Review: goLITE BLU

Despite living nearly all of my life in a northern country–where the winters are long and the sunlight is fleeting–I had not given much thought to my circadian rhythm. You know, the human clock that’s related to light and affects many things including our moods, reaction times and even bowel movements? Yup, that’s the one. And if it’s out of whack, well, you’d know it.

Fortunately, many others have considered the effects of sunlight and various wavelengths on our well-being. On the academic side, this includes medical facilities and space agencies. And on the commercial side, we can add Philips to the list of those companies realizing the profit to be made if only we can capture the warm fuzzies of the sun. Enter the goLite BLU ($199), a portable therapy light that aims to make you feel better with a press of a button and 30 minutes a day.

The Design

The goLITE is unique in its portability which is a key feature in its design. Just 5.5 inches square and one inch thick, the light fits easily into a bag or purse and it even comes with its own leather pouch to protect it from your keys.

More than half of the front face of the light is a blue LED matrix that is a shiny grey when the light is off. The rest of the front is a pressure-sensitive touchscreen that can be back-lit with blue (of course). There is only one mechanical switch on the light: an on-off button on the side.

If Apple has taught us anything, it’s that you can’t go wrong with white plastic and curved edges, and Philips is rocking this pleasing (yet tired) design. When it’s not shining a blue hue, the goLITE sits unobtrusively wherever you have it. From the side, it might be taken for a picture frame or a fashionable (though slightly chunky) electronic device.

The touchscreen controls have a digital seven-segment display which feels almost old-fashioned. With the display technology available today, the seven-segment numbers remind me of my old clock radio. And while this might not be an issue for some, it makes the product feel not as contemporary as the rest of the design. (I also have a irrational hatred of seven-segment clock radios which I shouldn’t hold against this goLITE.)

And while this is just a little thing, I quite like the goLITE’s stand: a magnetic foot that fits snugly into the back of the light but can easily be removed and lay in a groove in the back of the light.

The Setup

The goLITE BLU is easy to use. With just a glance at the one-page quick start guide, you can begin using the light immediately. Even without the quick start guide, the big ON button is a good hint to turning on the light.

But, the light is surprisingly functional beyond its basic purpose. The touchscreen display is also an alarm clock where you can choose between a sound or just a light to go on at a specific time. I’m sure some people might like to use the goLITE as a morning alarm (note that Philips warns that you only get the benefit of the light through your eyes), but I was a fan of setting up a regular schedule of light therapy for half an hour every morning at my desk. Again, this was pretty easy to set up right out of the box.

The Effectiveness

Philips is careful to not reference Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in any of its materials. Also known as the “winter blues”, SAD is often treated by light therapy, but the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved such therapy due to weak and mixed results at clinical trials (compared to some pharmaceuticals which clearly address the affects of SAD). So, if anyone is going to say anything about the goLITE BLU combating SAD, it won’t be Philips and it won’t be me. I don’t doubt, however, that the connection will be made by others.

What is proven, on the other hand, is that light affects those circadian rhythms shared by all living things. And so, naturally, the goLITE BLUE is all over that. Mood and energy improvement–that’s the goLITE’s game and I’m not going to say otherwise.

But does it work? I think so, and that’s the best recommendation you’re going to get out of me. I spend most of my day in the dark (there’s a joke in there somewhere) and this product provided a source of light that otherwise I’d rarely get. After a week of use, I can say I felt pretty good, but that’s hardly a solid, scientific answer.

Philips provides good reference material  for suggested use in the user guide for the goLITE, which I definitely appreciated. When should you use the light? What time of day? Do you work odd shifts or are you jetlagged? Even more specific: are you jetlagged from traveling east or traveling west? Rather than just sell us a light and say “go ahead and feel better”, Philips provides a manual for effective use, which bodes well for the effectiveness of a product.

The Downsides

Holy moley, this light is bright! In fact, it was the brightness of the goLITE that forced me to turn my attention to the Philips booth at CES 2010. I had to know about this product blinding me.

To be fair, the light was on its highest setting and I couldn’t help but look directly into it (I think it comes from a fascination with the sun since we see so little of it up where I’m from). Actual use of the light can have it set at lower levels and at angle within your peripheral vision. And, after a few half hour uses, I barely noticed the light; it was something you get use to and even appreciate as part of your daily routine.

Don't let the picture fool you, the Phillips goLITE is bright!

But that’s for the individual using the light and not the people who may be visiting you as you use it. I had it in my office. And while I had gotten use to the light in my field of view, it would be a distraction for any colleague that came to visit or walked past my desk. I don’t think you could use this product at work if you happen to work in an “open concept” environment; you’re co-workers may force you to take it home. Fortunately, the portability of the goLITE makes it easy enough for you to use anywhere (once charged), so you can be flexible about it (maybe while you eat breakfast?).

The Bottom Line

Oh, the silver bullet cure. Our society is filled with them whether it be the all natural juice of a foreign berry or the scientifically isolated and laboratory-developed perfect pill. Sure, we could eat better, exercise every day and get enough sleep, but that’s a lot of work. Can’t I just, uh, feel better automatically?

While I was initially tempted to write off the goLITE BLU as an over-promising and under-delivering miracle cure, I would be wrong to do that.

The goLITE isn’t going to solve all your problems, make you more successful at work, reduce your weight, and help you reconnect with your daughter. It is not a cure.

Instead, it offers a bit of respite from the dark–a little light to help manage your circadian rhythm. Its effects may be subtle, but they are there and many people who use light therapy can attest to them.

Those who use light therapy can also attest to the cost, with some systems ranging between $500 and $1,000. The Philips goLITE BLU isn’t cheap either at $199, but that price doesn’t warrant a payment plan.

The Good
Compact and portable
Unobtrusive, subtle design
Easy to use and program

The Bad
Shockingly bright

[Philips goLITE BLU]