FS : Sega Nomad Modding Service -- Screen and Battery

[jonjandran]

I am now offering my Nomad modding services to the public (this means you).

I can modify the Nomad with a new , much better looking screen.
The price is $65. With a replacement screen cover also the price is $70.
The Nomad needs to be shipped to me. I replace the screen with the new one and Priority ship it back to you. It usually takes less than a week for you to receive it once I get the Nomad.

I can modify the Nomad with a Lithium Ion battery pack for $70
It uses a AAA battery pack container made for the Nomad. I install a 2200mAh Lithium Ion battery inside with a new charging jack. You then will receive the New battery pack and home charger and car charger. I do not need your Nomad for this mod. You will receive it within a week as long as I have parts in stock.

Below is a simplified example of the mods I do.

PM me if you are interested.

Thanks :)

Youtube video added.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCZ4oPixQwU


References for mods I have done:

Screen Mod :
Racketboy member jbltecnicspro.

I got everything, and I'm very happy. Nice work! You can't tell the mod was done! :DDigitalPress member megasdkirby

The difference is definitely noticeable! Much more color, I can see details I never saw before, great viewing angle. Simply fantastic! :D
Thanks so much on such a fantastic mod! It's superior in every way to that old stock LCD, it's incredible! And now my broken Nomad has life again!
Screen and Battery Mod :
[/quote]DigitalPress member Oldskool

Well I just got it today, looks awesome! I cannot believe the difference! I can actually play Sonic and see what the hell is going on. Thanks man! Thanks Jonjandran this thing looks AWESOME!! I expected it to be nice but DAMN. You can actually read the text in Phantasy Star IV, and the fast action in Sonic is no match for this screen! I recommend to ANYone with a Nomad to get this done.Digitalpress member MetalFRO.

I had a chance to test it as well - thanks so much, I can't believe how clear that new screen is, and no residual blur!The Retro League Host and BenHeck member nickerous:

Amazing difference in quality! The new screen makes it much easier to play the Nomad. Can't reccomend it enough. The battery mod allows the Nomad to be used as a true portable system. Who has the money for regular batteries to feed the unmodded Nomad? This solves that problem and allows me to cut the cord in regards to the wall adapter. Thanks again, Hailrazer!

[jonjandran]

SCREEN MOD

This is what your Nomad looks like on the inside:

http://jonjandran.com/pics/jonjandran/nomad9.JPG

Here is the new Lcd we will be using :

http://www.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_20415_2.jpg

When we take it apart it will look like this :
http://jonjandran.com/pics/jonjandran/de4.JPG

Here's what it looks like installed:
http://jonjandran.com/pics/jonjandran/nomad2.JPG


Plug it in and see the new Lcd in all it's glory.

http://jonjandran.com/pics/jonjandran/nomad6.JPG

http://jonjandran.com/pics/jonjandran/nomad7.JPG

Here's a pic of what the old screen looked like :
http://jonjandran.com/pics/jonjandran/NomadOldScreen.JPG

[jonjandran]

BATTERY MOD

This is the re-chargeable battery pack for the Nomad. I also use the 6-AAA battery pack depending on what i can find to buy.

http://jonjandran.com/pics/jonjandran/bat1.JPG

The battery I will be using is a Sony np-f550 2000 mA battery.
http://images.marketplaceadvisor.channeladvisor.com/hi/61/61482/247924_it_l.jpg

Here's what it looks like installed.
http://jonjandran.com/pics/jonjandran/bat2.JPG

And here is the charging jack installed:
http://jonjandran.com/pics/jonjandran/bat4.JPG

And here's the charging adapter you will receive :
http://jonjandran.com/pics/jonjandran/bat5.JPG

One advantage of this is that it will last around 4 1/2 hours with a stock Nomad. With a Nomad that has a new screen like mine in it , it will last around 8 1/2 hours.

Plus it is a LOT lighter than with the stock Nomad battery pack.

[youruglyclone]

pm sent...so fast!

[esquire]

Do you do service repairs to the Nomad as well? My volume control is broken and needs replacement.

[jonjandran]

Do you do service repairs to the Nomad as well? My volume control is broken and needs replacement.

I could do that. PM me.

[jdawg131]

Wow. Those look like some sweet mods. I may have to pick up a Nomad now...

