I placed this item in my living room in a window that gets sunlight about 6 or 7 hours a day in the winter. It really needs direct sunlight in order to spin. In fact, if it doesn't have very strong sunlight, it'll make a ticking noise as the gears click against each other.This is probably because the motor doesn't have enough electricity (from the solar panel) to move it foward, but has enough to make some of the gears move. Since it does make a noise that could bother you, if you're not a heavy sleeper, and you like to sleep after the sun has hit your windows, I wouldn't recommend this for a bedroom.
The rainbows are nice and reach across the room. They really are fun to watch and move in ways you don't quite expect. I'm thinking of finding crystals with two holes in them and stringing them on this rainbow maker. The more crystals, the more rainbows right? Adding crystals would just mean unbending the wire that holds on the current crystal, and adding the new crystal in between so the one it comes with is on the bottom (as it has only one hole).
The rainbow maker also works through our sheer curtains and casts fuzzy rainbows along the wall as well as tiny little rainbows on our curtain. Even when it isn't spinning, as long as it's receiving direct sunlight, it's casting rainbows around the room. It really helps you become more conscious of the passage of time and the movement of the clouds in front of the sun.
In addition to the suction cup, it also has a hook for hanging on a piece of string. I bought one for my mother and she's thinking of hanging it outside in a screened in room for the cats to play with.
The cats were amused by the rainbows, though if you leave it in the window all the time, it becomes less interesting after a while. After a a few days, they barely paid attention to it, but every once in a while would notice it again and start chasing the rainbows. Sometimes when it ticks the cats just become interested in the ticking thing on the window.
Like any piece of art, you must pay some attention to it for it to really work it's charms, and like any piece of art it can serve to brighten up the room just by it's being there.
If you have a window that gets direct sunlight, this piece of art will surely brighten up your room & mood, especially if you're around during the day. It's no substitute for going outside, but if you have to be indoors, this will help bring a little of the outdoors in.
This is also a great conversation piece, provided you have your friends over during the day. One or more of these could really brighten up a public space. It also strikes me as being a good gift for baby... A self-powered mobile that uses rainbows and the power of the sun. As a simple, enjoyable, fun piece of art, it also makes a great gift.
