NOTE: A VERY IMAGE HEAVY THREAD
NOTE: In all images, projectors (xenon) are turned off, so what you see is a result of just LEDs
Background
Previously I had reviewed the DTEC V9.5 H8 LED Angel Eye Bulbs, and at that time I would seek for other LED bulbs to review. However, I was more than happy with the quality of the product and the output of the DTEC v9.5 LED bulbs. When I heard that DTEC released a new pair that was even brighter with approximately 4 more LEDs per bulb, I knew I had to get my hands on these.
Involved in Application Process
- BMW E90 LCI
- DTEC V10 125W H8 Angel Eye Bulbs - Seller E92-Lighting
Buying Experience
Similar to my past experience with E92-Lightning, it was positive with not a single problem. Shipping was quick, as shortly after I placed my order it I had received tracking information. Main reason why I wanted to give it another go with these newer LED bulbs is because I wanted to see for myself could it really get brighter, as I know there is a limit due to the design of the housing for the halos.
Seller:
E92-Lighting
Shipping Time:
5 Days (to Canada)
Replacing:
DTEC v9.5 Angel Eyes
Contents & First Impressions
* 2x DTEC v10 H8 LED Bulbs
* 2x 1 Piece Angel Eye Module/Drive
* Packaging Material - Bubble Wrap & Box
* Instruction slip
(all similar to the DTEC v9.5)
First impressions of the build quality is amazing, like previously the LED bulbs are very well built, the wires coming out from the LED bulbs are well insulated, I was impressed to see the massive array of LEDs, an extra 4 more LEDs, that I’m taking is going to be an extra 1/2 the output from the previous DTEC v9.5 which were plenty bright already. Wiring of the LED drive modules are fairly thick, the LED drive/module has quite a bit of heft to it. The CREE SMDs are pretty much packed on this bulb, from top to bottom of the piece protruding form the heat sink is covered in an array of CREE SMDs. Overall the packaging is great, more than enough to keep the bulbs secure during shipping and the overall built quality is again impressive, I cannot fault it from a visual inspection, and tugging on a few components.
Below are a few shots of the unboxing and inspection process of the contents.
Install & Review
Installation of these bulbs were no different than they were for the DTEC v9.5, fairly easy to install. If you are coming from halogen H8 bulbs, there is a tab to push back to release a set of wires that can now easily be maneuvered around, and can be placed out of the way giving you much more room. Little effort is required when installing these bulbs, I installed both sides in under 10 minutes.
Note/Easy way to install:- When you are installing the bulbs I found it easiest to start with the LED driver/modules first.
- Connect the driver module to the H8 connector, then shove the LED driver/module down deep in the housing away from heat sources.
- Next connect the LED bulb to the driver module and install the bulb.
(this way makes it less intrusive dealing with the large LED driver/module, this way it is out of the way, giving you more room to work with when placing in the LED bulb)
All in all, these are miles away from the H8 halogen bulbs in terms of brightness, they are even a decent bit brighter than the DTEC v9.5 which I was surprised, as I know theres a limit due to the design of the housing.
I am by far impressed with output of these bulbs, they are fairly bright, noticeable in the daytime and very beautiful at night. I take pleasure in unlocking my vehicle from a distance to see the halo’s illuminate fairly bright illuminating the ground in front of the vehicle. These bulbs definitely give the vehicle presence throughout the day and especially at night.
Since previously I had the DTEC v9.5, I needed to do something with them and didn’t feel putting them up in a box was adequate, so instead i placed them into my foglight housing and I must say, WOW! Much brighter than stock H8 bulbs by a good bit, and the colour match with the DTEC v10 in the halos is perfect. Overall, gone is the different colour of bulbs on the front of the vehicle, everything matches and looks OEM.
Well into the evening when the sun sets, I’m just running the fogs and the halo’s and they illuminate fairly well. With the just the fogs and halo’s on, I’ve passed by many law enforcement officers at night, and in Canada they’re fairly picky at times in terms of vehicle lighting, I’ve not had an issue, no frowns. Though running this way gets loads of attention just the way the vehicle looks with halo’s and fogs super bright white all evenly matched in terms of colour is stunning. Especially on overcast days, running the fog’s and halo’s give great presence to the vehicle.