[c0ldb33r]

Wow very cool - do you have any youtube videos of thenew screen? I'm interested but would like to see it in action.

edit: if I get the new screen installed, how long would the nomad last using 6 AAs (alkaline or NiMH)?

[jonjandran]

Wow very cool - do you have any youtube videos of thenew screen? I'm interested but would like to see it in action.

edit: if I get the new screen installed, how long would the nomad last using 6 AAs (alkaline or NiMH)?

I did one but it didn't turn out great so I will re-do it next week.

I really don't know for sure but I imagine it will last around 35% longer than it does with the stock screen.

[esquire]

I could do that. PM me.

I have to dig it out and then get back to you regarding that and your mods. Thanks!

[-hellvin-]

This is some impressive work. Those screen comparison shots look golden. If I ever find a Nomad in the wild, I will absolutely be hitting you up with a PM.

[allyourblood]

I usually like to keep my classic systems stock "just because", but that mod looks great in the photos. I'd love to see a video or two.

[jonjandran]

Youtube video added. Uploading now :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCZ4oPixQwU

[c0ldb33r]

Video not available :(

[youruglyclone]

wrote to you a while back then talks stopped, still interested in doing both.

[jonjandran]

Video not available :(

Yes it is ???


wrote to you a while back then talks stopped, still interested in doing both.

Replied to Pm's sorry. Let's get them done :)

[allyourblood]

Video worked fine for me earlier. Just checked it again and it's still good.

[darkslime]

Very cool mods. Not $70 cool for me personally but nice work, that screen looks great

[c0ldb33r]

Can you offer anything else to the nomad too? Like a power LED?

[jonjandran]

Can you offer anything else to the nomad too? Like a power LED?

Heck yea, not a problem :)

[c0ldb33r]

Heck yea, not a problem :)
sorry I should have been more specific - have you done one before, what would it look like, where would you put it and how much would it cost?

[Baloo]

Here's a question for you jonjandran: I have a Nomad whose screen doesn't function. Before it would be delayed before going on (the sound would come out first) and now the screen refuses to power on at all. The sound still comes out, and all the buttons still work though.

Now if I got your LCD screen modification, would that fix my problem as well?

[jonjandran]

Here's a question for you jonjandran: I have a Nomad whose screen doesn't function. Before it would be delayed before going on (the sound would come out first) and now the screen refuses to power on at all. The sound still comes out, and all the buttons still work though.

Now if I got your LCD screen modification, would that fix my problem as well?

Yes it would.


sorry I should have been more specific - have you done one before, what would it look like, where would you put it and how much would it cost?

I have done Led mods on tons of consoles.
It would look like whatever you wanted it to look like and it would go almost anywhere. The easiest would be to put it where the existing low battery light is, which is worthless anyways :)
Price would depend on what/where and colors etc. But shouldn't be more than $10-$15 MAX.

[c0ldb33r]

It would look like whatever you wanted it to look like and it would go almost anywhere. The easiest would be to put it where the existing low battery light is, which is worthless anyways :)
Cool - could it be a dual colour LED - green when power is on, red when power is low?

[jb143]

Cool - could it be a dual colour LED - green when power is on, red when power is low?

It would probally take extra circuitry to do that, otherwise you'd get red and green mixed together(yellow?) when the power was low.

Edit--
Probally just a transistor and a resistor or 2 now that I think of it.

[jonjandran]

Cool - could it be a dual colour LED - green when power is on, red when power is low?

Well it would be a little hard and probably not really worth the time and effort but it is possible.

[c0ldb33r]

I remember seeing some LEDs on lsdiodes.com that would vary the colour depending on how much power went into them.

[Oldskool]

Nice looking work there. I bought a GenMobile for the nicer screen and better battery life, but the thing just doesn't play the games like my Nomad does. I already use rechargeable batteries in my Nomad, but the screen mod looks to die for!

[megasdkirby]

I'm definitely interested, and if everything turns out well, I will contact you, jonjandran, in a few days. :)

But in the meantime, I just noticed that the GameGear is the same size as that of the Sega Nomad. Have you pondered about replacing GameGear screens too?

What about for the Atari Lynx? I know the screen is different, but do you think it's possible using a different screen?

