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Product:
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MTB Exclusive: VL System L.I.S 2 Blue Eye |
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Price:
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$92 (CAN) / $70 (U.S)
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Supplied By:
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VL System
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Author:
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DrMobius
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Date:
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February 16th, 2004
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Rating:
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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Once out of the box, I noticed the first distinct difference between the L.I.S. 2 and the older L.I.S.
models; the L.I.S. 2 doesn’t have the power and light buttons on the front panel. While some people may
want to have the ability to turn the screen off, I find it more appealing then previous models. The LCD
screen is held behind an aluminum faceplate covered with a sheet of clear acrylic for added protection.
Another difference worth noting between the L.I.S. 2 and previous models is the method of securing the
acrylic and front bezel to the unit. In previous models, larger brass thumbscrews were used to secure
the faceplate to the PCB board behind, whereas in the L.I.S. 2 models; silver rounded rivet-looking
screws were used. This adds a clean look to the faceplate and makes the L.I.S. 2 Blue Eye a welcome
change to its competitors. By default the LCD screen used in the Blue Eye can support 16x2 or 20x2
character modes. Above the LCD screen printed on the clear acrylic sheet is the L.I.S. 2 Blue Eye
graphic and below the unit is VL Systems logo. The side of the Blue Eye unit has holes pre-drilled for
easy mounting into an available 5.25" drive bay.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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A closer look at the back of the L.I.S. 2 shows that, like previous versions, it is actually a Hitachi
HD44780 compatible parallel display that is connected to a separate PCB controller board which converts
the serial input to the parallel display. Across the top of the controller PCB are connections for the
4 fan control cables and to the right side is a blue variable resistor used to adjust the contrast of
the inverse white character type. Across the bottom of the unit are connections for the unit’s power,
the USB control cable, and some jumpers used for adjusting the forward voltage to the LCD screen. These
jumpers are there for factory settings to adjust the voltage depending on the color of LCD screen shipped
with your unit, changing these settings won’t change the color of the screen, but rather increase or
decrease the voltage supplied to the screen. The manual strongly recommends against changing these
jumpers as it could cause damage to the LCD screen.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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Installation of the L.I.S. 2 is fairly simple. With the system powered down, first plug in the unit’s
power cable into a spare Molex connector and plug the other end into the designated connector on the
back of the unit. Next use either the external or internal USB cable and attach it appropriately to your
system, inserting the other end into the designated USB connector on the back of the unit. If you wish
to use the fan control feature, attach your fans using the supplied fan cables to the back of the unit.
The L.I.S. 2 Blue Eye can handle up to 10 watts per fan connection, so multiple fans can be connected
to one connection as long as it doesn’t exceed 10 watts. The manual also warns that if you’re using a
higher wattage fan or multiple fans nearing 10 watts, they recommend you don’t run the fans at too low
of a speed setting for extended periods of time as doing so generates heat that can damage the Blue Eye’s
components.
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