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Illuminating Your 'Book's Keyboard

by Charles W. Moore

One very cool feature introduced with the 17-inch Aluminum PowerBook in January, 2003, and later incorporated into the 15-inch AlBook (formerly optional; now standard with the latest revision) is backlit keyboard illumination. Not only does the keyboard on these machines light up, it automatically senses and adapts illumination intensity to the level of ambient light in the room. In low light the PowerBook automatically lowers its display backlight and turns on the backlit keyboard. Then light-emitting fiber optic strands located under the keyboard's laser-etched keys come to life and illuminate the backlit keyboard so you can continue to work, A light sensor automatically adjusts both the keyboard and screen brightness.

Unfortunately, this feature is not available on the 12-inch PowerBook or any of the iBook models, nor of course on any pre-aluminum PowerBook model. However, there are several third-party solutions that, while not as slick as the bigger AlBooks' built-in keyboard illumination, can still light your 'Book's keyboard for computing in low or no light environments, and also can prove more versatile than a backlit keyboard, which won't help with any papers the user needs to read.

These products include the Radtech I-Sight, the LapWorks Nite•Key•Lite, and the Kensington Flylight. The latter two are USB powered LED lamps on a flexible, gooseneck-type stalk, while the on latter is a battery-powered LED lamp worn by the user.

RadTech I-Sight

I-Sight is an ear-worn personal illuminator, which replaces RadTech's popular eyelighter product, and provides numerous enhancements. In a nutshell, the new I-Sight has a much more sophisticated industrial design, is brighter, has more than twice the battery life, and costs only one dollar more than the product it's replacing, which is good news all-round. It does weigh nearly twice as much as the former eyelighter, but it's still very light to wear.

The overdriven, super-bright Nichea LED module features a parabolic reflector and precision focusing lens to provide an amazingly bright (the manufacturer claims up to one mile visibility — and it certainly is very bright) and uniform beam pattern, with no hotspots — just pure and even lighting. I-Sight's reversible and adjustable ear loop allows use with or without glasses on left or right ears.

The I-sight provides keyboard lighting solution even if you have an older PowerBook that doesn't support USB. RadTech's former eyelighter product has been used extensively by astronomers, photographers, mechanics, engineers, electricians, plumbers, backpackers, campers, law enforcement and others.

Weighing just 18 grams, and featuring a claimed useable, continuous runtime of over 36 hours, I-Sight illuminates the wearer's field of vision, with no distracting side flare (unlike the eyelighter) -- while keeping both hands free. An easy to use push-button power switch (big improvement over the eyelighter), aimable lamp module on a flexible stalk, and tool-less battery replacement round out the feature enhancements.

The I-sight illuminates whatever you look at, not just a portion of the keyboard. This may be a positive or negative characteristic, depending on your needs and circumstances. If you want a keyboard illuminator in order to avoid disturbing someone trying to sleep or watching TV in low light in the same room, you may find the I-Sight TOO bright. Some flashlights are a lot dimmer. The I-Sight's beam is quite focused, but there is some scatter from the glow. On the other hand, if you just need to light up your work space, it does a fine job. You won't have any trouble seeing the keys.

The unit is battery-powered with a claimed battery life of over 36 continuous hours, which is not bad, but the USB powered keyboard lights have the edge here, never needing battery replacement. Replacement batteries for the I-Sight cost about six to eight dollars.

Not being physically tethered to the computer, the I-Sight also has a much wider range of usefulness than the USB lights -- I have found the eyelighter very handy during power outages, for example, and it would be useful and convenient on camping trips, or during on the road emergencies like flat tires at night. It also doesn't occupy a USB port which you may need for other purposes. In fact, by total coincidence, I am putting the finishing touches on this review right now with the help of an I-Sight and a Nite•Key•Lite, in the middle of what the local power utility predicts will be a 15-hour power outage caused by a windstorm. Another reason to thank myself for using laptops.

The i-Sight's pushbutton on/off switch, works much more smoothly than the eyelighter's, which was a bit stiff to operate.

The I-Sight is default configured to be worn on the right ear (but can be quickly converted for left ear wear), and is compatible with eyeglasses and BT headsets. It works fine with my wire rimmed specs.

Features:
- Phenomenal brightness and extraordinary battery life.
- Adjustable and reversible rubber-coated ear clip.
- Long-lasting, user-replaceable batteries - Lithium cells included!
- Virtually indestructible, unbreakable LED "bulb". Thousands of uses.
- Peacefully coexists with eyeglasses and BT headsets.
- Works under water - unaffected by heat or cold.

I-Sight Specs:
2-3v CR2016 lithium cells
Reversible, adjustable ear loop
Colors: Bright White, Green
Projector: Reflected,lens-focused
Main Spot Dia at 0.5m: 25cm
Weight: 18g (total)

I-Sight is available in 2 illumination colors: bright white for general tasks, and green for situations when dark vision needs to be maintained.

