The BIG DreamMaker topic

I realize I don’t need a device like this, but I’d love to try one out. :smile:
The remdreamer is $200 Canadian, about $160 American I suppose, much less than the $340 American Dreammaker and certainly wayyyyy less than the discontinued NovaDreamer, which is upwards of $600 American. :neutral:
I think if I choose to spend my money ona device like this, I’ll make it the most inexpensive one :content:

DreamMaker, NovaDreamer, Bruce Gelerter, Wellness Tools

WARNING! BEWARE!
If you are considering purchasing the DreamMaker from Bruce Gelerter, Wellness Tools, please be very careful.
From my experience of owning the DreamMaker Basic for over 1 month and the customer service that I have been given by Bruce Gelerter, CEO of Wellness Tools, I can not recommend the DreamMaker Basic as a viable alternative to the Lucidity Institute’s NovaDreamer.

Vendor information:

Bruce Gelerter
Wellness Tools
(aka, dba) - Electromedical Research LLC

3107 W. Colorado Avenue #171
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904
U.S.A.

1-877-686-8999
719-686-8999
cell phone - 719-330-8439

bruceg@wellnesstools.com – primary email
customers@wellnesstools.com
productsupport@wellnesstools.com
sales@wellnesstools.com

Since sending the following email to Bruce Gelerter stating my concerns of the DreamMaker Basic, Bruce Gerlerter has changed his webpages to reflect the issues that I had pointed out.

The main DreamMaker Basic page contained language that implied that that the DreamMaker Basic is (Quote)
“a single device that will guide you into the Alpha State which is where dreams take place. Then after “parking you” there the Dreammaker will go into REM detection. Now here is the best part - once it detects Rapid Eye Movement (REM) you will have a choice of either having a light pulse which is how the Nova Dreamer worked, or it can signal a pre-programmed audio tape or CD that is made by YOU with YOUR voice and your suggestions or affirmations.”

*** This claim has not been changed from the previous webpage on which I based my purchase. There is no reference in the owner’s manual I received to configure the DreamMaker Basic into guiding a person into the Alpha state. ***

The second part of that claim states that (the DreamMaker) (Quote)
“it can signal a pre-programmed audio tape or CD that is made by YOU with YOUR voice and your suggestions or affirmations.”

*** This is not possible with the DreamMaker Basic which I received, although in the new specifications webpage, there is an inference that this may be possible as an upgradeable option. ***

Another claim that was made in the previous webpage on which I based my purchase touted the inclusion of Electromyography (EMG) components to aid in REM detection.
The current DreamMaker Basic webpage now states that EMG is not used but there is now an (Quote)
““Automatic Gain Circuit”. This will adjust the sensitivity of the detector during the night based on how much background light there is. The less light the more sensitive and the better the accuracy.”

*** This claim of an “Automatic Gain Control” would be difficult for the layman to validate. As an electronics technician, I would like to see a schematic to verify how this is done. ***

In my opinion, the DreamMaker Basic is poorly designed, not adequately tested, rushed into production and overall, a worthless piece of crap.

This is my experience of owning the DreamMaker Basic and the customer service that I have been given by Bruce Gelerter, CEO Wellness Tools. You are strongly encouraged to seek more information before you commit $350 to this product or $500 for the pre-order DreamMaker PRO model and definitely, if you are going to pay $1000, the regular price for the DreamMaker PRO model.

After my email postings, I will be posting a comprehensive list of documented complaints against Bruce Gelerter.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Steve Pertubal
rassle_co@sbcglobal.net


The following is a copy of the email I sent to Bruce Gelerter at bruceg@wellnesstools.com and his secondary emails on 10 April 2005


Bruce Gelerter,

You will be glad to know that I received my DreamMaker on Monday, 14 March. I suppose you will also be glad to know that you will succeed in pissing off at least another 100 people that were anxiously awaiting their pre-order special of “The next generation ‘NovaDreamer called the DreamMaker’”.

