My dad got me a plasma ball after a lot of begging and whinging many years ago when they first became generally available for only $200 - probably approaching half his weekly pay. Now $10.
Plasma Ball $10 + Delivery ($0 C&C/ In-Store/ OnePass/ $65 Order) @ Kmart
1500
fantombloo on 16/01/2025 - 20:26 kmart.com.au (6491 clicks)
Last edited 16/01/2025 - 20:40 by 1 other user
Last edited 16/01/2025 - 20:40 by 1 other user
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Yes! Sorry.
Your dad is a legend!
Life: Have you ever had a plasma ball?
You: no.
Life: Do you want a plasma ball?
You: how much is it?
Life: $10 at Kmart.
But I wanted a lava lamp?
Life: you get what you get mate
You can get 2 plasma balls for the price of a lava lamp though!
Also Me: how can I 3d print one at approximately 10 x the cost to just buy one
@CVonC: I seriously considered these a fortnight ago, for my nephews, but it doesn't seem like they are the same as the old school lava lamps
The old ones used a ~40w lightbulb as a heater, which would heat the dense oil that sank to the bottom, causing it to rise and create random patterns. Very funky
These run on usb, at 5w.
@outlander: Those aren't actually Lava lamps, they just have things in water that move around, so no heating element needed.
The actual Lava Lamps are listed below @ $20. They use a 30W bulb and work exactly like the old school ones.
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/lava-lamp-43351589/
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/lava-lamp-43396467/
You can get 2 plasma balls for the price of a lava lamp though!
I see what you did there….??
If you have a plasma ball in your right hand, and a plasma ball in your left hand, what do you have?
The plasma's undivided attention.
Lava lamps also available - either $10 for rainbow or $20 for normal:
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/lava-lamp-43351589/?srsltid…
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/lava-lamp-43396467/?srsltid…
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/lava-lamp-rainbow-43430543/
Cheers brah will suss it in store
The discounted one is the rainbow?? Times have definitely changed!
was your dad Nikola Tesla?
No but we watched the old series together on SBS on Saturday afternoons. It's been a while but I still think I can recommend.
Is it because of that show you wanted the $200 orb?
You guys have a lot of questions about this
Has anyone noticed that the cheap, easily available ones seem a bit anemic compared to the plasma globes of old?
Maybe you just need to overvolt it :-o
Give it 24V instead of 12V and see what happens!USB/AA powered. So prob only 5V. Not sure it will look like in the pictures.
@NigelTufnel: At least the Auspost one specifies that it responds to touch:
- […] place your fingers on the globe’s surface and watch as the tendrils of light follow your touch
- PLASMA LIGHT RESPONDS TO TOUCH: The tendrils of light appear in shades of pink and purple and react to touch. Simply touch the glass sphere to create an interactive light show that follows your every move.
The Kmart one in the OP makes no mention of it, and that is what I would consider to be the main feature of a "plasma ball"!
Yeah, they had to throttle them because people kept reanimating dead bodies.
Yeah, probably why they’re so cheap now. Quality.
I really really wanted one as a kid (budding engineer) in the 80s/90s but never got one. I remember they were, as the OP says, $200+, in 90s dollars so I never got one.
Eh, 10 bucks. Chuck it in the garage, could be fun after some devils lettuce
Nuh. I absolutely wouldn't recommend smoking this plasma lamp.
But how about smoking through it??
Totally!! Plasma bong!
Thanks OP got one for nostalgia
Cats love these things.
But do the cats love you?
But do cats love?
Plus one for the true story!
Bought one inspired by your story. Will be a conversation starter when i show the ball to others.
OP your Dad also gave me some plasma balls. If ya know what I mean.
Memories are priceless
$15 Plus $10 delivery cost. No deal.
Buy $60+ for free delivery.
I remember when $30+ was free delivery with aus post.
Yes. Looks like it went up very recently. Last purchase was a set of Pokemon stamps and don't recall going over $60.
Dam I want this but my house is full of enough junk with two kids
…after a lot of begging and whinging many years ago…
…for only $200 - probably approaching half his weekly pay
Weekly pay of about $400?
How many years ago was this?Not even necessarily that long ago. Minimum weekly pay was $400 in 1999.
Oh crap they cost $200? I can’t believe my parents bought me one, we didn’t have a lot of money in the 90s
Remember that when you're picking the nursing home.
I got one in 2003 for $50 from that place in Southland (Vic) that sold strange objects on the 3rd floor, just down from the food court
Then my mum broke it while cleaning, and rushed out and bought another one to replace itI didn't even like it that much.
ooo, zero point energy anyone?
They’re probs my not as good.
Those old ones were bigger and have you a good snap of frizzy hair.
Secret Santa 2025 sorted.
Thanks OP, Valentine's Day gift sorted.
To be fair the $200 ones were bigger, but it still amazes me how much these luxury items have come down in price.
The lava lamps are also priced from $10, and I remember getting one as a gift for a girlfriend in the early 1990s for 50 GBP which would have been about $105 AUD, and according to the inflation calculator that's worth about $217 today.
https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1995?amount=105#:….
It was a lot for me at the time - Marmite sandwiches for a couple of weeks to save up for that.
@wisdomtooth in stock?
Yeah, got it!
I got one instore for $2, it's actually pretty good.
Glass globe with plastic bottom.Which store ?
Bought one to catch up my childhood demands.
I bought one - that $10 is going to blow my 5 year olds little mind!
Reminds me of the Tesla Coil from Red Alert
My dad didn't buy me a remote controlled toy car. I could've started the electricity car revolution before Elon Musk and now the hope is dashed
Warning: For decoration only. This is not a toy. Keep away from children and pets.
I'll get a pair for the dog.
And another pair for Albanese.
Thanks OP
Picked one up
It’s surprisingly big, sturdy and works really well for a tenner.
Does it follow your finger when you touch it? Or is it just a light
Yeah it does. Multi-fingers actually
Awesome. Thanks mate
Did it come with the power adapter? Mine didn't.
Mine did.
It was not obvious at first. (Hidden from sight)
Check under the white base inside the box, it’s in there.He binned it 😅
Thanks! Found it. I was looking inside the box but it was inside a smaller cardboard box that had fallen out when I took the plasma ball out.
It worked with a random 12v power adaptor I had lying around too. Pretty good for 10 bucks.
Nice. The discounted OnePass subscription has really benefited me in the past 3 months.
Getting ready for the cancellation email. Every special item I’ve ordered in the last 2 weeks has been cancelled.
Same! And it still takes them 3+ days just to tell you 'cancelled due to unavailable'.
I remember paying around NZ$200 for a basket-ball sized plasma ball in the mid/late-90's.
It could light up 4-foot long fluorescent tube bulb (wirelessly) just by putting one end near the plasma ball.I bought this Kmart one for my 6-yr old for Xmas last month.
Mine arrived yesterday, but the base is cracked in 2 places.
Delivered in 4 days. Ordered 17/1.
Enjoying my $10 toy😂
Still available for delivery (in Qld).
You mean Kmart