Ever try using a book light on GBA?

[Draven]

My wife got me a Gameboy Advance with Sodoku, Monster Truck Racing, Spy Hunter, and Rampart/Gauntlet (she tried, at least) for Christmas. I love the handheld, and picked up Metroid Fusion yesterday (LOVE that game), but the lack of a side-lit or front-lit screen is appalling. I've done some research (saw the no-longer available AfterBurner and a device that plugs in the ext. port that is very similar to a book light). I heard that using a front light causes a pretty harsh glare, but I'm ready to try something....something cheap. Anyone ever try using a book light? Results/suggestions?

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

There are a number of different styles of external lights for the GBA. I have tried a number of them, but was never really pleased with them. I have a worm light that you can have if you want it. Let me know.

JY

[Pantechnicon]

For indoor daylight conditions, I'm not sure there's any wholly satisfying solution to the GBA's lack of illumination. Worm lights can be hit-and-miss. Pelican made a magnifier/light combo that worked okay.

I used to use an LED flashlight that clipped to the ear, similar to this one (http://www.slipperybrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/nebo-hands-free-work-light.jpg). But it only worked well (obviously) in darkness.

[Draven]

Thanks for the offer, JY! If I don't figure anything out soon I'll send you a PM. I saw a LED light that fits on the brim of your hat (been needing one for projects around the house, anyway). I think I'll try that, but if it doesn't work I might try modifying it and putting it inside the GBA casing (my old lady also got me a new soldering iron for Christmas I've been itching to try out). That's pretty much what the Afterburner was, anyway. Wish me luck!

[darkslime]

Get an SP.
You can find them for about $20 on craigslist most of the time.

[fairyland]

Seconded about an SP. I tried a light thing on the GBA and it was disappointing. I kept fidgeting with it and basically it only caused a glare and it never covered the entire screen. Sadly though, the trouble with SPs, is that unless you get the newer one with improved lighting, the colors will look dark and dull, but at least you can play it in the dark. Don't try a DS unless you plan to own one, as you won't go back to a SP without being extremely disappointed. The DS is way better than the SP and GBA. No idea how the Micro is for lighting though. But if you're set on sticking with a GBA, you'll probably have to always play it under a bright light, which is what I had done until I upgraded to an SP.

[savageone]

Yeah the original GBA is horrible about reflecting light, I can't think of any other handheld that performs so poorly in that area. I actually bought an Afterburner when that came out and installed it, worked like a charm. But honestly with the SP existing with both front and backlit versions you should just get that, the system's design is overall better than the original as well.

I still have it so I wonder if that Afterburner can be installed on the NGPC.. Hrm..

[savageone]

Seconded about an SP. I tried a light thing on the GBA and it was disappointing. I kept fidgeting with it and basically it only caused a glare and it never covered the entire screen. Sadly though, the trouble with SPs, is that unless you get the newer one with improved lighting, the colors will look dark and dull, but at least you can play it in the dark. Don't try a DS unless you plan to own one, as you won't go back to a SP without being extremely disappointed. The DS is way better than the SP and GBA. No idea how the Micro is for lighting though. But if you're set on sticking with a GBA, you'll probably have to always play it under a bright light, which is what I had done until I upgraded to an SP.

Don't forget the DS will not play GB/GBC games like the GBA will. Also on the DS Lite the D-pad really isn't very good. The D-pad on my DS Lite is absolutely horrible for diagonals.

[Daria]

When I had an original GBA I found the best 3rd Party light available was probably the Gamester Floodlight.

[Pantechnicon]

Get an SP.
You can find them for about $20 on craigslist most of the time.

A logical solution, yes, but his wife got him the GBA, so logic has to take a back seat to sensitivity (being married myself, I can empathize).

At least wait a few months until the "newness" luster of the present wears off before looking for an upgrade.

[Draven]

A logical solution, yes, but his wife got him the GBA, so logic has to take a back seat to sensitivity (being married myself, I can empathize).

At least wait a few months until the "newness" luster of the present wears off before looking for an upgrade.

Exactly. She knows I'm a retro gamer and she almost got me the original Gameboy (that was a close one!). If the SP can play Gameboy Color games then I'll probably pick one up eventually. For now I think I'll stick with the Advance (I just got Link's Awakening DX and don't want to get used to the different button layout before I complete it...awesome game). Plus I picked up a booklight yesterday and will be working on how to mate it with the Advance. The DS is cool, but it will become alot cooler when they quit making games for it (that's when I usually pick up a system..strange, I know).

[jb143]

Thanks for the offer, JY! If I don't figure anything out soon I'll send you a PM. I saw a LED light that fits on the brim of your hat (been needing one for projects around the house, anyway). I think I'll try that, but if it doesn't work I might try modifying it and putting it inside the GBA casing (my old lady also got me a new soldering iron for Christmas I've been itching to try out). That's pretty much what the Afterburner was, anyway. Wish me luck!

The afterburner was a bit more complicated than that. It used a wedged piece of plastic that acted as a light guide to cover the screen and more or less evenly distribute the light across it. I've seen people just install LED's along the egde of the screen. It doesn't look that great but I guess it's better than nothing. At one point I was planning on getting a busted 1'st model sp and remove the frontlight to install in my GBA (I like the wider feel more than the SP) but I never got around to it. I just play mine in a well lit area and get by just fine.

[jdc]

That's what I find ironic about handhelds. I find that the best place to play my GBA is outside. The WORST place to play my PSP is....outside.