Are the Offlite lamps that I see in Joannes worth the money? Do they require any special bulb that is only replaceable at Joannes? Are other lamps that one might find in Walmart, etc. the same quality?

They're Ott lights. Ott lights have special daylight bulbs. But you can buy daylight bulbs other places. JoAnn's with a 50% off coupon is probably going to be your best bet for bulbs though. I have the Ott light desk lamp that folds closed and I've been using it for probably 5 years or more and it still has the original bulb in it.

i really enjoy mine. but there are other less expensive daylight bulbs that would probably suffice

I have one and I do like mine. It helps with night time sewing and with dark colors.

I have an Ottlite, but mostly I use a regular lamp with an Ottlite bulb. No need to go out and spend the money on the lamps. Besides it goes with my decor.

I love my Ott, I got it at Joanne's during one of their bi-annual half off sales so I got the light for 50% off. During the same sales is when I stock up on replacement bulbs. I haven't tried any other brand, I like my ott and I am sticking with it. Makes such a difference as I have poor lighting in my sewing room.

My ott lite finally burnt out and I went last weekend to get a new bulb - $39. Could almost get a new light.

I use full-spectrum, "natural light" CFLs available anywhere. I don't notice any difference between my lamp and my friend's Ott - except for the cost, of course.

I bought replacement bulbs when they were 50% off. I have yet to need them. They are now over a year old!

I had to buy a floor model ott light when I was quilting my black quilt. I couldn't see the stitches!! But I got it with the 50% coupon and I love it. I use it all the time now next to my quilting frame and I haven't had to buy a replacement bulb yet. I think I'll get one when I have the next 50% off coupon because the bulb will burn out when I'm in a rush to finish a quilt.... late at night when all the stores are closed. Thanks for this question because now I'll be prepared.

I have a Ottlite floor lamp and love it. A couple of weeks ago, I accidentally bumped it and the bulb fell out and broke!

I searched online for one and purchased the bulb from Amazon, with shipping I paid $18. Other prices were $34.99 plus shipping.

I'm shocked! I have a 4 Ott lamps. One is a floor model, the others are the table models, one with a magnifier I use for beading. A girl friend gave me FIVE new bulbs. She worked for a book company and samples were always sent for books, supplies, etc. They had no need of these bulbs.......so I got them. I had NO idea of the cost of the bulbs, $39 seems wildly excessive!
(Oh, in all the years I've had these lights, no bulb has ever burned out! Guess I'm lucky!)

There are less expensive bulbs. Even the DIY stores like Home Depot carry them.

My ott-like lamp was given to me by a friend who ordered a floor lamp online but was sent two of them. I got a gift.

As my eyes 'mature' I am really glad I have it. Much easier to read and work with it.

ali

I have 3 of them. 2 floor lamps, which I have next to my sewing chair & sewing machine and a desk lamp which is on a bookshelf that is next to the chair in my sewing room, so acts like a floor lamp.

Each came with replacement bulbs, so I am well stocked for now. So far have not had to replace any.

I love my Ott Light, it is sooooo bright!! I usually end up pointing mine at the ceiling because sometimes it can be too bright, but I would highly recommend them for sure. :) The bulbs last quite a long time as they are not regular light bulbs, so you probably won't have to worry about replacing them much anyway. I have had mine for 2 years without having to replace it.

Good luck!
Rachel

Sorry!! Ott it is --not off!! Guess I need an OTTlite to see what I'm typing!! Thanks for the correction and information.

The Ott brand bulbs are expensive but the last about 10 times longer then the other daylight bulbs. I'm still on the original bulb that came with my Ott lamp and it it's over 10 years old. I turn it on and leave it on all day when I'm sewing. When Hancock Fabrics went out of business in my town, I bought all the OTT bulbs on clearance that would fit my lamp. I haven't used one yet.

I have had my Ott Light for over 10 years now, and I am still using the original bulb. I LOVED it when I went back to college and had to read so much. It didn't cause glare on the pages but was bright for my old eyes. I love it as additional light on my computer also. And of course I have to have it when stitching.

Hancock Fabrics Ott Lights are 50% off right now. They also have some on clearance.

i have 4, one floor model I use in in the living room when working on hand work stuff, one on my cutting table, one by my machine and one I keep in my mag with my travel/retreat/class staff. I should get one more, because now my husband has decided he loves my ott lite when working on his camera equipment! expensive, yes, wait for the coupon and check out create for less on the web, they can sometime have good deals on replacement bulbs. I've replaced one bulb in one machine in (gasp) 6 years.

