The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Fluorescent Stickers instead of Backlit keyboard

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by varnado, Jul 16, 2012.

  1. varnado

    varnado Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    261
    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hi everyone,

    I needed to use my new Clevo w110er in a pitch dark room in nights and since this model does not support backlit keyboard yet, I tried florescent keyboard stickers. The result was so good that I decided to share this with the community. This is a cheap/practical way for those who like to have something similar to a backlit keyboard...

    Here are some photos
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    varnado, Jul 16, 2012
    #1
  2. PopeJamal

    PopeJamal Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    7
    Messages:
    104
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    31
    That looks much brighter than I thought it would. I've never heard of that before. Nice find!
     
    PopeJamal, Jul 16, 2012
    #2
  3. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

    Reputations:
    21,580
    Messages:
    35,370
    Likes Received:
    9,878
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Where did you buy those!? Works much better than I thought it would. Maybe I'll give it a go.
     
    HTWingNut, Jul 16, 2012
    #3
  4. jtthejam

    jtthejam Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    67
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Hmmm are the letters so big?
    If so, are there letters with a smaller font size?
     
    jtthejam, Jul 16, 2012
    #4
  5. Rauch

    Rauch Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    24
    Messages:
    120
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Woah... The color, size, and font make it stand out amazingly well... It completely changed the style and makes it look a bit more aggressive and gamer-ish.

    Wonder how well they'll hold up over time, but I'm definitely interested!
     
    Rauch, Jul 16, 2012
    #5
  6. xxpawnerzxx

    xxpawnerzxx Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    31
    Messages:
    250
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Am I the only one that thinks the huge letters are a turn off? I would rather type blind than have that hideous keyboard :/
     
    xxpawnerzxx, Jul 17, 2012
    #6
  7. varnado

    varnado Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    261
    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Indeed the font size is huge, I have chose a bigger size because it makes it easier for me to see the keyboard even in the daylight and it looks cool. I've got this one from ebay, just search for "Glowing fluorescent keyboard".

    I was using vinyl decal stickers before, they don't slide due to pressure and these stickers should last for a long time but if I had any problem during the next days I will post back here. Just make sure you have a clean keyboard before using any kind of stickers. You can make your own with different colours of course.
     
    varnado, Jul 17, 2012
    #7
  8. vuman619

    vuman619 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    381
    Messages:
    367
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    That is awesome dude, good find!
     
    vuman619, Jul 17, 2012
    #8
  9. jaug1337

    jaug1337 de_dust2

    Reputations:
    2,135
    Messages:
    4,862
    Likes Received:
    1,031
    Trophy Points:
    231
    Actually seems legit
     
    jaug1337, Jul 18, 2012
    #9
  10. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

    Reputations:
    21,580
    Messages:
    35,370
    Likes Received:
    9,878
    Trophy Points:
    931
    I actually like the larger font.
     
    HTWingNut, Jul 18, 2012
    #10
  11. mattstermh

    mattstermh Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    630
    Likes Received:
    95
    Trophy Points:
    41
    That's pretty awesome..
     
    mattstermh, Jul 18, 2012
    #11
  12. jaug1337

    jaug1337 de_dust2

    Reputations:
    2,135
    Messages:
    4,862
    Likes Received:
    1,031
    Trophy Points:
    231
    Me too, it seems to fit the machine perfectly
     
    jaug1337, Jul 18, 2012
    #12
  13. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    2,594
    Messages:
    10,832
    Likes Received:
    363
    Trophy Points:
    501
    very impressed. +rep for showing us your idea
     
    MrDJ, Jul 18, 2012
    #13
  14. factory_666

    factory_666 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    61
    Messages:
    151
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Wow, those letter size is scary! I assume they have smaller letters too?

    Also - have you tried taking stickers off? Do they leave disgusting sticky stains on the keys?

    Thanks for sharing the pics + respect!!!
     
    factory_666, Jul 18, 2012
    #14
  15. Black5Lion

    Black5Lion Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    53
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    ummm..... sorry off topic but how can i give +rep?
     
    Black5Lion, Jul 18, 2012
    #15
  16. factory_666

    factory_666 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    61
    Messages:
    151
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Left bottom corner of the post you want to add rep to, there are three buttons - one shows whether the poster is online, one adds rep, one reports the poster.
     
    factory_666, Jul 18, 2012
    #16
  17. Black5Lion

    Black5Lion Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    53
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    great! thanks! :D
     
    Black5Lion, Jul 18, 2012
    #17
  18. Lalary

    Lalary Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Do they come in different colors such as blue or white?
     
