Lightwedge Rechargeable Book Light 2.0 January 1, 2010

I wrote the review below just before I bought my second Lightwedge to replace the first after it's second accident (see below), but the second became useless after the charging port popped right out with the plug the second time I charged it. There's no way to return it at this point, and I'll have to give up on Lightwedges. I have been using the HUGlight since then, and have found that to be much better on all levels.I have come to rely on Lightwedge for reading on car trips, in my kids' rooms when they have rough night, or in my own when I have one. They're some much easier to use and more unobtrusive to people in the room with you than any clip-on lights, but the design of the battery-operated ones almost made me give up on them. Having a rechargeable unit not only saves batteries, but avoid the problems of the battery compartment (i.e., the battery compartment latch was so flimsy that it would pop off unless I secured it with tape, which was not ideal when it came time to put in new batteries, and the tiny metal contact would also pop out and have to be carefully fitted back in whenever the batteries were changed). The drawback on the rechargeable is that when the battery is done, it's done, and you have about 5 minutes of squinting in the dimming light before you need to plug it in overnight. The battery life has seemed to run down in the 15 months I've had it, but then again, it could be due to the times that I've dropped on ceramic tile (it's a slick little thing, and shouldn't be used as a book mark!). The first time, "wedge" part became partially detached from the "light" part, but the light kept going, and some superglue fixed it up until the most recent accident. This time, it became completely separated, but the light still works, and the pieces still fit together. So although I'm now buying a new one, the first one will be my backup for when the light begins to fade mid-page.

I've been a loyal fan of LightWedge book lights over many years. Eventually the book light would stop working but I would buy a new one because I think this book light type is the best--a real marriage saver! However, twice in the past year I've bought the new Rechargeable model (2.0) and each time it has stopped working, to my great frustration. My brother examined it and thought the rechargeable plug is not made well and is liable to keep breaking; it doesn't fit well in the opening and so will not stay on to enable recharging.Unfortunately, the book light each time lasted just long enough to wear out my warranty through Amazon (one month), so now I am stuck. I have gone directly to the LightWedge site to request a full refund but have had difficulty receiving a reply.If I buy another LightWedge, it will have to be battery-operated.