Can you front light a GBC w/o wrecking a GBA SP?

[romanaOne]

I have been looking into upgrading the screens on my GBA and GBC handhelds. After much searching and watching poorly made youtube videos, I think it is just not worth it when you can buy GBA SP AGS-101 for less than $50.

The problem is that the parts are just too expensive. Or am I missing something?

I got an AGS-101 screen, ribbon cable adaptor, and modded shell for $50 incl S/H from a Chinese seller. He claimed the screen was brand new, but I doubt it. When I put it in a GBA, it was decent, but not nearly as bright as a GBA SP AGS-101. $50 plus an hour's fiddling yielded results that were just about acceptable.

So my GBC sits in a drawer, neglected....My old eyes just can't deal with its dim screen and the glare. Is there any way to front light this guy, DIY? I mean, companies like Adafruit and Sparkfun sell all sorts of LEDs. Surely someone, someplace MAKES a decent front light LED that will fit in a GBC?

With all these old cell phones kicking around, surely something has got a light source that will fit in the GBC?

While I prefer the shape of the old gameboys GB,GBC,GBA to the newer clamshells, I still think its better to just fix AGS-001, AG-101 than to scavenge parts.

 

[reprep]

aliexpress has some gbc front light kits. http://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...y-front-light-game-boy/406029_1283829691.html

i have front lit gbc from a gba sp-001. it is nowhere near ags-101 quality but it makes my gbc playable at night.

 

[romanaOne]

Thanks, but that kit really doesn't look too great.

Even the seller's description is um, well.... I'll quote it:

Friendly Notice:
The Panel is NOT very Transparent,please check carefully before ordering!!!

 

[reprep]

then, just go with ags sp-001. a friend of mine did it for me. as i said, it can't compete with a backlight, but it makes my gbc enjoyable at nights.

i might also recommend a gameboy clone called gb boy colour. it has some negatives but its backlight is great.

 

[romanaOne]

Yes, I just got one on the same site you mentioned. Pretty good for $28.

 

[reprep]

yup gb boy colour is great. its screen is much better than a front-lit gbc.

i might also recommend the jap exclusive gameboy light, if you are into monochrome gb games. its light is distributed evenly and very nice.