my wife and I live in the midwest ; in the winter the sun do not come up until well after 8:00 AM . we have a tough time get up , and think a dawn simulator might do the trick . long story short , this one do not . in fairness , I have to give this model 2 star -- but only from a ease-of-use standpoint . it be very easy to master , technically speak . but in term of functionality , this thing be a stinker . the `` dawn simulator '' only emit 96 lumen of light -lrb- less than a quarter of what be produce by a forty watt lightbulb -rrb- . my wife and I be not `` gently awaken '' by such a paltry little light -lrb- just roll away from it , and it be effectively not even there -rrb- , so we awake to the jarring sound of the buzzer every morning . the light be so weak , in fact , that it be not even enough to keep we awake ! in addition , the digital clock display be so bright that I have to fall asleep face away from it -- it actually cast shadow on the wall ! what a shame that the extra intensity could not have go into the main light ... for those with sad -lrb- or who just can not seem to wake up on winter day -rrb- , I would strongly advise you to purchase a different product . this one just do not do the trick .