Comparison Sun BQ-V1 vs Sun BQ-5T 120

Rated lamp power; As a rule, it corresponds to the power of the lamps installed in it (or differs slightly from it). For combined models (see “Type”), in this case the total power of all light sources is taken into account; and for models with power control (see below) - the maximum value.

The higher the lamp power (all other things being equal), the faster the polymerization rate, the less time it takes for the coating to harden. In addition, the ability to work with certain compositions may depend on this parameter. Thus, for effective polymerization of colored materials, a lamp of at least 36 W is required. It makes sense to use less powerful devices only with transparent coatings; and very limited models - 12 W or less - are suitable only for minor corrections and fixing small decorative elements.

However, 36 W (and a little more) is still a relatively limited figure; Such devices should be seriously considered only in cases where they are purchased for infrequent use in the “at home, for yourself” format. A professional manicurist needs a lamp of at least 48 W, and preferably higher; in some devices this figure can even exceed 80 W. However, here it is worth considering that sometimes manufacturers use cunning, inflating the indicators - for example, indicating in the characteristics not the standard, but the peak power, which is achieved only at certain specific moments of operation. You should be especially careful if the figure of 80 W or more...is stated for a budget model; It wouldn’t hurt to clarify the real capabilities of such a lamp using reviews and testimonials.

The number of light sources largely determines the performance of a manicure lamp. If the drying chamber is capacious, in this case an increased number of emitters is used. Light sources are distributed evenly to create equally good illumination in all directions. The number of light sources depends on the type of lamp. If it is an LED emitter, 100 or more diodes can be used. But in some lamps, LEDs are combined into a single strip, in this case one common illuminator with many diodes is used.

As for CCFL manicure lamps, such devices usually use 1 common cold cathode spiral.

UV manicure lamps have the use of 3-5 fluorescent illuminators.

Ability to change the actual power of the lamp.

If we talk only about varnishes and other compositions used to cover nails, then the rule “the more power, the better” usually applies to them. However, the intensity of UV radiation can cause discomfort (primarily a burning sensation on the nails and skin). Accordingly, power adjustment in modern manicure lamps is provided mainly in order to avoid such phenomena: if undesirable sensations occur, the lamp power can be reduced. In this case, the processing time will increase proportionally, but this is a very low price for user comfort.

This function is found mainly in advanced professional models at 48 W and higher; lower power extremely rarely leads to discomfort, and for relatively “weak” lamps additional adjustment is considered unnecessary. We also note that specific methods of power control may be different: in some models it changes smoothly, in others - stepwise, with several fixed values (including by turning on/off a certain number of lamps or LEDs), in others these control formats are combined (for example, there is a fixed maximum intensity mode and a standard mode with smooth adjustment). These details should be clarified separately. However, in any case, if the lamp is purchased for professional use, and the number of users is potentially unlimited, then power adjustment is highly desirable. This feature slightly increases the cost, but in return you will ge...t comfortable use and grateful customers.

A handle on the top of the housing makes it easy to carry the lamp from place to place.

This feature is found mainly in rather expensive, powerful and, as a result, heavy models. At the same time, in most of them , the carrying handle is made folding: it rises to a vertical position only for transportation, and the rest of the time it is neatly hidden in a special recess in the case.

— Electronic (push-button). Button control is considered classic. The operation of the buttons is based on mechanical action, the switch must be pressed down with a finger to close the contact and activate the actuator. Of the advantages of push-button control, it can be noted: simple design, high reliability, long service life.

— Touch. The touch control panel responds to tactile inputs, that is, the touch of your fingers. There are no moving parts in the touch buttons that are subject to mechanical wear. For this reason, this type of buttons is highly reliable and durable.

— No buttons. Usually, the motion sensor controls the activation and deactivation of the ultraviolet emitter in such models. To start the lamp, you just need to connect it to the power supply and place your fingers in the working chamber. Irradiation will begin immediately after the motion sensor detects the presence of fingers. Turning off the lamp occurs either after 120 seconds of operation of the emitter, or after removing the fingers from the working area. But there are also simpler models on the market, in which the UV emitter turns on immediately when the device is connected to the power supply. Of course, there are disadvantages in lamps with control without buttons. Chief among them is limited functionality. These lamps do not have any settings. You can not adjust the timer, nor the brightness, nor the type of backlight. Such models are equipped only with a screen so t...hat you can control the radiation time.

— Rotary switch. Rotary switch (regulator, wheel) — a kind of push-button mechanical control. If the buttons need to be pressed down, then the knob should be rotated. The rotary switch usually sets the timer, but there are lamps for manicure, in which you can set the value of power, brightness and change the values of other parameters with the regulator. Such a switch is well suited for fine tuning. It is convenient to make smooth adjustment by turning the wheel.

Service life of the light source installed in the lamp. For combined models such as UV+LED and CCFL+LED (see “Lamp type”), this paragraph, as a rule, indicates the service life of all such sources - that is, the approximate operating time before failure of at least one of them.

In general, UV emitters have the shortest service life these days, but CCFL and LED lamps are much more durable. However, lamps of the same type can also differ markedly in this indicator. In such cases, you should assume that a more durable light source will cost more, but with intensive use, the long service life definitely outweighs the price difference. And vice versa: if you plan to use it infrequently (for example, a lamp is bought “at home, for yourself”), you should not specifically pursue models with a long service life.