Thermaltake Xray Case Lighter / Cup Holder

Manufacturer: Thermaltake Technology
Supplied by: Thermaltake Technology
Street Price: $29

by Dean Barker (3/27/2004)

 

Introduction

We have all seen mods that we never thought anyone would think of much let alone see for ourselves first hand.  The cigarette lighter 5.25" bay is one of these that isn't exactly new but up until now has been a custom made novelty item.  Thermaltake either has a good sense of humor or are some die hard smokers because they have taken this novelty mod and polished it up so it looks like something out of a car dash.  This design concept, a car dash component, was first seen with the Tt Hardcano 12.  You can see in the picture above that Thermaltake is sticking with this clean automotive look for their latest add in bay device.

Not only is it a cigarette lighter but a tray pops out that acts as a cup holder.  You can insert all the CD-ROM cup holder jokes you have ever heard here.  Thermaltake was good enough to send one of these toys over for us to glance at so let's take a peek. 

Specifications

• Dimensions: 170 x 149 x 41mm

• Application: 5.25" bay

• Weight: 300gms

• Construction: Plastic / Steel

• Color: Black

• Input voltage: 12v

• Input current: 6.5a

The unit

The Xray as you can see, fits right into any open 5.25" bay of your case.  Offered in black with silver accents, the unit to be pretty cool looking provided you are putting it in a black case.

The lighter is your standard car type cigarette lighter that is powered off a 12 volt Molex connector.  I don't know exactly how many watts this will draw when in use but I think it's a safe bet to say you better be packing more than a 300w PSU in your box.  Just next to the lighter is a slide out cup holder tray.  It is operated by depressing a small black button on the right side of the Xray's face.  A small plastic insert rests inside that allows a 12 oz can to fit inside it perfectly.  Removing the insert will give you room enough for up to a 20 oz bottle.  Sorry, no liter sizes will fit.  For you smokers out there, I did not try to see if the plastic insert would melt if you tried to use it as an ashtray.  With air intakes on most every case being in the lower front, I would advise against flipping ashes here that will assuredly be partially sucked into your box.

     

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