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CosmoJoe
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Reged: 10/03/12

Loc: Gilbert, Arizona
Craftsman digital torpedo level idea new
      #5599434 - 01/01/13 11:46 AM
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i have a craftsman digital torpedo level as my altitude SC. However there is a problem, the display is a bright green, but not bright enough to shine through taillight tape. This basically ruins dark adaptation unless I'm diligent about using a eyepatch. so my idea is to buy some glass stain for a couple bucks and stain the display transparent red. does anyone know if this would work? or would it just ruin my level?

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Al8236
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Reged: 08/18/10

Loc: 48.9173N 122.1390W
Re: Craftsman digital torpedo level idea new [Re: CosmoJoe]
      #5599684 - 01/01/13 02:03 PM
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Why not try some red celophane or rubylith to start, and forgo the stain?

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DAVIDG
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Reged: 12/02/04

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Re: Craftsman digital torpedo level idea new [Re: CosmoJoe]
      #5599710 - 01/01/13 02:16 PM
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The LED display has a wavelength output that is in the green so there is very little red light available if any. I would try looking through red transparent plastic to see what level of output you get. Even a clear red candy wrapper will work for a test. You can also look thru a red eyepiece filter at the display and see how visible it.

- Dave

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CosmoJoe
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Reged: 10/03/12

Loc: Gilbert, Arizona
Re: Craftsman digital torpedo level idea new [Re: DAVIDG]
      #5599892 - 01/01/13 04:04 PM
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good point about the wavelength. If the red does not work, would i be able to use something to just dim it so it doesn't hurt my dark adapt?

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DAVIDG
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Re: Craftsman digital torpedo level idea new [Re: CosmoJoe]
      #5599985 - 01/01/13 05:13 PM
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The display is a backlite LCD that uses LEDs for the backlighting. A LCD is polarized so if you get some polarizing plastic film you can rotate it to dim the display. If you have a pair of polarized Sunglasses you can try it out to see how it works.

- Dave

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Gary Fuchs
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Reged: 05/22/06

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Re: Craftsman digital torpedo level idea new [Re: DAVIDG]
      #5600041 - 01/01/13 05:53 PM
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Dave, would what you're suggesting work from any viewing angle?
Thanks,
Gary

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DAVIDG
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Reged: 12/02/04

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Re: Craftsman digital torpedo level idea new [Re: Gary Fuchs]
      #5600145 - 01/01/13 06:59 PM
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Quote:

Dave, would what you're suggesting work from any viewing angle?
Thanks,
Gary



Gary,
If you can find plastic that acts like neutral desnity filter then I would try that. Maybe some of the film used to tint car windows. You could also double and triple layer it to get the amount of reduction in brightness that you want.

Happy New Year,
- Dave

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AB9MS
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Reged: 10/19/12

Re: Craftsman digital torpedo level idea new [Re: DAVIDG]
      #5600243 - 01/01/13 08:01 PM
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How about welders glass?

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CosmoJoe
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Reged: 10/03/12

Loc: Gilbert, Arizona
Re: Craftsman digital torpedo level idea new [Re: DAVIDG]
      #5600529 - 01/01/13 11:24 PM
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would it be feasible to take apart the level and replace the led's with red ones?

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Darenwh
Carpal Tunnel


Reged: 05/11/06

Loc: Covington, GA
Re: Craftsman digital torpedo level idea new [Re: CosmoJoe]
      #5602568 - 01/03/13 09:07 AM
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Look at it with polarized glasses and turn the torpedo level to see if the image disappears. If it works, which it should as David suggested, then you can get a polarizing filter for a camera (not a circular polarizer) and a filter ring (empty) of the same size then permamently mount the empty ring and screw the polarizer to it. Now you will be able to turn the polarizer to control the brightness from nearly 100% through put to 0% through put. That will be controlled with only 1/4 turn of the filter.

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CosmoJoe
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Reged: 10/03/12

Loc: Gilbert, Arizona
Re: Craftsman digital torpedo level idea [Re: Darenwh]
      #5603853 - 01/03/13 11:01 PM
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sounds like a good idea. until i get a polarizer to do that i taped my moon filter i don't use to it. it seems to work pretty well. thanks for the idea, and i'm sure others will benefit from that suggestion as well.

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Gene7
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 06/10/10

Loc: Mid Ohio, USA
Re: Craftsman digital torpedo level idea new [Re: CosmoJoe]
      #5604489 - 01/04/13 10:33 AM
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Get some copper foil. Place a piece of foil-Paper-Foil on one end of the battery with your choice of resistor connecting the two pieces of foil, or run a small pair of wires out to a pot. Gene

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Gastrol
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 11/04/11

Loc: los angeles
Re: Craftsman digital torpedo level idea new [Re: Gene7]
      #5604718 - 01/04/13 12:45 PM
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Or buy a new digital angle finder that is not back lit. I use a Wixey on my dob.

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CosmoJoe
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Reged: 10/03/12

Loc: Gilbert, Arizona
Re: Craftsman digital torpedo level idea new [Re: Gastrol]
      #5604796 - 01/04/13 01:24 PM
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you say the wixey is not backlit huh? i bet i could open my craftsman up and just break the leds

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CosmoJoe
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Reged: 10/03/12

Loc: Gilbert, Arizona
Re: Craftsman digital torpedo level idea new [Re: CosmoJoe]
      #5643672 - 01/26/13 01:12 AM
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i did it. i broke the led's on the craftsman. works like a charm, no blinding light to deal with anymore

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