V-LEDs.com License Plate Frame Reverse Light review

thunderstruck

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Last week I ordered a bunch of LED bulbs from V-LEDs.com to replace some of my dead bulbs from SuperBrightLEDs.com. I also snagged their High-Power 18W LED Reverse Light License Plate Frame while it was on sale for $70, but unfortunately it's now $100.

I'll let the pics do the talking, don't mind the dirt and aged paint. Is it's extraordinary light output enough to outweigh it's tackiness? You decide:


Click here for more pictures.


Installation took about 15-20 minutes, 30 if you count the time I spent looking for new screws. The frame does not come with any, so make sure you have a few on hand. As you can see from the first pic, the head of the screw needs to be countersunk into the holes so the cover can fit over the LEDs. I just used 10-32 screws with several washers on the backside.

Wiring was fairly simple. The wiring originally exited the frame at the top, which wouldn't have worked on my bumper, so I drilled a 3/16th hole in the right side of the frame so the wire could pass through the hole in the bumper for the spare tire reel. Then I simply grounded the light to one of the bolts holding the frame and connected the power wire to the reverse light wire in the trailer light harness. The instructions don't indicate the polarity of the wires, so remember that the striped wire is positive. The frame also included two blue gel-filled quick splice connectors, but I didn't need to use them.

The good:
- Light output is immense! I would compare it to one 35+ watt HID bulb. No LED replacements for the factory reverse lights could ever come close to this.

The bad:
- Top of frame covers too much of the plate. It covers most of TEXAS on my plate, so it's likely illegal.
- Completely unsealed. There is only a strip of plastic on the backside to prevent the circuit boards from shorting out to the car body. I'm really worried about how well it will stand up to rain (it's being tested as I'm typing).
- The front cover feels cheap and is slightly too long so it is bowed outwards in the center.
- The metal frame is a bit soft (now I'm being picky)

The Ugly:
- Well, it does blend with the chrome bumper, but I can't shake the ghetto/autozone vibe I get from it.

It puts out an incredible amount of light, but I would have a very hard time to justify spending $100 on one now, even when it was $70 I felt that was steep. The build quality is certainly not worth it. However, if you want/need a lot of light behind you when in reverse and have some disposable income, it might be worth a purchase.
 
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gmctrucks

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It's against the law here in Texas to have any type of plate frame around your plates. I know a lot of people have them on I took mine off I don't need no police pulling me over for a ticket that I can't afford. But I do like the way that they light up on your truck.
 

DarrenWS6

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Nice! I did the same last year, replaced superdimleds with v-leds quality lights. Have them throughout my truck.
 
B

Bernie

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That's some nice light output, but one fwonking ugly mutha of a frame. The cheap chrome just makes me want to hurl. I think if I had one of those I'd be tempted to take some sandpaper and spray paint to it and paint it flat black.
 

nubuilder

Why buy new when you can restore?
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It is a good idea. I just don't like how it covers Texas (and it would cover Wisconsin too). They really can't make it to that it doesn't cover the plates because cars are designed with barely enough room for the plate itself.
 

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