As I've gotten older, I can't use my monitor in a dim or unlit room as I used to. Fresh out of college that was my preferred environment for writing software. However, in my retirement years I suffer from eye strain and fatigue under the conditions in which I used to thrive. Unfortunately, many of the desk lamps I have used cast too much glare on the monitor (both the glossy and the matte finish types).
I had heard about the BenQ bar light from former coworkers, but I hesitated because of the price and where to place my Logitech Brio webcam. I didn't want to place either the light or the camera off center. Luckily, it turns out that the webcam sits securely right on top of the BenQ mounting bracket (see attached photo). It's secure enough that I have not had to add an adhesive strip under normal conditions (which includes raising/lowering my sit/stand desk as well as adjusting the monitor arm height/swivel). If I jostle my monitor hard enough, it will dislodge the webcam but it would be an unusual thing to happen in my home office (and some double-backed foam tape would easily address it).
The light is reasonably bright for seeing my work area and remains glare-free even at the highest setting. The LED strip is deeply recessed so at most reasonable positions you will not be looking directly at the LEDs. The LEDs consist of an array of alternating cool and warm color temperature units and the dial control smoothly adjusts the overall temperature of the overall light. As another reviewer mentioned, it might be nice to be able to dim the light a bit further, but given my weakening eyesight it's doubtful I'd actually use a lower setting.
The auto setting picks a the brightness level for you, but three issues to be aware of. First, the auto setting will override your color temperature setting. You can set the color again after auto setting picks the brightness. Second, the auto setting sets the brightness only once each time you press the auto button. Auto mode does not continuously sample the ambient light and adjust the brightness accordingly. If lighting conditions change, you may have to press the button again. Third and finally, if you turn the lamp off while the Auto setting is active, the lamp will remember that and initiate Auto mode again when you switch it back on. That has the side effect of causing the lamp to dim and brighten as the lamp samples the ambient light and adjusts it's output. The first time I did that I thought the lamp was defective! Personally, I find it annoying to have the lamp go through that cycle each time I turn it on, so I avoid the Auto setting.
| Finish Type | Matte |
|---|---|
| Base Material | Aluminum |
| Product Dimensions | 3.54"D x 17.72"W x 3.62"H |
| Item Weight | 1.5 Pounds |
| Lamp Type | Desk Lamp |
| Shade Color | Silver |
| Shade Material | Aluminum |
| Switch Type | Touch |
| Style | ScreenBar w/ Dial |
| Brand | BenQ |
| Color | Silver |
| Special Feature | Dimmable, Space Saving |
| Light Source Type | LED |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Room Type | Usb |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Reading |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Shape | Asymmetrical |
| Controller Type | Desktop Dial |
| Number of Light Sources | 1 |
| Connectivity Technology | USB |
| Included Components | USB power cable (with controller) x 1, ScreenBar Plus lamp x 1, Clip x 1 |
| Is Waterproof | False |
| Mounting Type | Tabletop |
| Wattage | 5 watts |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Lighting Method | Adjustable |
| Control Method | Touch |
| Indoor/Outdoor Usage | Indoor |
| Specific Uses For Product | Reading, Home Office, Office Working |
| Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant |
| Installation Type | Tabletop |
| Number of Pieces | 1 |
| Connectivity Protocol | Usb |
| Voltage | 5 Volts |
| Brightness | 900 Lux |
| Is Cordless? | No |
| UPC | 840046036737 |
| Assembly Required | No |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 04718755068621 |
| Manufacturer | BenQ |
| Series | ScreenBar Plus |
| Item model number | ScreenBar Plus |
| Item Weight | 1.5 pounds |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3.54 x 17.72 x 3.62 inches |
| Language | English |
| ASIN | B07DP7RYXV |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | June 12, 2018 |
