License Plate LED'S ect.... - Page 2 - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Pat · 09-13-2010, 12:10 PM

The Boxster is likely a different application than the A4. That alone does not justify spending $55 on a couple LEDs.
Additionally, someone selling on Ebay does not necessarily qualify them as good or bad. I am sure there are both.
I found a place that sells the LEDs I'm looking for that says their's don't cause check engine lights, and they are $26. Still pricey, but a lot cheaper than Hoen. Maybe they are good, maybe not. But I have yet to hear a reasonable explanation of why anyone should buy from Hoen. It sounds to me like a typical blind recommendation of Internet groupthink. Hopefully someone here can prove me wrong, as I'd hate to buy something cheaper, only to find out Hoen really is the best in the long run.

Johnny Danger · 09-13-2010, 02:06 PM

"Hopefully someone here can prove me wrong, as I'd hate to buy something cheaper, only to find out Hoen really is the best in the long run".

Thats precisely the message that I am trying to convey to you. In addition, the Hoen LED's that I purchased for my 986 boxster currently sell for $35.00 not $55.00 (please check their site again). Furthermore, some of the cheaper s LED's that I previously experimented with (along with other Porschephiles) either cause electrical problems and or did not last very long (a few months at best). Just trying to give ya some good advice !!

Pat · 09-13-2010, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

"Hopefully someone here can prove me wrong, as I'd hate to buy something cheaper, only to find out Hoen really is the best in the long run".

Thats precisely the message that I am trying to convey to you. In addition, the Hoen LED's that I purchased for my 986 boxster currently sell for $35.00 not $55.00 (please check their site again). Furthermore, some of the cheaper s LED's that I previously experienced with (along with other Porschephiles) either cause electrical problems and or did not last very long (a few months at best). Just trying to give some good advice !!

JD, I appreciate your responses. I understand you're telling me they are best. However, I have yet to hear a good reason why they are the best other than typical Internet groupthink. Please provide supporting information on WHY they are the best.
I've seen too many products touted as "the best" when in reality they are nothing special. I get them, I'm disappointed, I post about it, and all of a sudden people come out of the woodwork agreeing with me.

Johnny Danger · 09-13-2010, 04:28 PM

Please provide supporting information on WHY they are the best.

Gee, this is becoming work ! First of all, I never said that they were the best, but, simply that they were excellent. But, lets see why. Well, the Hoen LED's proved to last longer than most of the lesser expensive ones that I and other boxster/cayman owners that I know tried. Furthermore, they did not cause any electrical problems or prompt CEL's to come on. That was enough for me and others to feel that the Hoen LED's were an excellent product and well worth the $35.00. In any case, I think that you should try some of the cheaper LED's out there and report back to the forum. Perhaps, I will be enlightened on the joys of spending less for once.

Lobo1186 · 09-13-2010, 05:14 PM

so just to clear the air here...

THIS is what JD has got (if Im not mistaken.)

This is just another example of their COMPLETE light and housing.

the first being 35 bones and the second 55.

Now, I have NOT used any of Hoen products on my car or anything for that matter, but maybe I can be more of a expert witness. I have long history with LEDs and using them in all sorts of electronic modifying applications. They are finicky and often a pain in the butt if not done right. For a good Blue LED you will pay in the region of 4-7 bux depending on the quality. After that you will spend a few more bux on resistors and whatever else is necessary to get them soldered and wired. so we can guesstimate in the region of 10-16 bux for two. ending with just the wired LED and a amateur quality and finish. Now, from these pictures those HOEN pieces look first rate. 55 for a complete housing plug and play for 2 is not bad at all. (for a porsche no less) now the other bulbs have built on heatsinks for crying out loud! that is a very nice touch (if you did not know LEDs are more sensitive to heat) increasing lifespan. So 33 for those are not bad either.

that said they LOOK like a very solid reliable product compared to "Joe's lights" on Ebay.

just my opinion. For me, I hate dealing with online buying. If I can buy once for a reasonable price. that is my choice.

