I called today to inquire about the Giraffe system today, and I spoke with Paul. He was very informative and helpful. I was so impressed that I called back and ordered an ISO96. I look forward to being a customer.
Happy Holidays to you and yours
Mark H Johnson

I bought a lamp and magnifier from you last weekend at the fly tyers weekend at Little River Outfitters. I used it as soon as I got home and would like to tell you that it was like daylight and night from my old light with the built in magnifier.
Thanks Again,
Lee McClure

I received my new ISO96 Fly tying light and magnifier yesterday. I am so excited and plan on trying it out this evening. I just wanted to say thank you for your help on the phone, the quick delivery and the outstanding product. It was awesome to talk to someone who took the time to answer all of my questions and wasn’t just in a hurry to take an order. Your product is great! It doesn’t take an expert to realize the top quality in your product. I will make sure to tell all of my friends about the Giraffe Light.
Thank you again and best to each of you.
Terry L Corder

For the past 12 years, the Giraffe lamp and magnifier have been my constant companion when at the tying bench at home or on the road. The lamp can provide up to 100 watts of light. With the C clamp arrangement of the lamp and magnifier, they are never in the way of my tying area around the vise and table. The gooseneck design allows for precise adjustment at the tying table and easy roll up for travel. The magnifier makes tying the little flies easier, and helps to eliminate every evident imperfection in show flies tied for display. Ruggedness and durability are built into every unit.
Christopher Helm

Dear Sir,
Some time ago I purchased our “Giraffe” model from Ken at the Cold Spring Fly Shop in Long Island. When I explained to Ken what I was looking for, he immediately thought of your product line. He showed me a catalog, I saw exactly what I wanted, he ordered it, and it was delivered to his shop within a week!
For the product itself- my highest complements! Completely functional, beautiful constructed, and esthetically beyond compare! I find that tying flies now brings about newfound pleasure. I opted for the light and magnifier, which makes tying so much better. The special “daylight” bulb gives a much more accurate color rendition than the using a standard incandescent lamp. The goosenecks on the magnifier and lamp have an almost infinite range, allowing one to put the light or magnification exactly where you want it! The organization of all my tools and the overall concept of design have added an increase to my productivity if I choose to tie faster. In all, it’s a pleasure to use and look at. The last great comment I’ll make is that when the work is done, it’s so simple to pick the whole bench up and put it away. Teriffic product and once again, a pleasure shopping at Kens shop.
Peter Doyle

I write letters of this sort only on occasions when I’ve used a product for some time and am completely satisfied with its’ quality and usability.
Therefore, I congratulate you both and your team on your giraffe lamp and magnifier for its’ design, quality and the pleasure I find when using it. I tie flies for myself, family and friends, so it sees plenty of action.
Recently you updated it with a thinner base and an optional small 2x to 10x insert in the magnifier. I don’t have the thin base, as I have an earlier model, but I have updated to the new magnifier. I’ve found the insert very useful when tying flies of all sizes. I recommend this to all tyers who tie flies in the smaller sizes and to those that want to check on the quality on their tying.
You have a product I’m happy to recommend for every fly tier’s bench.
Michael Ramicone