Let me first say that I am also an electronics technician, not a very good one. I couldn’t tell you the ass end of a diode, but I think I would be embarrassed to claim the DreamMaker as my design and to put my company’s name on it.

Let us review the NovaDreamer owner’s manual and operating manual to set the minimum expectations that we should expect from the DreamMaker. Let us also examine the claims that you have presented on your DreamMaker page at
wellnesstools.com/dreammaker.php

Be aware that I received a one page owner’s manual for my DreamMaker and no Operating instructions whatsoever.

  1. Lucidity cues – the NovaDreamer appears to have two LEDs and a small speaker.

*** The DreamMaker has eight LEDs and a small speaker. Now four times the Lucidity cues may seem like a good thing, but in reality, the only difference it makes is having four times the battery drain. This is a very bad thing. ***

  1. The Reality Testing Button – the NovaDreamer has the Reality Testing Button conveniently placed in the middle of the mask, prominently there in front.

*** The DreamMaker has a Reality Testing Button located at the top of the circuit board off to the side. Takes some getting used to… ***

  1.  Training Program – the NovaDreamer has the five unit program “A Course in Lucid Dreaming” and the Stephen LaBerge book “Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming”.
    

*** The DreamMaker has a workbook written by Kevin P. Loiselle and has the same book written by Stephen LaBerge. ***

  1.  The NovaDreamer and the DreamMaker both have fabric masks with adjustable Velcro straps. 
    

*** (The foam eyepiece of my DreamMaker came unglued after the first use). ***

  1. THE CONTROLS

5.A. THE SLEEPING MODES – The NovaDreamer has four modes

5.A.1. Adjustable – as set by user

5.A.2. Light Sleep – Cue type 1 (both eyes simultaneously, no sound)
2 flashes per second
2 second cue
Intensity level 2

5.A.3. Medium Sleep – Cue type 1 (both eyes simultaneously, no sound)
2 flashes per second
6 second cue
Intensity level 4

5.A.4. Deep Sleep – Cue type 4 (both eyes simultaneously, with sound)
2 flashes per second
10 second cue
Intensity level 5

*** The DreamMaker has an adjustable sleeping mode only. Cue type 1 or 4 (both eyes simultaneously, with or without sound, as set by DIP (Dual In-Line Package) switch 6), 2 flashes per second, 15 second cue, Intensity level – Adjustable ***

5.B. THE CUE ADJUSTMENT – The NovaDreamer has four cue adjustments in the adjustable sleeping mode.

5.B.1. Number – selects the number of times the cue flashes or beeps (from 1 to 255)

*** The DreamMaker does not have this option (fixed 15 second cue) ***

5.B.2. Intensity – Selects among 6 levels of cue brightness and sound

*** The DreamMaker has separate dials for setting cue brightness
and sound levels. ***

5.B.3. Rate – Selects the rate at which the cue flashes and/or beeps (from 1 to 6/sec)

*** The DreamMaker does not have this option. ***

5.B.4. Type – Selects among the following types of cues:
5.B.4.a. Type 0: No Cues
5.B.4.b. Type 1: Light only, flashing in both eyes simultaneously
5.B.4.c. Type 2: Light only, alternating flashes in left and right eyes
5.B.4.d. Type 3: Sound only
5.B.4.e. Type 4: Light and sound, flashing in both eyes simultaneously
5.B.4.f. Type 5: Light and sound, alternating flashes in left and right eyes

*** The DreamMaker has Type 1 or Type 4 cues: Light flashing in both eyes simultaneously, sound on or off as set by DIP switch 6 ***

5.C. THE PERSONAL EYE MOVEMENT ADJUSTMENT MODE (9) - Mode 9 on the dial is for setting the sensitivity of the NovaDreamer. In this mode you can review the number of cues you received the last time you used the device and you can select from 6 levels of sensitivity to eye movements

*** The DreamMaker does not have a personal eye movement adjustment mode.
I WOULD CONSIDER THIS TO BE THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE NOVADREAMER. ***

5.D. THE DELAY– To enable you to fall asleep without being disturbed by cues triggered by the eye movements that normally occur during sleep onset, the NovaDreamer is equipped with a “delay” feature. Starting a delay prevents the NovaDreamer from giving cues for a period of time, so you can fall asleep without interruption. The NovaDreamer provides for an adjustable delay from 0 to at least 80 minutes.

