The CX-5 LED Lighting Thread

[Kedis82ZE8]

Will I have any hyperflash (flasher) issues if I keep rears on vehicle incandescent but convert my small trailer to LEDs?

I am looking to lower electrical load with trailer attached.

 

[D_Frost]

So finally I got around to installing a pair of LED headlight bulbs purchased off eBay a couple weeks ago. Here is the link to the specs: LINK

Haven't gotten around to taking pictures as it's past midnight but I moved over to these LEDs from Morimoto XB35 HID (4300K)from TRS. This quest started when another vendor was selling H11 LED headlight bulbs. I was curious to see if LEDs are truly ready for prime time headlight duty. The bulbs fit in fairly easily (especially after you have tried installing HID bulbs on a non-tech). Took all of maybe 15 minutes to remove my HID kit and put in these LEDs. Pictures are pending (charging the camera currently).

Observations so far:

• Light output against the wall is fairly close to HIDs
• Pattern and cutoff is similar to the HIDs
• It's nice to not have ballasts (or a relay) as everything is enclosed inside the heat sink behind the LED
• The bulb is hefty, all surfaces I can see (besides the emitters) are metal
• Documentation indicates the bulbs use Cree XM-L emitters (and they're bright)
• The light output is indicated on the packaging as 6000K but it is whiter than most 6000K HID kits I've seen
• Instant on to full brightness (whereas HIDs need to warm up)

Yet to determine:

• Throw distance of the headlight
• Longevity/reliability of the bulbs
• Glare
• Ability to light up reflective signs and road markers

So here's my updated review after 3 months of use:

• Throw distance of the headlight - decent but somewhat left to be desired, definitely not HID amount of throw, but it is likely due to the headlight design (meant for halogen)
• Longevity/reliability of the bulbs - hasn't skipped a beat yet, lights up when needed
• Glare - properly aimed, haven't been high beamed
• Ability to light up reflective signs and road markers - this would be its weak spot as the light spill (squirrel finders?) is minimal thus making road signs a bit harder to read; but this would likely also contribute to less glare.
• These bulbs are brighter than stock halogen - I was a bit surprised due to the limited specs available when purchasing but a side by side photo cleared that up for me (see photo below)

Here is the side by side photo between the LED bulb and the stock halogen bulb:



Notice that the hotspot is significantly larger than the halogen, which equates to more foreground light. Also the light spill above the cutoff is very limited (thus the hard to read signs). Of course this is not the only update I have... there's more... another set of LED bulbs up for review... stay tuned!!

 

[D_Frost]

Looks like VLEDS might be selling these soon: http://www.vleds.com/h11-eti-3000lm.html

And here is a sneak peek at what I got in the mail today



(Looks like the same bulbs that VLEDS will be selling next month. Look at the size difference in the LED emitters! (eek2))

 

[SayNoToPistons]

More pics for the taillight replacements. There are now two additional styles. The initial units resembled BMW lights. The most recent style look like Audi. Quality and most importantly lighting is questionable as with most LED replacements.

BMW style:

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/For-MAZDA-CX-5-2013-UP_1821944038.html
http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/High-brightness-Hot-sales-Waterproof-led_60031144269.html

Audi style:
http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/For-MAZDA-CX-5-2012-UP_60037532366.html
http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/For-MAZDA-CX-5-LED-Tail_60052282825.html
http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/For-MAZDA-CX-5-2012-UP_60052085190.html

 

[RedBaron]

Links don't work

 

[SayNoToPistons]

Looks like Alibaba no longer allow hot-links. Go on Alibaba and search "CX-5 LED taillights".

 

[nXt]

I bought these and came in today and I LOVE THEM! Using it for my DRL on a Touring with Tech (Xenon)
Matches those eBay DRL LED Fog Light covers too!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111412548081

 

[d3finit]

I bought these from eBay for about $78 shipped. They look similar to the H11 H16 6500k 3000LM LED Headlight Fog Light sold at VLEDs for $200.

