LED bezels?

[T-Flex]

Where does everyone get their bezels?  I bought a bunch off ebay, they work but aren't the greatest quality.  The flat, chrome ones that are almost flush with the pedal tickle my fancy.

[R.G.]

Google.

[Yorick]

You mean something like this:

[oliphaunt]

By far my favourite are the inverted metal ones from Banzai.  I live in the US but buy these regardless of the extra expense because they look so good and work very well.

http://www.banzaimusic.com/Metal-c-406/

[deadastronaut]

ive taken to not using bezels at all now...drill a 5mm hole and a tiny bit of superglue...looks much better imo...and takes up less space inside too...

as long as its in a spot where it wont get kicked the 5mm are ok...the 3mm sit really nice n low too...try it..you can always widen the hole  if you really want to have a bezel  after too...

[Guitar Guy]

http://www.mountainmods.com/chrome-led-bezel-p-156.html
try this

[Yorick]

Those from Banzai are really nice but almost impossible to find!

[Mark Hammer]

Personally, I place aesthetics as secondary to battery life and visibility.  A dark/black bezel/surround provides maximum contrast, allowing you to easily see the LED using lower brightness, and also makes it possible to use light-coloured paint or powder coat as well.

If you regularly use dark colours and never use batteries, by all means, feel free to go for a retina-burning bright blue thing against a chrome bezel.  But if you'd like to be able to use lighter colours, and see the LED without blinding yourself or taking several weeks off the life of the battery, consider a black bezel.

[CynicalMan]

Actually, the high-brightess LEDs use less current because they have a higher forward voltage than normal LEDs. Also, you can higher current limiting resistors, reducing the current even further. I like using them either with a "flashlight" style bezels, because I can see them from all angles and they aren't washed out in bright light. YMMV.

[Earthscum]

My only gripe with the black bezels is they are all plastic snap-in. If you get the hole just a bit too big, you're busting out the glue. I love them otherwise.

I use plastic black from Radio Shack (they work best, decent tolerance to a wallowed hole), chrome bezels (also from RS) because they are really shallow, not towers like from places I order from. If I do neither, I have a neat trick of using scrap PCB and mounting the LED in it. I leave a bit hanging on either side and use 1/16" 3M VHB to attach it to the case through a 5mm hole, like Rick does. The VHB is some of the best mounting tape you can find, just make sure you clean the area with a bit of lacquer thinner or acetone to pull oils out of the aluminum, and it will stick there forever... and I mean it, lol. You'll probably wear through the top of the LED with your foot before it pushes it loose. I used to make signs... we have some that are still hanging after 10 years baking in the sun in Wyoming, dealing with insane winds.

[T-Flex]

Cool thanks for the input guys

[ubersam]

been using these: http://www.pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPP&Product_Code=5000&Category_Code=LO5

but these look better to me: http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=94

[emstin1]

If you're in a real bind, ratshack actually has some nice bezels.  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062559

this assuming you live in a part of the world that has a radioshack and the price isn't off-putting.  I'd rather just buy the ones mentioned above, but it works in a pinch and they aren't half bad looking (I'm guilty of sometimes taking form over function but whatever)

[iccaros]

ive taken to not using bezels at all now...drill a 5mm hole and a tiny bit of superglue...looks much better imo...and takes up less space inside too...

as long as its in a spot where it wont get kicked the 5mm are ok...the 3mm sit really nice n low too...try it..you can always widen the hole  if you really want to have a bezel  after too...

it does look clean.. +1
I like these also as they work with out superglue but are almost invisible

[.Mike]

I love the VCC LED panel lenses.

1. They are cheap-- about a quarter at Mouser. Retainers and spacers can add a bit more, if you choose to use them (I do).
2. They are highly visible and efficient. The Fresnel lenses make it so you can view the LED from pretty much any angle, and LEDs don't need to be as bright, so you can use lower LED current than even a bare LED.
3. They are incredibly durable. I can't think of many situations where you could accidentally break them.
4. They protect the LED. The LED is completely contained within the pedal, and can't get pushed back through like a bare LED
5. They are easy to mount and unmount. The lens pushes in from the outside, and the LED clips right in to the lens.
6. They are unobtrusive. The lens for a 5mm LED requires a 1/4" hole, and the lens itself is only 0.28" in diameter.
7. They are available in several styles and colors.

You can see them on most of my build, like these.

Mike

[Brymus]

Some good advice all around.
I think I have tried all the above too.

I agree with Mark though,in practice the black dome bezel is the most friendly - light,drill,and paint wise IMO.
Also holds the LED the best.
These are my favorites:
Lots of good stuff here not just LEDs and bezels:
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/340400/LEDs/Mounting-Hardware/1.html

[Brymus]

I love the VCC LED panel lenses

These are really sweet,I have only used the round ones.
The light is very visible from all angles in these too.

[Seven64]

tayda has cheap chrome ones, and the plastic ones too