Got my Spiderlites this week. Not happy with them. Unsafe!!!

[300C_AWD]

I'm short on time so this is just a short review pointing out only the flaws in the spiderlites. I'll do lumen test this week, post some pictures and show you how to make these work better. So far the spiderlites don't cut the grade in my opinion. They do look cool but they are not safe for street use. I ordered 2 large Spiderlites for evaluation. In my opinion they should not be used in a 300C. The medium and Small size would be even worse in performance. First off, the LED's are not Superflux or any of the newer high output, high efficiency designs. The LED's look to be low grade 20ma LED's at most. They are not even close to uniform in color or brightness. On both of my lights three of the LED's are 1/3 as bright as the others. Yea I have 6 bad LED's that are 1/3 as bright as the rest. Also some are orange and some are orange red. The LED's are bottom of the bin and are very low quality. In tail light mode they are slightly brighter then stock at most angles but directly behind the vehicle where LUMENS count they are at most 30-50% as bright as stock when the BRAKE light is applied. The reason is because the spider light can't utilize the 300C's reflector so you're getting a wide angle light pattern but no concentration in the rear from the reflector. Yes they are much dimmer then stock from the rear view and I'm using the LARGE 20 LED version. BTW don't use the LARGE in the 300C as they will scratch up your reflector.

The spiderlites are not current or voltage regulated. They use one simple resistor and reverse voltage diode to power all the LED's. This means they will be much dimmer when the engine is off as the y have no current regulation. Jumping the car or loose battery terminals could fry them. They are subject to total failure if one or more of the LED's fails. It's a chain reaction. One fails and the others get over current, they will overheat and then they fail causing a cascade failure of all the LED's as with each one burned out the others get extra current from the resistor. I'm sure you've seen trucks with burnt out LED's. Using resistors in a bunch of unmatched parallel branched LED's is asking for trouble. 80-90% of all LED failures in cars are from this type of cheap resistor circuit using unmatched LED's. These things can last 100,000 hours if driven correctly yet most of those bulb LED replacements use resistors and are subject to failure.

Also the LED's are the worst quality I've seen yet. I have some lumiled's superflux 12 lumen LED's that fit in the housing perfectly. I'll install them side by side and take some pictures. I hate to rip apart a product but I feel I should be honest here as people's lives are at risk. The other problem is that the LUMENS given off during braking is not much greater then when in taillight mode. This is unacceptable. You need at least triple the brightness when braking or people will not notice that you applied the brakes.

I'll post some pictures and lumen ratings next week including dispersion patterns. I will also give you some links on how to replace the stock spiderlite LED's with some high efficiency 75ma superflux LED's that are 5-10 times brighter. You would need soldering skills. The upgrade should run about $8-$10 per spiderlite.

PS: I think that the spiderlite is a great idea and has potential but I feel they really missed the boat with the LED's quality, brightness, current protection, drivers, and 1/2 angle dispersion patterns.

[Lik2race]

I am really glad I waited till someone who knows about this kind
of stuff took a closer look. Really appreciate you taking the time to
alert us with your personal views and opinions.And that's enough
for me. I will wait for more information,amd newer products.
Thanks again 300C_AWD..

[lennoxavesosa]

a big thank you goes out to you! i was also on the verge of ordering them, but was a little reluctant till someone really 'inspected' them like stan said. i hope someone from spyderlights read your post, if you did not already express your dissatisfication with them. someone needs to to let them know they are crap. especially for $100 a pair! maybe if we got spyderlights to lower their prices, to say............$20 a pair till they work out all the problems, id buy a pair just temporarily. i know couple people here mentioned making a LED replacement setup, so hopefully theyll come up with something better than spyderlights.

[harrysam]

Ditto for me. Thanks for the hard work and the honest opinions. You've probably saved us mroe than just some dough.

[Model 57]

THANK YOU, that is what is so great about a forum like this. At least if someone purchases and item, and expresses their dissatisfaction with it. It may save a lot of others from going through the same agony.

[cmego]

Why go for these expensive syderlites in the first place as opposed to these? http://discountleds.com/3157_3156.htm The look?

[lennoxavesosa]

i dont think any of those lights will fit the rear lights that the sypder lights replace. however, do you know which lights on there will replace the front and rear turning signals (silver dipped) and which ones will replace the yellow parking lights on a C with HID's?

[carnutfl]

Received my spiderlites today. I chose the medium size for my C. One of the arms just barely touches the outside lens. I'm going to try some clear silicone on the end so it won't scratch the lens. The lites seem bright enough to me including the brake light function.

[JustForFun]

300C_AWD,

FINALLY! Some good common sense and a "sueful" review on these things. This type of information is FAR more useful and pertinent than the typical "These look good - get em." review we see at times.

I truly appreciate the insight from someone who has a handle on these things.

$ saved!

JFF

[Ruppstar]

Wow. I guess I will put my money back in my pocket. Thanks. Oh well.