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Written by Mikhail Ivanenkov
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Wednesday, 20 June 2007 |
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Thanks to Sidewinder Computers for the product sample.
Let's face it, custom PCs are everywhere. What was once reserved for enthusiasts is now commonplace. Cathodes are no longer special, DIY window kits are all but extinct, and the dremel hasn't been touched in months, yet somehow new modding trinkets are being released on a monthly basis. The latest toy to hit the streets is Akasa's Power Eyes, or miniature PCBs with built-in LEDs that slip into your molex connectors. Looks like another "why didn't I think of that" invention.
The Power Eyes come in a set of 5 in the retail package shown. You'll need to snap the pieces apart before inserting them into your connectors. Two versions are available: blue and "rainbow": one each of blue, green, orange, red, and blue/red. Instructions can't get any simpler, as shown on the back of the package. You insert the PCB into a male connector, then plug in the female connector and enjoy the show.
The concept is incredibly simple. Each piece has golden connectors on both sides for better contact. There are two LEDs (one on either side) and a resistor in the middle. To install them, just slide each piece onto the male connector and push it back with a female connector. That's all there's to it! The downside is that it's incredibly difficult to remove the Power Eyes once they're in place; the only possible way is to remove the pins themselves first.
Once the connection is made, the eyes light up. Above are a pair of daytime and night shots (left and right, respectively). You'll want to place these mostly on fan connectors and y-splitters for maximum visibility. The specs for the Power Eyes are pretty vague, but if these LEDs are of similar quality to every other LED, you'll get years of continuous glow. Speaking of which, the light isn't nearly as intense as a cathode's, but surprisingly brighter than most LED fans.
So far the selection is very limited, but with great potential. A UV version of the Power Eyes would almost surely be a hit. The concept is very sound and the execution is nearly flawless. The only downside is that you have to insert these into male connectors. Ideally these lights would come built into current PSU female connectors; that way you don't have to worry about removing them if you're no longer using that device. Perhaps Akasa could make a modding kit comprised of female connectors with built-in LEDs and a pin extractor to transform ordinary power supplies into works of art. Furthermore, at that point the lights could be on all the time, since they would be constantly receiving power.
Pros
- Very unique concept
- Great execution
- Nice lighting effect
Cons
- More color choices needed
- Difficult to remove once inserted
- Female connector version desired
- A bit pricey: $10 for a set of 5
Simply put, Akasa's Power Eyes are very effective. It's a simple concept with a desirable outcome. They won't light up your case alone, but they're perfect as a supplement to cathodes. Being a new product, color choices are limited and I'm curious to see if a much more useful female connector version is made. From a financial standpoint $10 for 5 is a bit expensive (you can pick up a couple 12" cathodes for that much), so buy them after the rest of your lighting needs are fulfilled. Head on over to Sidewinder Computers to get yours.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 20 July 2007 )
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