SKYLINER



Skyliner Virtual Message Writer, retail $20
Manufactured by Versatile Visions
Last updated: 05-26-20


LED Light


Well, it's not a flashlight, but *is* a programmable thingie that uses LEDs to make its point. So why not...

The Skyliner is an unusual little gadget, approximately the same shape as, and a bit larger than a New Year's noisemaker. It has two "AAA" batteries in its belly, and a row of 9 red LEDs on the business end. Three buttons located near the handle allow you to change to any of 10 "canned" messages, or create up to three of your own.

You're supposed to hold the thing over your head and whirl it about by its handy-dandy handle, and messages, spelled out in red LEDs, are supposed to "magically appear in mid-air".
And you know, the darned thing actually works!

SIZE:


I first got mine on a pitch black 4th of July evening, just before the big 4th of Jul-Ivars fireworks show here in Seattle. So I opened up the pack, and found all you need to do is push a button or two, and swing away. But it wasn't until I got home and flicked on a light that I really found out what it could do.

To get a "canned" message, just hold down any of the buttons for a second or so until it lights up, and then whirl it around by the handle, like you would a New Year's noisemaker. Pushing buttons #1 or #3 will let you cycle through all of the pre-programmed messages (eg. "Happy Birthday", "Happy New Year", and similar).

If you're a lefty or otherwise have problems spinning it counterclockwise (when looking at the top surface of the device; your hand actually moves in a clockwise manner), pressing and holding button #3 until all the LEDs go out will reverse the direction of the text, so spinning it "backwards" will still produce normal looking text. Nice touch.

The first few steps of getting your own text in its memory seem to be a bit tricky, but once you have a cursor, it is barely more difficult than entering your initials onto a video game when you get a high score. The instructions cover this well, as does DID their website, so if you ever become confused, look here and be lost no more.
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The unit can store three user messages of up to 16 characters & spaces each. All letters of alphabet, numbers, and the punctuation symbols ? ' & ! - . are available.

The unit shuts itself off after 1 minute when you stop whirling it; this helps extend battery life. In the several weeks I've had mine (and I've demonstrated it numerous times), I have yet to deplete the set of batteries that it came with.


The full instructions are as follows:
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IMPORTANT! The first time you operate your "SKYLINER" you must remove the battery PULL TAB. 

CLOCKWISE: While holding the Skyliner horizontally and moving lights towards the left.

COUNTER CLOCKWISE: While holding the Skyliner horizontally and moving lights towards the right.

PRE-SET words refers to the list of  Permanently installed phrases inside the SKYLINER.

PROGRAM refers to messages you will input into the SKYLINER.

SKYLINER OPERATION IN PRE-SET MODE
Press and hold any button until the "Skyliner" lights. (about 1.5 sec.)
Twirl above eye level in a counter clockwise direction. If you see one of the pre-set messages such as "Let’s Party" you are in
pre-set mode. If you see a user programmed message, P1, P2 or P3 then you are in the program mode. 

VERY IMPORTANT: If you turn on the “Skyliner” and it is in the “pre-set mode”, and you wish to change the current pre-set 
message, hold down button #1 until the lights go off, then release this button to allow the Skyliner to re-light. You can now access 
all the pre-set messages. Be aware that if the light does not go out, you may already be able to access the other pre-set 
messages by simply pressing button #1.

Tap button #1 to move to next message. Twirl SKYLINER to view the message. Tap button #1 again to move forward to another 
pre-set 
message.

• Tap button #3 to move backwards through pre-set messages.    
• Press Button #2 - two times quickly after your selection is made to "SET" your message.

Note: If you do not set the desired message and the "Skyliner" turns off, then that message will automatically be set.

SKYLINER OPERATION  — PROGRAM  MODE
Press and hold any button until the SKYLINER lights (1.5 seconds).
Twirl above eye level in a counter clockwise direction. If you see a user programmed message or P1, P2 or P3 then you are in the 
program mode. If you see any of the pre-set words such as "Let’s Party" then you are in the pre-set mode. 


VERY IMPORTANT: Moving from PRE-SET to PROGRAM mode requires holding down button #2 until the lights go off, then 
release button #2 allowing the SKYLINER to re-light in the program mode (you will see either a user programmed message or one 
of three available user program places – P1, P2, P3) and vice versa to move from PROGRAM to PRE-SET.

Note: In reference to the programmable features of the SKYLINER, it is now possible to program… and LOCK in place… three 
messages up to 16 characters (letters and spaces). However, our advice is to keep your messages short, sweet, and easy to read!

PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS
a) Press and hold Button #2 until the LED’s go off, release the button and you will see either a user programmed message (UPM) 
or P1, P2 or P3 (Place 1, 2 or 3) 
b) If you see P1, P2 or P3 or a UPM then you can create a new message or change an existing message. To do this PRESS and 
HOLD button #1 until the LED’s go out (approximately 5 seconds), release the button and the cursor will appear. 

To create your message, tap/press button #1 for each letter of the alphabet. Tap once for A, Tap twice for B, Tap three times for 
C, etc. 

Note that alphabetical, numerical, and punctuation characters are in the following order: A through Z, followed by numbers 0 
through 9. These are followed by six punctuation marks:   ?    '     &    !   –    .

