Hi all, I got my SND on friday, and wore it to bed last night. I deicded to just sleep with it off, so I could become more accustomed to it(also, when i did test cues in bed, I realized that in the middle of the night, they could completely freak me out, so i decided to ease into it). Anyways, I woke up in the morning and the SND was on the floor. I know that some people have said they probably threw it off subconsciously while the cues were going off, but obviously that wasn't the case here. Anyone have advice for me? Maybe all I can do is just keep on wearing it to try and get ajusted. My other questions...

1. The the SND clock is off. I live on the east coast, but it is still set to west coast time(which is evident when i turn the ND on, then turn it off after 5 mins, then hotsync it and upload the data to to my computer, at which point it says the time on the west coast, give or take a couple mintues). So how do you reset the clock? I was under the impression that it would do that automatically, but that does not seem to be the case, as I have connected my SND to my computer frequently. I have a windows XP PC, i am wondering if that might change things...

2)Also, I am doing the course in lucid dreaming. Did others that did the course not use their ND to help bring them lucidty, until they are that far thru the course? It seems tempting to do that now...

Thanks a lot. Answers to ANY of these questions would be extremely helpful.

Matt

Matt- The SND clock is set by your PC using it's internal clock. If you go in to the settings reset the ND via your SND interface the time should sync. You can check this by turning on the ND for 10min turning if off and then uploading the file. The file should be ~10min past the time you set and stamped .

BTW, ND & SND are NOT required to practice and produce LDing. Think of the ND as an exercise machine or 'training wheels'. TLI as reported a 3-4X increase in LD activity WHEN used in conjunction with the MILD, Napping and other foundation techniques described in EWLD etc. "training wheels without the bike will get you no-where fast..." -- Dominick

Hi Matt,

Regarding tossing off the mask mid-night, this is a familiar question that has been answered many times on the Forum. You can find several suggestions for dealing with this mysterious mishap (including how to handle mischievous night elves) by using the Keyword Search feature in the main Forum menu. If all else fails, get the glue! ;)

May your dreams be sweet and filled with brilliant lights! Keelin

Keelin and Dominick , Good news, I am able to sleep through the night with my ND on, although not without slight difficulties. The only night I did sleep the whole night with it on, my ears were sore the next morning, so last night I decided to loosen it, but that just allowed it to fall off. I guess I'll just have to find a happy medium. One other thing though: The top of every persons ear is shaped differently, though always in one of two patterns. For some people, the flesh on the top of the ear folds over, making a crease and the top piece of skin is naturally almost flush against the rest of the ear. for others, the piece of skin at the top of the ear does not fold over, but curves a little bit, then points outward(I hope you can understand what I mean). Anyways, I am familiar with both of them: one of my ears has each of these features.(This trait appears in a couple of my family members We're special) So anyways, my main problem is that on the ear where the piece of skin doesn't fold over, the ND strap rubbed against and made my ear really sore. So, if you would, what kind of ear shape do you have? Any suggestions with how to reduce the irritation? Maybe i should put some soft cloth or cottonballs there, to prevent irritation. Also, one other question. so far, my ND has not gone off once while I have been sleeping(all I have enabled is the DreamAlarm feature.) The night I slept with it on most of the night, I woke up at 5 AM and my ear was sore, so I took it off. I had set it to give me cues from 1-7 AM though, and I was not sure why between 1-5 I got no alarm cues from it. Does that seem normal? Also, it is possible to not recieve cues(cue type 0), but still have the DreamAlarm be on, correct? Also, if i leave the ND in mode 0 without the DreamAlarm even on, it will collect data for me to make sure it is operating properly, right? Finally, what sensitivity setting do you suggest starting out with? Thank you very much in advace for the help. Our family is taking a trip to the carribean from the 20th to the 30th of this month, and It will be a great time to focus on lucid dreaming. For once, I'll be able to wake up late and not worry about school-having to get up early is bad for dream recall in itself, but when you get up early and have gotten little sleep, its pretty impossible to recollect your dreams, forget about having the time to be able to write them down. One last thing: I have been noticing a pttern between events in my waking life and my dreams that have a strong correlation, and I don't remember this happenng before, it's very interesting nevertheless. Thanks for your responses- Yours in lucid dreaming, Matt

One other thing. The past two days when I have uploaded my ND data, it has been saying that it gave me no cues. I guess it is possible since that i did not dream till after 5 AM, but from what i know about dreaming, it happens all night long. Like I said earlier, I have the ND set to cue type: 0 and the dream alarm feature on. Using this combination, it should still say how many cues it gave me, just as if I had set it to another cue type mode, right? I'm thinking maybe it would only report cues that are intended to make you lucid. Also, the ND keeps on reporting that it was on for 640 minutes, does it say that no matter what you do? Thanks so much, Matt

PS-Answers to these questions would be extremely helpful to me before we leave on our trip, as the trip will be a prime tiime to test out the ND. Thanks again.