I couldn’t be happier with the lighting set up I have now, for me personally it feels complete, as I couldn’t ask for more.
Below are a few images of the bulbs installed, some comparisons with the DTEC v9.5 in halo’s and some comparison with H8 halogen fogs and DTEC 9.5 fogs.
Comparison Between DTEC v9.5 on the left (passenger side US) and DTEC v10 on the right (driver side US)
Comparison between DTEC v9.5 as fogs on the left, and H8 Halogen as fogs on the right
Both Sides Completely Installed (DTEC v9.5 as fogs, DTEC v10 as halo's)(top image xenon on)
Close up of housing
Day time shots
Night time shots
Extra shots showing the combination
Composition Images
DTEC V9.5 Left & DTEC V10 Right
Everything Else
Time to Wrap Up
Pros- From my past experience with the DTEC v9.5 I can vouch the quality is superb, you have that peace of mind that they will last.
- These LED bulbs are very well built, components of put together with no play, fairly thick gauge wiring, weather sealed connectors and driver module.
- Colour temperature is a perfect match especially if you have any previous DTEC bulbs and would like to use them in your foglight housings or just prefer to match OEM LED lighting already present on the vehicle. ~5000K-5500K
- Very bright output, I couldn’t imagine putting these in the foglight housing, the DTEC v9.5 are already very bright in there, much more than the halogen H8’s.
- Great packaging for shipping, with the bubble wrap all around the box and the foam interior of the box, those bulbs were going no where during shipping.
- Speaking of shipping, very quick shipping, really good customer service from Derrick at E92-Lighting. (any questions I had as being a customer of the DTEC v9.5s were answered promptly with great detail, and any questions in regards to the purchase of the DTEC v10s were again answered with great detail) —I feel comfortable buying from a seller that knows they’re product very well.
Cons- I cannot really think of any, previously colour temperature was a con for me as it doesn’t match my 6000K D1S xenons in the projectors, but they match all the OEM lighting on the vehicle (i.e. LEDs in the door handle and license plate LEDs) — with them matching the OEM lighting I much prefer it, because when you unlock the vehicle the projectors are not on but the halos, door handle LEDs and license plate LEDs are illuminated, and it gives a real nice OEM look to the vehicle.
These bulbs do cost a decent bit, though if you want quality I feel one must pay for quality. The quality of these bulbs are far superior to anything you can purchase on eBay, even bulbs I’ve tested out at costs around $120 on eBay are still no match to the DTEC’s. Ones from eBay at that price range have a decent array of LEDs however, require a fan to keep cool, they’re LED driver/modules are ones from the cheap 20w’s, they’re cable gauge is thin and absent/poor weather sealing. With the design of the DTEC’s, they stay cool without the need of a fan, they keep they’re full brightness when xenon’s are on and the vehicle is unlocked, you get the OEM fade out look, everything is properly weather sealed and the gauge of wiring is thick.
Finalize:
I am very impressed overall, I want to share my experience to the users on E90POST, as I feel that I’ve got a setup I’m more than content with, that I no longer seek for any thing to replace my fog’s or halos as I still cannot believe how bright my fogs and halo’s are, and how well they look when illuminated together.
The setup with these as halo’s and DTEC v9.5 as fogs really turn heads during the day, I get a lot of lookers from people driving by to pedestrians on the side, usually this vehicle somewhat blends in as there are many stock E90’s on the roads, especially here in Kitchener, Ontario.
Video Preview
This review is based on my own personal opinion, of how I felt these bulbs performed in comparison to previous iterations and the competition.
I hope this to be somewhat helpful to those out there shopping for a new pair of LED bulbs.
Weather in Canada right now isn’t the best, so I’m waiting for some better day’s to get some more images especially with the vehicle looking a little less dirty.
I’ll try to get a video done of a drive by to give you an idea during dusk and at night how they look like to someone else as your driving by.
Thank you for reading!
Note: Photo's Taken with an iPhone 6 Plus