*** The DreamMaker provides for a delay of 0 OR 40 minutes
(as set by DIP switch 4) ***

5.E. THE DREAMALARM – The NovaDreamer provides the DreamAlarm feature to help you develop your dream recall, which is essential for success with lucid dreaming. People are most likely to recall details of a dream if they are awakened from it. If you choose, the DreamAlarm will awaken you from your dreams, so that you may recall them clearly.
The DreamAlarm is a 42 second alarm that flashes brightly and beeps loudly to awaken you. When enabled, the DreamAlarm is activated five minutes after each cue it gives. Thus, when the DreamAlarm awakens you, you will know that five minutes ago, you received a cue from the NovaDreamer. Then, you can remember what you were just dreaming and see if you can recall seeing any incorporation of a lucidity clue in it. If you remember dreaming but not seeing a cue, this is an indication that you need a more noticeable cue.

*** The DreamMaker DOES NOT HAVE a DreamAlarm feature.
I WOULD CONSIDER THIS TO BE THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE THAT THE NOVADREAMER PROVIDES. READ THE DESCRIPTION AGAIN TO TRY AND UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WOULD BE IMPORTANT. Considering that the DreamMaker has FOUR DUAL CMOS TIMERS, I can only shake my head. ***

Now, to evaluate the claims on your webpage at wellnesstools.com/dreammaker.php

Claim #1
“Imagine if you will a single device that will guide you into the Alpha State which is where dreams take place. Then after “parking you” there the Dreammaker will go into REM detection. Now here is the best part - once it detects Rapid Eye Movement (REM) you will have a choice of either having a light pulse which is how the Nova Dreamer worked, or it can signal a pre-programmed audio tape or CD that is made by YOU with YOUR voice and your suggestions or affirmations. Interesting concept, huh? “

*** OK, Bruce, how does the DreamMaker “guide you into the Alpha State”? How does it park you there? How does it signal a pre-programmed audio tape or CD?
There are no references to the ability to do any of those things in the owner’s manual. There is a connector and an audio plug-in but no mention of how to implement these items. ***

Claim #2
“The first is just like the Nova Dreamer and is called the DreamMaker, and like I said earlier it’s reliable detection of REM is greatly improved over it’s predecessor the Nova Dreamer, here’s why. The Nova Dreamer detects REM via a sensor which bounces light off the eyelid and then filters out noise or rapid movements. This method is somewhat unreliable as you might of heard on newsgroups about the Nova Dreamer. Things like false triggers or no trigger at all. So what we did was to add another way to detect REM. It turns out that Electromyography (EMG) which measures facial tension is another good way to determine REM. By combining these two methods as we have done, increases the reliable detection of REM.”

*** Like I said before, I am an electronics technician and just looking at the circuit board, I can identify the infrared emitter and the photosensor. Would you be kind as to point out the EMG components? There is no mention of them in the owner’s manual. ***

Those are my observations after 4 weeks of owning the DreamMaker. I apologize if I have any of these facts incorrect and would appreciate the opportunity to correct any of these discrepancies. Though I suppose a decent owner’s manual, operating instructions, a tutorial or even a schematic would be too much to ask from you.

I am certain that the only reason I got this DreamMaker is because it would not function as a “PRO” model. I found a defective R19 and numerous cold solder joints

At least, I have this halfway functioning DreamMaker to show for my ignorance… other people, unfortunately, have not been so lucky, have they, Bruce?

