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Comment by tdedecko | Hacker News Reader

Surprised that Zeo wasn't mentioned in the article. The startup just launched their product 2 weeks ago. It helps track your sleep patterns using a head band that reads brain activity. The software analyzes this information to help improve your sleep. It also has an alarm clock that waits until you are no longer in deep sleep to wake you up.

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Looks very interesting since their technology actually measures brain waves instead of just physical activity. However, the cost of it $400 is a bit expensive.

Expensive relative to what? Let's say you do fixed-cost software development and you know that you can get 5% more done when you sleep well. If your goal is to earn $50/hour, then you'd pay for the device in about seven months. I use a CPAP, and I bet the co-pays alone for the sleep studies to determine that I needed it exceeded $400.

*Presuming you could train yourself to sleep sufficiently better to work 5% better (in whatever units better is)

"Presuming you could train yourself to sleep sufficiently better to work 5% better (in whatever units better is)"

That's the thing, I know I wouldn't be able to presume that - trying something like this out would be an experiment for me, and I couldn't justify spending that amount of money on an experiment. Still, it's a very cool concept, and if a had a testimonial from a friend I would be more tempted.

I agree with you -- the risk-adjusted rate of return may not be so good.

Are you buying one of these? I'm really tempted.

My wife pointed it out to me. It's kind of a light-weight version of the huge wiring harness they attach to you when you get a sleep study. I'm tempted as well.

I wonder if there is any first-hand user experience out there. The short summary of clinical trials looks very promising so far.

You can check out what two users have said on their blogs about Zeo here: http://bit.ly/DxKdF and here: http://bit.ly/okzE2

Or you can let us know if you have any questions in particular on twitter - @Zeology

Hope this helps, -Derek@Zeo

$400 is cheap, a real EEG device will cost you about $800. This is excellent news.

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