[IC] LED Color Changer Switch Cover

[Pacifist]

Its started, thanks to catnipz0098 who stepped in for me.
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51126.0





IC FORM, PLEASE FILL OUT: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gLHq0gDPgSY39D6pMvsR9Kg1TnZnB2NZfaHtchQSS_A/viewform

This is a quick interest check for:

LED Color Changers from http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=a220o.1000855.w5003-3776728825.1.tImroG&id=27544684728&&&scene=taobao_shop



Images at: http://imgur.com/a/kmBmG






When my relatives went to china, I had them buy ~70 of these. They work really well, as demonstrated by:

from one of the few people who bought them from me.

This is just a interest check, as I may go to China later, and if the demand is high enough, I'll arrange a GB and talk with the people who make them

The colors are:
Blue
Red
Yellow
Orange
Purple
Light Green
Dark Green

Price: Tentative:
$1(for 10). (.75 for cover, .2 for shipping to here from china, and the cost for time and packaging etc.)
This price is if we don't get a bulk deal.

catnipz0098 will run the GB, he is contacting the manufactures and should get an estimate by tuesday

[Sleepie]

Do want! I'd buy 108 of each color.

[longweight]

Definitely interested.

[LechnerDE]

Really interesting! Depending on the final price I might take one fullsize set of every color

[HendyZone]

Very interested

[JPG]

Do you need a to put a square white led under?

[GeeNDL82]

love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rowdy]

Do you need a to put a square white led under?

The colour LED underneath doesn't really matter, but white LED will represent the colour of each cover more accurately.

And putting a red LED under a blue switch would make purple colour.

[quake4mhg]

Fun toy!! Don't know how much for a 104 set?

[bianco]

yes, i'd be interested in these!
a set for a full board for each color

[TheSoulhunter]

Interested! Depending on price up to 150 of each...

[JaccoW]

Might be interested, depending on price

[TheSoulhunter]

Having a closer look at the images...
How is the compatibility with thick keycaps? >.>

[terran5992]

Can it change blue to white?

[LechnerDE]

Can it change blue to white?

My basic understanding of physics tells me "impossible with a simple filter".

But I could be totally wrong here 

[berserkfan]

Looks very promising, but we need more info. For instance, might there be keyboards for which the color changers don't fit? I'm thinking of Deck and Razer, which use their own keycaps.

Also, am concerned that these only work properly with white LEDs. Theoretically, any other color LED would be distorted by the color filters and you might wind up getting most of the light blocked.

[esoomenona]

Interested.

[keymaster]

Interested.

[TheSoulhunter]

Supposed the LED doesn't output peaky/limited bands, you can turn:

White -> Any Color
Red -> Darker Red
Green -> Darker Green
Blue -> Darker Blue
Cyan -> Blue / Green / Teal
Magenta -> Red / Blue / Purple
Yellow -> Red / Green / Orange

[rowdy]

(Attachment Link)

Supposed the LED doesn't output peaky/limited bands, you can turn:

White -> Any Color
Red -> Darker Red
Green -> Darker Green
Blue -> Darker Blue
Cyan -> Blue / Green / Teal
Magenta -> Red / Blue / Purple
Yellow -> Red / Green / Orange

Why would you want to turn yellow into anything else? )

[Pacifist]

The retailer says they work only with white LED's, but I've seen them with other color LED's.

Colors do get distorted with other color LEDs

I don't own any thick PBT to test out if they fit, but if you look at my pictures, they fit on the side of the switch with a little bit extra sticking out.

I haven't talked to the people who make them, but if we can't get a deal, the price for 10 covers won't go over $1 $1.50. (.75 for cover, .4 for shipping to here from china, and the cost for time and packaging etc.

[Pacifist]

Looks very promising, but we need more info. For instance, might there be keyboards for which the color changers don't fit? I'm thinking of Deck and Razer, which use their own keycaps.

Also, am concerned that these only work properly with white LEDs. Theoretically, any other color LED would be distorted by the color filters and you might wind up getting most of the light blocked.

Yes, they were made to work with white LEDs. Says so on the product description. I don't own razer or deck, so I don't know if their caps fit. And razer doesn't make white LED backlit mechs anyways, so we don't really need to worry about that.

