Well if had a few questions regarding neon accent lighting product choices so here we go.
There are four basic types of neon accent lighting each at different leves in quality, price, and light output.
1) Streetglow: To many streetglow is the top of the line, the best of the best. It produces (arguably) more light output and is of a higher quality. However, streetglow is expensive. I would suggest using streetglow for Underbody lights. Always go for Gold Series which has a lifetime warrenty as long as the Lexan (outer shell isnt cracked). Never buy direct from the Streetglow site EVER! A GS underbody kit can be had for $137 SHIPPED if you know where to go.
Streetglow also has a more moderatly priced brand named OPTX, they are as bright as streetglow, but look like a liteglow (no black endcaps). Their UB kit is similar to a SG Blue series.
2)Liteglow/LowGlow: Same company. I dont like their UB Kits, stick with streetglow. However, they make decent accent tubes for inside the car. They are moderatly prices and their big upside is they make mini tubes (streetglow does too but they are expensive). My footwells are Liteglow 9in mini tubes. $20 for two 9in tubes w/ a good light output. (Wire lenght CANT be increased between tube and transformer.)
A liteglow 10in tube
Glow from one of the 9in mini neons (of a pair of two)
3)Studio54 aka wallmart: The cheapest of all wally world neon costs around $10 for a 15in tube. Light output is identical to liteglow. Quality is questionable, but i have had one for about a year now. If youre looking for cheap neon with out selling your kidneys, i would suggest this. (Unless you need minis etc.)
A Studio 54 15in tube
4) Cold Cathodes: I recently just ordered my first set of cathodes, so i dont have first hand knowledge. However, here is the skinny on cathodes. VERY VERY bright, perhaps the brightest. They are also skinnier than regular neon tubes. However, there is a lack of richness in color, e.g. Red looks pink. If you want cathodes at a good price check out. www.oznium.com.
A pair of cold cathodes (linked from Oznium.com)
Very bright, but pale (these are purple, but appear blue due to the camera)
Suggestions:
If youre looking for neon in the driver and pasenger side footwells go for a STREETGLOW Liscense Plate frame. They put out lots of light, in all four directions, you get light in the front, in the rear and to the sides. This works only on seats not resting on the floor (i.e. explorer passenger front seats)
Underbody: Street Glow gold series ALWAYS. Use sound domains pricematching feature and shop around. Lowest ive seen is $137 shipped.
Small Accents: LEDS
New Products on the Market:
Everything seems to be about LEDS these days.
Here are two 10in leds installed under the dash (notice the difference between them and neons the glow is much more focused) The amount of focus depends on angle and brand.
courtsey of '96explorereddiebauer
Plasmaglow LED color changing kit=evil, stay away the control box has serious bugs, and led kits are very directional with their glow (looks like a line on the street) usually sells for $225
Optix Led Kit= Better and cheaper than Plasmaglow, you dont get to change colors at all but it produces a better glow.
Optix Color Changing Led Kit Better than Plasma glow kit but the white looks horrible its good if youre looking for the primary colors red, blue, green etc, but white is weak as it attempts to make it by mixing the others. Looks pink
ICE LED KIT=A neon addicts wet dream. 256million color possibilities. Crazy functions, and pretty decent light spreading. The downside the $800 PRICETAG. Only place, other than the UK, ive seen carry them is www.oznium.com
heres an icled kit in action (Please right click save as to save the guy some bandwith)http://bengal.missouri.edu/~bkd27/ice-walk.mpg
feel free to ask questions of leave comments
There are four basic types of neon accent lighting each at different leves in quality, price, and light output.
1) Streetglow: To many streetglow is the top of the line, the best of the best. It produces (arguably) more light output and is of a higher quality. However, streetglow is expensive. I would suggest using streetglow for Underbody lights. Always go for Gold Series which has a lifetime warrenty as long as the Lexan (outer shell isnt cracked). Never buy direct from the Streetglow site EVER! A GS underbody kit can be had for $137 SHIPPED if you know where to go.
Streetglow also has a more moderatly priced brand named OPTX, they are as bright as streetglow, but look like a liteglow (no black endcaps). Their UB kit is similar to a SG Blue series.
2)Liteglow/LowGlow: Same company. I dont like their UB Kits, stick with streetglow. However, they make decent accent tubes for inside the car. They are moderatly prices and their big upside is they make mini tubes (streetglow does too but they are expensive). My footwells are Liteglow 9in mini tubes. $20 for two 9in tubes w/ a good light output. (Wire lenght CANT be increased between tube and transformer.)
A liteglow 10in tube
Glow from one of the 9in mini neons (of a pair of two)
3)Studio54 aka wallmart: The cheapest of all wally world neon costs around $10 for a 15in tube. Light output is identical to liteglow. Quality is questionable, but i have had one for about a year now. If youre looking for cheap neon with out selling your kidneys, i would suggest this. (Unless you need minis etc.)
A Studio 54 15in tube
4) Cold Cathodes: I recently just ordered my first set of cathodes, so i dont have first hand knowledge. However, here is the skinny on cathodes. VERY VERY bright, perhaps the brightest. They are also skinnier than regular neon tubes. However, there is a lack of richness in color, e.g. Red looks pink. If you want cathodes at a good price check out. www.oznium.com.
A pair of cold cathodes (linked from Oznium.com)
Very bright, but pale (these are purple, but appear blue due to the camera)
Suggestions:
If youre looking for neon in the driver and pasenger side footwells go for a STREETGLOW Liscense Plate frame. They put out lots of light, in all four directions, you get light in the front, in the rear and to the sides. This works only on seats not resting on the floor (i.e. explorer passenger front seats)
Underbody: Street Glow gold series ALWAYS. Use sound domains pricematching feature and shop around. Lowest ive seen is $137 shipped.
Small Accents: LEDS
New Products on the Market:
Everything seems to be about LEDS these days.
Here are two 10in leds installed under the dash (notice the difference between them and neons the glow is much more focused) The amount of focus depends on angle and brand.
courtsey of '96explorereddiebauer
Plasmaglow LED color changing kit=evil, stay away the control box has serious bugs, and led kits are very directional with their glow (looks like a line on the street) usually sells for $225
Optix Led Kit= Better and cheaper than Plasmaglow, you dont get to change colors at all but it produces a better glow.
Optix Color Changing Led Kit Better than Plasma glow kit but the white looks horrible its good if youre looking for the primary colors red, blue, green etc, but white is weak as it attempts to make it by mixing the others. Looks pink
ICE LED KIT=A neon addicts wet dream. 256million color possibilities. Crazy functions, and pretty decent light spreading. The downside the $800 PRICETAG. Only place, other than the UK, ive seen carry them is www.oznium.com
heres an icled kit in action (Please right click save as to save the guy some bandwith)http://bengal.missouri.edu/~bkd27/ice-walk.mpg
feel free to ask questions of leave comments