I should have heeded the warning signs when I could not pay for my purchase with my Visa or MasterCard. Instead, I had to open a PayPal account. And now, none of your online merchant options seem to be working.

I should have searched the Google newsgroups for “Bruce Gelerter” or “wellnesstools.com” or “Electromedical Research, LLC”.

I should have checked review sites, such as badbusinessbureau.com or epinions.com to find recommendations or warnings about your business practices.

I would send this piece of crap back to you in a heartbeat, but I am certain that would be the last I ever saw of my DreamMaker or the $210.75 special price I paid for the pre-order.
And now the DreamMaker is selling for almost $350, and the “PRO” model, pre-ordering for almost $500 and retailing for almost $1000. Heaven help those who have already fallen for your deceptive advertisements. I hope they have better luck.

It would be nice to get a reply from you, but I’m not holding my breath. I now consider it my moral obligation to warn everyone about the DreamMaker, about you, and your questionable business practices.

Have a nice life.

From: Steve Pertubal

Bruce,
I expected to hear from you long before this, but maybe you didn’t get my previous email, so I am sending to you again in its entireity.

Bruce Gelerter,
You will be glad to know that I received my DreamMaker on Monday, 14 March. I suppose you will also be glad to know that you will succeed in pissing off at least another 100 people that were anxiously awaiting their pre-order special of “The next generation ‘NovaDreamer called the DreamMaker’”.

Steve,
I usually don’t respond to assholes who don’t know what they are talking about. I especially don’t like being judged. I have a lot of happy customers who are able to afford
quality products. I will be posting their testimonials shortly. If you want to judge someone you need to first try going from design to production in just 2 months and keep the assholes off your butt!!!
Bruce Gelerter - CEO
Wellness Tools

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve & Leah Pertubal [mailto:rassle_co@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 5:12 AM
To: sales@wellnesstools.com
Subject: DreamMaker Review (2)
Bruce,
I expected to hear from you long before this, but maybe you didn’t get my previous email, so I am sending to you again in its entireity.

Bruce,
Far be it from me to judge anyone. I merely stated the facts that are presented to me and tried to be civil about it. You respond by calling me an “asshole”.
Perhaps you could have spent a little more time on the design and gotten it right the first time so you would have “quality products” and “assholes” (Do you mean customers?) wouldn’t be jumping in your ■■■■.
I would have been happy to trade my DreamMaker in for something that worked and kept my comments to myself… But if that’s the way you want to play, so be it. You had your chance to do the right thing.
Steve Pertubal

From: “Bruce Gelerter” bruceg@wellnesstools.com
To: “Steve & Leah Pertubal” rassle_co@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: DreamMaker Review (2)
Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 09:52:26 -0600

Steve,
I usually don’t respond to assholes who don’t know what they are talking
about. I especially don’t like being judged. I have a lot of happy customers
who are able to afford
quality products. I will be posting their testimonials shortly. If you want
to judge someone you need to first try going from design to production in
just 2 months and keep the assholes off your butt!!!
Bruce Gelerter - CEO
Wellness Tools

If you were to reply with some constructive comments that would have been different.
I’m more than willing to look at design changes even on units that have been shipped already. I’m about being ProActive.
But you came at me in an attacking way - saying 100 more people are going to be pissed and what is this and that!
I would love to talk about designs and possible changes to make it better - I don’t like being attacked!
Or being thought of as someone trying to come in and rip people off to make a quick buck. I’m here for the long term trying to do the best I can.
If you want to start over in that sort of way then I’m open to hear it. I would not believe how hard I worked on this DreaMaker to make it a success and I still want that - if you have input to make it better -great!
Bruce

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve & Leah Pertubal [mailto:rassle_co@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 11:34 AM
To: bruceg@wellnesstools.com
Subject: RE: DreamMaker Review (2)

Bruce,

Far be it from me to judge anyone. I merely stated the facts that are
presented to me and tried to be civil about it. You respond by calling me an “asshole”.