[UniClown]

The retailer says they work only with white LED's, but I've seen them with other color LED's.

Colors do get distorted with other color LEDs

I don't own any thick PBT to test out if they fit, but if you look at my pictures, they fit on the side of the switch with a little bit extra sticking out.

I haven't talked to the people who make them, but if we can't get a deal, the price for 10 covers won't go over $1.

That price sounds awesome! Hopefully these covers can create a better purple compared to "Purple" LEDs that are actually pink.

[damorgue]

Do you need a to put a square white led under?

This was never answered, do you need to put a square led under, eg a 2x3x4mm LED or will the 3mm cylinder or dome type work?

[Pacifist]

Do you need a to put a square white led under?

This was never answered, do you need to put a square led under, eg a 2x3x4mm LED or will the 3mm cylinder or dome type work?

I don't think so. They have an indent in the middle where the LED is. I know that ducky LEDs are regular cylinders, and these work fine with them

[Halverson]

I need pink! But I would probably get like 20-30 of each colour anyway. But a nice pink would be cool

[Melvang]

Cost?

[Halverson]

Cost?

If you go up a few posts, he says if we can't get a deal, it shouldn't be more than $1 $1.5 for 10.

[Melvang]

Thanks Halverson.  I did read the whole thread but must have missed that line

[Halverson]

Thanks Halverson.  I did read the whole thread but must have missed that line

It took me awhile to find it again, it's hidden well!

At that price it seems very affordable to try all kinds of the colours.

[SpAmRaY]

Would there be clearance issues with cherry profile caps?

[cicicicici]

finally someone made this thread

[esoomenona]

Let's do this. Hopefully there are enough white LEDs in the world!

[uberknarf]

I am IN. Full set for sure, maybe more.

[Biased opinion]

if the price is good and the shipping wont kill me i might be in for a few full sets of them. The next step will be to actualy get a backlit board

[asdfjkl36]

I bought some of these a while back and waiting for them to come in the mail

Would be interested to get some green ones though.

[rowdy]

Thanks Halverson.  I did read the whole thread but must have missed that line

It took me awhile to find it again, it's hidden well!

At that price it seems very affordable to try all kinds of the colours.

Perhaps it should be added to the OP?

I have only red and green LEDs (in different boards, before anyone makes Christmas references, and the boards are in different places).

[Glod]

these would be perfect for my RACE that has bright white LEDs. the vortex OEM caps are very thin so clearance shouldn't be an issue.

[Pacifist]

Updated OP

I will probably need someone to proxy for countries other than the USA.

[regack]

Yeah, you can put me down for 100 of each color.

[SpAmRaY]

Yeah, you can put me down for 100 of each color.

at $1.50/unit

[jonathanyu]

Yeah, you can put me down for 100 of each color.

at $1.50/unit

it should be $1.50 for 10

I like this idea, but seems that it would only look good with white led 

[SpAmRaY]

Yeah, you can put me down for 100 of each color.

at $1.50/unit

it should be $1.50 for 10

I like this idea, but seems that it would only look good with white led 

oh that's much better

[TLSC.wipeOut]

how much would it be if you supposedly get a bulk deal? and whats the moq for a "bulk" deal?

[Pacifist]

how much would it be if you supposedly get a bulk deal? and whats the moq for a "bulk" deal?

Haven't talked to them yet, so I don't know.

Will update when I do

[TLSC.wipeOut]

how much would it be if you supposedly get a bulk deal? and whats the moq for a "bulk" deal?

Haven't talked to them yet, so I don't know.

Will update when I do

awesome thanks! =D

[PointyFox]

Interested

[Lastpilot]

Count me in.

[V1ral]

Would be in. Probably for one set in each color.

[berserkfan]

good luck!

(modified my post after I realized group buy may take a while to materialize.) I am thinking of making a small order via Bhiner first.

[Grendel]

Interested in 110 of the red ones and possibly one or two other colors.

[Pagmat]

Interested!

[do_Og@n]

This is pretty cool. Count me in for 100 purple.

[catnipz0098]

Wow, super interested! I'm going to china in the future, but I'd assume group buy prices would be cheaper. Can't wait for this group buy to start 

[elllit]

I'm in.

