Random question about your LED boards

[Awful]

Do you guys leave your LEDs on at all times or only when using it? I've been turning mine off, but I'm curious if there's really a point.

[blackbox]

Do you guys leave your LEDs on at all times or only when using it? I've been turning mine off, but I'm curious if there's really a point.

No point in turning them off if you do not find it irritating IMO.

[Defect]

Off all the time

[qwack]

On whenever I'm around the computer, off when I'm off for a few hours at least.

[dorkvader]

Until I can figure out a way to get rid of the flicker, I will be keeping my LEDs off all the time.

[suby4me]

I just leave it on, but usually at its lowest brightness setting.

[Justintoxicated]

Until I can figure out a way to get rid of the flicker, I will be keeping my LEDs off all the time.

Flickr?  That would drive me nuts.  I usually leave them on at medium but I think I have the sleep timer set to 4 hours on my board.

[dorkvader]

Until I can figure out a way to get rid of the flicker, I will be keeping my LEDs off all the time.

Flickr?  That would drive me nuts.  I usually leave them on at medium but I think I have the sleep timer set to 4 hours on my board.

it looks like it's about 60-75 Hz, which might be past the flicker threshold for most people. Tho duty cycle also appears pretty wide for most brightnesses, so I'm sure many wouldn't even notice.

I have to run my CRTs at 80-85 Hz or more, and have serious issues with most flat displays due to my high flicker sensitivity.

I'm going to try the "other" official firmware and see if that fixes it.

The keyboard in question uses blank black cherry POM keycaps from a DAS II, with white LEDs for a nice subtle backlinght bath. I keep cherry profile white imsto POM on some of the keys (capslock, numlock) to more easily tell what mode I'm in. It looks really nice when it's on, so if not for flicker, I'd keep the backlight on all the time, even at night.

[PrisonSex]

I only turn my WASD and arrow key lighting on when I'm gaming so I can find those keys in my peripherals without having to base my fingers off the home row marking or the indent on the caps lock key.

[Awful]

I was thinking it would promote longevity of the LED to turn them off if I'm away from the computer for a couple house. This CODE is my first backlit and I want it to last

[dorkvader]

I was thinking it would promote longevity of the LED to turn them off if I'm away from the computer for a couple house. This CODE is my first backlit and I want it to last

Nah, they are rated for like 200,000 hours. I wouldn't worry about lifespan for modern LEDs.

Here's the thing about LED ratings: they're rated for that timespan at "nominal" current (usually 20 mA). Since they are running like 1-3 mA though them, the actual lifespan of the LED is significantly longer than that.

[tp4tissue]

The important thing to remember about LED boards is ... they're cool for all of 2-3 weeks if you're < 18yrs old   1-2 weeks if you're 18-25yrs old,  and exactly 30secs if you're >26yrs old..

After those lengths of time... you will look at your keyboard 0 times.. unless you can't touch type..


Why is it a PROBLEM you might ask...  well... LED keycaps SUCK.. the coating wears off with any extended use..  oh forgot to cut your nails this week, scratch, you just lost your J key...   even if the LEDs last 200,000 hours...  Those keycaps sure as hell wouldn't...

and where are you going to buy replacement led keycaps?  ha.... good luck...

[Pacifist]

but i want dat sexy underglow with thick caps

[Awful]

The important thing to remember about LED boards is ... they're cool for all of 2-3 weeks if you're < 18yrs old   1-2 weeks if you're 18-25yrs old,  and exactly 30secs if you're >26yrs old..

After those lengths of time... you will look at your keyboard 0 times.. unless you can't touch type..


Why is it a PROBLEM you might ask...  well... LED keycaps SUCK.. the coating wears off with any extended use..  oh forgot to cut your nails this week, scratch, you just lost your J key...   even if the LEDs last 200,000 hours...  Those keycaps sure as hell wouldn't...

and where are you going to buy replacement led keycaps?  ha.... good luck...

Orly? Funny, I'm 26. I don't ever look at them to type, but they're so bright I can see in the dark to find my headset and whatever else and these are thick pbts that they show through just fine. This is in a lit room btw. However, I would agree with "Gamer blue" LEDs in PCs... those are lame****

(Need help removing the stick from your anus?)

[Justintoxicated]

The important thing to remember about LED boards is ... they're cool for all of 2-3 weeks if you're < 18yrs old   1-2 weeks if you're 18-25yrs old,  and exactly 30secs if you're >26yrs old..

After those lengths of time... you will look at your keyboard 0 times.. unless you can't touch type..


Why is it a PROBLEM you might ask...  well... LED keycaps SUCK.. the coating wears off with any extended use..  oh forgot to cut your nails this week, scratch, you just lost your J key...   even if the LEDs last 200,000 hours...  Those keycaps sure as hell wouldn't...

and where are you going to buy replacement led keycaps?  ha.... good luck...

I don't think the lettering on my doubleshot keycaps is going to wear off anytime soon
I mean even my 7 year old G15 has painted keycaps and none of the letters are showing any wear years later...

I still like the lighting to find home-row in the dark (Actually to find wasd since I don't use home row for gaming), especially when gaming, and it just looks way better with my red liquid cooling computer theme in general.  Red and amber are great colors that will be easy on your night vision.

[infiniti]

When I'm using my Shine 2, I always turn the LEDs on (steady on brightness level 3).  But on my Sprit 60% I don't turn the LEDs on very often; maybe since I have a hyperfuse DCS set on them.  I should try the Shine caps on them soon.

[Firebolt1914]

Until I can figure out a way to get rid of the flicker, I will be keeping my LEDs off all the time.

Flickr?  That would drive me nuts.  I usually leave them on at medium but I think I have the sleep timer set to 4 hours on my board.

it looks like it's about 60-75 Hz, which might be past the flicker threshold for most people. Tho duty cycle also appears pretty wide for most brightnesses, so I'm sure many wouldn't even notice.

I have to run my CRTs at 80-85 Hz or more, and have serious issues with most flat displays due to my high flicker sensitivity.

I'm going to try the "other" official firmware and see if that fixes it.

The keyboard in question uses blank black cherry POM keycaps from a DAS II, with white LEDs for a nice subtle backlinght bath. I keep cherry profile white imsto POM on some of the keys (capslock, numlock) to more easily tell what mode I'm in. It looks really nice when it's on, so if not for flicker, I'd keep the backlight on all the time, even at night.

That's just how LEDs work, they're like mini strobe lights.

[qwack]

That's just how LEDs work, they're like mini strobe lights.

When they're regulated by PWM, yes, otherwise I think a constant current-driven LED does not flicker, does it?

[Firebolt1914]

When they're regulated by PWM, yes, otherwise I think a constant current-driven LED does not flicker, does it?

It also could be a ****ty circuit

[Justintoxicated]

That's just how LEDs work, they're like mini strobe lights.

When they're regulated by PWM, yes, otherwise I think a constant current-driven LED does not flicker, does it?

They only flicker is using PWM if current or regulated they will not flicker.

[Yslen]

People turn their keyboard LEDs off if they're going away for a couple of hours... but they leave the PC on?

A bit like winding your car windows up when you get to the shops, but leaving the doors open and the engine running

[tribade]

 If my PC is off, then I turn the LEDs off, but otherwise I leave them on when I'm using the board.  If I go away for a bit then I leave them on.  But I haven't been an LED user for a while now.  They always seem like they'd be a lot of fun, but they're never very exciting when I actually have them.