Creating an LED diffusion panel

[Spazmonkey]

I'm sure everyone here is familiar with using gameboy sp screens to frontlight things. However, I have been reading that cd cases can diffuse the led light quite well? I would love to know how this is done, as I don't want to buy any more sp screens if all I need is a cd case. On a related note, are there any good screens that one can make for backlighting the original gameboy and pocket?

[eurddrue]

I'm sure everyone here is familiar with using gameboy sp screens to frontlight things. However, I have been reading that cd cases can diffuse the led light quite well? I would love to know how this is done, as I don't want to buy any more sp screens if all I need is a cd case. On a related note, are there any good screens that one can make for backlighting the original gameboy and pocket?

The CD case will look terrible. You'll want to get an SP light panel, because it has cuts in it that diffuse light evenly.

[Spazmonkey]

I had similar thoughts, but this a forum filled with resourceful people, and I figured if it could be done, this is as good a place as any. There must be some other way to light the screen though, I found this nice website, http://lcdparts.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; , but at a preliminary glance, I couldn't find anything of use for this situation. I had been looking at EL panels, but quickly realized they arn't transparent, could they be used for the original game boy though?

EDIT: However, you may know something I don't, I"m forking out 20 bucks for broken sp's and just taking the screens. Know of any hong kong companies that produce just the screens for cheap, and in bulk?

[eurddrue]

Nope, I just buy broken GBA sp's off of ebay.

make sure they're AGS-001, the AGS-101 have a backlight.

[Spazmonkey]

Right, I'm familiar with using them. I was just hoping a better alternative existed. Any alternative really, the only part needed is a small dispersion screen, and likely it costs less than than an entire broken unit.

[eurddrue]

Right, I'm familiar with using them. I was just hoping a better alternative existed. Any alternative really, the only part needed is a small dispersion screen, and likely it costs less than than an entire broken unit.

There was a guy, IvanDS or something, who said something about a ds screen having a front light, the replacement screen anyway. The ones off of DX. That would be the only alternative I can think of. If you can find something else that has a frontlight, it would probably work too, but frontlight's are rare.

[Spazmonkey]

I would love to hear any follow up on that. DX has stuff for dirt cheap, if I could get them from there it would be perfect.

[palmertech]

A few GPS units I have gotten have frontlights, but that is about it.

Sadly, buying broken GBA SPs is the best way. I usually buy them in lots.

As for a CD cover, that will work for backlights, but not well, and you need to sand it; obviously not gonna work with a frontlight. I know some people have gotten ahold of just the diffusion panels, like MashMods, but they take advantage of their monopoly. If we got enough people, it might happen...

[Spazmonkey]

Would you recommend looking into an HK factory then to get a bunch produced? I know a few that could maybe do it. I spoke with the mash mods people, and they told me they do not plan to continue that particular service. I will purchase around 25-50, and have a good feeling many people here could use them for their own applications. I'll start a new thread if I'm able to find a good lead, maybe a fun group buy could be in the works.

[palmertech]

I actually talked to a guy in China who can make them, for 50 or less, we are looking at about $29 a panel, 100 or more, $14 each, 250 or more, less than $7. On MR, a few of us have been thinking of doing a group buy, then reselling.

[Spazmonkey]

Thanks for the information. I'll see what I can come up with. If 100 can be beaten, then I would be down for a few.

[themadhacker]

That would be a great idea, palmer. The main reason I have not yet frontlight modded my GBC and GBA is because I did not want to have useless SP parts lying around which I would never use for anything. This would solve that problem.

[eurddrue]

I actually talked to a guy in China who can make them, for 50 or less, we are looking at about $29 a panel, 100 or more, $14 each, 250 or more, less than $7. On MR, a few of us have been thinking of doing a group buy, then reselling.

Yes, but do you get the SMD LED with it?

[Spazmonkey]

Who cares, those are super cheap, and it's not very hard to position. Possibly make a thread, and get it stickied? I could see a mass of people from here getting some, it's right up everyone's alley really.