AAC AfterBurners: SMD vs CCFL

[Andys562]

Which would you recommend?
Whats the difference between the two?

I have RS taillights already, if that helps.

Pictures are greatly appreciated.

[Shuffler]

I have the LED.......... If I understand correctly the CCFL will mess with your backup sensors if you have them.

[agkelly73]

The LED version is much brighter than the CCFL but the CCFL will interfere with the parking sensors when they are on. The LEDs also have "dotted" look that some folks don't like and the CCFL are a solid light source. The CCFLs also have to use a power inverter on each side and waterproffing their connectors and the inverter can be a pain. If they get any water in them, the lights will flicker and go out and you will have to disconnect them to let them dry, at least that's what I do. If I were to do it again, I'd do the LED versions. Much brighter and easier to deal with.

Sent from my HTC Evo using Tapatalk.

[Andys562]

Is the SMD the LED? or is the CCFL the LED?

[Tx1Lt]

SMD is the LED. CCFL is a neon tube I think.

[ihaveacamaro]

Still, LEDs aren't as bright as you might think they would be. At least that's how I felt when I first put mine in. But I agree with the general consensus: go with the LEDs.

[brengeek]

We have the CCFL's and love them, more subtle and bright enough. Never noticed any issues with backup sensors? So can't speak for that.

[Madness11]

Cold Cathode Flourescent Light = CCFL and Light Emitting Diode = LED....just food for thought.

CCFL will be brighter and it used to be more colors were easily available. The downside is the tubes are very easy to break if you are not gentle while installing them. The other downside is they need a high voltage inverter in order to get them to work, so you need to find a dry location for the inverter (preferrably). They do make them "water proof" but the one on my sportbike didnt last long after a couple washes. They do provide a solid source of light as opposed to LEDs. Some brands immitate CCFLs by taking acrylic and placing one LED on either end of a loop and let the light shine into the acrylicto produce a CCFL angel eye effect. A major plus is they ted to be forgiving with voltage spikes.

LEDs tend to last longer due to the fact that they are not consuming an inert gas in a tube by arcing high voltage electricity through it like its counterpart. You don't need to worry about breaking any glass tubes. LEDs tend to last for 10000+ hours. They can burn out though. A voltage spike can pop a couple LEDs in a shot and then you have a dead spot like on a traffic light. Technology today is getting better so LEDs can be brighter but a CCFL is brighter most times. As far as expense of the two...... I would say they both equal out but you can find LEDs cheaper. Keep in mind you get what you pay for though. I put the angel eyes in my sport bike and I think next time I might let a pro do it. I can admit that my skills of hiding wiring are not the greatest and my patience isn't the greatest either.

[GB EB]

or this is what I got from Apex Motorsports (no thread jack intended, just sharing):

[Shuffler]

I did not like the videos I saw of those show lights. The LEDS are way too big IMHO.

Well I finally saw some on a camaro at the Blast To The Past night meet about a week back. To me they looked worse in person.

I was really hoping some manufacturer would make some with smaller LEDs.

[GB EB]

Originally Posted by Shuffler

I did not like the videos I saw of those show lights. The LEDS are way too big IMHO.

Well I finally saw some on a camaro at the Blast To The Past night meet about a week back. To me they looked worse in person.

I was really hoping some manufacturer would make some with smaller LEDs.

It's rare anyone is able to stay that close to my tail lights to notice that. They are usually seeing them from a quickly growing distance

[sub zero]

i'm gonna get CCFL , this bright is enogh for me