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anyone think our reverse light isn't all that great?

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Old Jan 6, 2004 | 03:52 PM
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anyone think our reverse light isn't all that great?

the light output is ok, but i don't really feel like it illuminates the road all that well when backing up. maybe i'm just looking for something else to complain about, but i don't think it's all that great. and to top it off, i'm going to be tinting the reverse light to go with my redded out stock 95 tails. i'm obviously not gonna black it out, just smoke it a little. which might hamper light output a little more.

i know autozone sells some generic lights that could easily be attached somewhere. have any of you considered this? i know this may sound funny, but what about that low glow or whatever they're called underbody lights? would one white one semi-well hidden be a good way to shed some better light back there?

i know some cars have reverse lights lower and bigger, and some even have fog light style ones under the bumper. maybe the conditions were just bad when i noticed the road didn't light up all that great. i'm obviously not looking to blind people, just light up the road better right where i'm backing up.

just another idea...not looking for flames here, just to see if anyone else feels the same way. so, what do you think?
Old Jan 6, 2004 | 04:19 PM
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24 Super bright white LEDs. 18 on top, 6 on the sides. It generates a beam angle over 270º and they're pretty dam bright.



Old Jan 6, 2004 | 04:24 PM
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Good idea mang, i Have thought about this, but, i cant think of a way to do it without it looking HELLA SHIITTY
Old Jan 6, 2004 | 06:02 PM
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hell yeai am buying red ones for my blinker in my gen 2 altezzza's
Old Jan 6, 2004 | 06:18 PM
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i think they would look good in stock tails/red clears, but would stand out way too much in altezzas
Old Jan 6, 2004 | 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by SXN
i think they would look good in stock tails/red clears, but would stand out way too much in altezzas

I have orange led 1197's for the turn signals in my gen II's. Looks a lot better than a normal orange bulb which reflects the whole interior to orange (and I couldn't find the silver coated orange bulbs on ebay, so leds it was) They actually make the silver middle parts look darker which goes good with my green car..
Old Jan 6, 2004 | 07:17 PM
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it would just be incredibly bright. The side ilumination is nice but the pin center design of LEDs would be annoying. A light coat of silver spray paint makes orange bulbs shine orange, but not stand out when off
Old Jan 6, 2004 | 07:18 PM
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i agree with you jepht20. Compared to my mom's lexus, it just sucks. And considering the size of it, you'd think it'd light up the ground pretty damn well. Maybe it's the housing? cuz i noticed that my mom's lexus's tailights are all diamond cut. But I'm kool with the max's reverse lights. Not gonna put money into making it brighter. I could use the money somewhere else on the max. If you can't see behind you while reversing, get out, see and remember how much space you have and go for it~! Or install those reverse cameras they got on newer cars. hehe
Old Jan 6, 2004 | 09:08 PM
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They work great with limo tint on the back windows. NOT
i keep thinking they are burnt out... Im used to it though since my last car didnt come with reverse lights til the next model year.. which would have been 1965.

I miss reverse lights though. just cant see through the tint, but im used to it.

Dave
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 12:01 AM
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...I didn't even know that reverse light was suppose to help us see behind, I thought it was to tell the guy behind that we were backing . My back window is tinted also so since the beginning I can't see behind that well at night but I don't mind
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 12:29 AM
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Hey do they sell red colored light bulbs for our tails??? Because I have my altezza's (skyline mod) and when I brake I feel the red color is a littel weak reddish/pink. Instead of a deep red color, from a actual skyline or the redd coloration in a corvetts tail light. I've looked at autozone, no luck. ANy places I should try??????????
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 12:36 AM
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you guys look behind you when you reverse?
but serously, the break lights give off more light than the reverse lights... just try reversing at night without your lights on and tap the brake to see the difference... not that i care...
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 05:07 AM
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Originally Posted by NISMOMAXMAN
Hey do they sell red colored light bulbs for our tails??? Because I have my altezza's (skyline mod) and when I brake I feel the red color is a littel weak reddish/pink. Instead of a deep red color, from a actual skyline or the redd coloration in a corvetts tail light. I've looked at autozone, no luck. ANy places I should try??????????

http://autolumination.com/1156_1157.htm
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 08:32 AM
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anybody has pictures of their lights with led bulbs? I'd like to see if theres a gib difference with normal bulbs
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by overseaz
They work great with limo tint on the back windows. NOT
i keep thinking they are burnt out... Im used to it though since my last car didnt come with reverse lights til the next model year.. which would have been 1965.

I miss reverse lights though. just cant see through the tint, but im used to it.

Dave
I can't tell when my reverse lights are on either, with 20% tint. I've just gotten use to it.
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 10:40 AM
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it's not the tint, i've got 20% and notice no difference from the light from before i got it. i just don't think they're made for us to see, just so other people know we're in reverse. those LED's seem like a good idea, though.
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 11:26 AM
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i would like to see pics of the LED mod in the reverse lights.
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 11:31 AM
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i wish I had $160 to blow on LED bubls for all of the rear tail lights
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 04:27 PM
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if you think your tint is the problem, roll down your side window, and use the side mirror to help park. the light is naturally pretty dim
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by gabex
i wish I had $160 to blow on LED bubls for all of the rear tail lights

No!

1156 – 24 LED Matrix (amber) x 2 = $25.98 (turn)

1156 – 20 LED (super white) x 2 = $21.98 (reverse)

1157 – 24 LED Matrix (red) x 4 = $51.96 (brake)


TOTAL = $99.92
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 04:42 PM
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or just get the reverse light if thats the big problem
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 04:51 PM
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Ok.. $100.. but that still is a lot of money for tail light bulbs.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that they are not worth it. But for me (a teenager), paying $100 for bulbs is not very pratical. If I found $100 on the ground, I'd put 'em towards the led bulbs.
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 05:00 PM
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just replace the bulbs that arent bring enough. if you have a problem with the reverse bulbs, just get those, etc.
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 05:33 PM
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[QUOTE=Stringztoo]24 Super bright white LEDs. 18 on top, 6 on the sides. It generates a beam angle over 270º and they're pretty dam bright.

But are the LEDs actually any BRIGHTER? I know they burn cooler, use less current, retain their tint, last longer; and cost more of course. They are also supposed to be more directional (but the tail lens will defuse much of that).

But, does anyone know if they actually put out more LIGHT (measured in lumins)? I don't want to be negative, if these things are really brighter, I might go for them too.
Thanks
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 05:41 PM
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they should be brighter yes. it would be sharp, focused light, and be much brighter if they were done well
Old Jan 7, 2004 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by hurleybob
But, does anyone know if they actually put out more LIGHT (measured in lumins)? I don't want to be negative, if these things are really brighter, I might go for them too.
Thanks
From their site:

Amber - 158000mcd
Super White - 154000mcd
Red - 160000mcd

Hell yeah they're bright!
Old Jan 8, 2004 | 03:52 PM
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whoah was away for two days, didn't think this post would get so many responses. i might try just putting a brighter white bulb in there. it's not a huge deal, just sometimes if i'm turning around when i'm in an area i don't know too well, it's tough to see what's behind me.

blah
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