m-Edge eLuminator2 - a fabulous light, but a lousy attachment

I was first exposed to the m-Edge eLuminator2 because it came with the used Kindle2 I bought on eBay. It worked nicely with the m-Edge Platform Jacket cover that also was part of the auction.


(click on any pic to enlarge to full size)

I used it with the Kindle, and even used the case/light combo briefly with the Nook (don't try it - the Kindle 2 is taller, so the Nook wasn't really secure in the cover). But even though I liked the light, I didn't like how the Platform Jacket added a bunch of bulk and quite a bit of weight to the naked reader. And I hated the feel of the fuzzy suede on the inside of the case - suede is like fingernails on a chalkboard for me. So when I sold the Kindle, I sold the case/light, too.

But I missed that light. and I really missed it when I began trying the lights that everyone was recommending on forums - the Mighty Brights, the Lyra, the Great Point. Most of the other clip lights were originally designed to cover a two page book, so their light is spread out. When you use it with a electronic device, you end up with a spill of light, casting large shadows and lighting up parts of the room. Not good when you've got a bed partner. All of them are quality clip lights, but they are bulky, heavy and for me, WAY too bright.



The first reason why I love the eLuminator2 is because it has a single LED bulb, and the cover is slightly rounded, so it concentrates the light directly at the device, rather than spreading it out across a wide area.



The second reason I love the eLuminator2 is because it has TWO light settings - low and high. For me, low is perfect. No hotspots, no excess light, and it isn't overwhelming in a dark room.



The third reason I love the eLuminator2 is the battery. It uses a single AAA battery, which rates it for 25 hours of reading. I'm up around 40, so I suspect that 25 hours is for the high setting. Most other reader lights use coin batteries (expensive!) or multiple AAA batteries (adds weight).



The major weakness of the eLuminator2 is that it is solely designed to be used with a case, preferably a M-Edge case. Rather than a clip, it is attached to a flat paddle, which is sized to fit in pockets on the M-Edge cases. For business reasons, I can understand that. But as a consumer who wants to use a naked device to save on weight, it is frustrating.



I've found a sort-of solution. Barnes & Noble sells huge variety of covers and cases for the Nook, and one is the Industriell Easel cover, which weighs almost nothing. And the eLuminator2 can tuck behind the Nook in that case, as long as you shove it as far to the left as you can.

So I'm happily using the eLuminator2, albeit with a case. Please, m-Edge. I think m-Edge would sell a bunch more Eluminator2 models with a clip function, rather than the pocket paddle.