    Lalary, Jul 19, 2012
    #18
  19. varnado

    varnado Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    261
    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Thank you all guys :)

    The size/shape depends on your personal taste, I prefer bigger cause it reflects more light in the night and thus much more brighter, also easy to see in the day as well. I noticed it helped me to type with less erros cause the keyboard is really small.

    Vinyl Stickers are good for anywhere, even on the surface of your car! they don't slide by finger's pressure and won't leave any stickiness after removal. After a-few days of use I did not encounter any problem since I was thinking after playing a lot (e.g using WSAD keys) the stickers start to slide on keys but it did not happen at all.

    Of course, you just need to ask the print company who sells them to print a customized version for you but I guess it costs more or you may modify an ink-jet printer and print it on a vinyl sheet.
     
    varnado, Jul 19, 2012
    #19
  20. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

    Reputations:
    4,745
    Messages:
    8,513
    Likes Received:
    3,823
    Trophy Points:
    431
    Tinderbox (UK), Jul 19, 2012
    #20
  21. awakeN

    awakeN Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    616
    Messages:
    1,067
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I recall another thread before about using flourescent stickers and everyone was commenting how it didn't work and was a waste of money, but those results seem surprisingly good!
     
    awakeN, Jul 19, 2012
    #21
  22. varnado

    varnado Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    261
    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Here are two photos for comparison , the first one has been taken during daylight and the other in the night without any light source except laptops' monitor.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    varnado, Jul 19, 2012
    #22
  23. jaug1337

    jaug1337 de_dust2

    Reputations:
    2,135
    Messages:
    4,862
    Likes Received:
    1,031
    Trophy Points:
    231
    MOTHER OF GOD it looks good! What the actual hell
     
    jaug1337, Aug 19, 2012
    #23
  24. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

    Reputations:
    21,580
    Messages:
    35,370
    Likes Received:
    9,878
    Trophy Points:
    931
    I know, right? I will have to order some soon. I'm just afraid I'll get some crap stickers that don't do squat.
     
    HTWingNut, Aug 19, 2012
    #24
  25. LaptopNut

    LaptopNut Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,610
    Messages:
    3,745
    Likes Received:
    92
    Trophy Points:
    116
    I ordered some from Ebay but these are the same ones but from the official site

    I was lead to that site from this review.

    Looks like I happened to order from the same sites Ebay store which is good since quality looks great!

    I ordered some for my P170HM as well. I have lost count of how many times I had to use a torch or switch on the lamp for keyboard use.
     
    LaptopNut, Aug 19, 2012
    #25
  26. LaptopNut

    LaptopNut Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,610
    Messages:
    3,745
    Likes Received:
    92
    Trophy Points:
    116

    I just received two packs of these from Ebay but the font is not huge like the OP's, they are a very similar size to my existing keyboard

    Glowing fluorescent English UK keyboard stickers | eBay
     
    LaptopNut, Aug 29, 2012
    #26
  27. sha7bot

    sha7bot Company Representative

    Reputations:
    259
    Messages:
    249
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    How long will these last? Are they Tridium? How difficult are they to remove?
     
    sha7bot, Aug 29, 2012
    #27
  28. jaug1337

    jaug1337 de_dust2

    Reputations:
    2,135
    Messages:
    4,862
    Likes Received:
    1,031
    Trophy Points:
    231
    I am very interested too! Might purchase some for my M1530
     
    jaug1337, Aug 29, 2012
    #28
  29. LaptopNut

    LaptopNut Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,610
    Messages:
    3,745
    Likes Received:
    92
    Trophy Points:
    116

    I just placed the ones on my P170HM now and found the font and size looks almost exactly the same. When I used them for my W110ER, I had to trim most of them but that's more because I was so fussy.

    After the picture you see in this post, I removed all stickers again and reapplied so all of them were perfectly in the centre of each key so bare in mind that it looks a lot better / neater now.

    I had to remove quite a few to trim them down to size (W11OER) and it was easy, didn't leave any mess and it didn't lose its adhesiveness. I highly recommend the ones I linked to and if you live in the US, shipping will arrive quickly since that's where it was sent from to me in the UK.

    As for how long they will last, I expect this to be a very long time and notice they have a protective film on the top too.

    I think these are better than the huge font ones because it doesn't change the existing keyboard size.

    (P170HM)

    IMG00044-20120830-1607.jpg

    Edit:

    Here is a pic of my W11OER's keyboard. I only have a phone to use for picture taking so quality isn't that great.

