Reverse Light Comparison - JLC CREE vs V-LED 8W
#1
Reverse Light Comparison - JLC CREE vs V-LED 8W
Recently switched from JLC Cree to 19LED 8W 5k V-LED Reverse lights.
I admit, the first 2 months I had the JLC Crees installed I was really hyped, happy, and proud to have them. It wasn't long after until I started realizing that I couldn't see shit on my navi back-up camera while in reverse.
The Cree LEDs shine light in a straight focused beam. It's so bright and focused that on the back-up camera display it just shows as a white hot spot in the CENTER of the navi. The left, right, above, and under is still dark and hard to see.
Not only does it still leave areas unlit, but the area that is in the center of the navi camera is still hard to see because the Cree LEDs are so bright that it's kind of hard to distinguish and make or see things in the back up camera.... Here's the picture of JLC and than V-LEDs..
JLC
JLC W/ BRAKES APPLIED (Somewhat lights up the areas that the JLC doesn't illuminate)
19LED 8Watt 5K V-LEDS (no brakes applied at all, just parking/e-brake)
No competition.... OK The JLCs do cost only $40, and the V-LEDs cost $50. Luckily for me, I purchased it from V-LEDs while they were on sale for only $34.99.
On a random note, I noticed when I'm driving alone my "Passenger Airbag" light doesn't light up and say "OFF".
When you guys drive by yourself in the car, does the "Passenger Airbag OFF" light illuminate? I'm assuming my air bag is disabled.... I'm pretty sure it's supposed to light up "OFF" until a passenger actually sits in the seat than the "OFF" actually turns off. Can someone confirm?
I admit, the first 2 months I had the JLC Crees installed I was really hyped, happy, and proud to have them. It wasn't long after until I started realizing that I couldn't see shit on my navi back-up camera while in reverse.
The Cree LEDs shine light in a straight focused beam. It's so bright and focused that on the back-up camera display it just shows as a white hot spot in the CENTER of the navi. The left, right, above, and under is still dark and hard to see.
Not only does it still leave areas unlit, but the area that is in the center of the navi camera is still hard to see because the Cree LEDs are so bright that it's kind of hard to distinguish and make or see things in the back up camera.... Here's the picture of JLC and than V-LEDs..
JLC
JLC W/ BRAKES APPLIED (Somewhat lights up the areas that the JLC doesn't illuminate)
19LED 8Watt 5K V-LEDS (no brakes applied at all, just parking/e-brake)
No competition.... OK The JLCs do cost only $40, and the V-LEDs cost $50. Luckily for me, I purchased it from V-LEDs while they were on sale for only $34.99.
On a random note, I noticed when I'm driving alone my "Passenger Airbag" light doesn't light up and say "OFF".
When you guys drive by yourself in the car, does the "Passenger Airbag OFF" light illuminate? I'm assuming my air bag is disabled.... I'm pretty sure it's supposed to light up "OFF" until a passenger actually sits in the seat than the "OFF" actually turns off. Can someone confirm?
#2
Moderator
Chapter Leader (South Florida Region)
Chapter Leader (South Florida Region)
iTrader: (6)
Yes...that is what it's supposed to do! Way to create a thread on one topic and try and self derail it immediately!
PS...thanks for this review...I've been thinkin about getting some USEABLE LED reverse lights and I've had some questionable experiences with a JLC vendor on the site and would prefer not to deal with him. Glad to know there's a better option.
J.
PS...thanks for this review...I've been thinkin about getting some USEABLE LED reverse lights and I've had some questionable experiences with a JLC vendor on the site and would prefer not to deal with him. Glad to know there's a better option.
J.
The following 2 users liked this post by rockstar143:
CLtotheTL32 (12-22-2011),
Undying Dreams (08-09-2012)
#4
Racer
this thread is hugely helpful to me .. i jsut bought the cree 921 bulb and it really isnt good i got them off ebay but its from a reputable dealer so im not worried about the quality of my bulbs but with comparison of what u showed im buying them.
i emailed the ebay seller already for a return and once i get my money i will be purchasing these
i emailed the ebay seller already for a return and once i get my money i will be purchasing these
#7
Racer
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...26829-1-3.html
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...07296-1-3.html
Pretty sure its these .. Atleast for my accord thats them but Im pretty sure were the Same.. Ones 5000k the other is 6000k
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...07296-1-3.html
Pretty sure its these .. Atleast for my accord thats them but Im pretty sure were the Same.. Ones 5000k the other is 6000k
Trending Topics
#8
Yes...that is what it's supposed to do! Way to create a thread on one topic and try and self derail it immediately!
PS...thanks for this review...I've been thinkin about getting some USEABLE LED reverse lights and I've had some questionable experiences with a JLC vendor on the site and would prefer not to deal with him. Glad to know there's a better option.