I sent you an email requesting further information; a more comprehensive owner’s manual, operating instructions, a tutorial or even a schematic. You sent me nothing but asked me to call you. I called you numerous times and left messages but never received a callback. Previous to that, I sent many emails concerning the status of my DreamMaker order. Many went unanswered. I am not used to being treated like this as a paying customer. What was I supposed to do Bruce?
The biggest problem with the DreamMaker Basic is the lack of the “Dream Alarm”. There are four dual CMOS timers, that’s 8 - “555 timer” circuits. Use one for the Dream Alarm delay after REM detection and one for the Dream Alarm duration.
Bottom line - I just want to have lucid dreams. Apparently, this DreamMaker I received is not going to do the job. Now you can do what’s right and send me something that will do the job as advertised or we can continue the email tag.

From: “Bruce Gelerter” bruceg@wellnesstools.com
To: “Steve & Leah Pertubal” rassle_co@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: DreamMaker Review (2)
Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 12:04:51 -0600

If you were to reply with some constructive comments that would have been
different.
I’m more than willing to look at design changes even on units that have been
shipped already. I’m about being ProActive.
But you came at me in an attacking way - saying 100 more people are going to
be pissed and what is this and that!

OK - all the timers are used up. Several are just for the beep sequence.
Timers are used for the REM detection as well. For example there is a 2 sec astable timer constantly sending pulses to a 10 second monostable timer which prevents the 10 sec one from timing out. Once the 2 sec timer is interupted by a constant signal from the detector for at least 2 seconds it will allow the 10 second timer to time out in a nother 8 seconds once it does it sends a pulse to the other timers to inititiate a REM event. THis is done to make sure it really is a REM event and not just motion artifacts from rolling around.
There are no extra timers. This design was for basic functions of REM detection the more advanced functions that you have been asking about are in the Pro version. Such as: Dream Alarm programming, Light/Sound Functions to bring you into “State”, Charting REM events during the night, Other timer functions such as sleep delay, etc
If you are not getting triggers during the night I can increase the sensitivity for you and I can change the LEDs to other colors but that’s it for the Basic.
Bruce

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve & Leah Pertubal [mailto:rassle_co@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 7:07 AM
To: bruceg@wellnesstools.com
Subject: RE: DreamMaker Review (2)

I sent you an email requesting further information; a more comprehensive owner’s manual, operating instructions, a tutorial or even a schematic. You sent me nothing but asked me to call you. I called you numerous times and left messages but never received a callback. Previous to that, I sent many emails concerning the status of my DreamMaker order. Many went unanswered. I am not used to being treated like this as a paying customer. What was I supposed to do Bruce?

Bruce,
Sorry about not getting back to you sooner. My daughter had some college presentation so we were gone all week end.
Well, it looks like we are still at an impasse on this DreamAlarm issue. To say that this is an “advanced function” available only on the “PRO” model will not win any supporters.
Increasing the trigger sensitivity or changing the LED colors won’t do anything to let me know that lucidity cues were given in the first place. That’s why the DreamAlarm function is so vitally important. The NovaDreamer’s DreamAlarm function provided for an opportunity to wake up from a dream five minutes after REM detection and the lucidity cues were given so that a person could review the dream and try to determine what or if any dream signals were received.
Otherwise, I would just hook up some Christmas lights to a lamp timer, set to go off every 90 minutes and hope I get lucky. Maybe, I would set an alarm clock to go off every 95 minutes to help the dream recall.
One of my first projects was a car alarm using a 555 timer. I used the courtesy light as a trigger and a simple RC network to honk the horn for a short while, then it went back into a “listening mode”.
I think your design may have too many extraneous events for the timers. I see a 15 second astable circuit for the LED and sound cues, and there is the 40 minute sleep delay. What are you using the other timers for? Are you using the IR detection as the primary trigger? If you had it in a “listening mode”, then the IR detection could be used as a trigger. Use one timer to “debounce” and then go into the astable for the LED & sound cues. That signal to start the astable could also be used to start a “DreamAlarm” countdown timer going into another astable for the actual “DreamAlarm” with the RC network to reset the whole thing.
There as numerous 555 timer webpages on the net with sample circuits that you may find helpful. I had gotten a 556 timer pin-out diagram and had thought to reverse-engineer the DreamMaker since you are so reluctant to provide a schematic.
Steve Pertubal

