The stimulation glasses used in light/sound systems are usually like normal sunglasses, with some sort of light source mounted in front of the eyes. This page discusses the various choices available in light/sound glasses and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Physical stuff:  The glasses should be light and should fit you comfortably. The cord to the electronics unit should be long enough that you can lean back in a chair without pulling the system off the table. A very flexible cord is nice. Many glasses have the internal electronics riveted to the glasses. A single rivet in the center, the weakest point of the glasses, leads to early breakage. Photosonix glasses use two rivets offset from the center, avoiding the weak spot.

Light source:Two kinds of light sources are available,LEDs(light emitting diodes) andincandescentbulbs (special flashlight bulbs).

LED glasses

Until early 1998,LEDswere always monochromatic, with red and green the most common colors and yellow and orange as options.Red LEDsare thebrightest, and while the eye is most sensitive in the orange/yellow part of the spectrum red seems to give stronger stimulation. Some people find red harsh, even with the intensity turned down, and as a result prefer green. Some manufacturers have mixed LED colors in an effort to approximate broad spectrum light. All LED based light frames are designed to be used with the eyesclosed-- the eyelids diffuse the light and add to the experience, unless otherwise specified.

LEDs conduct electricity in one direction only, so the polarity of the drive circuitry (either "Common Ground" CG or "Common Power" CP) in your Light/Sound system makes a difference. When ordering add-on glasses,be sureto specify the manufacturer and model of your light/sound system. See list of manufacturers and models polarity reference at the end of this page...

Polarity list:
 "CG"Common Groundand "CP"Common Powerglasses polarities and the corresponding models:

"CG"Polarity:
PHOTOSONIX: Nova Pro 100, Muse, Muse#, Halcyon, ProTutor, Expander, Galaxy and Nova Models
Mind Gear: all models
IQ: IQ 1,2,3 and Jr. model.

"CP"Polarity:
PHOTOSONIX: Nova Pro, Galaxy Pro
Synetic Systems: all models
Mindplace: Orion
DAVID: all models
IQ: IQ Tutor and IQ 9110
Zygon: Mind Quest.

LED glasses choices

Red Glasses:Unless otherwise specified, Red color LED glasses have always been the standard color glasses we ship with our systems (it is only recently that the TruWhite glasses surpassed the Red in popularity). The red is still the basic color, red LEDs provide a wide range of visuals for majority of people.

Green Glasses:The Green LED glasses are recommended for people who find the red "harsh". They are less bright than the red and thus more soothing for some individuals. Some even call the glasses in the Green color "healing".

Yellow Glasses:Yellow LED glasses are used primarily by individuals that like to change the visuals by changing glasses and colors. The Yellow LEDs are less intense in color than the Red and Green.

Orange/Amber glasses:Also called Amber, the Orange glasses are an in-between choice between the Red and the Yellow. For those that find the Red too intense but the Green too dim, the Orange glasses is the choice.

TruWhite™glasses:In early 1998,whiteLEDs became available, due to a new manufacturing process involving phosphorescent dyes and luminance conversion. A breakthrough in technology we felt was important to introduce. Thus, the PhotosonixTruWhite™glasses using the newwhiteLEDs. The true white spectrum LED lights (4 per eye) take the stimulation to a deeper and more intensive level. TheTruWhite™glasses received rave reviews in initial testing from both Tools for Exploration and Michael Landgraf. TheTruWhite™light frames work on any of our models but are at their best and most bright on the Nova Pro 100 or the Nova Pro.

The name TruWhite™reflects the experience and the fact that the white LEDs make incandescent "white" lights look quite yellow. The glasses provide a spectacular experience and a significant leap forward in AVS (Audio Visual Stimulation).‰

The advantage of the full spectrum white light, combined with the fast response time of LEDs, make a very effective light/sound stimulation source. Put the TruWhite™glasses on... close your eyes ...and see just about every color imaginable.

Only one company makes the LEDs and they are more expensive than the regular kind but we think that they are well worth the price. The customer response for the TruWhite‰glasses has been great. The TruWhite™glasses work with all models and manufacturers of L/S systems (not just PHOTOSONIX), and are available in two polarities, see the polarity list at the beginning of this page. 

