I have purchased this UV lamp for two purposes. The main reason was because as a stamp collector I needed a high-quality dual wavelength UV lamp to detect both fluorescence and phosphorescence of stamps. The UV lamps I have used for this purpose in the past did not really meet my expectations. In contrast, the BioGlow UV lamp is absolutely great for this purpose. Using this lamp, I get very bright fluorescence and phosphorescence signals I can easily take clear, high-quality photos of (something that was quite often was a big problem before I purchased the BioGlow lamp). So, I can highly recommend this handheld UV lamp to any stamp collector to detect fluorescence or phosphorescence of stamp paper.
By the way, this UV lamp is also perfect for checking fake banknotes or banknote collectors.
The second reason is work-related. As a molecular biologist, I work with DNA that needs to be run on gels and/or gel-purified. The handheld UV lamp allows me to check DNA on the gel without removing it from the gel apparatus and transferring it to a transilluminator, thus saving time and gloves.
As the UV light is quite intense, I always make sure to wear UVEX safety googles when I use the lamp.
The UV lamp is very easy to use, light, and the cord is long enough to easily operate the UV lamp. I am very happy with the purchase. I just wish I had known about it much earlier.
I definitely like this better than the BandIt mini for multiple reasons. First, the colored bottom from having the light below the chamber makes loading your gel much easier, as you can see which wells have already been loaded. Secondly, the casting set does not have lines on it to help with comparing the bands to the ladder, which I never found helpful anyway and they just interfered with the imaging of the gel. I am still working out how much DNA-binding agent, DNA, and ladder that I need to add in order for everything to be visible with the imaging enclosure. I am including a picture taken through the viewer where you can see some pretty bright sample bands, but you can just barely see the brightest bands from the ladder.
THE ONLY BAD THING IS THE LIGHT BURNED OUT AND I HAVE BARELY USED IT. HOW MANY HOURS ARE THEY GOOD FOR? IVE USED IT A MAXIMUM OF 10 HOURS, THROUGHOUT MONTH OF FEBRUARTY. OTHER THAN THAT ONE THING, THIS IS SO AWESOME. ITS A BIT HEAVY BUT IT PERFORMS ABOVE EXPECTATIONS. THANK YOU
It is not usual for a bulb to burn out that quickly and we are speaking with the manufacturer about this. EDIT: The manufacturer sent a replacement unit to this customer.
our lab is very happy with this purchase- the size is good, the price was great, we are able to visualize the bands very well, and it is so nice to not worry about UV light as the blue light exceeds expectations for visualization.
