Stock vs. Lux H8 V3 vs. Lux H8 V5 Angel Eyes Comparison

[DSCPLN]

This is going to be a real quick comparison, review. Nothing too technical, detailed, or fancy.


Back in June 2012.. I had purchased and installed Lux H8 V3 Angel Eyes for $250

Stock H8 Bulbs (left) vs. Lux Angel Eyes H8 V3 (right) - Picture from June 2012:


Close shot of Lux Angel Eyes H8 V3 - Picture from June 2012:


The only complaints about the V3 I can think of is the quick half second flickering on startup, which they had fixed with V4.. and I guess the 6500k non-adjustable temperature setting that I got used to fairly quickly.

On Black Friday, November 28th 2014 - Lux had declared a new release of their V5 Angel Eyes, OFFICIAL POST HERE.. claimed to have better Lumens:

Originally Posted by LuxAngelEyes

Output of All LUX Versions:
LUX H8 V3 - 650 lumen
LUX H8 V4 - 850 lumen
LUX H8 V5 - 1200 Lumen

I quickly listed my V3's for Sale (SOLD for $65).. and ordered the new V5's at their $200 Black Friday pricing.

I received them today.

V3 vs V5 Bulb Comparison:


V3 (left) vs V5 set to 6300k (right) Comparison, Garaged: Negligible Difference


V3 (left) vs V5 set to 6300k (right) Comparison, Outdoors: Negligible Difference


V5 Color Changing Interface:


Both V5 set to 5000k, Outdoors:


Yeah, I can't really notice the difference in "brightness." Even in-person.

Lux comes with a 60-day return policy.

Will I return them? Probably not.
Were they worth the upgrade? Probably not.

Did I just splurge $200 for a better color match and less flickering? Yep.

To be honest, if I still had my OEM Angel Eye bulbs.. I'd probably put those back on.

[dozaiya]

really appreciate the comparison, you just saved me $200
im surprised at almost the twice amount of lumens it looks practically the same

[ShocknAwe]

get yourself some piaa halogen bulbs man, code the voltage to the "high" factory setting, and forget about it.

[mike@x-ph.com]

It is not a surprising result.
After a certain limit, it will take 4x the lumens in order for a person to notice with their eyes.
Simpler example: 40w angel eyes are double the brightness of 10w angel eyes ( even though they have 4 times the lumens)

Edit: i am not taking anything away from LUX with my statement, i think the V5 is the best product they have to date.

[LuxAngelEyes]

Hey DSCPLN just a few quick questions for you that hoepfully should help everyone here as well. When you did the comparison of the V3 and the V5 did you step back from the car 20-30 feet or did you happen to look at these from pretty close up? The reason I ask is because the angel eyes are not designed to be viewed up close and will not look correct. When you step back from the car you can see all 4 rings correctly and evenly.

with the picture "V3 (left) vs V5 set to 6300k (right) Comparison, Garaged" i have to say this is not a fair representation of any angel eye product. The lights are so bright that 99% of the cameras out there will overexpose the rings making them into a large blob of light. the next picture taken outdoor is much better because you can clearly see the rings, however its way too close .

I would like to get your impression from 20-30 feet away from the car. The reason i say this is because this is the distance other drivers will be when they are on the road and this is when the lights will be seen by others.

I know this picture is of a 3-seires which is very different, but the picture was taken from farther back and from this distance you can clearly see all the rings. the LUX H8 V5 produce 1200 lumen while even a stock bulb coded to run at full power only emits 712 lumen as well. I hope this explanation helps

[DSCPLN]

Originally Posted by LuxAngelEyes

I would like to get your impression from 20-30 feet away from the car. The reason i say this is because this is the distance other drivers will be when they are on the road and this is when the lights will be seen by others.

These pictures were taken from 8-10ft away; I'll try again tomorrow from 20-30ft.

[DSCPLN]

Had a slightly hectic week, so it took a bit longer to get these up..
Photos are taken from my iPhone 6 (just like the original post)

Slightly confusing from the previous pictures, but the V5 is on the LEFT side now. And V3 is on the right.

