| EXCALIBUR |
I've been thinking of using one of these in the "not a cigarette lighter" next to the "not an ashtray" to provide a little more lighting when trying to read maps and directions in the dimly lit cabin of my MDX.
"Copilot Map Light - Brilliant halogen lighting with only a 5-Watt current draw. Position the gooseneck Copilot any way you want, leaving your hands free for other tasks. Perfect for use in cars, ambulances and fire trucks. Read a map, chart or book without disturbing the driver. The lamp has an oversized switch on top for easy on, easy off operation. 12-volt, portable cigarette lighter mounting, 12.5-Inch flexible arm lamp with a convenient position lock. Perfect for automotive and maritime applications."
Q: Anyone have any experience with this product? Doe the light give off a lot of heat?:confused: |
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| EXCALIBUR |
DaleB,
Thanks for the suggestion. While Osram is a reputable name, I was a little apprehensive about using a halogen as an auxilliary light. They use power and produce heat. I did a quick search on "led map lights" and came up with this alternative: http://www.thezeb.com/p-StreetGlow-...ight-109299.htm
Q: Any thoughts?:confused: |
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| EXCALIBUR |
In the interest of further discussion, here is the Mach V Motorsports Plug-In LED Map Light that DaleB suggested.
Q: Any thoughts one way or another on these LED map lights?:confused: |
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| DaleB |
| Street Glow is cool looking! |
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| shootist |
| Looks like the Mach V projects its light straight away from from the stalk, while the StreetGlow might give you a bit more down lighting. |
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| EXCALIBUR |
StreetGlow: 2 Mach V: 0 Osram: 0
I like the looks of the StreetGlow myself. I e-mailed StreetGlow and Mach V to inquire if the map lights come with on/off switches. This is an important feature as I would like to leave the map light plugged in and use it whenever needed.:4: |
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| nightguy |
Are you plugging this into the power point on the lower dash ? It's hard to judge the length of the stalks in the pics but if they are short I would think they might not even reach the area next to the driver's seat from that location or would have to be moved to allow the gear selector to move when you're done using it. It just seems like an inconvenient spot compared to my other cars with cigarette lighters. Or maybe you could run it out of the armrest if there's enough length.
For me the overhead lights are perfect because I like to hold the maps up a little closer to my eyes...probably a little closer every year. :D
Streetglow is cool though. |
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| EXCALIBUR |
nightguy,
StreetGlow: 3 Mark V: 0 Osram: 0
Yes, I would be plugging the map light into the "not a cigarette lighter" power source in the lower center of the dash area. I do not expect the map light to reach all the way over to the driver's seat. Your point is well-taken though.:4: |
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| EXCALIBUR |
| Just learned the StreetGlow map light does come with an on/off switch. The price is right: $10.55 plus $8.22 (Ouch!) shipping to Hawaii. I ordered from thezeb.com and shall post pics of the map light once it arrives and is installed.:roadtrip: |
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| EXCALIBUR |
| StreetGlow Map Light Installed |
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| EXCALIBUR |
| StreetGlow Map Light Close-Up |
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| EXCALIBUR |
| StreetGlow Map Light in action with after market blue LED ambient lighting |
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| squaw_ski_bum |
I've got one of the Osram lights, must be going on 20 years old. A nifty little toy in it's day and it still finds some use, mainly by the kids for reading in the back. It gets warm but not hot enough to be considered a worry.
I find it a little too bright, it is annoying to the driver if it is on in the front. Since I have one I haven't bothered to get one of the new LED lights, but if I was buying today I'd go LED. |
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| EXCALIBUR |
squaw_ski_bum,
The StreetGlow map light gives off no heat at all. The light beam is very white, about as powerful as a small penlight. The only thing I would wish for is a longer neck. Otherwise, it is a nice unobtrusive map light.:4: |
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| Blackura |
I've had an Osram for 20+ years too. Back then, everybody thought it was really cool. Now it's more an oddity than a drool-inducing gotta-have.
I hardly ever use it anymore, but it is very nice and doesn't get hot. And it still works after 20 years! |
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| EXCALIBUR |
Blackura,
It's good to know that while a bit dated, the Osram map light is a good product. |
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| Warzau |
quote:
Originally posted by EXCALIBUR
StreetGlow Map Light in action with after market blue LED ambient lighting
How did you accomplish the LED lighting, did you ever make up a how to? I have a TSX loaner and like the ambient lighting. |
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| EXCALIBUR |
Warzau,
Hank Nguyen at Island Sound here in Honolulu, Hawaii did the after market LED installation. I got the idea when the 2003 MDX and some of the other Acura cars came out with the LED ambient lighting. Hank installed 10 Vared Hyper LED Blue lights (4 under the driver's area, 2 in the center dash area, and 4 under the front passenger's area). The effect when driving at night is dramatic. It's a good thing blue is my favorite color. BTW, there are many color choices, but I liked blue the best:4: |
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| Blackura |
Some of the mods I see around here are a bit too bling-bling for my personal tastes, but the subtle blue lighting in Excalibur's X is very upscale and classy in my opinion. Nicely done.
Wondering how much would it cost to ship my X from NY to Hawaii (with me in it of course!)?
Never mind. :) |
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| Warzau |
| Thanks Excalibur, I guess Hawaii is a bit far for me :). FYI The TSX has one interesting spot for ambient lighting and you might like it. There is one LED in the area of the sunglasses/Homelink area that points downward toward the shifter cupholder area. Very subtle but you can see it. |
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| EXCALIBUR |
quote:
Originally posted by Blackura
Some of the mods I see around here are a bit too bling-bling for my personal tastes, but the subtle blue lighting in Excalibur's X is very upscale and classy in my opinion. Nicely done.
Wondering how much would it cost to ship my X from NY to Hawaii (with me in it of course!)?
Never mind. :)
Thanks. While accessorizing one's ride is a matter of personal choice, there does indeed come a point when those mods can go overboard and become too bling. I was very pleased the way my aftermarket LED mod came out. I like it better than the OEM LED ambient lighting that comes on the newer MDX's. I would post more pics of my after market ambient lighting mod, but I only have a 2.1 megapixel digital camera and it it hard to get a good shot of the blue LED's in a night pic. Oh well, more reason for you to come to Hawaii to take a look. It's only money right?:29: |
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| EXCALIBUR |
quote:
Originally posted by Warzau
Thanks Excalibur, I guess Hawaii is a bit far for me :). FYI The TSX has one interesting spot for ambient lighting and you might like it. There is one LED in the area of the sunglasses/Homelink area that points downward toward the shifter cupholder area. Very subtle but you can see it.
We thought about putting an LED in the sunglasses/Homelink area, but abandoned that idea. Since we were using brighter after market LED's, we didn't want to mount one up there to possibly create glare or blind the driver and passengers. Hank Nguyen of Island Sound even did a mock-up lighting installation set up for me before doing the actual installation. I went down to his shop one night and we got to see how the LED's would look in action. We decided on the number of LED's needed, where to aim them, and how to mount them. The finished product achieved our design objectives.:29: |
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