Cheap LED city lights
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Joined: Feb 2006
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2002 c240
Cheap LED city lights
I had a pair of LED city lights from Azn Optics but one of the LED's started to fail. I pulled it out and noticed it had desoldered. I repaired the solder point but it started to fail again after another couple months.
Rather than pay $20 for a new set I headed to dealextreme and found a pair of 6500k t10 LED's for $3.20 shipped.
I'll post some pics when I get them but at that price ill order more for side markers, etc. assuming they don't suck.
Rather than pay $20 for a new set I headed to dealextreme and found a pair of 6500k t10 LED's for $3.20 shipped.
I'll post some pics when I get them but at that price ill order more for side markers, etc. assuming they don't suck.
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From: California
MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
The reason for solder failure is due to current surges that are exhibited by some vehicles (due to low battery, flakey alternator, ac compressor overdraw, etc). This extra energy is converted to heat and the resultant heat spikes can reach the melting point of solder if the surge is high enough. All open circuitry LEDs will suffer from this same issue if the connector isn't properly shielded. This is the same principle why you need a surge protector between your wall socket and your tv/computer.
That said, we're always looking to improve and have released our V3 design which to help address the vehicle surging issue. We introduce a non-conductive gel substrate that has a much higher melting point than the solder so during heat spikes, you won't get any component shifting and the solder reforms in place ones the heat dissipates. This should help in all but the largest surge. You're also covered by our 1 year warranty policy, so we would have covered those LEDs for you BTW.
As for the ones you just found, those are not canbus LEDs and will throw errors. That's where the price difference comes in between the 2 tiers of LEDs.
That said, we're always looking to improve and have released our V3 design which to help address the vehicle surging issue. We introduce a non-conductive gel substrate that has a much higher melting point than the solder so during heat spikes, you won't get any component shifting and the solder reforms in place ones the heat dissipates. This should help in all but the largest surge. You're also covered by our 1 year warranty policy, so we would have covered those LEDs for you BTW.
As for the ones you just found, those are not canbus LEDs and will throw errors. That's where the price difference comes in between the 2 tiers of LEDs.
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From: San Francisco Bay area
C63 AMG
I have always been very happy with AZN optics products and customer service. There 1 year warranty is great and very hassle free. I have AZN lights on both my w203s and they have been working great for more then 7 months
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2002 c240
I don't have a problem with the lights I got from Azn Optics really. They worked fine for a couple years so I figure I got my monies worth. Just pointing out other options.
I didn't realize that non CANBUS LED's would throw errors and that does make a difference. DX has a handful of CANBUS leds but they are much closer in price to what you offer. Also they don't have 8500k.
This is closest to what you offer, they also have a 2.5w 13x led for a dollar more.
I grabbed a set of 1.5w 6500k 5x led for $4.30. The lumens are clearly overstated but I'm curious how much dimmer they are going to be. I figure if they are too dim they will work nicely as sidemarkers.
This also looks cool. I'm curious if you would have a mini halo effect or it will all just blur together.
I didn't realize that non CANBUS LED's would throw errors and that does make a difference. DX has a handful of CANBUS leds but they are much closer in price to what you offer. Also they don't have 8500k.
This is closest to what you offer, they also have a 2.5w 13x led for a dollar more.
I grabbed a set of 1.5w 6500k 5x led for $4.30. The lumens are clearly overstated but I'm curious how much dimmer they are going to be. I figure if they are too dim they will work nicely as sidemarkers.
This also looks cool. I'm curious if you would have a mini halo effect or it will all just blur together.
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MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
One thing to keep in mind when looking at LEDs, we use CREE components which are top of the line and does skew our prices a little, but for only a couple bucks more, we decided to offer our customers a higher quality product.
Also, when looking at LEDs, quantity of diodes is not as important as size of diode. What you want is as much surface area as possible. When you see LEDs with like 10 SMDs, but of smaller size compared to a design that has 4 larger size SMDs, the larger size often has more surface area as there's not as much space between SMDs and not as much dead space at the diode bezel area.
Just some food for thought.
Also, when looking at LEDs, quantity of diodes is not as important as size of diode. What you want is as much surface area as possible. When you see LEDs with like 10 SMDs, but of smaller size compared to a design that has 4 larger size SMDs, the larger size often has more surface area as there's not as much space between SMDs and not as much dead space at the diode bezel area.