Testimonial on the CCH60

Tying flies requires being able to see minute details much in the same way as doing surgery, but fortunately without the stress. The CCH60 color corrected full spectrum balanced beam light bulb from Goodwin Manufacturing, Inc. is currently the light bulb of choice in many surgery environments across the country and my though was “if it is good enough for them to use while performing surgery, I could use it in my hobby of fly tying as well.” This one addition to my fly tying bench had improved my fly tying instantly, simply because I can see so much better. Now I am able to catch potential mistakes during the process of tying, rather than after the fact, in terms of viewing colors and proportions with greater clarity. This improved lighting technology even helps me trim flies with more precision, such as deer hair and EP fibers.
This new color-corrected, full-spectrum bulb is made of pure neodymium glass, which greatly minimizes the yellow emissions of the color spectrum. This is indeed true as I tested it personally; by displaying the CCH60 bulb at the same time as the Halogen fly tying bulb already in use and the difference was demonstrable with the naked eye. In difference between the LED style headlights now found on newer model vehicles as compared to those used in older model cares.
The CCH60 bulb delivers a brighter and more realistic rendition of the full range of natural colors. Now that I have spent more than fifty hours tying flies using this bulb, I can say with certainty that this bulb is more gentle on the eyes than the standard halogen type light bulb. The CCH60 bulb has a Kelvin rating of 4300 degrees, which meets the requirements of operating room lighting specifications and also explains its superiority, when used for tying flies. The CCH60 bulb has a sealed lens which blocks UV radiation while the finely polished interior reflector enhances the light output. The nickel-plated brass socket prevents corrosion.
The manufacturer cites an optimum working distance of 18-24 inches from the area being attended, which is perfect for the fly tying environment. The manufacturer notes that no increase in surgery patient’s skin temperature occurs, which means the fly tyer would benefit by remaining comfortable while tying flies even for long periods of time.
In conclusion, this is such an improvement in light quality that I have replaced my existing bulbs with the CCH60 at all my other fly tying stations besides my main home location. Yes, I tie just about everywhere I go! I encourage you to look for, or request, this outstanding product at you local fly fishing shop, or contact Goodwin Manufacturing, Inc.
I really appreciate superior lighting and this great product gives me that!
Bill Boyd, Ph.D.

Low Vision Testimonials

I love my Giraffe lamp! I’m still experimenting with the best place to put it, and your advice to get the floor model was good because by putting it as high as possible the light beams to a broader area than could be covered with a short table model. I’m using the halogen lamp after trying the broad spectrum first. I’m not much bothered by glare so I prefer the halogen’s brightness.
I also wish to congratulate you on your packaging. The inner and outer boxes provide excellent protection.
Thanks for your fine product.
Maggie Quinlan

I recently received a floor lamp from you and wanted to express my gratitude for the attention to detail in the packaging. It was incredibly easy to unpack, right down to the little piece of tape wrap sticking out to make the unwinding easier. It is refreshing to see a company committed to detail.
Thank you
Patrick Thomas

Dear Goodwin Manufacturing Co.
My mother is so pleased that she can read her music to play the piano not to mention the phone book. Thank you for the Giraffe lamp! (We all like the way it looks!)
Sincerely,
Mollie Sayers

At 75, I have my share of medical conditions. Thankfully, most of them are stable. But the one condition that has thrown me is the wet form of AMD (age-related macular degeneration), which I have in both eyes. It has thrown me because reading; writing and publishing are my life.
My doctors at Oregon Health and Sciences University here in Portland, and the photodynamic laser therapy that they prescribed, have helped deep my AMD in check. But by themselves, they and their treatments have not maintained or improved my ability to read, write and publish. If I can still do these things, it is largely because of the three Goodwin Giraffe gooseneck lamps, on with an attached magnifier, that I purchased and now use constantly.
Goodwin Manufacturing and its confidence-building, youth-restoring vision product have my gratitude forever.
Edward Bernard Glick
Professor Emeritus of Political Science
Temple University, PA

Dear Sirs,
My Giraffe lap has given me back the ability to read small print and work on small-size projects. Diabetic Retinitis and the many resulting laser treatments has reduced my eyesight to the point that, without magnification, I can only read large print in a very well-lit setting.

Hand-held magnifying glasses and large table lamps were not the answer. The light from the table lamp was never in just the right place. That is, the light either reflected from the page and into my eyes, cast shadows, or was not bright enough. The best hand-held magnifying glasses I could find had poor quality, and required the constant use of one hand.

My new Giraffe lamp and attached magnifying glass have solved the problem. I position the Giraffe lamp stand at the left rear corner of my chair. This allows me to initially position the light above my head within reach of my right hand and magnifying glass to my left within reach of my left hand. The book or project can be in my lap, or on a table or workbench.

I a matter of seconds I can grab both the light and magnifying glass and reposition them for the best visibility, then have both hands free for the project at hand. Also, just as fast, I can push the light back up and the magnifying glass to the left out of my way for operations that do not need magnification. I can now read small print and work on tiny projects.

The quality of the Giraffe hardware and engineering is first class. It is nice to see an American-made product of the highest quality.

