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by Gilligan
Sat Dec 30, 2017 11:26 am
Forum: Echo Vale
Topic: Converting headphones and/or mic to wireless—bluetooth or RF?
Replies: 1
Views: 5690

Converting headphones and/or mic to wireless—bluetooth or RF?

I have used a Logitech G930 for years for gaming, and have loved the wireless freedom. I have recently decided that I no longer enjoy their comfort and decided to buy open-backed Philips SHP9500 headphones, which also sound much better. For a microphone, I ordered a condenser desktop microphone but ...
by Gilligan
Wed Feb 22, 2017 4:13 pm
Forum: Networking
Topic: New Router Needed (bought - back to drawing board)
Replies: 35
Views: 11382

Re: New Router Needed (bought - back to drawing board)

What do you guys think of this deal?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/netgear-ref ... 0e2af00INT

I'm looking for a decent router for less than 100
by Gilligan
Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:02 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...
Replies: 47
Views: 6133

Re: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_OCVGnzRcEogQWt8VUW5OIMcMkuspBbx2YWmUftxveekMUxV9_q33GSonVMg8vEsOdY83XodWZOVHx0Hd1hbmorOWiCQ1ptgzzMk1dhz6wfz9XOaNXY5Aw3v1SRbchejIoRVQHDVBt0UgituOAvvIcvgQdJ78u2Gie3uQmLUbq5NA5g23QPvIGaxE4pTyEZVkBpfN45tVMASMiwfmWqxhGQyLFsb7De9BwDclWncByNG3WL3J9ABMnDB6dXueIq6ohhZo6PQJ...
by Gilligan
Fri Oct 07, 2016 5:45 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...
Replies: 47
Views: 6133

Re: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...

I've got some pictures!  This is the Mark II MAGNUM light saber (the Mark I was just embarrassingly bad).   https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/anIkazfoqAmgo7UBnVw4JnQOkCK009Y229R7SRBbQg83gRM8SgFEV1Zsl9FAnJSlxTgU7TVGN1SJjj4m2UbxKyZ3n38PwmvRCB25aoRUCzU3Xat9V05sQt9zbwJpCu6hmv801Gx7MERkvc3O6rMrSJuLcn7pfv...
by Gilligan
Sun Oct 02, 2016 10:39 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...
Replies: 47
Views: 6133

Re: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...

Well guys, you have convinced me. I am still waiting on my Peltier to arrive in the mail, but I guess it's safe to say that its application in the lightsaber is almost definitely a fail.   Here is a TEC designed for generation , and it only produces 1.8V and 368mA given a 40 degree temp change (whic...
by Gilligan
Fri Sep 30, 2016 5:59 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...
Replies: 47
Views: 6133

Re: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...

4' T12 LED Bulb  (not sure if that's the exact bulb you'd want to use) good for 1700 lumens at 17W with a  red tube around it .  Done.  Easy.  Plus it's only 1.5" diameter. Only a small fraction of that light's output will be red and therefore it will not be remotely as bright as a 100 watt re...
by Gilligan
Fri Sep 30, 2016 2:43 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...
Replies: 47
Views: 6133

Re: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...

You may be better off skipping the peltier, and using phase-change heat transfer tubes to help pull and disperse the heat, like you see on heatsinks and small cases regularly. Skip liquid cooling, that is complex, leak prone, and much volume will be consumed by things that don't help ridding you of...
by Gilligan
Fri Sep 30, 2016 12:12 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...
Replies: 47
Views: 6133

Re: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...

Thanks for the suggestion, since my battery is 3000 mAh and ~11 volts, in theory it can only deliver 100 watts for at most 20 minutes (check my math?), which means I will probably only crank it up to "11", a few times, just to impress the ladies 8). I guess I could install a  small thermo...
by Gilligan
Fri Sep 30, 2016 11:55 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...
Replies: 47
Views: 6133

Re: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...

A 3" (diameter?) PVC handle?  Are you building this for a giant?  Just the scale of everything seems blown out of proportion to me.  Would love to see pictures though. Haha, yea this is MAGNUM XL lightsaber!  To me, it's more fun to make this sucker absurd, and embrace the phallic nature of li...
by Gilligan
Fri Sep 30, 2016 11:48 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...
Replies: 47
Views: 6133

Re: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...

