 3M lamps are supposed to light up instantly without flickering, and I found this to be true and very pleasant. However, this might be subjected to a matter of wear and tear along the way.
3M is now offering a free sticker 'skin' for those who purchase its new series of polarizing light lamps. While mine came already decorated, the stickers are not difficult to apply, and leave no mark when removed.
The designs are a bonus for any child, teen or young adult's room, but grown-ups or those who want a more understated look to their study might find the sticker design a little too loud.
The Verdict
This lamp is great for those who need to spend long hours reading or writing at their desks. Students studying through the night for tests and exams might find the TL1000 a very treasured companion.