My elder eyes love these bulbs. Like others, mine was 50% off at JoAnn's (floor style), bought it 2 years ago and still on the first bulb. Also, have 2 clip-ons. I purchased my second floor style at Lowe's and (at the time) they stocked Ott bulbs. I still think you can do best on bulbs at JoAnn's with a 50% off coupon. My opinion--I think the trick to Ott bulb longevity is not to bump hard or be careful when moving the lamp.

I got mine at Joanns, 50% off, I got the one that will clip on and hangs in my closet where I SEW AT. I SIMPLY LOVE IT! The lighting helps the eyes, I wouldn't want to sew with out it...Had for about 6 months, so I can't give any advise on the bulb...

I have a couple of Ott lights, which I love. But my favorite light is the Bendable Bright light attached to my machine.

I have the floorlamp style and love it. Don't have very good lighting in my sewing room and this solved my problem. Don't know about the bulbs, since I have had this for four years or more and the same bulb is in it

I have a table top that folds about 10 years old and a floor lamp about 6 plus years old. The floor light is behind the sofa and is usued everyday; I have not replaced either bulb, they last a long time.

I got mine at Joanns, 50% off, I got the one that will clip on and hangs in my closet where I SEW AT. I SIMPLY LOVE IT! The lighting helps the eyes, I wouldn't want to sew with out it...Had for about 6 months, so I can't give any advise on the bulb...

Yes, those types of lamps are wonderful. I have 2, one on my cutting table (table model) and a floor lamp in my LR. I do alot of hand work so having light come from over your shoulder is better. I bought mine over 10 years ago, not an Ott-lite but a knock-off. I think my floor lamp was $59. Check out quilt magazines for ads. They used to be pretty reasonable at office stores, but the prices have gone way up. I guess someone told them there was a demand..quilters!!! The table model I bought from Joannes with a 50% coupon. Get one, you'll love it!!!!

I bought a nice big Ott light for my sewing area quite a few years ago - worked for about a year, then one day it just didn't work anymore. Tried a new bulb, nothing. Bought a new cord unit with the black box (can't think of the name right now) - still nothing. It's still sitting around here, because I figured one day it's going to magically work again, but I won't spend that kind of money again. I finally bought a similar light at Big Lots for $29. Works just fine.

Wonderful for night work or working on black (dark)fabric. I have a floor model behind my sewing table, a clip one on my cutting table and a portable one I can move around.

If you have a Big Lots store check there. They have lamps identical to the expensive Ott Lights. I've purchased 3 so far - 2 floor lamps and one table lamp. They were all under 30 dollars, and they all came with an extra bulb. No problems with any so far - had my first one for over 5 years, bought my last one a month ago.

Hobby Lobby also sells Ott light replacement bulbs, though not a large selection. They have bi weekly coupons, at least one year ago they did. My bulb lasted many years, and I love the lamps. The two lights, a table top and a floor model, stays in Texas, my winter home, but I miss having one here. I would only consider buying them with a discount, have to love those bargains.

they are expensive, I got mine on 50% off sale and love it. now I have several, same with the replacement bulbs

I use GE's "reveal 100" regular bulbs in my work lamps. They are a full-spectrum bulb. Never used an OttLite, but think these must be similar because my mature eyes say Yesss! to these affordable babies.............which reminds me, must stock up on these before they're OUTLAWED in (is it?) 2012.

I got my Ott floor lamp at a yard sale for $3...so if the bulbs are $40 I'm still ahead.

I really like my Ott Lites and buy them and the replacement bulbs only when on sale or with a coupon. They make great gifts!

Wouldn't a daylight simulating bulb in a floor or table top lamp work just as well.

I have a floor model Ott light and use it all the time. The bulb is still going after 3 years! I was at a discount shop and bought a floor model with bulb of a different brand for $19.99. I thought I would end up with a piece of junk, but it has done the job for over a year now. Only problem, not nearly as attractive as my Ott light.

I only use ottlites in the sewing room and now have two in the living room for when i read and do hand sewing. they are great for matching colors. coupons at joanns are good but also check your craft stores and joanns online. i got one for 60% off plus shipping which was nothing. also subscribe to ottlite.com. they send emails with specials.

I love my Ott Lights! I have two floor models in my sewing room and a portable one that I take to sewing classes. I'm thinking about getting another floor model to place by my ironing board. I get them when they are on sale at JoAnn's.
I have replaced only one bulb and that was when someone knocked my lamp off in a sewing class. I think I bought the replacement bulb at an office supply store. I've had one of the lamps for ten years.

LOve, love, love my Ott light. SOOOOO worth the money ( on sale, of course) and those bulbs last forever.