LED replacement lights

[JohnCh]

I installed LED replacement bulbs in my rear brake lights this week and I’m blown away by the difference. Most of the reviews I’ve read of the various replacement LEDs on the market have been pretty damning: yes they react a lot faster than the original incandescents, but they have low light output, and considerable drop off when viewed off axis. One of the exceptions has been the Genesis 48 LED 1157 replacement from Custom Dynamics (also available as the creatively spelled Radiantz 1.85” Replacement Clusterz). They claim their LEDs have a 120 degree viewing angle, and based on first impressions, I have no reason to dispute that claim.

 

I started by installing one of the LED bulbs in the passenger side cluster and leaving the 2357 bulb (it’s a slightly brighter substitute for the 1157) in the driver’s side light. I then stood back about 20’ while SWMBO hit the middle pedal. WOW! The passenger light was much, much brighter! Next I moved up so I was only about 5 feet behind the car and then moved several feet to the right until I could just still see the driver’s side light. Even at that extreme angle the LEDs still looked a touch brighter. So other than cost (about $25 a pop) and weight (the combo added…gulp…nearly 2 ounces to my car! Argh, I need more carbon fiber!) there is no downside to this upgrade. They even come in a few different mounting options to make things easier: direct replacement, hardwire, and pigtail with an 1157 base. The latter gave me the flexibility I needed to mount it in the little brake light housings I’m using on the Westfield.

 

-John

[manik]

This thread is lame without pictures!

[JohnCh]

I tried to take a comparison photo with the LED in one tail light and the incandescent bulb in the other, but the light output from the LED was so powerful that it overloaded my camera’s sensor. :jester:

 

-John