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LCD vs VFD Aquaero

B

BellaCroix

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
1,054
Just wondering if anyone has side-by-side comparissons, photos, whatever of what the visual differences between the LCD version and the VFD version of the Aquaero controller are.

I've checked the threads but not entirely sure what I'm looking at when people post pics it the controller installed.

I've seen some that look like they're missing the platic front screen, is that the VFD?

Any help deciding if the extra $40 is worth it since I really don't care much about a wider viewing angle.
 
ae_bellacroix.jpg


:D

A VFD is easy to recognize because the characters (their pixels) are glowing while a LCD is working with a backlight.
The contrast and angle of view is much higher. You can also change the color when you use color filters like in the picture above.
 
Shoggy said:
ae_bellacroix.jpg


:D

A VFD is easy to recognize because the characters (their pixels) are glowing while a LCD is working with a backlight.
The contrast and angle of view is much higher. You can also change the color when you use color filters like in the picture above.
Click to expand...

BTW, the color could be green, red, or even hot pink if your tastes run in that direction ;) You can get the colored filter material at any decent photography store and it literally comes in just about any color you can imagine. Normally sold in rectangular or square shapes and you just cut to fit. You can combine multiple colors to produce other colors as well. Obviously the more filters you use the less transmission of light though. This stuff is used by photographers to create special camera filters and special ambient lighting conditions for studio lighting.

As Shoggy said you definitely want the VFD device. However, you can get the LCD device now and upgrade your unit to VFD at a later date. The VFD unit just bolts in and it has a socket connector so no soldering is necessary.
 
You should really use a color filter because without a a filter the VFD display looks a bit strange like here.
 
Hmmm... then it sounds like VFD will be the way to go. Regardless of being able to upgrade later to the VFD (it's hard enough to get the parts when you're ordering the entire unit, I'd hate to see the effort of learning German just to order a replacement screen).

The thing I was concerned with was (and now I can't find the picture) something someone posted on a thread with a pic of their rig with an Aquaero installed. It looked like there was something very wrong with the display. Like it was missing a difusing filter or something. You could see each individual character space and it looked like it was 20x2 seperate, little displays. I couldn't tell if there was something missing from it, if the angle was wierd, or if they had the contrast turned WAY too high.

My only concern would be how different it will look from the Crystalfontz LCD display it will be mounted alongside.

And yeah, I know about the photographic filters. I've got a box of Cookin gels in a box from when I was in college.
 
BellaCroix said:
The thing I was concerned with was (and now I can't find the picture) something someone posted on a thread with a pic of their rig with an Aquaero installed. It looked like there was something very wrong with the display. Like it was missing a difusing filter or something. You could see each individual character space and it looked like it was 20x2 seperate, little displays. I couldn't tell if there was something missing from it, if the angle was wierd, or if they had the contrast turned WAY too high.
Click to expand...
Maybe this picture:

ae_vfd_500.jpg


:confused:
 
Shoggy said:
Maybe this picture: :confused:
Click to expand...

No... that's acceptable... doesn't look much different than the Crystalfontz display I'm using now (except it's not backlit the same, just looks inverted). The one I saw had black letters on a clear/silver background... I'll have to look for the image tonight and have someone tell me if that's how they really look. It just looked completely wrong and I'd decided that if that's how the VFD's looked I'd take my chances and order from [that company that everyone's trashing] since [the other company] only has the VFDs.
 
Just powered mine up for the first time along with LIS 2, it brings a new meaning and a new definition to feedback. I am not an engineer by trade but the people who work for me are.
One thing is certain, there are people as TN says who drive Ford's and those who drive Porsche's, the VFD from AC is far beyond a Porsche. It is beyond words.
Take it from a guy who has gone from a VW to Porsche, back to a Toyota, to a Range Rover, to a Porsche,( a few BMW's in between) a Ferrari, and finally to the promised land of Aston Martin. Know I have found the promised land of H2O cooling...AC.
I am quite sure the Deutschers would dissagree, such is life.
I can assure you all of one thing, a Ferrari is what you want when you are single, an Aston is what you want when you are married.
Actually you never get over a Ferrari, which is why we still have one, strangely enough my wife will not drive it, but she like s to ride in it.
Sorry, got off subject, some of us like looks along with performance, which is the reason I like AC stuff. I am quite sure DD, SwifTech and all the other stuff works just as well.
The bottom line is this....we live in a great country, we can all express our ideas.
We can buy what we want, say what we want and do pretty much do what we want.
Let's just help one another with H20 cooling!
After all it is alot of fun!
 
theseeker said:
Just powered mine up for the first time along with LIS 2, it brings a new meaning and a new definition to feedback. I am not an engineer by trade but the people who work for me are.
One thing is certain, there are people as TN says who drive Ford's and those who drive Porsche's, the VFD from AC is far beyond a Porsche.
Click to expand...

