Most effective GBA backlight mods?

I have a GBA SP here, the front light version, and I am pondering buying an original GBA and modding it with a backlight, and I was wondering if any of you knew what would be the best mod available?

I could get a backlit gba sp but quite honestly I prefer the original gba because it felt better to me. I don't have enormous hands but I've always felt the SP wasn't comfortable, and while the Game Boy Micro is pretty awesome, it's far too small to my liking and it doesn't run GB/GBC cartridges.

 

I agree with you 100% about the original gameboy advance. This is the only mod I know of for backlighting the original gba:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdx8w1Q4EBY

There are links in the description to buy the adapter cable you need, and also the guy's email address.
You can do this mod yourself, if you're very good at soldering. I read about it somewhere once, but can't remember where. Someone here might be able to point you in the right direction if you wanted to try to make your own adapter.

 

I have been very interested in making a backlit GBA too so I would love to know what the best parts to use are. Hopefully someone experienced who has done it before can share what they would use.

 

Are the SP screen and original screen different sizes? I assume a donor transplant isn't possible? This is something I always wondered, as I too prefer the original GBA.

 

The best option would be to buy a a new backlit screen and cable from Zerey or Rose Colored Gaming. I ordered a new LCD, the adapter cable, and a new glass lens (optional), from Zerey. With shipping, it came to about 51.50. Originally I was going to order the kit from Rose Colored Gaming, but at the time, he did not have any available. He should have them really soon if you dont want to order from China. The installation is straight forward. Id reccommend you check out the guide at RCG before ordering, that way you are sure you want to do it. RCG also sells prebuilt backlit gbas as well.

You can contact Zerey by emailing zereyzhang AT yahoo. com

 

Interesting, how do they compare?

 

They are the exact same thing. Zerey is RCG's supplier.

The screens are basically aftermarket backlit GBA SP screens. Many people have commented that there is no difference between them. Also, many have suggested using these screens rather than cannibalizing SP screens. Primarily, no on wants to ruin perfectly good SPs, secondly there have been some issues with people taking backlit SP screen from junk units. Sometimes the screens are compatible and sometimes they arent. This thread at GBAtemp goes into detail about it.

http://gbatemp.net/threads/gba-backlight-agb-001.328487/

 

Thanks.

 

I know this a old thread, but thought I'd chime in, I too was looking for a kit but didn't want to order from China and couldn't believe rose colored was the only ones to have it here in the states. After searching and reading around I found another place that has the kits and for a bit less than rose colored which is a plus in my opinion and shipping was spot on, my brother ordered and installed the kit for me with no problem. If your looking for options check out bit dream gaming, always good to have more than one company doing this kind of stuff.

 

think this is going to be my next project

 

Did your attempts fan out well? I want to do this too, but I need to learn soldering. Any tips?

 

There are plenty of great youtube tutorials on soldering. The only way to learn it is to buy an iron and just practice

 

Soldering is optional on these. There's one wire you can solder to get a higher brightness settings for the screen, but you don't have to. You have to get the backlit SP screen and the adapter to make it plug into your first gen GBA, either 32 pin or 40 pin adapter depending on your serial number, and just plug it in. The most annoying part is using a dremel to clear plastic out of the GBA shell to make room for the backlit screen. I used to do these all the time.
There was some good instructions on how to do these, but I can't find them right now. I did however find this imgur gallery of the install procedure.
http://imgur.com/gallery/5jbCb

Also I just wanted to say good job on bringing back a thread from 2013 back from the dead. LOL

 

Really, the reason I was lead to this discussion was due to a member's alternation to their Gameboy Color to backlight (title is
"Game Boy Color Backlight Screen?" started Aug 2015)
I had interest in at least the Gameboy Advance in lighting. I only have my original model, however. I wonder if it would be okay or should I purchase a used model to try.
Any dremel preference? I have only used one for a wood craving project years ago.
Oh side question, but how do you clear out battery acid dust when stuck inbetween the hidges on the inside of the GBA case (not under, but annoying in that curved spot on the left of the backcase, blocked by the spring)?

 

I'll look for those original instructions I had that explains the process better. If I find them I'll post them here. I used to sell a package on eBay with the backlit screen, the adapter, and a tri-wing screw driver for ~$50. These days the backlit screens aren't being manufactured anymore and the supply is running low, which is why you see them going for ~$100 now on eBay. I think they will be manufactured again though because the Chinese eBay sellers aren't ones to miss out on selling an in demand product. They will probably be back for affordable prices in a few months. If you have a backlit SP as a donor, you can steal the screen from that and just buy an adaptor to make it work in the GBA. If not, it might honestly be cheaper to just buy a pre-modded one from eBay. They can be had for ~$100.