BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > Cosmetic/Visual (Exterior + Interior) Modifications
 
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-08-2010, 01:36 AM   #45
SCtud
First Lieutenant
20
Rep
329
Posts

Drives: 2008 E93 M3
Join Date: May 2009
Location: CT

iTrader: (1)

Keep in mind that there was an update to the LUX whereby it was changed from a 2 led system to a 4 led system, which made it slightly brighter and more evenly lit as well as slightly more blue. Not sure which one is being shown in those pictures.

Either way, it seems like the differences between the two are almost indiscernible in the pics to me as there will be hotspots in the lighting no matter what is used other than a CFL or LED solution. Certainly the fact that the new LUX's would require parts to be stored outside the housing would make me lean towards the AIB, but thankfully I have the older version that supposedly works fine inside.
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2010, 10:56 AM   #46
wheelman
Private First Class
3
Rep
115
Posts

Drives: '09 E90 M3 MT
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tom @ eas View Post
Gentlemen,

I will check with AiB in the morning to see if there is an upgrade path available.
Thanks, Tom. I'd like to know as well.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2010, 01:57 PM   #47
J08M3
Major General
J08M3's Avatar
United_States
285
Rep
6,007
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3 COUPE
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NEW YORK

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by swamp2 View Post
I've noticed this effect shown in your picture. I've seen it with an all OEM system, with the GP Thunder set up and with the camaross+GP Thunders. The rings themselves are simply high sensitive to a narrow cone shaped viewing angle. Out side of that angle the rings can appear almost unlit. This characteristic is the same regardless of how much light is being pumped into the rings and regardless of the relative light balance between the rings. Although this leads to pictures like the one you have shown, I think it is more or less by design and intent. Just like you don't want a headlight pointing to the sky and blinding someone, you also don't want an angel eye pumping out a lot of brightness to the side, perhaps "brighting" a car you are overtaking.

Specifically can you tell us if the AIB system is immune from this? If it is not, which I suspect it isn't, this means the photo is not a fair comparison at all, showing the best of AIB and the worst for LUX. Move the eyes or camera a bit to one side or the other and the image might be entirely "reversed".
+1

exactly what I was going to say before I got far enough to read your post. It isn't a fair shot, you are slightly off center and more in front of the AIB. This always makes the light you are in front of look slightly better and more evenly lit. You can easily take the slightest angle off of an AiB light and the outer ring doesn't look lit either. No offense to AiB, I have them currently and am happy with them.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2010, 06:38 PM   #48
swamp2
Lieutenant General
swamp2's Avatar
United_States
609
Rep
10,407
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by J08M3 View Post
+1

exactly what I was going to say before I got far enough to read your post. It isn't a fair shot, you are slightly off center and more in front of the AIB. This always makes the light you are in front of look slightly better and more evenly lit. You can easily take the slightest angle off of an AiB light and the outer ring doesn't look lit either. No offense to AiB, I have them currently and am happy with them.
Thanks J08M3. Someone else understands and has personally observed my point.

Tom: Whether or not you intended any bias is one question. However, I think it is quite fair to say you photo does show an unfair bias. Both color and ring illumination UNIFORMITY are tough to photograph accurately. Since you still have this car take two additional pictures, one dead on in front of AiB, one dead on in front of LUX. That should settle the matter. The difference show in your single shot should, more or less disappear.
__________________
E92 M3 | Space Gray on Fox Red | M-DCT | CF Roof | RAC RG63 Wheels | Brembo 380mm BBK |
| Vorsteiner Ti Exhaust | Matte Black Grilles/Side Gills/Rear Emblem/Mirrors |
| Alekshop Back up Camera | GP Thunders | BMW Aluminum Pedals | Elite Angels |
| XPEL Full Front Wrap | Hardwired V1 | Interior Xenon Light Kit |
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2010, 07:02 PM   #49
AMPowerJ
One mod leads to another ...
AMPowerJ's Avatar
United_States
415
Rep
2,900
Posts

Drives: 2014 F10 M5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Blythewood, SC

iTrader: (10)

I have no problem taking these different types on pics of my AiB's to show the difference. I will try to take some tonight.
.
.
.

So here they are. It is not high noon but it should prove or disprove the point. I will leave that up to you to decide and of course both sides are AiB's.









__________________

Current: 2014 F10 M5
Previous: 2015 F80 M3, 2013 E92 M3, 2013 F10 M5, 2009 E90 M3, 1998 E36 M3

Last edited by AMPowerJ; 06-08-2010 at 07:46 PM.. Reason: Added photos ...
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2010, 07:51 PM   #50
J08M3
Major General
J08M3's Avatar
United_States
285
Rep
6,007
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3 COUPE
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NEW YORK

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by swamp2 View Post
Thanks J08M3. Someone else understands and has personally observed my point.