Is your's already been burned to a version 4.x firmware?
 
BellaCroix said:
No... that's acceptable... doesn't look much different than the Crystalfontz display I'm using now (except it's not backlit the same, just looks inverted). The one I saw had black letters on a clear/silver background... I'll have to look for the image tonight and have someone tell me if that's how they really look. It just looked completely wrong and I'd decided that if that's how the VFD's looked I'd take my chances and order from [that company that everyone's trashing] since [the other company] only has the VFDs.
Click to expand...

I don't think it is possible to have Black letters on a silver background with a VFD display even with filters. The big movers and shakers in displays for this kind of stuff is Matrix Orbital and Noritake if that helps with your looking. In fact the LCD displays sold by Aqua Computer are manufactured by Matrix Orbital and they get their VFD displays from Noritake.

BTW, I think that "the other company" can supply you with anything Aqua Computer makes even if it is not on their website. :)
 
BellaCroix said:
The one I saw had black letters on a clear/silver background... I'll have to look for the image tonight and have someone tell me if that's how they really look.
Click to expand...

I found the picture I was talking about... actually it's green letters on a silver-ish background. Actually, it's a link TN posted on the thread titled "The New Aqua Setup!".

The case looks great but something just doesn't look right about the Aquaero. On the sides of the actual display it looks like you can see the display mount and connectors, the contrast doesn't look right in the pics... I don't know, it just looks like something's missing.

This is the link she posted: Linky
TN: sorry if you don't want me to re-post that link, let me know if it's a problem and I'll edit it out and try to find an image host.

Is ^that^ really how they look in real life?
 
BellaCroix said:
I found the picture I was talking about... actually it's green letters on a silver-ish background. Actually, it's a link TN posted on the thread titled "The New Aqua Setup!".

The case looks great but something just doesn't look right about the Aquaero. On the sides of the actual display it looks like you can see the display mount and connectors, the contrast doesn't look right in the pics... I don't know, it just looks like something's missing.

This is the link she posted: Linky
TN: sorry if you don't want me to re-post that link, let me know if it's a problem and I'll edit it out and try to find an image host.

Is ^that^ really how they look in real life?
Click to expand...

Not my link so I could care less. ;) Actually that is the link to the box that theseeker bought IIRC. Ask R1ckCa1n to post a pic of his VFD. And yes you do want to put a filter over the display. That pic looked out of focus to me though. The guy also probably really turned up the brightnessso he could get a good pic for his sale ad. They really do look nice, but get the filter
:cool:
 
That picture was taken with flash light. That's the reason why it's looking so strange.

Here you can see that 'silver background' too.
 
Just any photo store then should sell filter paper and just cut it and match it up?
 
I got my from eBay. They were filters for spotlights. The foil was around 40x40cm and I trim it to my needs. I paid only 1 euro for each foil if I remeber right.
 
GokuSSL said:
Just any photo store then should sell filter paper and just cut it and match it up?
Click to expand...

Yes that is correct. But it is not paper.

See this link to see the Noritake VFD in action for some different types of filters.
 
BTW, here is the link for the Noritake specs in case someone is interested. The Noritake part number that Aqua Computer uses is CU20025ECPB-W1J and it appears to have an optional header connector built specifically to fit their board. But I assume an enterprising wicked modifier of all things electronic (like me) might be able to figure out a way around that minor inconvenience. :cool:

Since this unit is also a drop in replacement for a standard LCD it appears that my original guess that the LCD and LT Aquaero versions can be easily updated to VFD versions by buying the board locally or from an Aqua-Computer dealer. However, if you are doing this upgrade I assume you will have to re-flash the firmware for a VFD firmware. The LCD and VFD firmwares are NOT the same because the VFD does not use backlighting whereas the LCD does.

hehehe Top Nurse has some things in store for the Aqua-fanz. Give me a few weeks to work things out and I will see if I can possibly bring down the price of an Aquaero here in the states. :D

edit: Well perhaps the v 4.xx firmware addresses these issues of incompatibility between LCD and VFD devices as I don't remember seeing a LCD version 4.xx firmware. Shoggy do you know about this?
 
Thank you ! The main thing is though where do I buy them? I can't find one link to buy or do I have to call them to place a order?
 
GokuSSL said:
Thank you ! The main thing is though where do I buy them? I can't find one link to buy or do I have to call them to place a order?
Click to expand...

Any photographic supply house (camera store) should have whatever you want.
Try these, though I'm not sure if they are long enough.
 