[Brodie]

Interested.

[Lastpilot]

Please just start this GB already!

[Pacifist]

Please just start this GB already!

Really busy right now, have a debate tourdament this weekend I'm prepping for.

By the end of next week I will update the status

[catnipz0098]

As a token of my appreciation for letting me buy your Click Clack, if you need help for the group buy, I will gladly help. I am going to visit China for about two months during the summer, so if you need help bringing items back, I can gladly take some with me. 

[Mystery AKA.NastyFan]

I'm thinking that if this 'Color Changer' darken some of the lightness and cause differences of LEDs.

[Pacifist]

I'm thinking that if this 'Color Changer' darken some of the lightness and cause differences of LEDs.

Of coure it will cause differnces of LEDs, its supposed to change the color.

And it will make the color darker, having a plastic cover on a light source will definitely block some wavelengths of light, resulting in a darker and different color

[kolonelkadat]

Id be a buyer of a few hundred if you can get the price down to a rate comparable to LEDs (generally $0.02-$0.05 each)

[elton5354]

Id be a buyer of a few hundred if you can get the price down to a rate comparable to LEDs (generally $0.02-$0.05 each)

+1.

[uberknarf]

Id be a buyer of a few hundred if you can get the price down to a rate comparable to LEDs (generally $0.02-$0.05 each)

Id be a buyer of a few hundred if you can get the price down to a rate comparable to LEDs (generally $0.02-$0.05 each)

+1.

Problem is, it's unlikely we'd ever get there. LEDs have thousands of applications, so they're produced in quantities far beyond what we're talking about here. This is a specialized item, with a specialized mold, manufactured for a unique (and smaller audience).

From what I've seen elsewhere, we might get as far as $0.10/each. I hope I'm wrong, but it's worth noting the market at play here.

[kolonelkadat]

Id be a buyer of a few hundred if you can get the price down to a rate comparable to LEDs (generally $0.02-$0.05 each)

Problem is, it's unlikely we'd ever get there. LEDs have thousands of applications, so they're produced in quantities far beyond what we're talking about here. This is a specialized item, with a specialized mold, manufactured for a unique (and smaller audience).

From what I've seen elsewhere, we might get as far as $0.10/each. I hope I'm wrong, but it's worth noting the market at play here.

I get that, I really do. But for 15 cents a piece, I can get an LED and a socket and just have quick change LEDs. Then If I find myself using one color to the exclusion of others, instead of having a drawer filled with specialized items with a unique purpose, I have drawer filled with sockets and LEDs.

Or if I really wanted to, I could just buy the "lamp shades"  directly from OPs link for 7 cents ($0.07) a piece.

ETA: I guess my point is, whats the point of a group buy that doubles the price of the item? isnt the point of a group buy to get it cheaper than "store" price? plus if I buy it on own, it comes with a free storage box.

[stancato9]

I'd be in for a hundred of each colour if the price goes down a little.

[PrisonSex]

I'm interested to see how purple I can make my red LED's. Maybe I can make a brown with the Green covers

[Pacifist]

Id be a buyer of a few hundred if you can get the price down to a rate comparable to LEDs (generally $0.02-$0.05 each)

Problem is, it's unlikely we'd ever get there. LEDs have thousands of applications, so they're produced in quantities far beyond what we're talking about here. This is a specialized item, with a specialized mold, manufactured for a unique (and smaller audience).

From what I've seen elsewhere, we might get as far as $0.10/each. I hope I'm wrong, but it's worth noting the market at play here.

I get that, I really do. But for 15 cents a piece, I can get an LED and a socket and just have quick change LEDs. Then If I find myself using one color to the exclusion of others, instead of having a drawer filled with specialized items with a unique purpose, I have drawer filled with sockets and LEDs.

Or if I really wanted to, I could just buy the "lamp shades"  directly from OPs link for 7 cents ($0.07) a piece.

ETA: I guess my point is, whats the point of a group buy that doubles the price of the item? isnt the point of a group buy to get it cheaper than "store" price? plus if I buy it on own, it comes with a free storage box.

