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Product:
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Speeze NeonBar II |
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Price:
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$35 (CAN) / $23 (U.S)
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Supplied By:
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Fanner/Speeze
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Author:
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BigDaddy
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Date:
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March 13th, 2003
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Rating:
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MODTHEBOX would like to thank Bas from Fanner for sending
the Speeze NeonBar II for review.
Introduction:
In the rapid evolution of the case modification community, users now have a veritable slew of options to make
their computer case as unique as their imagination allows. While some parts can be acquired sight unseen with
relative confidence, there are a few key items most users would prefer to see in action before committing to.
Cold cathodes are possibly one of the most popular additions to a modified case, and yet are probably the most
difficult to choose from. While statistics like life hours, power requirements and materials are easy to come
by, you simply can’t measure the quality of a cathode unless you see one in action. Even online pictures fail
to deliver a truly accurate representation, since even the most sincere photographer will have difficulty
compensating for the increased exposure rate required to show a cathode at its best in low light conditions.
As such, we in the MTB Labs have been very critical of the cold cathode products sent to us for review, since
it is a highly competitive market and cathodes are easily the most common mid-priced product a user will
purchase. Today in the MTB Labs, we will be looking at a new offering from the Fanner Group, with their
foray into case lighting embodied in the NeonBar II.
Specifications:
Although the product is called the NeonBar II, the unit is a cold cathode florescent lamp. All the necessary
components required for installation are included in this kit which can be upgraded to a dual lamp configuration
and/or equipped to be sound-sensitive. The specifications are taken directly from the Speeze website, although
provided documentation with the product has some conflicting information.
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Speeze Neonbar II - Key Specifications:
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| Speeze NeonBar II: Manufactured by Speeze |
| Dimensions: 310mm x 15mm x 15mm (w × d × h) |
| Current: 350mA at 12VDC |
| Power: 4.3w |
| Housing: 100% acrylic shell |
| Life Hours: 65.000 |
| Connector: Special coated 12V inverter for safety |
| Application: Case lighting |
 
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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The unit ships in a standard corrugated cardboard box. A simple printed table identifies the amount of cathodes
included as well as the colour. The cathode is well protected in bubble wrap, and is tightly packed with an
inverter, a power cable with pre-wired rocker switch, some adhesive-backed Velcro strips, a rubber washer, a
Spire keychain and the installation pamphlet.
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Click image for larger view
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NeonBar2 2-pin inverter cable
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The unit measures in at a little over 12 inches, which is standard for the cathode market. It is encased in an
acrylic shell that is pinstriped with blue accents to increase the hue of the cathodes colour. The attached
power cable is a full ten inches long, allowing users a good measure of slack to route the wiring out of sight.
The power connector on the product is identical to the connector on the original PCMods cathode and/or the
Sunbeam unit. This is an added benefit, since users looking to supplement their existing lighting with an
additional unit may not need to install a second inverter in order to power the units.
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