J.
PS...thanks for this review...I've been thinkin about getting some USEABLE LED reverse lights and I've had some questionable experiences with a JLC vendor on the site and would prefer not to deal with him. Glad to know there's a better option.
J.
My car is a salvage title so it had me thinking that my passenger side airbag was already once deployed and therefore doesn't have one anymore so maybe that was why the passenger airbag light doesn't say "OFF" when I 'thought' it was supposed to. Thanks for your reassuring words!
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...26829-1-3.html
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...07296-1-3.html
Pretty sure its these .. Atleast for my accord thats them but Im pretty sure were the Same.. Ones 5000k the other is 6000k
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...07296-1-3.html
Pretty sure its these .. Atleast for my accord thats them but Im pretty sure were the Same.. Ones 5000k the other is 6000k
I bought the 5000K (5K) ones because I noticed the JLC Cree ones were more on the 6k-7k side. They are very bright but has a blue/purplish hue to it. They are no where near WHITE when seen in person.
The 5k V-LEDs reverse are so crisp pure white... I couldn't have asked for it to be any cleaner looking. Matches 5k interior and 5k license plate lights spot on.
I'm sure both 5k and 6k V-LED reverse lights will be very bright, but I believe the 5k will have more usable light output. Just my opinion.
Last edited by vietxquangstah; 12-21-2011 at 09:26 PM.
#9
Racer
These are what mine look like the JlC but these are on my accord coupe .. My reverse lights are in my tail lights .. Yours are next to license plates which is why i get no light ..waiting for ebay seller to respond back hopefully accept my return so i can get my 30 bucks and buy the vled
The following users liked this post:
vietxquangstah (12-22-2011)
#17
Intermediate
Thanks for the great review. This helps a lot in my search for a replacement for my stock bulb. Just got my windows tinted and am relying on the navi for backup more.
I was looking on the VLED site the other day and noticed they have another 921 bulb but this has 68 LED's but no mention of wattage (I assume it is the same as your 8w) or if it fits in our housing. The Tim the tool man in me says more LED's is brighter but I don't know. Another thing is the site shows no lumen outputs for their bulbs.
I was looking on the VLED site the other day and noticed they have another 921 bulb but this has 68 LED's but no mention of wattage (I assume it is the same as your 8w) or if it fits in our housing. The Tim the tool man in me says more LED's is brighter but I don't know. Another thing is the site shows no lumen outputs for their bulbs.
#18
Thanks for the great review. This helps a lot in my search for a replacement for my stock bulb. Just got my windows tinted and am relying on the navi for backup more.
I was looking on the VLED site the other day and noticed they have another 921 bulb but this has 68 LED's but no mention of wattage (I assume it is the same as your 8w) or if it fits in our housing. The Tim the tool man in me says more LED's is brighter but I don't know. Another thing is the site shows no lumen outputs for their bulbs.
I was looking on the VLED site the other day and noticed they have another 921 bulb but this has 68 LED's but no mention of wattage (I assume it is the same as your 8w) or if it fits in our housing. The Tim the tool man in me says more LED's is brighter but I don't know. Another thing is the site shows no lumen outputs for their bulbs.
Also, the reverse lights clearly state they are 8watts while the 68LED ones don't say anything at all so i'm pretty sure it's safe to assume that it draws less power and therefore not as bright.
I'm not 100% sure though... My rear LED turn signals are 68LED and my front switchbacks are 60LED and they are no where near as bright as my 19LED 8W reverse lights. I see reviews of people using the 68LED as reverse lights so I'm sure you can run it without a problem, but I'm pretty sure V-LED would prefer for you to run the 8W 19LEDs as reverse lights instead due to brightness... Maybe that's why it actually says "High-Power Bulb" compared to the 68LED that doesn't list wattage nor "High-Powered"
#19
OCD
iTrader: (3)
I'm sure those 68LED bulbs you see are brighter compared to the OEM halogen bulbs, but when compared to the 19LED reverse lights I really doubt they are "just-as bright". Reason I assume this is because the reverse lights are priced at $50 while the 68LED bulbs are only $35.
Also, the reverse lights clearly state they are 8watts while the 68LED ones don't say anything at all so i'm pretty sure it's safe to assume that it draws less power and therefore not as bright.
I'm not 100% sure though... My rear LED turn signals are 68LED and my front switchbacks are 60LED and they are no where near as bright as my 19LED 8W reverse lights. I see reviews of people using the 68LED as reverse lights so I'm sure you can run it without a problem, but I'm pretty sure V-LED would prefer for you to run the 8W 19LEDs as reverse lights instead due to brightness... Maybe that's why it actually says "High-Power Bulb" compared to the 68LED that doesn't list wattage nor "High-Powered"
Also, the reverse lights clearly state they are 8watts while the 68LED ones don't say anything at all so i'm pretty sure it's safe to assume that it draws less power and therefore not as bright.