V5 set to 6300k (left) vs V3 (right) Comparison, Outdoors ~20ft: V5, Slightly Stronger Glow


V5 set to 6300k (left) vs V3 (right) Comparison, Outdoors ~30ft: V5, Slightly Stronger Glow


V5 set to 6300k (left) vs V3 (right) Comparison, Garaged ~20ft: Negligible Difference


V5 set to 6300k (left) vs V3 (right) Comparison, Garaged ~30ft: V5, Slightly Stronger Glow


BOTH V5 set to 5000k, Garaged ~8ft:


EDIT: Took a second review. The difference is noticeable when you really look. Minimal IMHO

[RC01]

From the second set of photos the v5 do seem brighter and the rings are definitely more evenly pronounced. I don't see how much of a difference you were expecting... Unless you want it so bright that it blinds people lol.

In respect of the brightness though I'm more interested in how the v5 looks during the day (as opposed to dusk/dawn/overcast lighting), as the v3/4 were quite poor during sunny daylight

[mike@x-ph.com]

In all fairness i can easily tell that the V5 is brighter from these pics.

[DSCPLN]

OK, I took another look after the 2 above responses.. and I guess the difference is there, just minimal in my books.

[ssshake]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

get yourself some piaa halogen bulbs man, code the voltage to the "high" factory setting, and forget about it.

how? I know how to code my car, would appreciate a link to a diy

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by ssshake

how? I know how to code my car, would appreciate a link to a diy

Couldn't tell you how to do it via inpa, but I used bmwhat/Carly, very straightforward Android application with a Bluetooth obd2 adapter.

[Spirit of Universe]

Real life review.
Just installed LUX H8 V5 on my 1.
Took 15 minutes of relaxed work, no need to look at instructions, after watchin video on Youtube. Easy, straightforward installation, really easy, even for girl.
Tried all positions and love blueish ones, anything between 6900 and probably 9000 would fit my aesthetic.
Brightness is really great and adding component of blueish DOES NOT diminish the level of brightness, as some reviewers implied. To my eyes, white is equally strong there and blueish adds mystique to appeal of bimmer front.
Together with blacklines rear lights, LUX makes overall look of the car very updated, such small investment with great result.
Old yellowish angel eyes are retired, as new white and specially white with tad of blueish is fantastic.
IMO LUX did proper job, I love adjustability of color temp.
Some like it yellowish, some blueish, there is no ultimate truth.
LUX realized it properly. KUDOS.

[LuxAngelEyes]

Originally Posted by Spirit of Universe

Real life review.
Just installed LUX H8 V5 on my 1.
Took 15 minutes of relaxed work, no need to look at instructions, after watchin video on Youtube. Easy, straightforward installation, really easy, even for girl.
Tried all positions and love blueish ones, anything between 6900 and probably 9000 would fit my aesthetic.
Brightness is really great and adding component of blueish DOES NOT diminish the level of brightness, as some reviewers implied. To my eyes, white is equally strong there and blueish adds mystique to appeal of bimmer front.
Together with blacklines rear lights, LUX makes overall look of the car very updated, such small investment with great result.
Old yellowish angel eyes are retired, as new white and specially white with tad of blueish is fantastic.
IMO LUX did proper job, I love adjustability of color temp.
Some like it yellowish, some blueish, there is no ultimate truth.
LUX realized it properly. KUDOS.

Just happy to hear that you like them! Always glad to hear that from a fellow enthusiast

[ssshake]

Lux website said the lights dont fade away but rather pulse when turning car on/off. Can anyone show me what pulse means? Is there a video demonstrating this? I just want to know if ill be happy or upset about it. If the pulsing looks bad im considering over clocking some h8 holegens and just dealing with the shortened life span

[dbronnik]

Originally Posted by ssshake

Lux website said the lights dont fade away but rather pulse when turning car on/off. Can anyone show me what pulse means? Is there a video demonstrating this? I just want to know if ill be happy or upset about it. If the pulsing looks bad im considering over clocking some h8 holegens and just dealing with the shortened life span

It sort of flickers a little bit as it turns off (I kind of like it). I'll try to get you a video of this when I get my car back in a week or two