Applicable to: '90 - '97
This is a LED Module that replaces the factory incandecant 3rd brake light bulb. Mounts inside the factory grey plastic housing, and plugs into the stock bulb socket. No wires to cut!
Overall expirence was very positive! Installation was a snap! Installed it tonight, in the dark, in less than 10 minutes.
These LED's are BRIGHT! As bright as my brake lights. They also react instantly to the application of the brake. Really grabs the attention of the person behind you because of the almost instant light output (compared to the incandescents) Anything that makes this car more visible (esp. in the dark!) is a bonus in my book. LED's should last forever and never burn up. The only change I had to make was to the little "metal tensioner brackets." This change involved bending them "in" as re-assembly of the housing and reflector proved impossible without this little tweak. Not a big deal and should not effect the module.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '99 +
LED "3rd Eye" brake light
Poor...with an explanation
I immediately liked the idea of the LED, since I have also posted a review on the Back-Off Flashing Brake Light in this Section. It seemed a natural to combine the both for even greater safety. The installation went well, the downfall came in the testing. The normally bright LED didn't put out any more lumens than an "over the hill" firefly. You could barely see it. I could only hazard a guess that the in-line Back-Off module was robbing the LEDs of the needed energy to work properly. Since I value the operation of the Back-Off more than the brighter LED, the LED was removed. If you have any in-line flashers on your "3rd Eye", you may want to take this in consideration before considering a purchase.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99 +
This is the center brake light LED modification kit recently offered by Brainstorm.
I installed it in about 45 minutes in a 2000SE Miata. The instructions were reasonably easy to follow, although a bit vague on wiring, with a suggestion to hook up the two wires, and then if it doesn't work, to reverse them. However, with the supplied one-use squeeze-type connectors, reversing them is not feasible. I used "Posi-Lock" electrical connectors to allow reversability, but got it right the first time. I am very pleased with the look and brightness of the LED's, and like the end result. Easily reversible if one takes care in removing the old light components.
A subtle but worthwhile mod to gain a little more insurance against being rear-ended.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
| Back to Product Reviews | 10 April, 2005 |