Hi Matt,

Since you're so soon to leave on vacation, I'd advise taking the manual with you -- along with the Course and EWLD (book) -- and conducting a few tests with the different preset modes (2-4). As a reminder, Mode 1 is the adjustable mode which allows you to select settings individually and Mode 0 is OFF. So if you've been trying to work in Mode 0, that would explain why you've not been getting any cue count!

Have fun on your vacation, explore the ND a bit further, and enjoy sleeping in. ;) When you return, let me know what you've discovered and I'll be happy to help you with any new questions.

Brilliant dreams to you! Keelin

Keelin, Thanks for the help but, you misunderstood me(its hard sometimes knowing what someone is saying when all u have is a message): by cue type mode, I was talking about the SND computer interface: I know that to use that your ND with settings you that you chose it must be in setting one(using that dial thingy.) This will probably change your answers.

Also, we have a laptop, so lucklily I'll be able to use the ND to its fullest. thanks

Matt

Hey All, I thought I would just report on how things are going for me. During the trip I mentioned above, where I was highly anticipating using the SND, I got some sort of virus, and was completely in need of good old fashioned sleep(I slept a LOT), and I didn't really think it would be a good time to use the ND...Oh well.

One very interesting thing did happen though, in regards to dreaming. The day we were leaving, I wanted to get up early and take pictures of the sunrise, which I heard was spectacular. So anyways, I slept on a couch in the living room, where the pre-dawn light would wake me up(and I usually wake up right when I want to, however early that may be.) So, I went to bed, and the next morning woke up a little before sunrise, and decided to lay in bed a little longer before getting up and taking pictures. However, I fell back asleep, and dreampt the sun was rising, but there were so many clouds over it that I couldn't see it. After that, I woke up, and indeed the sun was rising. Pretty strange huh? It was a rather cool experience nonetheless.

But anyways, I want to get back on track with my SND and my course in lucid dreaming, which I have sadly neglected because I've been too busy and sleep deprived, but I can work around that quite easily.

So heres my problem. Since I have gotten the ND,it has not reported one cue to me. I've made sure the sensor isn't being blocked, and all that other stuff, but no luck. So, what should I do? If i turn it on and leave it on a table where light can get to it, would a functioning ND record cues? I just want to find a foolproof way to know if it has a problem or not. My concern is that the REM sensor is completely dead. Thanks in advance for your help, Matt

Hi Mat,

Thanks for posting your question to the Forum. Below are step-by-step instructions for testing the REM sensor as well as other FAQ regarding the NovaDreamer.

Q. HOW MANY NOVADREAMER CUES IS ENOUGH? A. One. That's all it takes to become lucid, if your mind is properly prepared! On the other hand, it helps to have more than one chance to become lucid, and in general, you want as many cues as possible without unduly disturbing your sleep. For light sleepers, this may mean 4-6 cues per 8 hour night. Deep sleepers may need more, on the order of 10-20.

NOT GETTING ENOUGH CUES WITH THE NOVADREAMER? Improper positioning of the board within the mask is the most common cause of low sensitivity in the NovaDreamer. Make sure that both the IR emitter and sensors are not covered by the mask.

Also, people with very dark skin will often get too few cues with a standard NovaDreamer (we can customize the device to work better in such cases). Sometimes the NovaDreamer has a defective sensor or infrared light source which can be diagnosed by a special test mode on the NovaDreamer described below.

NOVADREAMER TEST MODE

1. Take the NovaDreamer board out of the cloth mask.
2. Remove one of the batteries from the NovaDreamer.
3. Switch the NovaDreamer to Mode 0 (off).
4. Hold down the Reality Test/Delay button on the NovaDreamer while re-inserting the battery. Make sure to not release the button until the battery is in full contact; when it is back in place, release the button.
5. Now press the button once; the NovaDreamer should emit a high pitched beep, followed by a low pitched "meep". (If it doesn't, go back to step 2 and try again.) Now every eight seconds the NovaDreamer will measure the amount of eye-movements you make and count out by flashing and beeping the left (tens) and right (ones) LEDs. For example, 2 long beeps and left LED flashes followed by 4 short beeps and right LED flashes means a count of 24. The values can range from 0 to 255.
6. Put the board back in the mask (taking care to not press the button). Put the mask on in a dark room and compare the counts when you move your eyes and when you hold them still. You should be able to get values (in the dark) near zero if you don't move your eyes, and over 100 if you do move your eyes. Very low numbers with little or no change between many eye movements and few eye movements suggests a problem with the NovaDreamer, in which case you should contact the Lucidity Institute for repairs.
7. Press the button again to exit test mode.

Bright Dreams to all! Keelin

Keelin, Thanks a lot for your help. I had a feeling there had to be an easier way to tell if the sensor was working. Anyways, the sensor is definately working. When I put it on and didn't move my eyes, I got 0 or close to 0 everytime. A quick question though. When i moved my eyes, to make sure it was working correctly(immitating REM sleep) I almost always got 255 or 254. Is that normal? I never seemed to get anything else but the two extremes.