[jonjandran]

I'm definitely interested, and if everything turns out well, I will contact you, jonjandran, in a few days. :)

But in the meantime, I just noticed that the GameGear is the same size as that of the Sega Nomad. Have you pondered about replacing GameGear screens too?

What about for the Atari Lynx? I know the screen is different, but do you think it's possible using a different screen?


Can't do it with a Gamegear it doesn't have composite out. Don't know about the Lynx , might get one and see :)

[c0ldb33r]

Wow, I just watched the youtube video. The difference really is striking. Incredible really.

I noticed when the new LCD version powers on, it says "AV2" for a few seconds. Does this mean that there are other inputs available? It it possible to put composite inputs somewhere on the nomad? and have those work on the other inputs?

[jonjandran]

Wow, I just watched the youtube video. The difference really is striking. Incredible really.

I noticed when the new LCD version powers on, it says "AV2" for a few seconds. Does this mean that there are other inputs available? It it possible to put composite inputs somewhere on the nomad? and have those work on the other inputs?

Yep :)

[Oldskool]

Check yer' PM's Jon.

[megasdkirby]

Is it still possible to connect to a TV after the mod?

[MarioMania]

Do you do Game Gear LCD replacement & Caps for Audio

[jonjandran]

Is it still possible to connect to a TV after the mod?

Yes it is.


Do you do Game Gear LCD replacement & Caps for Audio

Can't replace Gamegear screens , sorry. Yes I can replace the caps on a Gamegear.

[Oldskool]

Will you still be able to adjust the contrast on the LCD screen? I'm sure it probably doesn't matter anyways, it'll probably look just fine. What would you say the battery life might be with the LCD mod - but not the battery mod? Running 6 2500mAh rechargeable AA's. Also, one last question, does the LCD have a good seal around it to keep the dust out? Nothing bothers me more than dust on the surface of the screen, just under the protective plastic.

[jonjandran]

No the contrast knob no longer functions and it is really not needed.

You should get over 9 hours with the Lcd mod and 2500mAh batteries.

I try my best to seal it and keep all the dust out. But I don't have a "clean room" , so a tiny spec or two might get in there. But I seal the lcd all the way around and take off the front cover and clean it before re-assembly. But I can't promise 100% dust-free. And if anyone has changed the front screen protector then they have allowed dust in :)

[Oldskool]

Bump for an awesome service.

[megasdkirby]

Jonjandran,

You mention that for the battery pack mod, it is $70, correct? What if the battery pack case was provided as well? Will the price for the battery mod lower, or will it remain at the same $70?

In other words, if I were to send you a spare battery pack, how much will the battery mod be, since you don't have to find it?

[jonjandran]

Jonjandran,

You mention that for the battery pack mod, it is $70, correct? What if the battery pack case was provided as well? Will the price for the battery mod lower, or will it remain at the same $70?

In other words, if I were to send you a spare battery pack, how much will the battery mod be, since you don't have to find it?

If you send a battery pack I can lower the price to $55.

[neojapan]

I have a "dead" Nomad here, I turn up the volume and the game is playing but screen is dead, also when you move the power cable it turns off. So I think you can replace the screen and can revive the nomad yes? :) here is a pic

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r28/faramith/dead.jpg

[megasdkirby]

I would pressume so, since it's a screen replacement.

At least I hope so. LOL

[jonjandran]

I have a "dead" Nomad here, I turn up the volume and the game is playing but screen is dead, also when you move the power cable it turns off. So I think you can replace the screen and can revive the nomad yes? :)



I am 99.9% sure a screen replacement would fix it. It might be a IC problem but that is highly doubtful.

And I have to repair the power adapter jack on about 75% of the Nomads sent to me , so that is no problem. PM me when you want it done :)

[Friend of Sonic]

I am 99.9% sure a screen replacement would fix it. It might be a IC problem but that is highly doubtful.

And I have to repair the power adapter jack on about 75% of the Nomads sent to me , so that is no problem. PM me when you want it done :)
I am very, very interested in doing this. I am all right with the 65 for the screen, but I'm not sure about spending the money on the battery mod-- may sit that one out! Just wanted to give you a bump because I've always been pretty sad about the outdated LCD tech in the Nomad and your service sounds great.

[jonjandran]

Yea the battery mod is a bit expensive because I have to purchase both the batteries and the Nomad battery packs off Ebay.