Top Nurse, with OS 2.xx there is only one firmware for all versions of Aquaero ;)

And your link... $ 31.95 <- WTF?! :eek:
That's usury.

As an example: that is what I'm using right now and it only costs 1 euro per 24x24cm.
 
Shoggy said:
Top Nurse, with OS 2.xx there is only one firmware for all versions of Aquaero ;)

And your link... $ 31.95 <- WTF?! :eek:
That's usury.

As an example: that is what I'm using right now and it only costs 1 euro per 24x24cm.
Click to expand...

I was wondering about that while I was wondering around in the menus last night as I saw a LCD option. So I think I will order up a LCD just to make sure it works and then publish the results here on the forum. BTW, is A-C still using Crystal Fontz LCD's? If so do you by any chance have a part number? :D I would rather get it from MO rather than pay freight twice over the pond. ;)

****** BTW, if you are going to be mucking around with your Aquaero then pay attention to the little glass nipple on the side of the VFD. You break it and you buy another display! ******

I looked at your link and those films you have are not the same. Yours appear to be extremely thin and the one I linked to are photographic grade filters. The reason I posted it is because I was getting bugged for a supplier for them. Personally I would just go to any photo store and get the filter I need for a few bucks.
 
Hey shoggy, are you using samerize (or whatever) to show you Aquaero status on the desktop? I find that application very cool.
 
GokuSSL said:
Thank you ! The main thing is though where do I buy them? I can't find one link to buy or do I have to call them to place a order?
Click to expand...

Not *ANY* camera store is going to stock what you're looking for, although most higher end ones will at least be able to order Cokin gels for you. If you're looking to walk in with cash and walk out with gels look for professional level stores. Walk in, look for a Bogen tripod or a Hasselblad camera, if you see them they'll know EXACTLY what you're looking for. If they have a Minolta body and a couple Cannons with some pimply-faced kid behind the counter he'll probably think you're talking about colored Saran Wrap.
 
Well I was talking about a camera shop. Generally they have Canon's, Nikon's, Minolta's, and many of the high end cameras I would expect to see are like $2,000 to $5,000. You know a camera store ;) They are generally called blah's Camera's or something like that. Now if you live in the hinterlands then you probably got problems. However, when I was in Missoula recently they did have a nice well equiped camera shop in town that did have that kind of stuff. Forget Walmart, Target, or any other place that sells cameras as a side line. You need to go to a real camera store. ;)
 
Okay I have done some research on getting Aquaero prices down in the USA for the Aqua-Fanz. I think that most people will be interested in what the Aquaero can do on screen once you see what the new Aqua Suite looks like. So A-C does sell a stripped down version of the Aquaero that is essentially all the guts and none of the glory. It does everything EXCEPT have a front panel display and mount. It is called an Aquaero LT and I figure they will sell in the USA for about $180 USD. Essentially this gives you all of the advantages of owning an Aquaero such as temp sensors, flow monitoring, fan control, and of course all the bells and whistles that goes along with the version 4.xx firmware. :D

If at a later date you decide you want a LCD or VFD display you can add the appropriate display and a few minor stuff like attachment hardware and a faceplate. I'm looking in to a local source for the Noritake VFD displays and the LCD displays are available from Crystal Fontz. This does not present any real problems as the new version 4.xx firmware is able to drive either a LCD or VFD display. Even if I can't source a local supply for the displays they can be bought through an Aqua Computer dealer. They just bolt in on the version 4 hardware.

I have taken pics of the boards and VFD display in its component state. I will post these later today. :D
 
Top Nurse said:
I looked at your link and those films you have are not the same. Yours appear to be extremely thin and the one I linked to are photographic grade filters. The reason I posted it is because I was getting bugged for a supplier for them. Personally I would just go to any photo store and get the filter I need for a few bucks.
Click to expand...
Why should I use totally overpriced camera filters? I don't have a camera, I have a Aquaero ;)

Those thin filters are enough. You can attach them easily (cause they are so thin) and the display itself is already protected by glass.
 
Shoggy said:
Why should I use totally overpriced camera filters? I don't have a camera, I have a Aquaero ;)

Those thin filters are enough. You can attach them easily (cause they are so thin) and the display itself is already protected by glass.
Click to expand...

Hey if I could get those here I would buy them! :D But shipping from Germany is going to be a killer add on to the price. :eek:
 
Just for anyone who is interested there is one Aquaero left at Sharka and it has already been flashed to version 4.xx firmware. It now displays English as soon as you turn the unit on :D All new Aquaero's coming to the USA will have version 4.xx firmware already installed. :cool: I would guess that the new shipment of Aquaero's will be here in about 2 weeks.
 
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