I-Sight is available now for $12.95 USD

More information on I-Sight at:

http://www.radtech.us/Products/ISight.aspx

Nite•Key•Lite

Apple's backlit keyboard feature on the 15 inch and 17-inch PowerBooks is very slick and cool, but those of us with lesser 'Books can still enjoy the advantages of keyboard elimination with the LapWorks Nite•Key•Lite -- an 18 inch long serpentine keyboard lamp with two white LEDs.

The Nite•Key•Lite plugs into and draws power from one of your 'Book's USB ports. But not very much power. LapWorks says that on average, the Nite•Key•Lite's power consumption amounts to roughly 90 seconds per hour of battery life. The bulbless LED units have a projected service life of up to 8,000 hours. It comes with a lifetime warranty.

Especially if like me you are not a touch typist, keyboard illumination when you're working in a dark or low light environment is more than just a convenience. It is also very useful if you like computing in bed and your significant other would rather sleep, or if you are in a darkened boardroom, restaurant, or airplane. And of course, the Nite•Key•Lite will come into its own during power interruptions.

Being a USB device, the Nite•Key•Lite is Mac/PC ambidextrous, and it is designed to be long enough to reach over the top or around the sides of most computer screens from a rear-located USB port, but it's even more ideally suited to recent Apple 'Books with side-mounted ports.

The Nite•Key•Lite's flexible "gooseneck" wire stays in whatever position or orientation you arrange it, and the entire unit is so small and lightweight that there is essentially no penalty to carrying it when you're road warrioring.

The LED's soft white light is just enough to eliminate your keyboard without disturbing others.

Features:
* No external power source necessary - plugs into any USB port.
* Soft white light illuminates your keyboard just enough to see - won’t disturb others.
* Flexible neck lets you position the light where you want it first time every time.
* Soft white LED bulbless lights last up to 8,000 hours.
* Small and lightweight - perfect for road warriors on the go.
* Fits easily anywhere - coiled or extended.
* No risk with the 30-day money back guarantee.
* So durable it comes with a life time warranty.
* Features 2 LED lights for extra brightness

The Nite•Key•Lite sells for $14.95

For more information, visit:
http://www.laptopdesk.net/access-usblightf.html

Kensington FlyLight USB PowerBook Light

Similar in basic concept to the Nite•Key•Lite is the Kensington FlyLight USB PowerBook Light, which is available in Black or Platinum, with either a blue/white or red LED, and supplies gentle illumination of your keyboard that won't with minimal drain your battery.

FlyLight comes in several models:

FlyLight USB Notebook Light

Price: $19.99

For more information, visit:
http://us.kensington.com/html/6424.html

FlyLight with Red LED

Price: $19.99

For more information, visit:
http://us.kensington.com/html/1207.html

FlyLight Platinum

See the keys...in Platinum style

Price: $19.99

For more information, visit:
http://us.kensington.com/html/4765.html

Kensington FlyLight Features and Benefits
• No batteries, powered by USB port
• Long-lasting, bulb-free design for reliable light
• No switches, bulbs, or batteries to break or replace
• Gentle LED glow provides task light without disturbing anyone
• Flexible neck perfectly positions light over task
• Small and light enough to take anywhere
• Uses less than 90 seconds of battery charge per hour

Dimensions
19.0"L X 0.25"H X 0.5"W

FlyLight 2.0

Eight ultra-bright LEDs are mounted atop a flexible gooseneck that's easy to position. And with a built-in dimmer control, it is also easier to control brightness. The energy-efficient LEDs draw minimal power and last up to 100,000 hours of continuous use.

Features
* Eight ultra-bright LEDs deliver clean, white light
* Flexible gooseneck puts light where it's needed
* Built-in dimmer switch provides precise control of brightness
* Powered by USB port
* Efficient LEDs burn for more than 100,000 hours of continuous use
* Draws less than 90 seconds of battery power per hour of use

For more information, visit:
http://us.kensington.com/html/5159.html

FlyLight 3.0 Ultimate On-the-Go LED Light

FlyLight 3.0 delivers bright white LED light exactly where it's needed. When attached to the laptop's USB port, the gooseneck-mounted light provides task lighting for on-the-road computing comfort and productivity. But unscrew its brushed aluminum head and the FlyLight becomes a lightweight flashlight that's barely bigger than a set of car keys. A stylish key ring screws into the flashlight for carrying ease. Better, yet, the FlyLight flashlight recharges via the laptop's USB port so there are no batteries or bulbs to replace.

Features
* Two lights in one for versatile, on-the-go lighting
* Gooseneck-mounted lighting illuminates workspace for comfort and productivity
* Light head detaches to become a bright, LED flashlight
* Flashlight recharges via the laptop's USB port for up to one hour of continuous use
* Bright LED provides clear, white light and eliminates need to replace bulbs
* Stylish key ring attaches to flashlight for carrying convenience

Price: $24.99

For more information, visit:
http://us.kensington.com/html/6359.html

Any of these lights would make great Christmas gifts for laptop owners on your list.

CM