Introduction

Case modding. It seems everyone and their mother are case modding in any way, shape, and form. With more and more people modding their cases, there seems to be a lot of the same things showing up lately. Well, let us step up to the next level in case modding, and add a Matrix-Orbital LCD. Matrix-Orbital? "They are like more expensive then the other LCD's out there." Raise your hand if you just said that to yourself. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6....OK, you get the idea. Matrix-Orbital has even heard that from you all. Well, today I am here to show you a Matrix-Orbital LCD that is worth every penny you would spend on it. "But I can get one for $5 to $30 that does the same thing." OK, now who said that? Raise your hand... Sure, spend $5 and get that LCD display. 9600 baud, refreshes slower then I can read the entire bible, and has a name you couldn't even pronounce if you tried to sneeze it. Oh, and it doesn't come with a keypad. A keypad? WTH. Yep, the Matrix-Orbital BLK202A-4BR comes with a keypad. A sweet ass keypad at that. At first I was iffy with the entire keypad idea, and even Henry over at Matrix-Orbital will tell you that I wasn't to fond of it at first. Now, I am in love with the thing, but...I will be giving it up soon (details to follow). SHHHH!!!

Let me fill you all in on a little something concerning the Matrix-Orbital LCD's, my history with LCD's, and then on to the review. First experience with a LCD...About a year ago, I got my hands on a nice Sanyo 16x2 LCD for $10 at a local computer shop. With a little work and a little bit of programming, I had a crappy LCD that could display my name. As some of you may remember, I had done a review on a Crystal Fontz display a few months back. It was a kit from CaseEtc. Since it was my first REAL LCD with instructions and software on the market, I thought it was tops then. Of course I had seen the Matrix-Orbital LCD's and pretty much thought what everyone of you are thinking or have even thought of. Matrix-Orbitals are just so much more expensive right? Well, after going to a local LAN party a couple of times and seeing a case with a Matrix-Orbital LCD (LK204-25-PC I believe was the model), I immediately fell in love. A gorgeous white glow, with fancy blue letters, and a brightness that I could see and read from a good 20 or so feet away, I knew I had to have one. Well, it seemed like a month or two had gone by and all of a sudden on the same day I got 2 e-mail's from some Virtual-Hideout readers. Pretty much, they wanted to know what was so special about Matrix-Orbital LCD's and why were they more expensive then the all to familiar Crystal Fontz brand, the ones that All Electronics sells for dirt cheap, and the others people have found all over the web. So, in my quest for the best answer, I contacted a few of the LCD manufacturers and retailers and got my responses. So why am I only reviewing the Matrix-Orbital LCD and not the others? How come I am not doing a shoot-out? I think the answer speaks for itself. Out of the 20 or so e-mail's I sent out, Henry from Matrix-Orbital responded. At first I thought here we go again. He isn't interested either. Well was I wrong. Henry was so damn interested, he made me do home work. He sent me a lil questionnaire asking what my plans were, why I picked him, would I ask him out on a date if I ever made it to Canada, and the all to famous A/S/L ? HEHE. Just kidding, but he did make me do some home work. Actually, I almost didn't reply to it thinking this was a dead end. Boy was I wrong. Henry and the fellows over at Matrix-Orbital are some of the coolest (and frickin' craziest) people I have met during my time here at Virtual-Hideout. So, since Matrix-Orbital was the only one interested in Virtual-Hideout doing a shoot-out or a review, here we are. Guess Matrix-Orbital isn't scared at all as to what I think about this LCD ;p Woohoo, done, let's get on to the good stuff.....

Contents

• BLK202A-4BR (Contains the LK202-24-V LCD)
• 12V Power Cable (Wide Voltage Units -V)
• 1' Serial Cable
• -4BR Serial Cable
• CD-ROM With Software & Manual

BLK202A-4BR

12V Power Cable (-V)

-4BR Serial Cable

1' Serial Cable

CD-ROM Software & Manual

Specifications

As for the specifications on the BLK202A-4BR (LK202-25-V LCD), I will just quote the specifications listed by Matrix-Orbital.

Appearance

Functional Capabilities of Display

Includes

Interface

Speed

Power Requirements (Ta = 25°C, Vin = 12V)

 

 

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