Tom: Whether or not you intended any bias is one question. However, I think it is quite fair to say you photo does show an unfair bias. Both color and ring illumination UNIFORMITY are tough to photograph accurately. Since you still have this car take two additional pictures, one dead on in front of AiB, one dead on in front of LUX. That should settle the matter. The difference show in your single shot should, more or less disappear.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AMPowerJ View Post
I have no problem taking these different types on pics of my AiB's to show the difference. I will try to take some tonight.
Since we're on the subject of pics from slight angles, I could probably do the same.... There are plenty of angles where an AiB doesn't look evenly lit. In fact from perfect straight on, it doesn't look anymore even than when I used camaross305's "elite" kit - the one that put full power to a regular H8 bulb...

Here's some pics I posted awhile back:
This first one shows just a regular GP Thunder H8 bulb, no special wiring kits, from straight on it looks evenly lit


Here's one using the camaross305 "elite" kit which supplied full power to GP Thunder H8s at all times, notice how one looks perfectly lit that the camera is in front of and the other (exact same setup) looks like it's not even lit as the camera is off to the side.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2010, 07:53 PM   #51
J08M3
Major General
J08M3's Avatar
United_States
285
Rep
6,007
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3 COUPE
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NEW YORK

iTrader: (8)



Point made
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2010, 08:07 PM   #52
JCtx
Major General
256
Rep
5,012
Posts

Drives: No BMW yet
Join Date: May 2008
Location: El Paso TX

iTrader: (0)

Lesson of the day: You can't expect somebody who wants to sell you something to be unbiased .
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2010, 08:26 PM   #53
AMPowerJ
One mod leads to another ...
AMPowerJ's Avatar
United_States
415
Rep
2,900
Posts

Drives: 2014 F10 M5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Blythewood, SC

iTrader: (10)

Well I am in sales and of course you are going to put YOUR product or whatever you have to sell in a position to seem to be the best. That is the whole point of sales isn't it.

With that being said, I still think AiB's are the way to go. In fact I believe any light inside the OEM angel eye is going to look dimmer at an off-angle. It is a function of the light ring itself. Even the headlights look brighter head-on than they do from a side angle.
__________________

Current: 2014 F10 M5
Previous: 2015 F80 M3, 2013 E92 M3, 2013 F10 M5, 2009 E90 M3, 1998 E36 M3
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2010, 08:30 PM   #54
J08M3
Major General
J08M3's Avatar
United_States
285
Rep
6,007
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3 COUPE
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NEW YORK

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AMPowerJ View Post
Well I am in sales and of course you are going to put YOUR product or whatever you have to sell in a position to seem to be the best. That is the whole point of sales isn't it.

With that being said, I still think AiB's are the way to go. In fact I believe any light inside the OEM angel eye is going to look dimmer at an off-angle. It is a function of the light ring itself. Even the headlights look brighter head-on than they do from a side angle.
Agreed on all points....

And this also proves exactly why pics from vendors can be very deceptive.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2010, 09:56 PM   #55
advans
Advansolosis
215
Rep
1,445
Posts

Drives: ///M+////AMG
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC

iTrader: (1)

I found this image, of a set of PIAA ION YELLOW H8s, so I ordered it!

__________________

2011 E90 M3, ESS VT2-650, 2015 GL550
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2010, 08:19 AM   #56
raiste
Time is the fire in which we burn.
raiste's Avatar
United_States
4
Rep
176
Posts

Drives: 2015 SSII M3
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SC

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by advans View Post
I found this image, of a set of PIAA ION YELLOW H8s, so I ordered it!


That looks pretty cool.

Do you (can you) take a pic with the head lights on? I'd like to see how well they go together.


.
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2010, 09:22 AM   #57
advans
Advansolosis
215
Rep
1,445
Posts

Drives: ///M+////AMG
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC

iTrader: (1)

^Will do, I'll do that once I get my car!!!! I'm picking up my 2011ZCP this friday/saturday and amazon s is due to deliver the bulbs sometime next week!!!!
__________________

2011 E90 M3, ESS VT2-650, 2015 GL550
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2010, 11:47 AM   #58
brandon @ eas
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
brandon @ eas's Avatar
United_States
516
Rep
3,613
Posts


Drives: F30 335i
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Anaheim, CA

iTrader: (10)



In regards to this photo above- I am the one that took this picture. I Set the camera in the most centered position I could get to show an un-biased photo of both options. This picture is not misleading or angled to one side to make the AIB's look better, it is simply dead center, so all the talk about angles and vendors posting misleading shots is simply not true in the case of this photo- anyone that is local, I would not hesitate for a single second to show you the comparison IN PERSON to see for yourself.

I am not sure what LUX version this was, but the center ring of the LUX kit was brighter than the center ring of the AIB kit, however, just like the photo shows, the outer ring on the AIB kit was at least 50% brighter. That is what I saw, and it is what I captured on film-no photoshop involved in this photo other than our watermark on the bottom and the text.