From: “Bruce Gelerter” bruceg@wellnesstools.com >To: “Steve & Leah Pertubal” rassle_co@hotmail.com >Subject: RE: DreamMaker Review (2) >Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 10:40:14 -0600 > >OK - all the timers are used up. Several are just for the beep sequence. >Timers are used for the REM detection as well. For example there is a 2 sec >astable timer constantly sending pulses to a 10 second monostable timer

Hi Steve,
I have one timer left over in one of the 556 packages. If I can work it into the dream alarm would that be the feature that would win you over - to make DreamMaker basic a good or great value?? I also have extra dip switches that I can use for a possible timer setting - any suggestions on their use?
Bruce

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve & Leah Pertubal [mailto:rassle_co@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2005 6:36 AM
To: bruceg@wellnesstools.com
Subject: DreamMaker Review (3)
Bruce,
Sorry about not getting back to you sooner. My daughter had some college presentation so we were gone all week end.
Well, it looks like we are still at an impasse on this DreamAlarm issue. To say that this is an “advanced function” available only on the “PRO” model will not win any supporters.

Bruce,
As I have alluded to before, yes, the DreamAlarm function is the most important feature next to the REM detection. One of the extra DIP switches could be used to select different sleep delays. How about sending me a schematic? It’s really hard to make out some of these resistor values.
Steve

From: “Bruce Gelerter” bruceg@wellnesstools.com >To: “Steve & Leah Pertubal” rassle_co@hotmail.com >Subject: RE: DreamMaker Review (3) >Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2005 09:37:02 -0600 > >Hi Steve, >I have one timer left over in one of the 556 packages. If I can work it into >the dream alarm would that be the feature that would win you over - to make >DreamMaker basic a good or great value?? I also have extra dip switches that >I can use for a possible timer setting - any suggestions on their use? >Bruce > >

Steve, >This is a brand new product release with a patent pending, I can’t send you >a schematic. You don’t have to design anything anyway. Just tell me what >changes you would like to see, such as the dream alarm and if there is >enough resources on the board then I will put it in. the PCB is pretty >packed already and I can’t fit much more on this board - but possibly the >dream alarm. That would be about it. >Bruce Gelerter > > > -----Original Message----- >From: Steve & Leah Pertubal [mailto:rassle_co@hotmail.com] >Sent: Monday, April 18, 2005 11:35 PM >To: bruceg@wellnesstools.com >Subject: DreamMaker Review (4) > > > Bruce, > > As I have alluded to before, yes, the DreamAlarm function is the most >important feature next to the REM detection.

Bruce,
That is just too funny, I’ll bet the patent lawyer asked for his fee up front in cash. So all I have to do, is add a couple of RC networks and I can steal your patent and business. The circuit is not that complicated and I should have it mapped out real soon. Then I can figure out where to put the DreamAlarm circuits. Well, I’m sorry that I can’t help you any further. Good Luck.
Steve

From: “Bruce Gelerter” bruceg@wellnesstools.com >To: “Steve & Leah Pertubal” rassle_co@hotmail.com >Subject: RE: DreamMaker Review (4) >Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 01:32:55 -0600 > >Steve, >This is a brand new product release with a patent pending, I can’t send you >a schematic. You don’t have to design anything anyway. Just tell me what >changes you would like to see, such as the dream alarm and if there is >enough resources on the board then I will put it in. the PCB is pretty >packed already and I can’t fit much more on this board - but possibly the >dream alarm. That would be about it. >Bruce Gelerter > > > -----Original Message----- >From: Steve & Leah Pertubal [mailto:rassle_co@hotmail.com] >Sent: Monday, April 18, 2005 11:35 PM >To: bruceg@wellnesstools.com >Subject: DreamMaker Review (4) > > > Bruce, > > As I have alluded to before, yes, the DreamAlarm function is the most >important feature next to the REM detection.

