Neat tool for laptop users...

Just got this in the mail today. More light than I could have imagined, compact and inexpensive. Including shipping, it was under $15. Great for those dark nightclub settings. http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?T1=142+0350

Cheers,

Gary

[This message has been edited by travlin'easy (edited 11-06-2003).]

I saw one yesterday at Best Buy. Looks pretty neat.
DonM

Gary...

Thanks for sharing. For that price it's a gotta have!

"Enhances the lightness of your screen, saving battery power by allowing less screen back-light"

You mean some laptops can adjust how much light comes off the screen? Mine doesn't! (Not that I know of anyway.)

In any case, wouldn't a light right next to the screen wash it out?

Phillip,

Most laptops have some type of screen intensity adjustment. With mine, you merely hold down the function key, then press the up cursor key to increase the intensity, or the down cursor key to decrease intensity. Some, however, also have a photocell, which detects the amount of outside light, then adjusts the intensity automatically when operating under various light conditions. You'll usually find this option in the computer's set-up or control panel.

Cheers,

Gary

I had one of these gooseneck notebook lights and I didn't like it. There is glare from the bulb, it bounced around when I used the laptop and eventually I lost the plastic bulb cover so I stashed it and searched for the right replacement.

I found exactly what I wanted finally from Belkin

This is a retractable USB-powered clip-on laptop light that has a soft blue LED and it works perfectly. I got mine at Staples for $19.95.

Tried them both, neither was adequate. The gooseneck was unstable, wiggled and didn't stay put - glare too. The clip light was better, but it wasn't blue LED, maybe Pro's is different. Both I tried were more spot light than flood light - meaning they didn't illuminate the entire keyboard equally. On the job I still rely on the ambient light of my music light, or sometimes just plug a night light into a lightweight extension cord.

[This message has been edited by cassp (edited 11-07-2003).]

The LED is different - it does illuminate the keyboard evenly. Belkin says it's a white LED on their Travelite but it's definitely more of a pale blue.

I'll let you know if it jiggles or wiggles after tomorrow night when I take it on the job. Tried it in the office and there was no movement when playing. May be somewhat different on the job.

Cheers,

Gary

Wow, the light from my screen is WAY more than enough .... sometimes TOO much. I can't imagine needing more light on stage.

For me it's a matter of contrast and a preference for low but balanced lighting. My wife can watch tv in a room with no other lights on but I can't. Same with trying to type on a laptop keyboard while looking at a bright screen. I usually don't have the screen on it's brightest setting anyway, so with my laptop "nightlight" I get something easy on the eyes both on and off screen.

The light is just to light up the keys--I can see the screen from across the room. The keys, however, are dark gray with light gray letters and they're nearly invisible in a darkened room.

Gary

I only worry about the up/down arrows, touch pad curser, enter key on stage...light is not a factor, the screen is suficient for me, but sight is very subjective. I also hate playing in briht lights , I always dim the room lights somehow on a gig also for atmosphere...
Guess I'm a hopeless romantic..