CoolBlue™glasses:another often requested color that is now available in bright blue. The blue color has a soft/cool seductive tone. Blue hue and brightness added a relaxation experience one beta tester called "in the moon realm" and "weightless". This need not mean anything to you now, but try a pair and let us know. This definitely is "see to believe" experience. Available in two polarities, see the polarity list at the beginning of this page.

Indigo glasses:Red/Blue combination (2 LEDs each color per eye). A new experience in great color combination for vivid images. A new spectrum of light to bathe your senses in. 
Here is what one of our customers had to say about the Indigo glasses: "I just wanted to write and let you know that your Indigo glasses are excellent. They truly offer a new experience and improve my ability to see vivid images. I truly want to thank you for providing such excellent product to the public". Rick Gallant, Nevis, Minnesota.

Spectrum Pro glasses:Red/Green combination (2 LEDs each color per eye). By popular demand our Spectrum (Pro) glasses were reintroduced. With two major improvements. The Spectrum Pro glasses have the bright red and green LEDs (the brightness of the TruWhite™glasses) and they also include the CCM (color control mode) switch. The switch allows the glasses to operate in two modes, the conventional one (left/right) and CCM (red/green control) modes. Great spectrum of color, great brightness, control and a choice of color to boot. You will not be disappointed. 

Ultra Green glasses:Our customers are constantly asking us to make brighter glasses.The Ultra Green glasses are made with LEDs (4 LEDs per eye) of the same brightness as our best selling TruWhite™glasses. The best way to experience the cool green color in the brightest mode available.

Can't decide? Try the Color Adventure set:

TheColor Adventure Set is the brainchild of Jeff Labno, a Light and Sound Specialist since 1978 . The Color Adventure set is a plastic carrying case with 6 glasses: TruWhite™, Cool Blue™, pvStim™ Red, Green, Orange/Amber and Yellow. For those that like to experiment with color this is the most economical way to purchase glasses. Available in two polarities, see the polarity list at the beginning of this page.

pvStim™glasses

Used with the eyes open thePvStim™glasses offer peripheral vision stimulation. Mounted in a clear lens glasses so you can see through the lens, the LEDs in this model are located in the peripheral vision area, allowing for indirect and softer light stimulation. They are often used in EEG biofeedback, and can be used with the eyes open. The glasses permit you to see through the clear lens, allowing you to perform many tasks like music, reading., art, writing and computer work. They may help turn your light and sound experience into a thinking pad!

Note: pvStim™glassesare not available in the Indigo color. 

NEW...
hemiStim™glasses

PHOTOSONIX proudly introduces the new addition to our product line, thehemiStim™*glasses.
What do they do?
ThehemiStim™glasses utilize the left and right visual field LEDs in a pattern that targets the left and/or right hemisphere independently. Different frequency stimulation of the hemispheres is thus possible.

Click here to see an illustration of the way your eyes are wired to the brain:

ThehemiStim™glasses allow the left or the right visual field LEDs on both eyes to light simultaneously thus stimulating the hemispheres independently**. The glasses are used with your eyes open, or the effect is lost. 
Note: The glasses have a built in switch that actually allows two different modes: hemiStim and pvStim.With this option both, the left eye/right eye (pvStim mode) as well as left hemisphere/right hemisphere (hemiStim) modes are possible. Most widely used with EEG equipment, the hemiStim glasses also work with the PHOTOSONIX MidiStim interface unit and the Nova Pro 100.

Note: hemiStim™glassesare not available in the Indigo color. 

Incandescent lights glasses

Incandescent bulbs give broad spectrum light (tending toward yellow), but have the disadvantage that they involve heat, so they cannot turn off and on quickly. Their switching performance degrades rapidly above 15 Hertz or so. Incandescent bulb glasses are usually made with a translucent shield over the bulbs, allowing the glasses to be used with the eyes open. Incandescent glasses do not have a polarity.

The PhotosonixLumaSoftincandescent white light glasses are no longer available, they are replaced with the TruWhite glasses.