But it really is worth it. Right now with the Lithium Ions I use and the new screen you can get around 8 hours of playtime. And you will be able to recharge them for a hundreds and hundreds of times unlike those crappy re-chargeable AA's.

[Oldskool]

Yeah, those rechargeable AA's only gave me 1 hour and 5 minutes of life, even with the new LCD. Oh well, still looks BEAUTIFUL. Maybe I will get to doing the Lithium Ion mod eventually as well.

[jb143]

Just a note for using Lithium-Ion batteries. Don't let them loose too much charge(easy to happen in a Nomad), as it can shorten their life span. If you let them completely die, they may not even recharge. I'd recharge them at the first sign of power loss, like the LED flickering. Also, unlike some rechargeables, it's a good idea to keep them topped off. Hope this helps everyone who gets the battery mod. Looks great, by the way.

[jonjandran]

Just a note for using Lithium-Ion batteries. Don't let them loose too much charge(easy to happen in a Nomad), as it can shorten their life span. If you let them completely die, they may not even recharge. I'd recharge them at the first sign of power loss, like the LED flickering. Also, unlike some rechargeables, it's a good idea to keep them topped off. Hope this helps everyone who gets the battery mod. Looks great, by the way.

Nope not the ones I use.

The Lithium Ions I use have a built in protection circuit so this is not a problem. Use them till the system stops working and then charge them till the charger turns green. Rinse and repeat . :)

[megasdkirby]

I always thought Ni-Cd has memory issues, not Ni-Mh or Lithium batteries.

Some Lithiums suffer from this?

[Gameboy415]

If I can track down a Nomad I'll be sending it to you for both mods! :D

[jb143]

I always thought Ni-Cd has memory issues, not Ni-Mh or Lithium batteries.

Some Lithiums suffer from this?

Ni-Cd's have the memory problem but that's not the problem I'm talking about. You can let them fully discharge without much worry.

Lithium-ion's on the other hand can become unable to be charged if you let the charge drop too low. But their advantages make them a good choice for using in a Nomad.

[Oldskool]

Well I am using Ni-Mh 1.25v rechargeables. And I think they have a memory problem because I always kept the charge topped off. I ran them down until the Nomad died (1 hour 5 minutes), and recharged them. Second time around I got 1 hour and 30 minutes play time. And this time I totally discharged the batteries by leaving the Nomad on even though the screen was blue (the low power led was still on as well), until everything completely shut down. So we'll see what I can get out of it this time.

I have yet to try a set of brand new alkalines. I am curious as to what the life would be on those with the new LCD, but all I have are cheap Rayovac alkalines. I'm sure some good Energizers or Duracells would be better to test the alkaline life with.

[Oldskool]

Ni-Cd's have the memory problem but that's not the problem I'm talking about. You can let them fully discharge without much worry.

Lithium-ion's on the other hand can become unable to be charged if you let the charge drop too low. But their advantages make them a good choice for using in a Nomad.

I dunno, my DS is L-ion and I've smoked the battery in that many a time. And it still gets good battery life and it's now about 5 years old.

[jb143]

A DS will drain the batteries far less than a nomad will. With the new screen it's probably better off though, but letting them fully discharge can still cause problems.

And letting Ni-Mh's fully drain isn't good on them either. What happens is that if one fully drains before the others, then the others will put a reverse charge on it and ruin the battery.

Sorry for derailing the thread, I think I might write up a battery guide though to help folks out so they can keep their batteries in their handhelds(or in general) lasting as long as possible.

[megasdkirby]

Sorry for derailing the thread, I think I might write up a battery guide though to help folks out so they can keep their batteries in their handhelds(or in general) lasting as long as possible.

Actually, that is a fantastic idea! I would love to read it.

[Oldskool]

Well after trying as best as possible to do a full dis-charge on the Ni-Mh batteries, I got about 3 hours playtime with them! That's over double what I was originally getting. These batteries sat in storage for almost a year and were never used - I think that may have something to do with it as well. It seems like they are learning the Nomad, or vise versa. LOL. 3 hours is the most I ever got out of the Nomad using AA's. I believe I never got more than 1.5 hours even when it was new.

By the way, still loving the screen. Phantasy Star IV is a blast to play on the Nomad now.