For comparison purposes, here's a side by side of the Optilux 55W Yellow Halogen, the newly installed eBay 3000LM LED, and Sirius 22W 14 SMD LED. They all fit the CX-5 foglights with no clearance issues with either the reflector shield or front bumper assembly.

Comparison shots of the beam patterns with the fogs off and on taken after sunset.

Beam pattern at night.

Overall, I like the bulbs. They're certainly much brighter than the stock halogens, the Optilux yellow halogens (my previous personal favorite), and MUCH MUCH brighter the Sirius 22W LED's I had in there. Driving around, I noticed street signs being more reflective. The 6000-6500k (extremely white with the tiniest hint of blue) does somewhat clash with the stock 4300k HID's, so I'm planning on putting on some yellow tints on the foglight lenses.

 

[joe427]

What ever floats your boat but over powering the yellow halogens with powerful yellow bulbs doesn't make for a good look in the bottom pic,IMO.
Fog lights are a bit helpful in fog but most use them for the look.

Now if you're going to use them in bad weather.....they work well.

I installed a set of 5K LEDs from VLEDs and the match with the HIDs is close and looks very nice.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Xenondepot cancelled my P13W DRL order due to availability.

Has this VLEDs model been fairly reliable?

http://www.vleds.com/shop-bulb-numbers/p13w/5k-white-10-led-drl-fog-light-bulbs-p13w-1-pair.html

 

[CX-5tormtrooper]

Xenondepot cancelled my P13W DRL order due to availability.

Has this VLEDs model been fairly reliable?

http://www.vleds.com/shop-bulb-numbers/p13w/5k-white-10-led-drl-fog-light-bulbs-p13w-1-pair.html

I've had those exact ones for over a year and a half without any issues.

Wait for a holiday sale for V-Led.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I've had those exact ones for over a year and a half without any issues.

Wait for a holiday sale for V-Led.

Thanks!

 

[joe427]

I've had those exact ones for over a year and a half without any issues.

Wait for a holiday sale for V-Led.

I have the same LED's.
All my LED's are VLEDS. I've been going with VLEDS for years.
Maybe a Columbus Day holiday discount code this weekend.

 

[vroom]

Xenondepot cancelled my P13W DRL order due to availability.

Has this VLEDs model been fairly reliable?

http://www.vleds.com/shop-bulb-numbers/p13w/5k-white-10-led-drl-fog-light-bulbs-p13w-1-pair.html

I agree with all above posters. I've had those for a few months and they are great.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

My P13Ws are supposed to show up from VLEDS today. Do these have fairly good fitment or does anything need to be modified in anyway to get a secure install of the bulbs?

 

[joe427]

My P13Ws are supposed to show up from VLEDS today. Do these have fairly good fitment or does anything need to be modified in anyway to get a secure install of the bulbs?

I'm curious to after reading a VLEDS review on these LEDS with a '14 CX install.I may buy the 5K version.

"*Connection pins are a little longer than original P13W filament bulbs (about 1 mm). It need to be shortened in order to be fastened by the harness. (make "click" with the connector)"

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I am buying the 5K version but wonder if they also need pins to be shortened as well?

EDIT: I guess I will find out soon enough later this morning. It seems like a lot better problem than too short.

 

[joe427]

I am buying the 5K version but wonder if they also need pins to be shortened as well?

EDIT: I guess I will find out soon enough later this morning. It seems like a lot better problem than too short.

I would think the 5K pins would be the same as the 6K but maybe not.
Let us know about the fit,install and look.(drinks)

I'm not in a hurry and will wait for a promo code to buy a pair.
I thought VLEDS would have one Columbus Day weekend but they didn't.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Will do. I just took what appears to be their standard 10% discount. I am so close to them I just ordered them yesterday (USPS).

http://www.vleds.com/promo

 

[joe427]

Will do. I just took what appears to be their standard 10% discount. I am so close to them I just ordered them yesterday (USPS).

http://www.vleds.com/promo

Nice,thanks.(2thumbs)
10% is better than nothing.
Looking forward to your install,fit and review.