Thanks so much, Matt

Hi Matt,

From your description of test results, it would appear your NovaDreamer is functioning properly. The high count may simply indicate that you were moving your eyes a lot during that portion of the test. If you have any further concerns, just let us know.

Bright dreams! Keelin

Hello,

Sorry to cross post this question, but I no one noticed it on the Nova Dreamer thread. I'm generally deciding whether I get the SuperNovaDreamer or the SuperNovaDream upgrade for my NovaDreamer.

Question #1 What is the difference between the NovaDreamer+SuperNovaDreamerUpgrade and the SuperNovaDreamer? Does it become exactly the same as the SuperNovaDreamer when you add the upgrade, or are there any differences. For example, does the SND require batteries, or does the whole unit run by plugging it into the wall? The ND+SNDUpgrade seems to run on batteries as well as the wall socket.

Question #2 Will I need the International Adapter for the upgrade to SND? I'm in Japan and Japan is a 100 volt country. The plug shape is standard American w/ground and the Frequency/Hertz is 60. (I actually have no idea what all this means--I just got the info off a website.)

I appreciate any feedback. (Even someone letting me know that my posts are apprearing in the forum.)

Gordon Wilson

Hi Gordon, Well your posts appear to be appearing. If you look at the catalogue section of the Lucidity Institute site (as opposed to the forum site) you could probably find answers to your questions, as far as I can tell the supernova is a seperate computer interface that works in conjunction with the novadreamer and enables users to run all kinds of add on functions (tempted?) I just dug mine out of its dust covered box looking at the lead for the power supply I know I'm going to need an adaptor (I'm in England) so you probably will to, an intial glance at the manual makes no mention of batteries.

Hi Gordon!

Sorry for the delay in responding to your questions. All you need is the upgrade to turn your existing NovaDreamer into a SuperNovaDreamer. No additional batteries are required, but you will want to purchase an international adapter in order to plug the interface unit into a wall socket. The interface unit will not be attached to the mask during your dreamtime. It can remain next to your computer where you can conveniently plug the mask into it in the morning for downloading data.

I think you'll be amazed at how much fun and easier it is to work with the SND. It makes settings adjustment and record keeping a breeze, and it's absolutely fascinating to see a graphical display of the night's record.

Bright dreams! Keelin

Are there new products on the horizon?

I happened across a website which said they were currently sold out of NDs. They went on to say a new version of the product would be available in the fall.

Anyone got any information on new products? Since I just got through blasting the Institute for resting on its laurels, a good comeback would be new and improved products. On the other hand, I remember what happened to Osborne Computer when they announced their new model too soon. They went broke because everyone waited for the new computer, and Osborne was left with a warehouse full of old units.

"And some folks thought 'twas a dream they'd dreamed of sailing that beautiful sea -- But I shall name you the fishermen three: Winken, Blinken, and Nod."

I am interested in getting a little more feedback on the Nova Dreamer Test Mode.

I have just performed the ND test and have found similar results to the postings above.

I got extremes of readings i.e. iether 0 or 255, I found it very very difficult to get anything else.

I did manage a couple of times to get 1 hundred and something, and twenty something, but this was very rare.

What I found particularly odd, was that when lying still (in a darkened room) with my eyes closed and concentrating very hard not to move my eyes, I got readings of close to 255. I could repeat the same experiment again and get close to zero. If I moved my eyes just a tiny amount, I always got 255 every time.

The sensor seems to be extrememly sensitive to even the slightest degree of motion. Is this normal?.

Cheers Geoff.

Hi Geoff,

Rather than take the space here, I've sent detailed instructions for testing the sensor functionality of the NovaDreamer to you by email. Please let us know if this answers your concerns or if you have any further problems with the device. We want to be sure it's working correctly so you can start having those bright, flashing-cue-induced lucid dreams!

[*]-)

Keelin

Thankyou Keelin for sending me the email. Thank you also to Nathen at TLI for writing these extra instructions. I think I will find them very useful, and no doubt they will put my mind at rest, that my ND sensor is in fact working fine.

I will let you know how I get on.

Cheers Geoff.

I performed the tests according to the instruction provided in the email. The results were indeed withing the ranges expected, so I conclude that my device is indeed working correctly.

I am surprised at just how sensitive the infrared sensor is. One quick sweep of the finger, one inch from the sensor, in a darkened room produces a count of 255. Moving the finger just about as fast as is humanly possible across the sensor still produces a reading in double figures. Leaving the sensor untouched produces a reading of zero as expected.

Now all I have to do is recognise the ques while I am sleeeping (sounds so easy, (NOT!)) Hopefully this will come with practise.

Cheers Geoff.

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for the update -- glad to hear your NovaDreamer is functioning as it should. Any yes, all you kneed now is practice -- and intention. Oh, and don't forget to have fun. The cues can come in all kinds of clever disguise, so keep your dream eyes open and enjoy the challenge!

What's the bright spot over there? ;) Keelin