The pump I bought takes a max of 5 watts, which is probably overkill for this application anyways, right?   It means that the Peltier you're looking at can't fully power the pump, so thermal runaway is definitely in play.  It says nothing to the ability of that pump to push enough water through a c...
by Gilligan
Fri Sep 30, 2016 11:33 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...
Replies: 47
Views: 6133

Re: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...

Fair enough, how about a Moscow Mule cup with boiling water on one side.  I'm trying to envision something I already have  :D
by Gilligan
Fri Sep 30, 2016 11:21 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...
Replies: 47
Views: 6133

Re: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...

Thanks for the suggestion, since my battery is 3000 mAh and ~11 volts, in theory it can only deliver 100 watts for at most 20 minutes (check my math?), which means I will probably only crank it up to "11", a few times, just to impress the ladies 8). I guess I could install a  small thermom...
by Gilligan
Fri Sep 30, 2016 10:22 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...
Replies: 47
Views: 6133

Re: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...

Obviously I know little about Peltier coolers, hence this forum post. Which Peltier would you recommend?   The pump I bought: http://www.banggood.com/Mini-DC12V-3M-Micro-Quiet-Brushless-Motor-Submersible-Water-Pump-p-932046.html The pump I bought takes a max of 5 watts, which is probably overkill fo...
by Gilligan
Fri Sep 30, 2016 10:06 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...
Replies: 47
Views: 6133

Building a LIGHTSABER!! Peltier Cooler question...

I'm having way too much fun in my garage building a MAGNUM XL lightsaber for some Darth Vader halloween shenanigans!  I'm using 3 inch PVC for the handle (hilt), and 3 inch clear polycarbonate for the blade.  This diameter is sufficient to fit a red 100 watt LED!  I will use a 3000 mAh 3s lithium ba...
by Gilligan
Sun Aug 21, 2016 9:35 am
Forum: Graphics
Topic: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)
Replies: 37
Views: 10063

Re: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)

They patched the power problem for the RX 480, right? It no longer pulls more than 75watts from the PCI slot.   What is the specification amps (or watts) difference from a 6pin and 8pin connector? Does the 8pin have two additional positive wires?  Can I just splice additional 12v wires to effectivel...
by Gilligan
Fri Aug 19, 2016 8:45 am
Forum: Graphics
Topic: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)
Replies: 37
Views: 10063

Re: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)

I managed to grab a Visiontek RX 480 8gig for $248 shipped, at BH Photo. This should be fine right? Or should I have waited for a better cooler design/8pin power connector? EDIT: This is the one I bought, in stock right now! https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1265084-REG/visiontek_900888_radeon_...
by Gilligan
Wed Aug 17, 2016 10:25 pm
Forum: Graphics
Topic: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)
Replies: 37
Views: 10063

Re: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)

I'm still trying to grab a RX 480 that isn't completely price gouged. It must be some supply chain screw up that AMD doesn't have enough of them. 
by Gilligan
Sat Aug 13, 2016 10:44 am
Forum: Graphics
Topic: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)
Replies: 37
Views: 10063

Re: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)

I just got my new Viewsonic XG2401 in the mail! The stand and monitor external quality seems superb. Navigating the menu is annoying, but not that big of a deal. After tweaking the monitor settings, it doesn't look much different than my cheap HP IPS display I have next to it. The colors/contrast/br...
by Gilligan
Sun Aug 07, 2016 11:09 am
Forum: Graphics
Topic: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)
Replies: 37
Views: 10063

Re: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)

ULMB, does this work with the Viewsonic XG2401 that I just bought? I don't know anything about ULMB... :-? EDIT: Okay, so ULMB strobes the backlight to reduce motion blur basically? Turning off inbetween transitions? Can I make the Viewsonic do this? EDIT#2: Okay, I have newfound appreciation for my...
by Gilligan
Sat Aug 06, 2016 11:06 pm
Forum: Graphics
Topic: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)
Replies: 37
Views: 10063

Re: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)

Yeah, updating that sig now! That's embarrassing :lol:
by Gilligan
Sat Aug 06, 2016 7:45 pm
Forum: Graphics
Topic: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)
Replies: 37
Views: 10063

Re: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)

