LED Tail-lights....New Design
07-09-14, 11:05 AM
#153
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Maybe they're ok in Tokyo/Japan, but in the US they're a "ticket me now" flag for the police.
07-09-14, 01:09 PM
#156
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07-09-14, 11:02 PM
#159
The great irony of these cars (especially after so many years) is that there's actually very little you can do to improve their appearance. Almost everything screws it up.
People claim there's so much "conformity", but that's because they were almost perfect to start with.
People claim there's so much "conformity", but that's because they were almost perfect to start with.
07-10-14, 05:37 AM
#160
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the FLUXLED ones they are using in Japan now are bright as F### but I agree you would get pulled over in America for non standard lights. Its funny how Japan inspections are so strict and its a major pain in the *** to do motor swaps, NA to turbo, etc but you can drive around in a hello kitty mobile with pink and purple strobe lights and confetti shooting out of it and nobody bats en eye
07-10-14, 10:31 AM
#161
the FLUXLED ones they are using in Japan now are bright as F### but I agree you would get pulled over in America for non standard lights. Its funny how Japan inspections are so strict and its a major pain in the *** to do motor swaps, NA to turbo, etc but you can drive around in a hello kitty mobile with pink and purple strobe lights and confetti shooting out of it and nobody bats en eye
07-10-14, 08:50 PM
#163
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They're as bright if not brighter than the OEM tails in the sun, and at night they're noticeably brighter than OEM. Cool looking, but I just couldnt stomach the price.
07-11-14, 03:11 AM
#164
Of course, some of them are getting outdated, but Audi has allways been pioneering this field. BMW took halos into the scene, but then Audi just took over and has been in charge ever since.
If the tails had mathced this style, without the beeing able to se every single LED, it would have looked awesum.
07-11-14, 06:57 AM
#165
As for Audi, I am there with you Zepticon. Audi is the definitive leader in the field and the "diffused" style of lighting has taken over. I've done a ton of research into what Audi (and BMW) uses and the bottom line is it's difficult to pull off as an aftermarket DIY project.
Both Audi and BMW use "light pipe" technology to give you a clean look where you can't see the LEDs. BMW has an end "projector" system where they shine light into the acrylic material and Audi uses a "backlight" approach where they shine the LEDs through the material. So, the key here is to find a "light pipe" that would work to achieve the end result. That is a bigger task than you'd think as there are no manufacturers of light pipe materials where you can buy it off the shelf. It's all custom done for each car manufacturer. Thought I found a source (TE) but they stopped selling it a few years ago.
So, you are left with using acrylic rod material and then cutting slits into the back to refract light. The result of this is it just doesn't look professional and is not bright enough. By comparison, BMW uses the 'slit" approach with their material but it is precisely cut at an angle that best refracts light. It's also smooth so it can act like a mirror. Can't do that with your dremel and believe me, I've tried.
I am currently working on a light pipe look for my turn signals. See post #103 for the prototype. Really liked the look of these but wanted them brighter which was not possible with the side emitting fiber optic product I used. So, I am reworking them and taking the Audi approach with backlighting the diffused material with a series of 100 lumen (think crazy bright) LEDs. I haven't had enough time to work on these but slowly making progress.
Fortunately for taillights, you can get the desired look if you are willing to do a DIY project. See post #53 for the look and then search my name for the DIY writeup. A few other guys did it and the result looks really good.
07-11-14, 08:44 AM
#166
*Blue lights anywhere are reserved for emergency vehicles in my state....regardless of what other colors are with it.
* Those lights don't look modern, they just look different. Trendy but certainly temporary...like powder blue tuxedos with ruffles. While the classic black is just that...classic.
* Those lights don't look modern, they just look different. Trendy but certainly temporary...like powder blue tuxedos with ruffles. While the classic black is just that...classic.
07-11-14, 09:31 AM
#167
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I love the JMD 99 lights but don't like seeing a beautiful fancy Audi with led x-mas lights they are one of the modern safety enhancements that do nothing but remind me of vegas or hey look at me with my glittering lights. I just don't get the fascination with the lights on a rope thing it's everything you can do wrong to a car but is great for a sign on a ***** house or casino.
07-11-14, 12:35 PM
#169
^ No experience with them but they are rated at 20 lumens which is pretty good. That would be a lot brighter than the 5mm ones shown in this thread.