Nobody's forcing you to buy them. I haven't contacted the sellers yet to see how much a GB would cost, but I will do so in the coming week. Most likely when I do, we can get cheaper prices.

And if you don't want to participate in this GB and rather buy it from them directly, be my guest. You can go ask a proxy to buy them for you.

And also refer to the IC and GB rules:

2) Threadcrapping: If you aren't interested in joining a group buy, STAY OUT OF THE GROUP BUY THREAD. This goes doubly so if you disagree with the way the buy is being run, the product being purchased, or have any other complaint not relevant to buying into the group buy. Repeat offenders put themselves in danger of moderator action.

[damorgue]

I get that, I really do. But for 15 cents a piece, I can get an LED and a socket and just have quick change LEDs. Then If I find myself using one color to the exclusion of others, instead of having a drawer filled with specialized items with a unique purpose, I have drawer filled with sockets and LEDs.

You also have to put sockets for the resistors to go along with the different LEDs, and this becomes a hassle with non-diy boards with tiny resistors and possible control circuits which might not work well with other voltages.

[catnipz0098]

Id be a buyer of a few hundred if you can get the price down to a rate comparable to LEDs (generally $0.02-$0.05 each)

Problem is, it's unlikely we'd ever get there. LEDs have thousands of applications, so they're produced in quantities far beyond what we're talking about here. This is a specialized item, with a specialized mold, manufactured for a unique (and smaller audience).

From what I've seen elsewhere, we might get as far as $0.10/each. I hope I'm wrong, but it's worth noting the market at play here.

I get that, I really do. But for 15 cents a piece, I can get an LED and a socket and just have quick change LEDs. Then If I find myself using one color to the exclusion of others, instead of having a drawer filled with specialized items with a unique purpose, I have drawer filled with sockets and LEDs.

Or if I really wanted to, I could just buy the "lamp shades"  directly from OPs link for 7 cents ($0.07) a piece.

ETA: I guess my point is, whats the point of a group buy that doubles the price of the item? isnt the point of a group buy to get it cheaper than "store" price? plus if I buy it on own, it comes with a free storage box.

Where do you get those sockets?

[Grendel]

Break them out of something like this.

[silentdistractions]

i definitely would. possibly sets in every color.

[rowdy]

i definitely would. possibly sets in every color.

Welcome to Geekhack!

Committing to spend money with your first post - you'll fit right in around here

[gameaholic]

Is there a black one so as to block out a led? 

[Megaweapon]

Is there a black one so as to block out a led? 

This.  Or maybe a black one that just darkens significantly?

[Joxx]

Do you think putting a red one would turn my blue LED magenta?

[taylordcraig]

put my interest in for 11 set of 10 of each color.
I'm correctly reading this would be like $77, right?

[Pacifist]

put my interest in for 11 set of 10 of each color.
I'm correctly reading this would be like $77, right?

Official price hasn't been decided yet, still waiting on some things. This will start later

[catnipz0098]

I will run the group buy. Pacifist cannot go to China anymore, but I can, so I will assume responsibility from here on out.
I have sent an email to the manufactures and we will hopefully get a response by Tuesday with the group buy price

[catnipz0098]

Once the Group Buy thread is approved by a moderator, everybody can order! 

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51126.0

The price is 5 cents for one unit!

[Pacifist]

Sounds good, i'll place an order for some more for myself when it starts. ill change the op with the link and lock the thread

[damorgue]

Once the Group Buy thread is approved by a moderator, everybody can order! 

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51126.0

The price is 5 cents for one unit!

Hold on a second, so 5 USD for a hundred?

[Pacifist]

unlocking real quick so catnipz can answer your question

[catnipz0098]

Once the Group Buy thread is approved by a moderator, everybody can order! 

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51126.0

The price is 5 cents for one unit!

Hold on a second, so 5 USD for a hundred?

Yes, 5 USD for 100, plus shipping and the 3.9% Paypal fee if you don't pay by gift.

[Pacifist]

locking now

[lefthandedspatula]

Oh hey, that Ducky Year of the Snake is mine!

Here are more pictures:












Glad to know my pictures are getting around, I might have to start using a watermark

Thanks for the color changers Pacifist! I hope to order again from you soon!