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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
First Generation JW Speaker 8700 LED headlights in action.
Location: Florida Keys / US1 / Hammering on South Dixie Highway
Vehicle: 500GE G-Wagen
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 IMG_8235.jpg (266KB - 5 downloads)
IMG_8272.jpg (316KB - 2 downloads)
IMG_8277.jpg (370KB - 2 downloads)
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shochu
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Vehicle(s): indonesian-assembled '97 G300
Posts: 452
| Re: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
that is sweet... |
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King_GH
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Oct 2011
Location: London
Vehicle(s): 95 G300 RHD
Posts: 324
| RE: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
Mama Mia!
I got mine yesterday. I can't wait to get them in there. Do you ever get drivers blinking from the other side? For all cars without the MB xenons it is looking like JW Speaker is now becoming the standard replacement. They don't just look cool they actually deliver. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| RE: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
King_GH - 9/13/2012 10:32 AM
Mama Mia!
I got mine yesterday. I can't wait to get them in there. Do you ever get drivers blinking from the other side? For all cars without the MB xenons it is looking like JW Speaker is now becoming the standard replacement. They don't just look cool they actually deliver.
Never had a problem with them being too bright for oncoming traffic. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| RE: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
Exterior appearance of Speaker LED lights when on...
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Attachments
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IMG_8279.jpg (577KB - 4 downloads)
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hipine
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: US, CO, Bailey
Vehicle(s): 460 1980 280GE w. 617A
| RE: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
Thanks for sharing! I've been seriously considering some of their 4.5" units for my motorcycle.
-Dave G. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| RE: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
Here is one more...
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Attachments
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IMG_8284.jpg (694KB - 4 downloads)
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| RE: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
hipine - 9/13/2012 9:12 PM
Thanks for sharing! I've been seriously considering some of their 4.5" units for my motorcycle.
-Dave G.
The 7 inch lamps are very nice, especially for the money.
I have Trucklite LED lamps as well. These significantly outperform the Trucklite LED lamps. No question about it. In order to get good performance from the Trucklite LED lamps, I am forced to drive with the high beams on. The only advantage to this is that it does not appear to cause a problem for oncoming traffic.
My only complaint about the Speaker LED lights so far? Perhaps this is my fault, as I did not adjust them using all necessary steps and kind of "eye balled" them when doing headlight alignment...On low beam, the horizontal dispersion is excellent, however, there is a "dark patch" were forward light it cut off by about 6 feet directly in the center of the vehicle. I would prefer if this range extended a tad further. That being said, it could be my fault for not professionally aligning them / using headlamp adjustment machine, etc...
They now make new LED headlamp alignment machines. See this out of Germany: http://www.visicon-online.de/en/2_1_2_led_headlamp_headlamp_check_s...
Still, for the money, I am very happy with them.
I believe I get slightly better range on High Beam with the G55 Hella factory lamps, on High Beam. Horizontal dispersion and bathing the road in "white sunshine"? The Speaker LED lamps are superior. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| RE: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
King_GH - 9/13/2012 10:32 AM
Mama Mia!
I got mine yesterday. I can't wait to get them in there. Do you ever get drivers blinking from the other side? For all cars without the MB xenons it is looking like JW Speaker is now becoming the standard replacement. They don't just look cool they actually deliver.
This will help you whilst driving in Africa. You will need Porsche 911 headlamp buckets for the installation as well.
I find you can drive much faster with good headlamps as they allow you to see in front more effectively...This increases confidence and gives you greater awareness of road conditions, obstacles, etc...
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grazza
Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2010
Location: Australia
Vehicle(s): W460 230GE 1988 - OM606 turbo diesel, 722.608 auto
Posts: 277
| RE: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
I bet they would work better without the small horizontal bars in front of the lights within the brush guard (as would mine with the light guards, although I am not sure to the same degree)
Edited by grazza 9/14/2012 1:54 AM
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King_GH
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Oct 2011
Location: London
Vehicle(s): 95 G300 RHD
Posts: 324
| RE: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
H1LM002G55 - 9/14/2012 2:23 AM
King_GH - 9/13/2012 10:32 AM
Mama Mia!
I got mine yesterday. I can't wait to get them in there. Do you ever get drivers blinking from the other side? For all cars without the MB xenons it is looking like JW Speaker is now becoming the standard replacement. They don't just look cool they actually deliver.
This will help you whilst driving in Africa. You will need Porsche 911 headlamp buckets for the installation as well.
I find you can drive much faster with good headlamps as they allow you to see in front more effectively...This increases confidence and gives you greater awareness of road conditions, obstacles, etc...