Just some food for thought.
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2002 c240
OK so led's finally arrived 
Brightness wise they are fine, They are supposed to be 6500k but they are pretty blue to my eyes. Not sure about quality as I've only had them for a couple hours but no codes so that is a plus.
DealExtreme 6500k LED is on the left, AZN Optics 8000k on the right.
Brightness wise they are fine, They are supposed to be 6500k but they are pretty blue to my eyes. Not sure about quality as I've only had them for a couple hours but no codes so that is a plus.
DealExtreme 6500k LED is on the left, AZN Optics 8000k on the right.
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From: San Diego, CA
07 E63 Estate | 09 & 10 Rx8 R3
Why not just spend the money and pick up a set of PIAA led runners? I've never had an issue with their products. I run the extreme white plus wedges however they have LED ones too.
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2002 c240
All these LEDs are coming from the same place, China. I don't know how much the PIAA bulbs are but mine were only $4 shipped.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: San Diego, CA
07 E63 Estate | 09 & 10 Rx8 R3
My friend and I both had 3rd gen rx7's. She'd go the cheap way and fix it 3 to 4 times by going with home depot fixes and non name brand parts.
I on the other hand would save my money and buy 1 part and get the job done the first time.
Regarding piaa.. yeah may come from china but they are a reputable brand. I put them next to Hella personally. But hey if you want to deal with "fixing" products because they "desoldered" then have fun. But really.. we're talking about $20 from tirerack.
I don't know what your time is worth, but mines worth a hell of a lot more than $16 bucks to re-solder a cheap light. Thats just my $0.02.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
I also have $3 LED's and no problems.
But already had resistors in place. Left 'em never tested to see of they
were actually needed since it worked 1st try. Had 'em for years now.
Now we will both suffer the wrath of the guru.
Our insolence cannot be tolerated! Prepare to be banned!!
If this gets out! Oh....
But already had resistors in place. Left 'em never tested to see of they
were actually needed since it worked 1st try. Had 'em for years now.
Now we will both suffer the wrath of the guru.
Our insolence cannot be tolerated! Prepare to be banned!!
If this gets out! Oh....
OK so led's finally arrived
Brightness wise they are fine, They are supposed to be 6500k but they are pretty blue to my eyes. Not sure about quality as I've only had them for a couple hours but no codes so that is a plus.
DealExtreme 6500k LED is on the left, AZN Optics 8000k on the right.
Brightness wise they are fine, They are supposed to be 6500k but they are pretty blue to my eyes. Not sure about quality as I've only had them for a couple hours but no codes so that is a plus.
DealExtreme 6500k LED is on the left, AZN Optics 8000k on the right.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Oct 31, 2012 at 02:33 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Hawaii
2005 C230k Coupe
I cheaped out on LED City Lights too o:
Got these from Amazon marketplace:
Was about $10 after shipping
They were bluer than what I expected but they look better than the stock halogens.
Got these from Amazon marketplace:
Was about $10 after shipping
They were bluer than what I expected but they look better than the stock halogens.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2006
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2002 c240
Well.. the way I see it is from this experience.
My friend and I both had 3rd gen rx7's. She'd go the cheap way and fix it 3 to 4 times by going with home depot fixes and non name brand parts.
I on the other hand would save my money and buy 1 part and get the job done the first time.
Regarding piaa.. yeah may come from china but they are a reputable brand. I put them next to Hella personally. But hey if you want to deal with "fixing" products because they "desoldered" then have fun. But really.. we're talking about $20 from tirerack.
I don't know what your time is worth, but mines worth a hell of a lot more than $16 bucks to re-solder a cheap light. Thats just my $0.02.
My friend and I both had 3rd gen rx7's. She'd go the cheap way and fix it 3 to 4 times by going with home depot fixes and non name brand parts.
I on the other hand would save my money and buy 1 part and get the job done the first time.
Regarding piaa.. yeah may come from china but they are a reputable brand. I put them next to Hella personally. But hey if you want to deal with "fixing" products because they "desoldered" then have fun. But really.. we're talking about $20 from tirerack.
I don't know what your time is worth, but mines worth a hell of a lot more than $16 bucks to re-solder a cheap light. Thats just my $0.02.
And If 10 minutes of my time was worth $16 I would be in the AMG forums