Thank you very much
Neil E Dexter

Just a line to say I delivered the desk lamp as a Christmas present to my friend who has macular degeneration. Her son had come by, and she waited to open the box until he was there “to help her set it up”. Of course, it didn’t need to be set up! She is so very pleased with it- she commented on everything you write about-it is so well weighted; the goosenecks are so well designed, the magnifier is a joy. I have never seen her so pleased with anything.

I know you were very good to me to send it so promptly and at such a good price. It is truly worth its weight in gold to her.

I don’t usually write fan mail, but I did want to thank you for helping me get her this great gift. I hope you have great success with you business; you surely should because you supply such a good product.

Yours Sincerely,
Joy C. Levy

Product Review by: Marshall Flax Wisconsin Counsel of the Blind
“I need more light to see better.” How many times have you heard that statement from you elderly clients with low vision? How many times have you heard “Too much light hurts my eyes and makes it hard to see”? And how many times have you heard these seemingly contradictory statements from the same person? So what do they want anyway? Is increased illumination without increased glare. And can they get it? You bet they can. We know that most of our elderly clients-especially those with age-related macular degeneration-benefit from increased illumination. But we also know that the human eye’s ability to resist glare has decreased considerably by the time one is 65 years old. The seemingly universal strategy of increasing illumination for near tasks by putting higher wattage bulb in the lamp often simply adds more glare to the environment. This may be reasonable for increasing room or area lighting, but it often makes things worse for near vision.

What the client needs is a lamp that can be brought close to the target (book, knitting, checkbook) and angled so that the excess light is directed away from the eyes. Unfortunately, most lamps on a gooseneck of flexible arm don’t reach very far and the client must assume some awkward and uncomfortable positions in order to be able to use them.

Another problem with many lamps is that the cone or shade around the bulb is often non-insulated metal and it can become extremely hot. This is not to be taken lightly (no pun intended) when working with clients who have neuropathy related to aging or diabetes. An individual in this situation could sustain a burn when adjusting the lampshade and not realize it until more damage is done.

Finally, there’s the fact that not everyone wants to do all their reading, writing and craft work while sitting at a table where the lamp is clamped. Many folks would prefer to read or knit in their favorite chair or on the couch. I know many individuals who want to read for pleasure in one room, so their bookkeeping and bill paying in another, and need more light for chopping carrots in the kitchen. Using multiple lamps is more costly and can take up considerable space in a small retirement apartment.

Behold! The Giraffe floor lamp! The heavy (14lbs/6.36 kg of cast iron) base is designed to be resistant to tipping. The upright pole that attaches to the base is adjustable ( it looks like a microphone stand) from about three to about six feet. Attached to the top of this pole is 30 inches of polyvinyl covered, ¾ inch steel gooseneck tubing.

These two features provide the Giraffe lamp with its name and allow it to be positioned anywhere you want. No more leaning over to get closer to the light-it can come to you. Because the position of the lamp is adjustable (just reach up and move it), the fixture can be angled so that excess light is directed away from the eyes and contributes to user comfort and longer periods of use. The shade can patented heat sink/dual shade system assures that the shade won’t heat up even after it has been on four hours.

The mobile caster base allows the lamp to be rolled from room to room, increasing its versatility. Since the overall weight of the lamp is about 25bls, having the caster base is often the only way an elderly user can safely move the lamp around the home.

The lamp will hold a standard incandescent bulb up to 100 watts, a halogen bulb up to 60 watts, or color-corrected full spectrum bulbs. I often demonstrate the lamp with only 60-watt bulb so that clients will understand that it’s not the wattage of the bulb that is the most important feature. They are often surprised to learn that all the glare-free light they are using comes from a humble 60-watt bulb. The lamp connects to the wall via a heavy-duty cord that is 12 feet long and has a grounded, three-wire plug.

The lamp is made in the USA and is available in beige, gray, and black. It is shipped fully assembled and carries a five-year warranty. There are several different models available, including a desk lamp, a clamp-on lamp, and magnifier lens attachments. I’ve used the Giraffe Lamp for many years as a low vision therapist and I think it is an excellent choice for reading and other near activities. While it costs more than the average lamp, the quality, usefulness and safety features of the Giraffe Lamp make it well worth the higher price.