I'm not 100% sure though... My rear LED turn signals are 68LED and my front switchbacks are 60LED and they are no where near as bright as my 19LED 8W reverse lights. I see reviews of people using the 68LED as reverse lights so I'm sure you can run it without a problem, but I'm pretty sure V-LED would prefer for you to run the 8W 19LEDs as reverse lights instead due to brightness... Maybe that's why it actually says "High-Power Bulb" compared to the 68LED that doesn't list wattage nor "High-Powered"
My airbag light doesn't light up if no one is in the passenger seat that would be terrible to look at all the time!
Just a couple notes on LEDs if your interested, and no I don't have any of these models your reviewing. Higher wattage does not necessarily mean brighter, It all depends on the efficiency of the LED (measured Lumens/Watt) Also highly dependent on the color as most red,green,amber, blue LEDs are significantly less efficient then white.
Also if this bulb is sold as a reverse light it is probably being driven to its max and most likely overdriven to achieve extra lumens. It would most likely fail if kept on like a running light such as your switchbacks.
If I were you I would just wire up (1) Cree XM-L and it will blow all these pnp bulbs out of the water.
Heres one of my XM-L's only driven at 2A, max is 3A putting out almost 1000 lumens for one LED. One problem is you have to make it yourself .
#20
My airbag light doesn't light up if no one is in the passenger seat that would be terrible to look at all the time!
Just a couple notes on LEDs if your interested, and no I don't have any of these models your reviewing. Higher wattage does not necessarily mean brighter, It all depends on the efficiency of the LED (measured Lumens/Watt) Also highly dependent on the color as most red,green,amber, blue LEDs are significantly less efficient then white.
Also if this bulb is sold as a reverse light it is probably being driven to its max and most likely overdriven to achieve extra lumens. It would most likely fail if kept on like a running light such as your switchbacks.
If I were you I would just wire up (1) Cree XM-L and it will blow all these pnp bulbs out of the water.
Heres one of my XM-L's only driven at 2A, max is 3A putting out almost 1000 lumens for one LED. One problem is you have to make it yourself .
Just a couple notes on LEDs if your interested, and no I don't have any of these models your reviewing. Higher wattage does not necessarily mean brighter, It all depends on the efficiency of the LED (measured Lumens/Watt) Also highly dependent on the color as most red,green,amber, blue LEDs are significantly less efficient then white.
Also if this bulb is sold as a reverse light it is probably being driven to its max and most likely overdriven to achieve extra lumens. It would most likely fail if kept on like a running light such as your switchbacks.
If I were you I would just wire up (1) Cree XM-L and it will blow all these pnp bulbs out of the water.
Heres one of my XM-L's only driven at 2A, max is 3A putting out almost 1000 lumens for one LED. One problem is you have to make it yourself .
#22
Roger, do you have any pictures of how that looks on the navigation screen?
The only problem I see with that is that it's also like the JLC Cree bulb. It's DIRECTIONAL. I'd sure as hell would love to see how a 1,000 lumen LED would light up the navi display though. As long as there isnt any hot spotting at all like the JLC Cree than it would be a good alternative.
Also, how much $$ total in materials did you spend on making just 1 bulb?
The only problem I see with that is that it's also like the JLC Cree bulb. It's DIRECTIONAL. I'd sure as hell would love to see how a 1,000 lumen LED would light up the navi display though. As long as there isnt any hot spotting at all like the JLC Cree than it would be a good alternative.
Also, how much $$ total in materials did you spend on making just 1 bulb?
#23
OCD
iTrader: (3)
I'll try to get some updates in a few weeks sorry guys. I just moved into my first house this past weekend and I have a lot of sorting and setting up of the new garage (and the rest of the house) plus work everyday My list is long and its not just car stuff anymore.
Directional yes BUT I found a solution its a lens called a virtual filament. I saw it inside this LED light bulb below then contacted the supplied who was able to sell me the lenses separately. Its the only lens i've found that enables you to still utilize the entire reflector with one LED light source. I have purchased probably 100 different lenses over the past year too.
This is just a side project for a DRL in the 07-08 headlights but it would probably work great as a reverse light too.
Roger, do you have any pictures of how that looks on the navigation screen?
The only problem I see with that is that it's also like the JLC Cree bulb. It's DIRECTIONAL. I'd sure as hell would love to see how a 1,000 lumen LED would light up the navi display though. As long as there isnt any hot spotting at all like the JLC Cree than it would be a good alternative.
Also, how much $$ total in materials did you spend on making just 1 bulb?