    IMG00080-20120901-1546.jpg
     
    LaptopNut, Aug 29, 2012
    #29
  30. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

    Reputations:
    21,580
    Messages:
    35,370
    Likes Received:
    9,878
    Trophy Points:
    931
    I want some with a clear background so I can place them on the Fn keys and still see the other stuff.
     
    HTWingNut, Aug 30, 2012
    #30
  31. varnado

    varnado Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    261
    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'm using them for nearly 2 months now and nothing happened so far , not even 1 mm movement/slide (LL Size). It is easy to remove or adjust them. After removal they don't leave any adhesive on the keys.
     
    varnado, Aug 30, 2012
    #31
  32. guily6669

    guily6669 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    216
    Messages:
    178
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Jeez, this is so nice. Thanks for the idea, looks BADAS
    Keep Cool
     
    guily6669, Aug 31, 2012
    #32
  33. jaug1337

    jaug1337 de_dust2

    Reputations:
    2,135
    Messages:
    4,862
    Likes Received:
    1,031
    Trophy Points:
    231
    That is so beautiful :O
     
    jaug1337, Sep 2, 2012
    #33
  34. guily6669

    guily6669 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    216
    Messages:
    178
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Just ordered mine too.

    But PT keyboard is not as good as the one on this thread. It doesn't even bring the SPACE key damn...
    Keep Cool
     
    guily6669, Sep 2, 2012
    #34
  35. aydn

    aydn Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    68
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Just ordered these uranium stickers thanks OP. It's 1$ cheaper for Cdn orders through ebay.ca as shipping is included vs 2.70$ from their site.
     
    aydn, Sep 13, 2012
    #35
  36. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

    Reputations:
    21,580
    Messages:
    35,370
    Likes Received:
    9,878
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Well I ended up putting the stickers on my keyboard. While they look good, I can feel the edges of the stickers when I type and move my fingers to other keys, it's quite annoying. I was quite careful when cutting and took an hour and a half to install all the stickers. I think I will be removing them.
     
    HTWingNut, Nov 3, 2012
    #36
  37. guily6669

    guily6669 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    216
    Messages:
    178
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Sadly, yeah. I have same opinion.

    They "scratch" on your fingers, like.... A LOT.

    After I see how bad it feels, I have only used WASD, alt, ctrl and esc keys. I will probably not use all the rest.


    ps: But they really work well at night! I'm not using the laptop much, but I think with time the edges may get smooth and stop scratching...
    Keep Cool
     
    guily6669, Nov 4, 2012
    #37
  38. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

    Reputations:
    21,580
    Messages:
    35,370
    Likes Received:
    9,878
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Yeah I've tried using my nylon trim stick and smoothing out the edges and everything and nothing is working. If anything I think they will start lifting up a bit over time not smoothing out. They do work really well, just not great for touch typing. I think if they had bigger keys and it was down in valley it might not be as big of a deal.
     
    HTWingNut, Nov 4, 2012
    #38
  39. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

    Reputations:
    21,580
    Messages:
    35,370
    Likes Received:
    9,878
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Happened to be at Micro Center the other day and found these stickers. They work great. They're smaller than the other ones and are very smooth. Very comfortable compared to the other ones. They aren't nearly as reflective as the other ones, but without anything, I can't see the keys on the keyboard at all. These are visible but they don't shine.

    I found these at Micro Center. I tried the blue but they didn't glow at all. Thankfully Micro Center let me return them for the orange ones. You can find blue, pink, yellow, orange on eBay. I haven't found them anywhere else. Just search "glowing key board stickers" on eBay and you'll find them. (be sure to put space between key and board actually)

    Stickers in Package
    [​IMG]

    Stickers in low light conditions
    [​IMG]

    Stickers with no light except LCD
    [​IMG]
     
    HTWingNut, May 11, 2013
    #39
  40. vegetaeater

    vegetaeater Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    66
    Messages:
    353
    Likes Received:
    86
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Can't find those orange ones online.

    I was skeptical on the first post, thinking the stickers would be uncomfortable to use.
    Would definitely be interested in those orange ones, except every search returns the yellow ones from the first post.


    Love the hearts btw ;)
     
    vegetaeater, Jun 23, 2013
    #40
  41. vegetaeater

    vegetaeater Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    66
    Messages:
    353
    Likes Received:
    86
    Trophy Points:
    41
    vegetaeater, Jun 23, 2013
    #41