Romantic glow? I don't think so! (Philips Imageo Rechargeable LED Candle Lamps)

Member Name: Tezzz

Product:	Philips Imageo Rechargeable LED Candle Lamps
Date:	08/09/08 (695 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Safe alternative to candlelight

Disadvantages: Flick, flick, flicckie, flick, flick - please see review

Hi all,

I'm quite disappointed, because I wanted to tell you about these new candle lights from Philips, and how great they were........but they're not really........

So instead of the "glowing" report, I just want you to know about something that you'd want to be aware of, should you buy these lights.

I'm all for ambience in the home - we have soft lamps and mood lights, but nothing beats the relaxing, fascinating glow of a candle flame.

We all know about the dangers of open candle flames and the only one we have is in an aromatherapy burner....which we blow out well before bedtime.

I looked on the net for safe alternatives and was delighted to see these Philips Imageo LED rechargeable candle lights.

They looked fantastic ...... a set of three white opaque glass tubes - approx. 7" high, standing in a stylish silver recharging station.

The "flame" is achieved with an LED light, so no open flames - no summonsing of the fire brigade.

Once charged (10 hours charging gives 12 hours of glow) you can remove them and place them anywhere in the home, or leave them in the trendy docking station.

I will give you the technical details later, in case you do wish to buy them....but here's the disappointing bit.

The glow from the glass tubes is lovely - soft and warm, slightly yellow/orange. Quite beautiful.

But the "gentle flickering" effect is more akin to strobe lighting than a candle flame.

Imagine putting one of those on/off, on/off xmas tree lights in an opaque glass....flick flick flick flicker.......flick flicker flick flick (if you think this is annoying - you want to see all three in action)

I lay there in complete darkness (like to get into the atmospherics, me) and as there's no real light emission, it was rather like having a belisha beacon flickering into your bedroom window......flick flick flickker flick....

After a very short time this actually became irritating and because your eyes are constantly trying to adjust, gave me a tension headache........so you can imagine, in a romantic setting, last thing you want is for BOTH of you to have headaches :S

I thought maybe I was being over-sensitive (I really wanted these lights to work - I'd fallen in love with the concept) I gave them to my 16 yr old son (over-sensitive is not in his vocabulary).

Within minutes, he handed them back saying the flashing was really annoying.....and it would have been better if you could just have the glowing lights with none of the disco effects.

There, I told you - it wasn't just me then.

One thing I would say...if you want them as outdoor lighting, for a bbq etc, they'd be fine, as they do simulate candles in jars with a strong wind howling around them. So I think that could impress your guests (especially is there's no wind that evening....)

Anyway here's the technical bits

I bought them from Amazon, by far the cheapest place, at £18.94 delivered.

Made from (breakable - so do be careful) opaque glass in a durable, heavyweight silver docking station.

LED lights take 10 hours to charge and will last 12 hours.

Clever bit: you turn then on by firmly tilting the glass holders, and turn them off again by tilting (very impressive I must say)

They are not waterproof, but splashproof. So you can have them alongside your bath, but apparently not IN the bath. Can't think why you'd want to, unless you're recreating the sinking of the Titanic as your latest bathtime experience.....

You can get replacement candles from any Philips stockist and have to quote their order no. which is (oh boy have I done my research here, because the Amazon reviewers generally couldn't find it) 799012.20

The order no. of the whole 3 candle unit is 799135.36. (Do I hear a round of applause?)

You can also get different coloured glass holders.

It's a shame Philips didn't realise how annoying this constant, fast flickering is, or even have a way of turning the LED's down to your taste.....because the whole idea is brilliant (too brilliant with 3 on remember)
and any product that emulates candlelight in a safe way, is to be applauded.

I am sadly sending mine back......hope I haven't put any of you off too much, you might indeed find flickermania stimulating and hypnotic....

I just didn't want you (with sssshhhhhhh-xmas-ssshhhhh coming up) not to be aware of this interesting effect before buying.

I have given these candle lights 3 stars - 1 for innovation/1 for the safety aspect/1 for the stylish design.

Please be aware Philips will not give you a refund on any item returned, and Amazon state you must return goods unopened and if cling-film wrapped, cling-filmed wrapped (which is a bit weird, because that means you can only return an item if faulty) How would you know an item was unsuitable, if you don't unwrap it?

I am returning mine under the "faulty" label.......as they are......design-wise.

I'm still on the lookout for atmospheric, romantic (who am I trying to kid) alternatives and will deffo let you know if I come up with something :D x

Summary: Brilliant concept - disappointing in reality