Johnny Danger · 09-13-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobo1186

so just to clear the air here...

THIS is what JD has got (if Im not mistaken.)

This is just another example of their COMPLETE light and housing.

the first being 35 bones and the second 55.

Now, I have NOT used any of Hoen products on my car or anything for that matter, but maybe I can be more of a expert witness. I have long history with LEDs and using them in all sorts of electronic modifying applications. They are finicky and often a pain in the butt if not done right. For a good Blue LED you will pay in the region of 4-7 bux depending on the quality. After that you will spend a few more bux on resistors and whatever else is necessary to get them soldered and wired. so we can guesstimate in the region of 10-16 bux for two. ending with just the wired LED and a amateur quality and finish. Now, from these pictures those HOEN pieces look first rate. 55 for a complete housing plug and play for 2 is not bad at all. (for a porsche no less) now the other bulbs have built on heatsinks for crying out loud! that is a very nice touch (if you did not know LEDs are more sensitive to heat) increasing lifespan. So 33 for those are not bad either.

that said they LOOK like a very solid reliable product compared to "Joe's lights" on Ebay.

just my opinion. For me, I hate dealing with online buying. If I can buy once for a reasonable price. that is my choice.

Lobo, you can marry my sister !

Thanks for the excellent clarification !
JD
p.s. The ones that I purchased look like the LED's in the second photo.

Lobo1186 · 09-13-2010, 05:40 PM

anytime. It looks as if HOEN changed their prices then if in fact you have the complete housing.

regardless, I was looking at this photo on their website:

so why is M PWERED the plate... when its a porsche 997?

Johnny Danger · 09-13-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobo1186

anytime. It looks as if HOEN changed their prices then if in fact you have the complete housing.

regardless, I was looking at this photo on their website:

so why is M PWERED the plate... when its a porsche 997?

Thinking back, the LED's kinda looked like a mini circuit board with a small LED array that one "popped" into place before installing. Or, something like that. Hoen has since updated their site, and they no longer show a photo of the actual product. In any case, they were a cinch to install, and the effects were excellent. Just like the photo indicates, they gave the tail end of my boxster a nicely updated look.

JD
You're right about the "M" plate. Seems weird to display it on a "P" car.

Pat · 09-13-2010, 06:47 PM

Hey Lobo, thanks for posting. Good info, and thank you for the clarification.
Here is an email I just got from Hoen:

our $55 product is a complete module, not a drop in bulb. The entire Hoen assembly is designed around an LED system as drop in LED bulbs will melt the factory enclosed module as they have chips on them to draw 5w which build up heat to trick the system.

LED drop in bulbs for the CANBUS system are only recommended for open housings, the Porsche housing is enclosed.

On saying this Im not sure the 01 Boxster is enclosed, that switch was made around 2005 (987) to a different part so you may have an open housing so you could use a drop in bulb no problem but I would only recommend one with a heat sink on it. Avoid any 'error free' LED without a heat sink, it will fail soon or overheat the surrounding plastic components. We sell one for $35 a pair www.hoen-usa.com/licenseplate.htm and while obviously biased I can assure you its the best one on the market. We have performed extensive heat testing and our LEDs run cooler than any other on the market.

Lobo1186 · 09-13-2010, 07:05 PM

anytime in the end I just hope you get what you want from your porsche.

Kirk · 09-14-2010, 06:45 AM

I replaced my city lights or parking lights in the front with cheap Chinese LED's from eBay. I bought a set for my Box and my 911. Out of four, two had a couple LED's (it was an array of several) that were not working. Customer service was great and they sent me two new bulbs to replace the ones that were partially working. Maybe half a year later and two of these bulbs are dead. One of the replacements was completely dead, new in the package too....

I'll need to buy something completely different now. The lesson to me is clear though - you get what you pay for!

Kirk