 Case Mod #3 |
 Kit Lazer LED kits |
note: Images provided by www.glowire.com
Due to my close proximity to their headquarters, I received several different versions of the glowire casemod kits personally from the nice folks at glowire.com. I received 2 full Case Mod #3 kits (USD$44.95 each), several other random lengths of glowire, and a couple of the Lazer LED lights (USD$19.95 each).
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Case Mod #3 |
Kit Lazer LED kits |
The installation of the glowire is very straight forward for the most part. Place the wire wherever you want, and use some form of adhesive to hold it there (i.e. Zip ties, super glue, or silicon for a less permanent bond). The wire will bend any direction, although they recommend not making full 90 degree bends too tight, as it can cause dim or dark spots at the corner over time. After you have the wire mounted, connecting the transformer that powers the wires is equally simple. For the base model transformer just mount it with the included double sided foam tape (servo tape if you will) to the back of your case, and turn it on. The model that I received included the more advanced transformer with dimmer and remote on/off switch, both of which I mounted by drilling small holes in the front of my case, and securing them with the included hardware. This makes it very easy to control the brightness of the lights without having to reach behind the case or open it up. I should also mention that I actually had glowire mounted behind my motherboard directly above the CPU socket mounts, as well as actually mounted on my RAM with EMI problems.
The Lazer LEDs as I received them are a little more complicated to setup. The LEDs come with a set of tinned (solder already on the wires) wires going to them. This means you need to actually connect the LEDs to a Y-adapter or other connector and interface that to your power connectors. You can pick up a Molex Y-adapter at any local computer store for about 2 dollars, or you could actually splice it into the harness for a fan if you were really cheap. I chose to splice it into the harness for the glowire transformer, and run it parallel with the on off switch, so that it could be turned on and off easily. This allows me to flip the entire system off when I want to sleep. The LEDs are incredibly bright, they will easily light up a large dark room, the best I can compare them to is the brightness of a small Mag brand flashlight.
*Update* Lazer LEDs can now be purchased with Molex connectors already installed on them.
While all of the guys at the computer shop I work at were thoroughly impressed, I consider the real proof of success when someone who knows nothing about computers, takes a look at it and says "wow!" In the past 2 months I've had the glowire in my system; I have had plenty of "wow!" comments from nearly everyone who walks into my dorm room, especially at night. I have also had absolutely no issues with any of the wire or LEDs since installation.
Since everyone loves pictures, here are a few of my case's twin. I did the basic work on this case, although George, it's owner, has since added the green highlights and red Lazer LEDs. Please keep in mind that these pictures still do not totally capture the true brightness of the glowire and especially the Lazer LEDs.
All in all I was very impressed with the kit. Although it falls into the category of stuff you don't have to have, it is definitely in the range of stuff that is dang cool to have. The only real issue I had was the lack of a connector for the Lazer LEDs, but that issue has now been resolved. The systems have been working fine in my system, as well as several other of my friends and coworkers boxes for several months without any problems. Thanks again to the wonderful guys at www.glowire.com for letting me take a look at this system.
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