Daily News, Wed, 20 Sep 2006

The 80’s brought us Dallas, Madonna and MTV. It was also a decade when novelty items like the lava lamp were the must-have accessory at parties or simply for the sheer enjoyment at home.

With technology advancing in leaps and bounds, it was only a matter of time before ’groovy’ things like lava lamps were replaced by funkier and more contemporary products.

With the introduction of the Laserpod to from UK light artist Chris Levine, we are waiving goodbye to the lava lamp and saying hello to the alluring little pod.

Designed in the UK and manufactured in Hong Kong, the Laserpod has a worldwide patent with only one manufacturing company.

Firewater Light is a Johannesburg-based company that has exclusive distribution rights of the pod in South Africa.

Alon Berman, Managing member of Firewater Light says that although he does not have exact figures of sales, in the past few months they have sold 1,250 units and are awaiting their next shipment in time for Christmas.

The lamp uses light emitting diodes (LED’s) which are blue, purple and red and is projected through a crystal, which diffracts and produces the beautiful light display.

The laserpod has the best effect when used in a completely dark room and has 12 variable display options.

It is portable and uses three alkaline AA batteries, which allow it to last for eight hours, or you can run it directly from the mails on its powerpack.

The pod comes with an aluminium laserpod projector lamp unit, electroplated tall and small domed diffuser, and a crystal, glass refractor lens, DC adaptor, three AA alkaline battery compartment, an information booklet on light and an instruction leaflet to get your pod up and running.

The laserpod retails at R649 which includes Vat and postage when purchasing online at www.laserpod.co.za.

So if you’re already wondering about Christmas gifts or an unusual birthday gift idea, the laserpod is an interesting choice. Illuminate any room, liven up any party.

The laserpod looks set to become the lava lamp of the 21st century.