I'd like to buy a VIOLET RAY machine, but there are so many
to choose from. I want to know which manufacturers made the
best ones.
A VIOLET RAY device is a handheld high-voltage transformer
(technically, an Oudin coil) into which is inserted a glass
tube usually filled with argon, but sometimes with neon or
other ionizable gas. The tubes come in numerous shapes,
common forms being mushroom (stalk plus disk-like head) and
rake (like a little rake, usually with five or six tines).
Most units come with 1 to 3 interchangable tubes, but a
really deluxe outfit may have 20 or more different probes.
These were popular during the first half of the 20th
century, used by chiropractors and other practitioners of
alternative therapies. When in operation, there would be
long glowing streamers and sparks inside the glass. And when
pressed against the human body, they would glow even more,
with lots of dramatic activity near the point of contact.
This must have impressed the rubes mightily.
These units are not rare, and manufacture of new units has
not entirely ceased. However, most of the units offered for
sale on eBay are antiques. Brands commonly appearing are
Elco, Master, Renulife, Shelton, and Violetta.
I'm surprised how many of these units appear on eBay, and
the high prices they fetch. I figure this strong market
could not be supported by collectors of antiques and odd
things alone. I suspect they are being used "professionally"
by a large number of alternative practitioners. Of course,
my interest is purely for collecting purposes.
I'd like advice on which units have the best reliability. I
mean, of course, reliable electrical function without regard
to therapeutic effectiveness for any particular purpose. I'm
mostly concerned with transformer failure, deterioration of
the cord, etc. I realize there will be large variation from
unit-to-unit based on how much use it's had, but there must
also be a lot of variation due to manufacturer and model.
I'll use my own judgement on age and wear from the photos on
eBay. What I want is any advice on particular machines known
to be good quality vs. ones known to be junk.