When I last dis-charged them, I swapped the batteries around a few times to evenly drain them.

I will report back on the battery life again for the next go around. Still have yet to try any new Alkalines or new rechargeables.

[jonjandran]

A DS will drain the batteries far less than a nomad will. With the new screen it's probably better off though, but letting them fully discharge can still cause problems.


No, no, no.

First any electronic device will drain a battery. One will not drain a battery "far less" than another. If you play either device till it goes off it has effectively drained the battery past the point that the device will run. Every device has a voltage minimum that it will run at.

And no you are not fully discharging a lithium ion battery when you run it down so far that the device turns off. With my Nomad battery mod there is a protection circuit that lets the battery discharge ONLY to a certain point then it cuts them off. MOST other electronic devices that use Lithium Ion batteries have the same type of circuit built in.

So please stop with the whole "you'll ruin lithium ion batteries if you let them run down". This only applies to Lithium ions with no protection circuit, which most electronic devices have.

[megasdkirby]

So please stop with the whole "you'll ruin lithium ion batteries if you let them run down". This only applies to Lithium ions with no protection circuit, which most electronic devices have.

Makes sense. No wonder when laptop batteries are not working properly, it is said to "run down" the battery completely before charging. Usually, this does the trick, unless the battery is very old.

Does this apply to NiMH as well?

Also, got your PM Jon! :D

[jonjandran]

Makes sense. No wonder when laptop batteries are not working properly, it is said to "run down" the battery completely before charging. Usually, this does the trick, unless the battery is very old.

Does this apply to NiMH as well?

Also, got your PM Jon! :D

The reason for running down Lithium Ions completely when they are not working properly is that this re-sets the protection circuit .

[jb143]

A Lithium Ion can be damaged if you let it die with no protection circutry. I have seen batteries in a Nomad go into polarity reversal with NiMH's before, so it will allow them to discharge to dangerous levels. If your mod has the protection circuity then that's another story and just more kudos to the service you're offering.

Also, by "draining a battery far less", I meant as a unit of time. A Nomad has higher power requirements so batteries won't last as long in them. All I was saying is another device will take longer to drain the batteries because of that.

Anyways, I'll just leave it at that at let this thread get back to it's intended purpose.

[jonjandran]

A Lithium Ion can be damaged if you let it die with no protection circutry.

Also, by "draining a battery far less", I meant as a unit of time. A Nomad has higher power requirements so batteries won't last as long in them. All I was saying is another device will take longer to drain the batteries because of that.

Anyways, I'll just leave it at that at let this thread get back to it's intended purpose.

Yes I completelty agree, with no protection circuit you will ruin lithiums by draining them way down.

Oh I see what you were saying. Yes the Nomad has a much higher mA draw than the Ds.

[megasdkirby]

Just got my Nomad with new screen today, and it's fantastic!

Super smooth movement, very colorful, and great viewing angle! Specially compared to the dreary stock LCD the Nomad had!

Definitely recommended! :D

[jonjandran]

I have 4 more screens and 15 battery paks.

Anybody else want in on some good ole Nomad modding :)

[megasdkirby]

I really have this urge to request another mod. :D

Just need a console to mod... :(

[T2KFreeker]

Any news on this working on a Lynx? I'm more than interested in that.

[Ed Oscuro]

Kind of tempted to do this even though it's a bit expensive (would have to save up for it heh).

Question: Has anybody checked out the lag time on the new screens vs. the old ones? How does it compare?

I know I could do it; all you'd need to do is photograph the Nomad's screen while plugged into a TV, and check for motion blur and lag.

Question #2: Price per mod for Nomad + caps kit?
Price per GG cap kit?

Question #3: TurboGrafx Express cap kits? (Actually need a PC-GT done, it's the Japanese version.)

[jb143]

Any news on this working on a Lynx? I'm more than interested in that.

Lynx uses a completely different type of screen. It would take specially designed conversion circuitry made small enough to fit inside. Impossible? No...but a whole lot more work. The only reason this works is that the Nomad has composite out.

[Ed Oscuro]

The only reason this works is that the Nomad has composite out.
Makes sense. If it's using the composite (i.e. A/V), is simultaneous television viewing possible like on a regular Nomad, and are the brightness levels dimmed due to undervoltage?