Last edited by brandon @ eas; 06-09-2010 at 12:14 PM..
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2010, 12:12 PM   #59
tom @ eas
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
tom @ eas's Avatar
United_States
8056
Rep
18,786
Posts


Drives: BMW
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Anaheim, CA

iTrader: (19)

Garage List
2018 BMW i3s  [0.00]
2010 BMW M3  [6.50]
2015 BMW M4  [5.25]
Quote:
Originally Posted by brandon @ eas View Post
I am not sure what LUX version this was, but the center ring of the LUX kit was brighter than the center ring of the AIB kit, however, just like the photo shows, the outer ring on the AIB kit was at least 50% brighter. That is what I saw, and it is what I captured on film-no photoshop involved in this photo other than our watermark on the bottom and the text.
To confirm, this was compared with the 4LED (2 SMT) LUX version.
__________________
Tom G. | european auto source (eas)
email: tom@europeanautosource.com · web: https://europeanautosource.com· tel 866.669.0705 · ca: 714.369.8524 x22

GET DAILY UPDATES ON OUR BLOG · FACEBOOK · YOUTUBE · FLICKR · INSTAGRAM
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2010, 12:31 PM   #60
raiste
Time is the fire in which we burn.
raiste's Avatar
United_States
4
Rep
176
Posts

Drives: 2015 SSII M3
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SC

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by advans View Post
^Will do, I'll do that once I get my car!!!! I'm picking up my 2011ZCP this friday/saturday and amazon s is due to deliver the bulbs sometime next week!!!!
Nice! I can tell you're excited about getting your new M3. Good luck!


.
Appreciate 0
      06-10-2010, 12:33 AM   #61
swamp2
Lieutenant General
swamp2's Avatar
United_States
609
Rep
10,407
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by elp_jc View Post
Lesson of the day: You can't expect somebody who wants to sell you something to be unbiased .
Quote:
Originally Posted by AMPowerJ View Post
Well I am in sales and of course you are going to put YOUR product or whatever you have to sell in a position to seem to be the best. That is the whole point of sales isn't it.
Both points are perfectly valid.

EAS: Look the question is as much about the UNIFORMITY of the outside ring as it is about the brightness. The plethora of pictures above clearly and unequivocally demonstrate the point I have been making all along. Argue all you want but it is clear:

1. The uniformity and brightness of the E92 angel eyes are, by design and regardless of the light source (i.e. OEM or non OEM and regardless of which which particular kit you go with) inherently very sensitive to the viewing angle.

2. Getting a single shot which is "fair" to both sides of the car at the same time can be challenging.

3. Your picture of AiB vs. LUX is not being fair to one product, particularly with regard to UNIFORMITY. We can leave it to the board to decide if this "artifact" in the photo was intentional or not. Again, I am not making any judgements as to which kit, when under the perfect viewing angle, will make a brighter outer ring. That almost for sure is the AiB kit - its fundamental design is to brighten the outer ring.
__________________
E92 M3 | Space Gray on Fox Red | M-DCT | CF Roof | RAC RG63 Wheels | Brembo 380mm BBK |
| Vorsteiner Ti Exhaust | Matte Black Grilles/Side Gills/Rear Emblem/Mirrors |
| Alekshop Back up Camera | GP Thunders | BMW Aluminum Pedals | Elite Angels |
| XPEL Full Front Wrap | Hardwired V1 | Interior Xenon Light Kit |
Appreciate 0
      06-10-2010, 03:51 AM   #62
Alex@Alpine
Colonel
1303
Rep
2,441
Posts

Drives: E90 M3
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: United States

iTrader: (50)

You should take a look at our HID Angel Eye setup, it is one of (if not) the brightest, you might spend an extra 20-30min installing them, they are so bright they work as a path way light when coming up to the car at night
Appreciate 0
      06-10-2010, 08:21 PM   #63
advans
Advansolosis
215
Rep
1,445
Posts

Drives: ///M+////AMG
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by raiste View Post
Nice! I can tell you're excited about getting your new M3. Good luck!


.
thanks! I'm not gonna be able to pick up the ZCP this weekend awaiting some paperwork from the dealer
__________________

2011 E90 M3, ESS VT2-650, 2015 GL550
Appreciate 0
      06-10-2010, 09:21 PM   #64
E92-Lighting
E92-Lighting's Avatar
United_States
856
Rep
35,253
Posts

Drives: Next Generation LED Lighting
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Walnut

iTrader: (324)

plug and play is the best way to go
Appreciate 0
      06-10-2010, 10:45 PM   #65
advans
Advansolosis
215
Rep
1,445
Posts

Drives: ///M+////AMG
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC

iTrader: (1)

did a little P-shop of the yellow angel eyes on the GTS.

but a mint green GTS

__________________

2011 E90 M3, ESS VT2-650, 2015 GL550
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2010, 03:51 PM   #66
Griz
Captain
182
Rep
630
Posts

Drives: 2010 E92 M3
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Crook County, IL

iTrader: (0)

Brandon,

I'm not questioning your intent to capture a dead-on shot, but the picture is not dead-center.

The center of the windshield does not line up with the roundel, nor perfectly split the vertical lines on the rear window.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:00 AM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST