Topic: Edirol R-09 low-tech solution to decrease screen brightness

[tapeheadtoo]

I recently went to my local auto parts store (Pep Boys) and bought some of that window tinting film that you can put on your car windows.  It comes in three grades of VLT =  variiable light transmission: 35%, 20%, and 5%.  The 5%, also called "extra dark limo grade," allows only 5% of the light to be transmitted, i.e. it blocks 95%.  I cut a small rectangle of the 5% and taped it so that it covers the R-09 screen. I tested it out the past two nights.  In a dark stealth situation, it was just bright enough for me to be able to see my meters and other info on the screen.  Others might prefer the 20%... with the 20% film the screen would be brighter but still only a fifth as bright as the current "darkest" setting on the R-09.

The film comes in a large roll for $9.99.  I would have preferred to get a smaller portion... I only needed a few square inches (I also used it to darken my digital camera and camcorder screens) and now I have a huge roll left over.  Oh well, it might come in handy one of these days.

Apologies if this has already been mentioned and I missed it. I actually got this tip from the photo/video forum a while ago, thought I'd mention it here as it worked well for me this past weekend.

[OOK]

I recently went to my local auto parts store (Pep Boys) and bought some of that window tinting film that you can put on your car windows.  It comes in three grades of VLT =  variiable light transmission: 35%, 20%, and 5%.  The 5%, also called "extra dark limo grade," allows only 5% of the light to be transmitted, i.e. it blocks 95%.  I cut a small rectangle of the 5% and taped it so that it covers the R-09 screen. I tested it out the past two nights.  In a dark stealth situation, it was just bright enough for me to be able to see my meters and other info on the screen.  Others might prefer the 20%... with the 20% film the screen would be brighter but still only a fifth as bright as the current "darkest" setting on the R-09.

The film comes in a large roll for $9.99.  I would have preferred to get a smaller portion... I only needed a few square inches (I also used it to darken my digital camera and camcorder screens) and now I have a huge roll left over.  Oh well, it might come in handy one of these days.

Apologies if this has already been mentioned and I missed it. I actually got this tip from the photo/video forum a while ago, thought I'd mention it here as it worked well for me this past weekend.

Since you already purchased the tint you might want to consider cutting up small squares and selling them for a quarter to taper section members.  I don't think anyone would mind mailing 25cents. and you can mail back the tinted square.  It would be a way to make back some of your money and cheap enough for others to do insted of buying a whole role for 1 square inch of tint... just an idea....  T+ for your inovation.....

[tapeheadtoo]

Since you already purchased the tint you might want to consider cutting up small squares and selling them for a quarter to taper section members.  I don't think anyone would mind mailing 25cents. and you can mail back the tinted square.  It would be a way to make back some of your money and cheap enough for others to do insted of buying a whole role for 1 square inch of tint... just an idea....  T+ for your inovation.....

I thought of that... heck, I'd send a piece to anyone who sent me a self-addressed stamped envelope.. but I wasn't sure I wanted to post my address in such a public place.  Oh well, hell, anyone who wants a little square just PM me.

[OOK]

Since you already purchased the tint you might want to consider cutting up small squares and selling them for a quarter to taper section members.  I don't think anyone would mind mailing 25cents. and you can mail back the tinted square.  It would be a way to make back some of your money and cheap enough for others to do insted of buying a whole role for 1 square inch of tint... just an idea....  T+ for your inovation.....

I thought of that... heck, I'd send a piece to anyone who sent me a self-addressed stamped envelope.. but I wasn't sure I wanted to post my address in such a public place.  Oh well, hell, anyone who wants a little square just PM me.

T+

[dorrcoq]

Did you try putting this over the red recording light?

[tapeheadtoo]

Did you try putting this over the red recording light?

I actually already had my red light covered with black masking tape.  I would imagine the tint would work well for that too, though.  I would test it out but I already have my current cover in place (like a rectangular donut with the button markings visible and the inside cut out to allow a TINY bit of the red light to bleed out so I can see it), fastened down with clear tape just the way I like it so I don't want to remove it... 

Since the red light is so friggin' bright it might take two layers of the tint. 

[dorrcoq]

Since the red light is so friggin' bright it might take two layers of the tint. 

[tapeheadtoo]

Since the red light is so friggin' bright it might take two layers of the tint. 

Yeah, by my calculation two layers of 5% tint should block 99.75% of the light.  That should do it.