Well - there you have it ! I tried being nice but it seems that all along you were just a jealous half baked technician trying to put down the DreamMaker design and at the same time try to steal it. I will pray for you - maybe. You won’t get anywhere with that kind of thinking - good luck!

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve & Leah Pertubal [mailto:rassle_co@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 2:59 AM
To: bruceg@wellnesstools.com
Subject: DreamMaker Review (5)
Bruce,
That is just too funny, I’ll bet the patent lawyer asked for his fee up front in cash. So all I have to do, is add a couple of RC networks and I can steal your patent and business. The circuit is not that complicated and I should have it mapped out real soon. Then I can figure out where to put the DreamAlarm circuits. Well, I’m sorry that I can’t help you any further. Good Luck.
Steve

From: “Bruce Gelerter” bruceg@wellnesstools.com >To: “Steve & Leah Pertubal” rassle_co@hotmail.com >Subject: RE: DreamMaker Review (4) >Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 01:32:55 -0600 > >Steve, >This is a brand new product release with a patent pending, I can’t send you >a schematic. You don’t have to design anything anyway. Just tell me what >changes you would like to see, such as the dream alarm and if there is >enough resources on the board then I will put it in. the PCB is pretty >packed already and I can’t fit much more on this board - but possibly the >dream alarm. That would be about it. >Bruce Gelerter > > > -----Original Message----- >From: Steve & Leah Pertubal [mailto:rassle_co@hotmail.com] >Sent: Monday, April 18, 2005 11:35 PM >To: bruceg@wellnesstools.com >Subject: DreamMaker Review (4) > > > Bruce, > > As I have alluded to before, yes, the DreamAlarm function is the most >important feature next to the REM detection.

Bruce, Bruce, Bruce,
You seriously do not get it. I was just being nice to string you along. To see if you actually wanted to do the right thing and straighten out your DreamMaker fiasco. Apparently not. I was willing to help you with the DreamAlarm circuitry, which really is not that difficult to implement.
Then you come back with this totally assinine crap about a “patent pending”. Well, Bruce, do you hold the patent? You’re a fool, if you tried to patent that half-ass design and what does that have to do with giving me the schematic. Just for your information, I am building a Kvasar.
Anyway, coming to Google and LD4all among others…really soon, my complete DreamMaker review, including emails with the CEO of the company… hope you didn’t incriminate yourself so badly that it hurts your bottom line. I hope you did not hock the farm to finance your DreamMaker scam.
My “kind of thinking” as I stated in my earlier email is to warn everyone I can about your crappy DreamMaker and you and your questionable business practices. I feel I got ripped off, but I’m going to eat this loss. Finally, I don’t get even, I get ahead, and I’m going to enjoy fucking you…hard.
Good Luck, really (smirk)

From: “Bruce Gelerter” bruceg@wellnesstools.com >To: “Steve & Leah Pertubal” rassle_co@hotmail.com >Subject: RE: DreamMaker Review (5) >Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 11:38:43 -0600 > >Well - there you have it ! I tried being nice but it seems that all along >you were just a jealous half baked technician trying to put down the >DreamMaker design and at the same time try to steal it. I will pray for >you - maybe. You won’t get anywhere with that kind of thinking - good luck!

:smile: this is a pretty funny exchange of e-mails.

Bruce is right in one way: the “advanced” features on the DreamMaker were advertized only for the Pro, which is much more expensive (for no particular reason, the extra components/software programming was minimal).

