Okay Geek Farm
t3ch Review: Oregon Scientific Aroma Diffuser Elite
Ricardo TrejoProduct: Oregon Scientific Aroma Diffuser Elite
What it says it does: Wake up or unwind after a hectic day with this aroma therapy alarm clock.
My Experience: I first caught glimpse of this elegant looking device back during my visit to CES, and since I have a thing for alarm clocks I had to have one. To start off, the diffuser is an alarm clock that diffuses water and scented oils into sweet aroma therapy smells - so it’s that first, and an alarm clock second. That being the case, let’s run down how the diffuser works and what sort of features it comes with.
The entire device measures at about 2.5 inches tall and 6.5 inches wide. The center opens up for a reserve area meant for the water, which also is host to where the lights emanate from underneath the plastic bottom. The center is topped off with a cap that has a small slit in it to allow the aroma to spew out, which is suggested to be pointed away from electronics due to humidity flowing in that direction. The digital clock, alarm settings, and diffuser settings have no face buttons on the device to interact with. The only way to do so is with the remote provided in the click-in slot on the back. Losing the remote is not an option since there’s no way to manage it without.
The internal features include: 5 nature sounds (water droplets, ocean, ambiance, etc.), 5 light patterns, and volume/ dimming settings. Note: the digital clock can’t be dimmed completely off, which for me is a big downer because I like my room pitch black when I go to sleep. The only alarms present are the nature sounds, and there’s no AM-FM radio or iPod, MP3 player connectors, which again, is also a big downer for me. But to give you a bit of context: I own an iLuv alarm clock that is meant for iPods, it also has a radio tuner, and its lights can be dimmed all the way off. So if I sound a bit negative about the diffuser it’s because as an alarm clock it doesn’t do what I wish it could, especially for the price.
The diffuser itself works by adding about half a cup of tap water mixed in with a couple of drops of scented oil (sold separately). There are two settings on how the diffuser works - “always on”, or in intervals of 30 seconds called “30-30”. The diffuser can be set with the alarm to go off when it’s time to wake up, thereby giving the person a “multi-sensory” wake up call, as their website mentions. The problem with that statement, though, is that the nature sounds are a little too relaxing. I’m not a heavy sleeper and I’m not a light sleeper, I’m somewhere in between and I still couldn’t hear the ocean waves when it was time to say hello to the sunrise. Maybe it’s too just me but as an alarm clock it didn’t get the job done.
However, as a diffuser this thing works wonders. I’m the kinda guy who lights up incense to get a good vibe in my place of living - the aroma therapy does this and looks good while doing it too. Not only that, but with nature sounds it’s a perfect way to take a nap or just do some reading in the afternoon. As an alarm clock it falls short, but the upside is that it’s sets the mood with a sweet look and aroma. For $100 bucks it’s a bit much but if there are people out there who are into the look and can deal without the features I mentioned earlier (iPod connector, FM radio) then this could potentially be a perfect fit for them.
Pro’s: Elegant look, aroma therapy smells, light patterns, and nature sounds put your mind to ease
Con’s: Digital clock doesn’t dim off, no AM-FM radio & no iPod or MP3 player connector, no face buttons - don’t lose the remote, can be difficult to wake up to
Price: $100
Where to buy it: Oregon Scientific
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