Thanks for the suggestions and insight! You guys are confirming what I was thinking already pretty much. The 1060 sounds neat until you factor in a gsync monitor, then it no longer has bang for buck. The RX480 4gb sounds like best bang/dollar right now. Obviously 1440p with gsync and 1070 is the dre...
by Gilligan
Sat Aug 06, 2016 3:26 pm
Forum: Graphics
Topic: 480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)
Replies: 37
Views: 10063

480 (+Freesync monitor) vs 1060 (+gsync monitor)

Your head might explode: I'm still gaming on a 9800 GT graphics card (2007 technology). I have an i5 6600K system running with that dinosaur card, haha. It looks like the just-released RX 480 and GTX 1060 offer the best bang/buck so I am ready to upgrade! I have also read about high refresh and sync...
by Gilligan
Sat Nov 21, 2015 11:36 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: New MSI Z170 motherboard... no IDE support?
Replies: 18
Views: 7628

Re: New MSI Z170 motherboard... no IDE support?

Thanks for the replies guys, I decided a full windows reinstall was the easiest thing to do. I really didn't want to put all my old parts back in to get it booted by IDE just to edit the registry for AHCI — I couldn't figure out how to do it by plugging the drive in USB to my laptop. I'm typing on t...
by Gilligan
Sat Nov 21, 2015 3:09 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: New MSI Z170 motherboard... no IDE support?
Replies: 18
Views: 7628

New MSI Z170 motherboard... no IDE support?

I just upgraded to DDR4, an i6600K and MSI Z170A PC MATE LGA 1151 motherboard. My previous computer was a core 2 duo e8400, yes, I know, it was a dinosaur. My solid state hard drive was running in IDE mode I believe with my core 2 duo, and my new motherboard only has an option for AHCI and RAID. The...
by Gilligan
Fri May 16, 2014 1:29 pm
Forum: Visual Haven
Topic: 4K Monitor for Microscope Computer - Samsung U28D590D?
Replies: 14
Views: 5264

Re: 4K Monitor for Microscope Computer - Samsung U28D590D?

I don't have any hands-on experience with a 4K monitor so I can't help you there, but I found myself wondering if you've verified that your software can work with that kind of screen resolution? Windows will be fine with some tweaking, more or less (assuming that's your OS) but what about your imag...
by Gilligan
Fri May 16, 2014 12:09 pm
Forum: Visual Haven
Topic: 4K Monitor for Microscope Computer - Samsung U28D590D?
Replies: 14
Views: 5264

Re: 4K Monitor for Microscope Computer - Samsung U28D590D?

Our images are taken at a max of 8bit, so 8bit is fine.
by Gilligan
Fri May 16, 2014 11:35 am
Forum: Visual Haven
Topic: 4K Monitor for Microscope Computer - Samsung U28D590D?
Replies: 14
Views: 5264

Re: 4K Monitor for Microscope Computer - Samsung U28D590D?

We image things with a grand total of 4 colors at the most. Therefore accurate color reproduction is absolutely unnecessary. As long as I can tell blue, red and green apart, it will be totally fine. I'd much rather not deal with 30hz headaches, so I really want the Displayport 1.2 to work without an...
by Gilligan
Wed May 14, 2014 12:54 pm
Forum: Visual Haven
Topic: 4K Monitor for Microscope Computer - Samsung U28D590D?
Replies: 14
Views: 5264

4K Monitor for Microscope Computer - Samsung U28D590D?

I am trying to upgrade the monitor on our lab's confocal microscope computer. Currently it has a 1080p monitor and the resolution is very restrictive for productivity. The refresh rate and color reproduction absolutely do not matter for this microscope! This is why I was thinking the cheap $700 Sams...
by Gilligan
Thu Mar 06, 2014 2:39 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: How to read RS232 Data in Real Time on PC?
Replies: 10
Views: 9069

Re: How to read RS232 Data in Real Time on PC?

Laptop without an Serial port. I was hoping of using one of those usb to serial adapters, and then ask you guys for a good program suggestion.

I just bought a Rasberry Pi for something else, would that work well perhaps?

Will
by Gilligan
Thu Mar 06, 2014 2:15 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: How to read RS232 Data in Real Time on PC?
Replies: 10
Views: 9069

How to read RS232 Data in Real Time on PC?

I am using an instrument which sends a signal to a printer which continuously prints - exactly like an old school seismometer. This instrument was built in the 90s and has an RS232 output on the back. I do not have software, or documentation, but I would like to output the signal straight to a compu...
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