Other than that, he just used big words for nothing. Apparently the “EMG” didn’t really work and they took it out… my belief is he doesn’t even properly understand EMG and used EDA (electrodermal activity, or gsr) instead…
Other claims (such an affiliation with the Lucidity Institute) are also just lies to get people’s trust.

The whole thing is just a huge scam to me.

As for the Kvasar, good luck with that! i never got mine to work properly, i think the IR sensor wasn’t placed properly over my eye, but i hear this problem also occured with the DreamMaker (where it picks up eye fluttering, but not subtle eye movement)… After toying around with the placement and breaking two sensors (which I had to order through my college as samples because they wouldn’t ship for under 50$ and i couldn’t find them anywhere else) I gave up on that and decided IR detection wasn’t reliable enough.

Right now I’m trying to come up with a design that uses EDA primarily, so if you’re into electronics and you think you could help, let me know. The idea is to turn skin resistance (which changes) into sound frequency and plug that into a computer through the line in. From there, everything is software based and the output to be made on one of those cheap, easy to build, lpt driven light machines (or alternatively, other cues, like, sound, vibrations, etc). Downpart is the computer connection…

We don’t know if it will work (not knowing how reliable EDA is compared to IR detection, maybe it’s not that good at all), but it’s all about the research anyway. Apparently skin resistance drops significantly during REM… but we’ll see.

I think it would only be proper since you pointed out that “Bruce is right in one way”, that in my opinion, Bruce is so definitely wrong in possibly hundreds of ways. Someone earlier posted that where there is smoke, there is fire;where for every one person that complains, there a lot more people that just say “forget it”.
Galvonic skin resistance to detect REM… way too complex for me. I still think IR detection is the simplest way to go, I’ll let you know how the Kvasar works out.
I just went to the DreamMaker site. There are now testimonials from “satisfied customers”… most of them from Colorado Springs…hahaha
Did anyone notice that Bruce just dropped off of this forum after people uncovered his past?

I’d suggest that this exchange basically confirms the story that one finds when searching the net. This subject might be worth a sticky topic of its own – It’s a story that’s been discussed on this board a fair bit already.

To wit:

*Inflated, misleading and frequently revised (downwards) claims and assertations. Poorly designed, poorly built products, that don’t perform as advertised, let alone accomplish the desired goal. That’s assuming the product actually arrives after it’s been paid for.

*Generally poor service, lots of excuses, and special pleading, denial of responsability. There are occassional “example cases” of better service but they appear to be strongly atypical cases (and generally these people aren’t – as far as I can tell – well known to any community where they appear or are refered to) . The Better Business Bureau, bulletin boards like this one, “fraud watch” style websites and organaziations, and and a surprising number of spcially created websites document an ongoing pattern of dissatisfied costomers.

*A pronounced tendency to blame the customer for not accepting excuses, or for not considering promises to someday deal with the problem as equivilent to actually dealing with the problem. Often accompanied (several exchanges down the line) by variations on the “if you had been more constructive/nicer/more trusting, I would have fixed your problem yesterday” speech – often completely ignoring the actual content of the original complaint.

And a question for anyone in the know -- what exactly about this product would be patentable?  

As far as I know, anything that is legitimately patentable has already been patented by LaBerge or The Lucidity Institute (which perhaps wasn't really properly patentable, but at least the case could be made) and is probably near expiry date by now anyways.   Certainly nothing in Gelerter's device get's around "prior art" considerations.

You know, no one would be here with this problem letting people know " HEY it’s a rip off, save your money" if the dreammaker cost $99 dollars and the dreammaker pro cost $149.

Well I personally would not buy any of this guys products.
Anyway, the dream maker(and its problems) has been discussed many times before:
DreamMaker - the new novadreamer
Dream Maker - Phoen’s Personal Review
Perhaps a mod could merge all the dream maker topics into one thread for people to read.