The Best Toys of 2006 – Young Teen
Lightcast
Manufacturer: Farm Fresh
Ages: 8 and up
Suggested Retail Price: $60
What it is
LightCast is an interactive light show that plays on a wall or ceiling in sync to your music.
The LED projector connects to any sound-emitting system, such as a stereo, TV, or MP3 player with speakers, and creates a multicolored light show that pulses and dances in response to each song.
Why it's fun
LightCast's four settings, Smooth, Flow, Vibe and Pulse are guaranteed to get any dance party moving. LightCast is pre-programmed with four "house" light shows or you can use the mix modes to program light shows of your own for your favorite songs.
LightCast will have you and your friends exclaiming "Wow! Cool!"
Who's going to love it
Although the packaging states that LightCast is appropriate for ages 8 and up, we think this item is really going to appeal to teenagers and even show up in college dorm rooms.
What to be aware of
LightCast uses 33 LEDs of various colors and enhanced parabolic projection to create its spectacular shows. The adjustable unit is designed to work in various room settings; it can project on the ceiling, walls or at an angle to wash over an entire area.
For best results, LightCast should be used in a dark room. However, the LED technology is so advanced that even in semi-darkness there are strong colors. While this is not a professional machine, which would cost hundreds of dollars, the results are very satisfactory and fun, and the ability of the light to pulse to any music source adds a dimension even the professional machines don't have.