My understanding is that the second gen ones dont need the bucket. Can you imagine finding Porsche parts round here? Yes you could but quite a number of amputations may be required as you may not only lose an arm and a leg ......
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
King_GH - 9/14/2012 5:05 AM
My understanding is that the second gen ones dont need the bucket.
My second generation ones DO need the bucket. Maybe they make the light with different mounting capabilities. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| RE: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
I am sure you already lost two legs buying those lights, as I am sure they are not available locally in Ghana.
I am almost 100% positive that you will need the headlamp buckets from a Porsche 911.
Edited by H1LM002G55 9/14/2012 9:44 AM
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King_GH
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Oct 2011
Location: London
Vehicle(s): 95 G300 RHD
Posts: 324
| RE: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
H1LM002G55 - 9/14/2012 1:43 PM
I am sure you already lost two legs buying those lights, as I am sure they are not available locally in Ghana.
I am almost 100% positive that you will need the headlamp buckets from a Porsche 911.
Hmmm ... actually with an arm. I better send a few thugs into the rich neighbourhoods. Anything that looks or smells like a Porsche 911 is a target .... and please no beetles. Funny enough I've seen several newly registered ones in town.
On a more serious note, I've found a few on ebay and I can afford to wait for it to be shipped as the installation of the interior will take a number of weeks so I'm cool. Failing that I'll need a very clever welder, perhaps the same chap who got my friend's 461 turned 463's bi-xenons to fit. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
Buy the 911 buckets and do the job right. I have seen amazing things that African craftsmen have been able to turn out. But welding or producing concentric, circular buckets, is not easy.
You can find them on Ebay. 911 Headlamp Bucket. Should cost you $100 total...maybe a little more or less. $ USD. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
Message below from fellow member Aguess:
" One of the two extra buckets I had is bent.
I purchased the last set from DC Automotive, 320 Commerce Court, Rocky Mount, NC 27803.
Phone: 1-800-579-2410
http://dcauto.gotdns.com:4000/search?target=477941050A&commit=Searc...
Part number: 477941050A
Headlight housing. Cost $20.00 per, plus $17 shipping & Handling.
Call them, give them part number
Illistration part number 26
fits: 1987 - 1989 Porsche 911. Direct fit to our G with no problems.
Hope this helps.
Aguess " |
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defenderthomas
Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2009
Location: Tampa, FL
Vehicle(s): 2002 G500
Posts: 208
| Re: JW Speaker 8700 LED Headlamps / HeadLights in Action
Do you need the buckets for a 2002+ G500? |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| My Personal Impressions
Just did 4,100 miles with the Speaker LED's in my G-Class, over half of it at night. Lights were aimed with an Optical Beam Setter at my local Porsche dealer.
Impressions:
1.) Low beams seem to be somewhat better than the H4 Bosch city light lamps I had before.
2.) High beams are too much of a pencil spot. They do not spread enough at distance. They do reach out quite far, but it is way too narrow.
Overall Impression: Relatively decent lights, but definitely not worth the price.
Ymmv. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| RE: My Personal Impressions
DUTCH - 10/2/2012 9:49 AM
Just did 4,100 miles with the Speaker LED's in my G-Class, over half of it at night. Lights were aimed with an Optical Beam Setter at my local Porsche dealer.
Impressions:
1.) Low beams seem to be somewhat better than the H4 Bosch city light lamps I before.
2.) High beams are too much of a pencil spot. They do not spread enough at distance. They do reach out quite far, but it is way too narrow.
Overall Impression: Relatively decent lights, but definitely not worth the price.
Ymmv.
Interesting observations.
My opinion is that they are worth the price. The reduced load on the alternator and electrical system is not accounted for, either. That is a major reason why the U.S. military is transitioning to LED lighting....reduced electrical load. Something to consider, particularly for offroad trucks with a lot of "accessories".
For half the price of Speaker LED lamps, you can buy a very nice set of Hella or Cibie lamps from Daniel Stern...
The "pencil beam phenomenon" described by Dutch is even worse with the Trucklite LEDs. I have the Trucklite Lamps and they suck. You get two pencil beam boxes projected in front of the truck and there is no convergence of light between the left lamp and right ramp. No central "kill zone" that is bathed in light....Very poor design....But rugged, survivable, lower electrical load for alternator, etc...
If you want LED lamps, stick to Speaker LED Lights.
Edited by H1LM002G55 10/2/2012 11:19 AM
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: My Personal Impressions
H1LM002G55 - 10/2/2012 11:18 AM
For half the price of Speaker LED lamps, you can buy a very nice set of Hella or Cibie lamps from Daniel Stern...
I've had both Hella and Cibie. The Bosch Euro Spec H4 lamps with city light are far superior. |
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