Who sells the best cold cathode kit?

[BZeto]

I'm looking to buy a blue cold cathode kit soon. I want one that is high quality and will last awhile, and preferably one that doesn't have too many wires to hide. I would also like it to has a switch I can mount to turn it off and on. Who sells the best kits without charging a fortune?

www.svc.com looks like they have a good one, I will probably end up going with that one unless there are better ones out there.


thanks.

 

[Jeff7]

I've used the kits from SVC and Case-mod. Both are pretty good, with just a few complaints.
The inverter box that comes with the SVC kits requires you to open the box to plug in the cold cathode tubes - not really a very big deal though I guess, not like you're doing that a lot anyway.
The protective tubes that cover the actual CC tube in the Case-mod kits (Sunbeamtech brand) have colored stripes running the length of the tube; they call them decorative; I think that they might actually make the lights a bit dimmer than the competition.
Other than that, the kits are quite easy to use - stick the velcro patches to the lights and inverter, stick them somewhere, plug in the lights, and it's good to go. If you want to, you can bore a hole in the case somewhere for the switch.

 

[safoo]

Actually case-mod has been using the same kits SVC uses for some time now, atleast 2-3 months. Both kits from SVC and Case-mod do not have stripes. The diameter of the bulbs of these kits is much smaller compared to a lot of other cold cathode lights, which is why the light is so much brighter.

 

[chizow]

I ordered a kit with dual-inverter from PCMods with my PC-65. Very pleased with its results. The inverter is housed and low profile, with the usual velcro straps. Also, the connections from the inverter to CC are external with a nice plastic connector and clip. FYI, if you want to use a different CC, say from SVC, the connector heads are different sizes. I ended up making an adapter out of copper wire rather than cutting off the connector. Works great.

Chiz

 

[boi]

Use SVC at your own risk. Sometimes you will not get the right color lights. One time I ordered a Purple light and got a White light instead. Another time I ordered a Blue light and got another white one. SVC didn't even allow me to RMA it.:frown:

 

[dmhinz]

I have a dual blue CC by Sunbeam and am very happy with it. I got mine on Ebay for around $20. Which ever light you get, I suggest one that has an inverter capable of running two lights - that way you don't have to do more wiring if you want another lamp or are interested in having multiple colors.

-D

 

[amdskip]

Originally posted by: boi
Use SVC at your own risk. Sometimes you will not get the right color lights. One time I ordered a Purple light and got a White light instead. Another time I ordered a Blue light and got another white one. SVC didn't even allow me to RMA it.:frown:

I RMAed it just fine when they did this to me.

 

[dxkj]

I was about to buy a lot of stuff from them, anyone else have trouble with SVC? Either getting the wrong things or not RMA'd properly?

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: dxkj
I was about to buy a lot of stuff from them, anyone else have trouble with SVC? Either getting the wrong things or not RMA'd properly?

I think they had some problems about 6 months ago being short-handed, but from what I've read and experienced, they've made great strides in correcting those problems (hiring more help, providing better CS on incorrect items, e-mail correspondence on OOS etc.)

I've made 4 individual purchases from them this month alone. Their low prices and charging of actual shipping (USPS) allows for this, as most other places you want to pile everything into 1 purchase to minimize shipping cost.

Anyways, my first order this month, they forgot to ship me 1 2-device rounded cable. E-mailed them on a Saturday and received a reply that day saying it would be shipped out. Received it Weds. that week.

2 other orders went through w/out any issue at all, CC and 2 more rounded and some AS3, SLK-800 and 2 Quad LED fan, and just placed an order yesterday for a crystal orb and some AS Adhesive, should be here tomorrow. All my orders shipped same day (I'm on the EC, so I get a few hours grace period) and arrived within 2 days (3 days on the Sat. Delivery). Not bad for being in Wash. DC and them being in Cali. Their price + shipping is typically better than most places before shipping.

Order from them with confidence.

Chiz

 

[Civic2oo1x]

I agree with the recommendation of SVC. I've placed 3 orders from them, totaling well over $150 in purchases and haven't had a problem yet.

 

[MacBaine]

*shameless self advertising on*

check out my store (in sig)... lower prices than SVC and higher quality. Plus it's from an AT member

*shameless self advertising off*

 

[Muzzy]

Read this and decide for yourself. I went the Pcmods one and not regretting it one bit.

 

[BZeto]

Thanks for the suggestions and for that CC shootout link. Very informative.

And btw, my experiences with SVC have all been good, out of 3 orders.

 

[Drewpy]

Bigfoot Computers guarantees their Cold Cathodes. If its not the brightest, best looking, send it back to them for a full refund. And with the exchange rate right now, they aren't that much more expensive that kits from PCMods etc. The only down side it that you'll have to wire in your own external switch. Otherwise if you want to turn it off, you'll have to open up your case.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: boi
Use SVC at your own risk. Sometimes you will not get the right color lights. One time I ordered a Purple light and got a White light instead. Another time I ordered a Blue light and got another white one. SVC didn't even allow me to RMA it.:frown:

Ah, I just saw something in a review of the Case-mod lights (Sunbeamtech brand), that the stripes on the tube are there for identification. Sunbeamtech's website calls them "decorative" but I guess they do serve a purpose then.