Too funny Fritz. I think you are getting old brother 
I think it's one of those you really love or hate them things. For me, the clean diffused look of the Audi DRLs is a major draw factor for me. I really love the look. It explains why I have wasted so many hours researching and attempting to replicate the look. Yes, it's a sad life
I love the JMD 99 lights but don't like seeing a beautiful fancy Audi with led x-mas lights they are one of the modern safety enhancements that do nothing but remind me of vegas or hey look at me with my glittering lights. I just don't get the fascination with the lights on a rope thing it's everything you can do wrong to a car but is great for a sign on a ***** house or casino.
I think it's one of those you really love or hate them things. For me, the clean diffused look of the Audi DRLs is a major draw factor for me. I really love the look. It explains why I have wasted so many hours researching and attempting to replicate the look. Yes, it's a sad life
07-11-14, 02:49 PM
#170
Anyone have experience using these? Superflux 4 Chip LEDs
I've used the prewired ones before in white and they are extremely bright.
I've used the prewired ones before in white and they are extremely bright.
for the lights.
07-12-14, 02:58 AM
#172
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here is a daytime shot. I agree that it would look a lot better if you could not see the individual LEDs and had the diffused look ..but I am still happy with them. They are also bright enough during the day so people can definitely tell when you brake.
07-12-14, 08:09 AM
#173
^ Thanks for posting those up. No way those are at OEM brightness though. Your pic in the daytime (and your car is in the shade) clearly shows a difference in the brightness level of the center OEM section and the taillights. And if you were to pull the car out into the sun, the difference would be even more pronounced.
Here is a pic for comparison:
A 99 spec OEM setup is on the left and the failed GB LED setup on the right (with the left side being the ones sold on the forum and the right side a version 2 attempt). See how the intensity of the taillights matches the brightness of the center section on the 99 OEM setup? Yours would need to do the same if you wanted to ensure you had an OEM level or above of brightness and they don't as shown in the pics.
Here is the reworked set I did for my car:
This is in full summer sun right at 12 noon, so it doesn't get any brighter than that. Compare the inside two brake lights on each taillight to the center section and you will see the brakes are brighter than the center section, indicating I have an OEM level or brighter setup. In fact, they are brighter than the stock setup as I actually measured with a light meter and light box setup the light output versus the 99 spec and 93-95 OEM units. Mine are adjustable so I turned them down to 150% of the OEM brightness (and that is what is shown in the pics) as light output has increased on taillights over time, so the new cars have better, more bright setups than our 20 year old cars.
Here is a shot during the day, where it was partly overcast and had just rained:
See the intensity difference between your brake lights and these?
Finally, a shot of the taillights in the dark:
The pic is with the parking lights only. See the intensity difference between what you posted and mine? My parking lights are set at just a little above the stock parking light brightness.
Invest $50 in a light meter and test your units. I think you will be surprised at the results. Remember, we all want cool looking lights, but not at the expense of safety.
Here is a pic for comparison:
A 99 spec OEM setup is on the left and the failed GB LED setup on the right (with the left side being the ones sold on the forum and the right side a version 2 attempt). See how the intensity of the taillights matches the brightness of the center section on the 99 OEM setup? Yours would need to do the same if you wanted to ensure you had an OEM level or above of brightness and they don't as shown in the pics.
Here is the reworked set I did for my car:
This is in full summer sun right at 12 noon, so it doesn't get any brighter than that. Compare the inside two brake lights on each taillight to the center section and you will see the brakes are brighter than the center section, indicating I have an OEM level or brighter setup. In fact, they are brighter than the stock setup as I actually measured with a light meter and light box setup the light output versus the 99 spec and 93-95 OEM units. Mine are adjustable so I turned them down to 150% of the OEM brightness (and that is what is shown in the pics) as light output has increased on taillights over time, so the new cars have better, more bright setups than our 20 year old cars.
Here is a shot during the day, where it was partly overcast and had just rained:
See the intensity difference between your brake lights and these?
Finally, a shot of the taillights in the dark:
The pic is with the parking lights only. See the intensity difference between what you posted and mine? My parking lights are set at just a little above the stock parking light brightness.
Invest $50 in a light meter and test your units. I think you will be surprised at the results. Remember, we all want cool looking lights, but not at the expense of safety.
07-12-14, 03:53 PM
#174
Anyone have experience using these? Superflux 4 Chip LEDs
I've used the prewired ones before in white and they are extremely bright.
I've used the prewired ones before in white and they are extremely bright.
07-12-14, 07:42 PM
#175
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David, tell you what...Im meeting up with the mayday rx7 guys tomorrow morning around 10ish. Its been bright and sunny in houston and I know for a fact the meeting spot has no shade. I'll get them to turn their lights on and I'll see if i can get my car (oem lights) next to theirs for a perfect comparison.