LED (lighted) or Fiber Optic Hoops?

daisyheadmayzie started this discussion · 3/5/2012

Does anyone have experience with an LED or Fiber Optic hoop? I've seen them online and they are soooo cool looking but very expensive!!! The Fiber Optic one is $300.00!!!! http://www.lightupandjuggle.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=43 ; I tried to do some research to see how LED lights and fiber optics work, because I made my own hoops - I figured how hard could a bit of electronics be??? HARD. For me anyway. Especially because they need a battery and then you start getting into complex things like inserting weights to counterbalance the battery packs. I still want to learn about fiber optics, just because I adore them - but we'll see if anything actually comes of that. I just want to see if anyone has experience with these before I drop my hard earned cash on something like this. Thanks!

6 replies

chemgoddess1 · 3/5/2012
Contact Sparrow. She is a hoop queen! https://www.studioveena.com/users/view/4dc34966-d164-46fb-96d2-10ec0ac37250
nilla · 3/5/2012
My husband ordered me an LED hoop from moodhoops.com for my birthday. I'm pretty sure the one he got me was only around $100. It's nice quality, came with two rechargeable batteries and a charger. I love it :)
Krista Bocko · 3/5/2012
haha, thanks Chem. :) I've never seen a fiber optic hoop in person, but I do have a bit of LED experience. They are pricey for a reason--they're pretty labor intensive to make. I have NO IDEA how to wire things though there are lots of instructions out there on the net if you're committed enough to figuring it out. You'll have to invest in wires, batteries, a charger, a switch, the HDPE or polypro tubing, wire strippers, and the LED's themselves, so if you only plan to make ONE hoop it's probably best to just order one, otherwise you will be spending a hella lot of time researching where to buy what and paying shipping, etc, not to mention your time investment. My husband is making me two matching LED's currently, so I speak from experience! I researched and ordered parts, he is handling all the electronic side of things. It's worth it to me, because he enjoys doing that and for me to get 2 custom matching twin LED's would have cost me upwards of $250. However, if I had to do the tedious wiring myself I would probably have given up on the whole thing. If you find out about fiber optics, let me know!
Elektra Vallens · 3/5/2012
I make LED and el wire costumes and objects, and although I've never actually made an LED hula hoop, it shouldn't be that big of a project. When I have questions about this kind of thing, I check out the Instructables website where people post full instructions + photos of how they made stuff. I look for 'LED hula hoop' and found a bunch of tutorials, here are a few: http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Hula-Hoop/ http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Hula-Hoop-42-LEDs-rechargeable-DIY/ http://www.instructables.com/id/21_LED_Rechargeable_Hula_Hoop/ You will need to know a few things about electricity for this project, such as what voltage and current are, and you probably will need to learn to solder. Here is a tutorial on how to solder (a basic kit shouldn't run you more than $20) and a book about electronics that is for the total beginner (it's great): http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-solder/ http://www.makershed.com/product_p/9780596153748.htm Even though this might look like a high bar for a project, it's not. Learning how to work with electronics is very rewarding- you will know how to make loads of stuff in no time. That, and this whole project should cost about half of what the hula hoops cost. Good luck, and if you have any questions, try me!
InstructablesLED Hula HoopLED Hula Hoop: Some friends wanted a lighted hula hoop for burningman, and when they turned out to be about $200 each, I decided to make one. All the parts cost about $15 . . . total time to make the hoop was about 3 hours, but that included time for figuring thi…InstructablesLED Hula Hoop, RechargeableLED Hula Hoop, Rechargeable: DIY 42 LED Hula HoopUpdated Feb 28: See my website for better pics and wiring diagrams.42 led's in 1 hoop. With the flick of a switch you can have 21 led's of one color scheme, then flick to the other and have 21 led's of another. All inside a 3/4 i…Instructables21 LED Rechargeable Hula Hoop21 LED Rechargeable Hula Hoop: DIY 21 LED Hula Hoop Updated : FEB 28, See my website for more pictures and wiring diagrams. 21 led's inside a 3/4 inch pipe for faster hooping styles. I previously made a instructable how to make a 42 LED hula hoop. But my most popular hoop on my s…
Krista Bocko · 3/5/2012
Good recs, Elektra. It just depends on you, Daisy! I personally don't want to mess with the wiring and all--not my thing--but if you enjoy it, yes, it will be hugely rewarding and make you proud! Good luck!
daisyheadmayzie · 3/5/2012
Thank you gals! I will let you know how it goes. That fiber optic one just so darn cool! Maybe I will figure it out.....