The only problem I see with that is that it's also like the JLC Cree bulb. It's DIRECTIONAL. I'd sure as hell would love to see how a 1,000 lumen LED would light up the navi display though. As long as there isnt any hot spotting at all like the JLC Cree than it would be a good alternative.
Also, how much $$ total in materials did you spend on making just 1 bulb?
Directional yes BUT I found a solution its a lens called a virtual filament. I saw it inside this LED light bulb below then contacted the supplied who was able to sell me the lenses separately. Its the only lens i've found that enables you to still utilize the entire reflector with one LED light source. I have purchased probably 100 different lenses over the past year too.
This is just a side project for a DRL in the 07-08 headlights but it would probably work great as a reverse light too.
Last edited by Steven Bell; 12-30-2011 at 10:44 PM. Reason: Merged Posts.
#25
Safety Car
Looks good. Probably be my next little project.
#27
Racer
was hoping they'd have another sitewide sale for vleds, but looks like right now they only have a select few stuff on sale..
that side project diy led looks interesting, can't wait for more info
that side project diy led looks interesting, can't wait for more info
The following users liked this post:
ABP_04TL (12-30-2011)
#33
Instructor
I got a pair of JLC cree bulbs, but these V-leds seem to be a lot brighter. I was thinking about buying a set of these and selling my JLC's.
Should I get the 6k or 5k for me 04 TL? I back out of a long driveway a lot and have tints and it's pretty hard to see. This is more for being able to see when backing up rather than looks.
Should I get the 6k or 5k for me 04 TL? I back out of a long driveway a lot and have tints and it's pretty hard to see. This is more for being able to see when backing up rather than looks.
#34
Racer
I got a pair of JLC cree bulbs, but these V-leds seem to be a lot brighter. I was thinking about buying a set of these and selling my JLC's.
Should I get the 6k or 5k for me 04 TL? I back out of a long driveway a lot and have tints and it's pretty hard to see. This is more for being able to see when backing up rather than looks.
Should I get the 6k or 5k for me 04 TL? I back out of a long driveway a lot and have tints and it's pretty hard to see. This is more for being able to see when backing up rather than looks.
#36
Moderator
Chapter Leader (South Florida Region)
Chapter Leader (South Florida Region)
iTrader: (6)
I got a set of CREE on ebay, won 2 auctions for about 20 bucks each shipped...one for me, one for fiancee's accord. Took a few pics...Aside from being directional, we don't have reverse camera's so we're very happy with how much they light up behind you. Aside from being useful for YOU to see, it also helps people that might be walking behind your car see that you are backing up.
In comparison to old cheap LED
In comparison to OEM
Both CREE
Hard to capture the useable light, but trust me, it's good stuff.
In comparison to old cheap LED
In comparison to OEM
Both CREE
Hard to capture the useable light, but trust me, it's good stuff.
#38
Moderator
Chapter Leader (South Florida Region)
Chapter Leader (South Florida Region)
iTrader: (6)
Well, especially based on your pictures, I concur. I have about 20% tint on the back and I can't see anything without putting the window down and physically looking out anyway...with the old LED's, I couldn't see even when I WAS looking.
#39
Instructor
I got tints on my car as well, not sure what percent because they were on the car when I purchased it, but I had JLC Cree bulbs and just purchased the V-leds 5k 8w reverse lights. I could barely see out the window while reversing especially in a dark area just like rockstar143 said. I bought these(V-LED) because everyone said they were better. IMO the cree are much brighter, but both suck when reversing at night. So for a TL wo a reverse cam and with tinted windows, not to mention tinted factory mirrors, were pretty much S.O.L. So now I got two pairs of reverse LED's both which don't help me at all. The reason i bought LEDS was exactly for the fact to not have to roll the window down (I live in CT and sucks rolling the windows down in the winter lol) when reversing and I cannot really say one is better than the other for us without a cam.
#40
Racer
I got tints on my car as well, not sure what percent because they were on the car when I purchased it, but I had JLC Cree bulbs and just purchased the V-leds 5k 8w reverse lights. I could barely see out the window while reversing especially in a dark area just like rockstar143 said. I bought these(V-LED) because everyone said they were better. IMO the cree are much brighter, but both suck when reversing at night. So for a TL wo a reverse cam and with tinted windows, not to mention tinted factory mirrors, were pretty much S.O.L. So now I got two pairs of reverse LED's both which don't help me at all. The reason i bought LEDS was exactly for the fact to not have to roll the window down (I live in CT and sucks rolling the windows down in the winter lol) when reversing and I cannot really say one is better than the other for us without a cam.
i know that the vleds look more spread on the navi, but i also wanted to know which one was brighter by the output of the rear while outside or whatever.. if you get what im sayin... basically which are brighter overall.. without the navi in play..