Tweakmonster Lightstrips

Reviews: Cases

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Brian Kristensen
Kurtis
Tweakmonster
Apr. 29, 2003

Specifications

Introduction

One of the more widely used modding techniques is lighting up your computer case. There aren't many choices for showing off the inside of your case in a dark room, mainly cold cathodes, neon lights and LEDs. Each have their pros and cons. LEDs don't evenly distribute light throughout a case, and are rarely bright enough. Neons get pretty hot and don't put out as much light as cold cathodes. Cold cathodes as well as neons are bulky and not always easy to place. Now now now, don't get all sad and melancholy because of this, there is hope, in the form of Tweakmonster Lightstrips.

Tweakmonster Lightstrips You Say?

Yes! Tweakmonster has sent us the latest version of their Lightstrips. The name describes what they are pretty well. The Lightstrips give off light, and they are in strip fashion. They are two and a half feet of electro luminescent glowy wonder. The back of the strips contains an adhesive so you can attach the strip to virtually anything. You are able to remove the light strip if you need to. The adhesive still works after removing it a few times. If the strip is too long for you, you can easily cut it to the correct length, just make sure you cover up the end you cut. The Lightstrip itself emits no heat.

Inverter What?

Yes, the Lightstrip requires an inverter, much like a cold cathode. The inverter is quite small and can fit almost anywhere in your case. All the wires are permanently connected to the inverter. This is because the inverter casing is weatherproof (incase you use it in your car or something of that sort). The inverter makes a little bit of noise, but it is not noticeable at all over a single low voltage case fan. If you touch the inverter, you can tell that it gets a little warm to the touch, but nothing to compromise your case temperature. The inverter plugs into a standard 4-pin molex connection. There is a clip between the inverter and the Lightstrip to disconnect the inverter, but there is no actual switch to turn off the Lightstrip.

Performance & Conclusion

The Lightstrip works very well to give the inside of your case a nice glow, but don't expect it to be as bright as a cathode at all. I placed the Lightstrip along the bottom and rear of my case, following the edge of the window. I couldn't see the Lightstrip unless I was at a very close angle. I am very happy with the glow it gave off around my window.

I would have to say that I didn't expect much from this product, but in the end, it makes a great addition to my case.

Note: The pictures make the lightstrips seem darker than they really are.

Pros

Easy to install
Flexible
Can reduce length
Virtually heat-less
Nice looking glow

Cons

Not very bright

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2 User Comments

1 - Posted by T-shirt on May 3, 2003 - 6:46 pm

Nice , to the point review. from the 2 I've seen I have to agree, the aren't very bright, however they do make nice contrast/trim detail in the right place.
A good use would be to backlight water cooling tubes/hose to get a nice shine through glow.

2 - Posted by Kardon on May 3, 2003 - 7:57 pm

They're nice background\trim lights. But not main lights.

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