Sleep aid. Dawn simulator recommendations / reviews seeked.

Any recommendations and reviews on "dawn simulators" would be appreciated. A dawn simulator gradually turns on a light to simulate sunrise and provide a more natural waking experience (in theory, haven't tried yet). The only dawn simulator I have seen appearing to meet my requirements is the programmable SunUp for nearly $200. Way overpriced, but understandable since it's currently a small market. I am willing to spend more money to get a more optimal sleeping experience. I want a simulator that is fully programmable and allows you to plug in your own lamp so you can decide on the brightness (instead of being stuck with a tiny built in light which may be inadequate). It would be great if anyone knew of an equivalent device for less money.