After you select your desired character, twirl to check it, then press button #2 once to "set" it. Twirl the Skyliner and you will see 
your selection followed by the cursor. Now you can choose another character. For instance to place the letter B tap button #1 two 
times or button #3 forty one times. After the B is reached, twirl to check it then tap the #2 button one time to "set" it. When the 
message is complete, set the last letter then rapidly double tap button #2 at the end of the message…now it is “LOCKED”.
c) After locking your message you can either stay in program mode and program another space P1, P2 or P3 or you may
change an existing UPM by pressing and holding button #1 until the LED’s go out (approx 5 seconds)} to unlock that UPM. The 
message will be erased and the Cursor will appear. 
d) If all the message spaces are filled and you wish to change one… select that message by tapping button #2 to scroll until you 
see the message, then press and hold button #1 for 5 seconds (Until LED’s go out), this will “UNLOCK” the “LOCKED” message… Enter your new message. Make sure to double tap button #2 to ”LOCK” the new message. 
e) To exit program mode Press and hold button #2 until LED’s go out. (Approx. 5 seconds) You will not lose your LOCKED 
messages when going to Pre-set mode.


Special Note: To create a space between words, you must wait two seconds after your last letter is "set" and then tap button #2 
once. Now you may begin your next word. 

Twirl over-head and ENJOY THE REACTION!
SPECIAL FEATURE: For ease of use, we have made the Skyliner spinable in both directions. 
• Press and hold the #3 button until the LED lights turn off. Release the #3 button.
• Twirl the unit Counter Clockwise and you will notice the message is "backwards." This is because it is now set for spinning in a 
Clockwise direction.
• To reverse the message for Counter Clockwise spinning – press and hold the #3 button until the lights go out. Release the 
button and spin. 

• Note: The SKYLINER automatically turns off in sixty seconds when not in use. To turn the SKYLINER back on press and hold 
any button until the LED’s light up.

Also… the only time the User Programmed Messages will be erased is either by the user or when batteries are changed. Note: All 
UPM (User-Programmed Messages) can be erased at once by pressing the small RESET button next to the battery compartment.
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All good things... must end. You know the line. This line is also true of the batteries in your Skyliner - sooner or later they're gonna cash it in for the last time, and you'll need to replace them. To do that, remove the Phillips head screw from the battery door using a small or medium screwdriver, and remove the door. Then pop out the batteries, being sure to cram them in the urinal of a bar you really hate*; and put in two new ones. Since I can't find my screwdriver at the moment, this step will have to be taken up again a bit later. :o



The Skyliner appears to be reasonably durable, but like any delicate instrument filled with ICs and other goodies, you probably don't want to swing this around and hit stuff with it, and it would also appreciate not being dropped too many times. That said, it does seem to withstand *minor* accidents, such as falling off a table, or being dropped from chair-height while you are sitting there programming it.

business end of instrument


The buttons used to program the unit are a soft rubbery material that feels good on the fingers, and they have a long throw with a positive tactile action - this is good when you're counting off button presses to correspond with letters of the alphabet. Less likely you'll make a mistake with this setup than if the buttons had less of a response. So, somebody learned their lesson here and incorporated this nice touch into the end product.

The LEDs are also protected a bit by fins and barriers; this should help the unit survive a more catastrophic accident, like an LEDs-first fall or being accidentally swung into a post. Not to say the case won't crack (it may) but the LEDs themselves are protected.
dirty writing...


If there's a downside to the Skyliner, it's that kids might get a kick out of programming something nasty in it - nastier than the example above - and whirl the thing around someplace where the naughty words might offend somebody. Imagine someone programming it to say "I HATE F****TS" or "F%&*^#G @$$HOLES" and whirling the thing around at a gay pride parade or a baseball game - or worse!!!
Just to test this, I input the "F" word in mine, and it displays just fine. :o

LED Light
Here, the light was programmed with "C.P.F." (Candlepower Forums nick) and swung about. Much nicer than the "F" word, don't you think? :)



TEST NOTES:

Unit was picked up on the 4th of July 2001 by somebody selling them on a sidewalk - much in the same manner someone would sell glow rope or balloons at any major nighttime event. I paid $20 for the unit.

Any updates related to this review will be posted as they happen.




UPDATE: 09-21-19
This product is (as far as I'm able to determine anyway) no longer being manufactured, so the dreadful, "" icon will be appended to its listings on this website at once.
In addition, the website for the Skyliner is no longer any good, so kiss those links goodbye as well.


PROS:
Gosh, it's a fun toy to have for parties... not something you see every day.
Potential for decent battery life.
Unit uses common and relatively inexpensive batteries.


CONS:
I wish they made a model with different colors of LED (a model in blue, another in aqua, another in white, etc.).
Young kids with already corrupt minds can input toilet language into the device.


          MANUFACTURER: Versatile Visions
          PRODUCT TYPE: Novelty "message board" type device
          LAMP TYPE: LED, Red, 3mm
          No. OF LAMPS: 8
          BEAM TYPE: N/A
          SWITCH TYPE: Pushbuttons to select modes
          BEZEL: Bare LEDs protected by fins
          BATTERY: 2 AAA cells
          CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Unknown/unable to measure
          WATER RESISTANT: Light splash resistance at best
          SUBMERSIBLE: No
          ACCESSORIES: 2 AAA cells
          WARRANTY: Unknown/TBA

          RATING








Skyliner



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