[robbyb413]

Optimal LED for VDO boost gauge.

So when I put in my VDO boost gauge (vision series... the usual one) I was frustrated with the LED from 42DD because it was much dimmer than the rest of the lights in the car, and did not illuminate the gauge evenly. Clearly not optimal, which I was too anal to allow to continue unaddressed.
I did some trial and error with a few different LEDs, and long story short, if you want to pick up an LED that matches the color/brightness of our interiors and throws even light in the VDO gauge head on over to http://www.superbrightleds.com, and pick up the "WLED-x5".
They don't have an example of the red unit online, but the bulb looks like this:

$2.99 plus $5 shipping. Not too bad.
Thought I'd toss that up here in case anyone cares about this and does not want to do all the trial and error I did.
I'll see what I can do about some pics at some point this week. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
edit: Cameraphone pic. Real camera isn't available at the moment...

Not the best thanks to HTCs sub-par 3.0MP camera and it's crappy processor (just couldn't get the light balance right), but when you're in the car it's nice and even and a HUGE difference from the bulbs from 42DD and other sources that don't have the radiating LEDs.


Modified by robbyb413 at 10:17 AM 1/31/2008

 

[Gti.1love.1life]

Re: Optimal LED for VDO boost gauge. (robbyb413)

Nice find.
I just orderd one

 

[modifieda4]

Re: Optimal LED for VDO boost gauge. (robbyb413)

I'm in the same situation...but I want the white backlighting.
The problem with white LEDs is that they are too blue and the color isnt warm enough. On that same site they sell 'warm'/'yellow' white LEDs. I picked one out awhile ago, but never ordered it...yes, im lazy.

anyway...

 

[Gti.1love.1life]

Re: Optimal LED for VDO boost gauge. (modifieda4)

Cant wait to get this in, It shipped out monday, I thought I would have it today, but no luck

Hopefully tomorrow, Didn't think first class mail would take 5 days

 

[Gti.1love.1life]

Re: Optimal LED for VDO boost gauge. (Gti.1love.1life)

I got the LED today. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
Edit: I just installed the LED, and it is a perfect match. A ton better then the 42DD. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif


Modified by Gti.1love.1life at 5:54 PM 2-2-2008

 

[.Mad Hatter.]

Re: Optimal LED for VDO boost gauge. (Gti.1love.1life)

Sweet link Rob, Im ordering my licence plate bulbs as well...even though theyre 12v and not 14.4v.
However, orders to Canada have to be $25 or more, so I might as well get interior lights...any idea what size those are people?

 

[kenncmiller]

Re: Optimal LED for VDO boost gauge. (kollisioncourse)

get the 14v bulbs for the license plate... trust me

 

[.Mad Hatter.]

Re: Optimal LED for VDO boost gauge. (kenncmiller)

Quote, originally posted by kenncmiller »

get the 14v bulbs for the license plate... trust me

ya i held off, i couldnt figure out which bulbs i needed for the rear reading lights...figured out all the rest though, lol

 

[robbyb413]

Re: Optimal LED for VDO boost gauge. (Gti.1love.1life)

Quote, originally posted by Gti.1love.1life »

I just installed the LED, and it is a perfect match. A ton better then the 42DD. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

Isn't it awesome? My picture up there does NOT do it justice. Glad posting this helped a few people out. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[Gti.1love.1life]

Re: Optimal LED for VDO boost gauge. (robbyb413)

Snaped a quick pic toinght, Not the greatest pic but shows how bright the guage is now. Much brighter than the 42DD one.
Coloum Pod:

 

[.Mad Hatter.]

Re: Optimal LED for VDO boost gauge. (Gti.1love.1life)

think im going to order a cool white LED for my gauge...want a bit of a change.
pix when all is said and done. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[ackeefe]

Re: Optimal LED for VDO boost gauge. (Gti.1love.1life)

Quote, originally posted by Gti.1love.1life »

Snaped a quick pic toinght, Not the greatest pic but shows how bright the gauge is now. Much brighter than the 42DD one. Coloum Pod:

Gti.1love.ilife - in that pic it looks like your main gauges are white. is that true or does it just look that way in the pic? my guages are starting to fade and i wanted to know if it's possible to change the color.

 

[.Mad Hatter.]

Re: Optimal LED for VDO boost gauge. (ackeefe)

click the link in my sig...page 7

 

[Gti.1love.1life]

Re: Optimal LED for VDO boost gauge. (ackeefe)

Quote, originally posted by ackeefe »

Gti.1love.ilife - in that pic it looks like your main gauges are white. is that true or does it just look that way in the pic? my guages are starting to fade and i wanted to know if it's possible to change the color.

Being that my car is a "facelift", the guages are white.
Like geoff said, if you have a prefacelift car, check out his thread on changing the lighting.
-Mike