AAC Afterburners: SMD vs CCFL? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Andys562 · 07-18-2011, 10:35 PM

Which do you guys prefer and why? If you guys have any pics, please post.

Also, how long do these last? I've been hearing they burn out quickly.

Thank you!

The Stig · 07-18-2011, 10:43 PM

I have the CCFL ones and couldn't be happier. They are a much softer glow than the SMDs. I've had mine almost a year and no issues with them burning out or anything. They have a lifetime warranty so I'm not too worried.

Ivan @ Southwest Speed · 07-19-2011, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stieger

I have the CCFL ones and couldn't be happier. They are a much softer glow than the SMDs. I've had mine almost a year and no issues with them burning out or anything. They have a lifetime warranty so I'm not too worried.

Ditto...

Call us if you need more answers!
Ivan

Andys562 · 07-19-2011, 12:41 AM

What exactly is the difference in appearance?

I'm looking for something that really stands out and grabs attention, that still looks amazing.
But again, i don't want something that will burn out.

any answers/comments are appreciated. thank you all so much.

whamslam3 · 07-19-2011, 03:58 AM

sounds like the SMD's would be your best bet then. thats what im gunna get eventually.

Shuffler · 07-19-2011, 02:44 PM

I like the LEDS

The Stig · 07-19-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andys562

What exactly is the difference in appearance?

I'm looking for something that really stands out and grabs attention, that still looks amazing.
But again, i don't want something that will burn out.

any answers/comments are appreciated. thank you all so much.

LEDs are brighter and more "attention grabbing". Only downside I found with the LEDs is that you can see the individual LEDs in the halo. LEDs can burn out, where as CCFL does not burn out. You may lose a ballast, but that'd be unusual. Ballasts are a lot easier to replace than an entire afterburner.

Andys562 · 07-19-2011, 06:58 PM

ok i see what oyu mean...

what exactly is the difference in appearance?

ttexxan · 07-19-2011, 07:05 PM

Get the LED without question!! Much brighter and cannot really see the individual LED that bad. I have been running these for almost 2 yrs and noooo problems. Love them. Glad I actually didnt do the other kind

The Stig · 07-19-2011, 07:15 PM

CCFL = soft glow and a continuous light. Image this line as the light ___________

SMD = bright and a bunch of individual dots making up the light. So imagine this is the light ................

While both make a line, I find the smoothness of the CCFL afterburners to be worth it.

brengeek · 07-19-2011, 09:39 PM

These are ours after install. We chose the CCFLs because they are not as bright but give that extra "oomph" we were looking for. There are a couple of good example's on AAC's website.

Support@OracleLights.com · 07-20-2011, 11:42 AM

The biggest difference is that the LED afterburners have individual "dots" when you see them close up; from far away (10 ft) you cannot see the LEDs.

The CCFL halos are a glass tube and resemble a florescent light or a neon light. These halos require you to use inverters and have a much softer glow.

Each halo is a personal preference.

Support@OracleLights.com · 07-20-2011, 11:46 AM

liquidsmoke · 07-20-2011, 04:27 PM

Why can't the LED's be placed inside of a tube that diffused the light and makes it so you don't see the individual LED's?

This is the main reason I won't buy anything with LED's that you can see the dots.
It just looks bad and reminds me of Christmas lights.

07-18-2011, 10:35 PM	#1
Andys562 Drives: Black 2011 2LT RS Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 629	AAC Afterburners: SMD vs CCFL? Which do you guys prefer and why? If you guys have any pics, please post. Also, how long do these last? I've been hearing they burn out quickly. Thank you!

07-18-2011, 10:43 PM	#2
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	I have the CCFL ones and couldn't be happier. They are a much softer glow than the SMDs. I've had mine almost a year and no issues with them burning out or anything. They have a lifetime warranty so I'm not too worried. __________________

07-19-2011, 03:58 AM	#5
whamslam3 Camaro King [^^^] Drives: Apollo 11 Camaro IOM Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: CA Posts: 1,754	sounds like the SMD's would be your best bet then. thats what im gunna get eventually. __________________

07-19-2011, 02:44 PM	#6
Shuffler God Bless Dawson Drives: Synergy for my Daughter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 3,057	I like the LEDS __________________

07-19-2011, 07:15 PM	#10
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	CCFL = soft glow and a continuous light. Image this line as the light ___________ SMD = bright and a bunch of individual dots making up the light. So imagine this is the light ................ While both make a line, I find the smoothness of the CCFL afterburners to be worth it. __________________

07-19-2011, 12:41 AM	#4
Andys562 Drives: Black 2011 2LT RS Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 629	What exactly is the difference in appearance? I'm looking for something that really stands out and grabs attention, that still looks amazing. But again, i don't want something that will burn out. any answers/comments are appreciated. thank you all so much.

07-19-2011, 06:58 PM	#8
Andys562 Drives: Black 2011 2LT RS Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 629	ok i see what oyu mean... what exactly is the difference in appearance?

07-19-2011, 07:05 PM	#9
ttexxan Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fort Worth Texas Posts: 926	Get the LED without question!! Much brighter and cannot really see the individual LED that bad. I have been running these for almost 2 yrs and noooo problems. Love them. Glad I actually didnt do the other kind

07-19-2011, 09:39 PM	#11
brengeek Not a dude. Drives: 2012 45th 2ss/rs Join Date: May 2011 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 910 View My Garage	These are ours after install. We chose the CCFLs because they are not as bright but give that extra "oomph" we were looking for. There are a couple of good example's on AAC's website. __________________

07-20-2011, 11:42 AM	#12
Support@OracleLights.com Drives: www.CamaroLighting.com Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,245	The biggest difference is that the LED afterburners have individual "dots" when you see them close up; from far away (10 ft) you cannot see the LEDs. The CCFL halos are a glass tube and resemble a florescent light or a neon light. These halos require you to use inverters and have a much softer glow. Each halo is a personal preference.

07-20-2011, 11:46 AM	#13
Support@OracleLights.com Drives: www.CamaroLighting.com Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,245

07-20-2011, 04:27 PM	#14
liquidsmoke Two Miles An Hour Drives: SIM 2LT RS Join Date: May 2010 Location: chicago Posts: 1,209	Why can't the LED's be placed inside of a tube that diffused the light and makes it so you don't see the individual LED's? This is the main reason I won't buy anything with LED's that you can see the dots. It just looks bad and reminds me of Christmas lights. __________________ expect nothing, but take everything

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