09-01-2011, 02:33 PM | #1 |
Drives: Black 2011 2LT RS Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 629
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AAC AfterBurners: SMD vs CCFL
Which would you recommend?
Whats the difference between the two? I have RS taillights already, if that helps. Pictures are greatly appreciated. |
09-01-2011, 03:38 PM | #2 |
God Bless Dawson
Drives: Synergy for my Daughter Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,057
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I have the LED.......... If I understand correctly the CCFL will mess with your backup sensors if you have them.
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09-01-2011, 04:00 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2016 SS Convertible Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Hope Mills, NC
Posts: 419
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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.
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09-01-2011, 04:08 PM | #4 |
Drives: Black 2011 2LT RS Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 629
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Is the SMD the LED? or is the CCFL the LED?
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09-01-2011, 04:20 PM | #5 |
Mark it ZERO!
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SMD is the LED. CCFL is a neon tube I think.
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09-01-2011, 04:31 PM | #6 |
I like teeth.
Drives: #198 Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Posts: 4,817
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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.
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09-01-2011, 05:15 PM | #7 |
Not a dude.
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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.
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09-01-2011, 10:17 PM | #8 |
086YN
Drives: Black 2SS/RS Demon of Madness Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Conroe, Texas
Posts: 454
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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. |
09-01-2011, 10:42 PM | #9 | |
Drives: 2014 Stingray 2LT/Z51 Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NAS PENSACOLA, FL
Posts: 2,375
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or this is what I got from Apex Motorsports (no thread jack intended, just sharing):
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*CAMARO5 CAMARO OF THE WEEK 3/21/11*
*1ST PLACE - NAVAL STATION SAN DIEGO CAR SHOW 4/17/11* *PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD - SAN DIEGO FREEDOM FESTIVAL CAR SHOW 7/4/11* *TROPHY RECIPIENT - GREATEST SHOW ON TURF 9/11/11* *1ST PLACE MODERN MUSCLE - CORONADO SPEED FESTIVAL 9/23/11* *AWARD OF EXCELLENCE - GOOD GUYS DEL MAR FALL NATIONALS 11/27/11* *1ST PLACE / '82&UP CAMARO/FIREBIRD- FORT WALTON BEACH FF SHOW 2/16/13* BUILD THREAD: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120353 |
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09-03-2011, 03:28 PM | #10 |
God Bless Dawson
Drives: Synergy for my Daughter Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,057
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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.
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09-03-2011, 06:35 PM | #11 | |
Drives: 2014 Stingray 2LT/Z51 Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NAS PENSACOLA, FL
Posts: 2,375
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Quote:
__________________
*CAMARO5 CAMARO OF THE WEEK 3/21/11*
*1ST PLACE - NAVAL STATION SAN DIEGO CAR SHOW 4/17/11* *PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD - SAN DIEGO FREEDOM FESTIVAL CAR SHOW 7/4/11* *TROPHY RECIPIENT - GREATEST SHOW ON TURF 9/11/11* *1ST PLACE MODERN MUSCLE - CORONADO SPEED FESTIVAL 9/23/11* *AWARD OF EXCELLENCE - GOOD GUYS DEL MAR FALL NATIONALS 11/27/11* *1ST PLACE / '82&UP CAMARO/FIREBIRD- FORT WALTON BEACH FF SHOW 2/16/13* BUILD THREAD: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120353 |
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08-03-2012, 02:28 PM | #12 |
Drives: RED@2SS Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: UAE
Posts: 1,372
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i'm gonna get CCFL , this bright is enogh for me
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