Superbrightleds in 4th Gen dash

I installed blue WLED-x4s into my dash about 2 years ago and I've been mostly satisfied with the look, but lately I've been thinking that they could be a bit brighter. The gauges look cool, but aren't as easily readable at night as I'd like. Perhaps it's because my 40 year old eyes don't see quite as well as they used to.

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Anyhow, I'm wondering if anyone has tried either the WLED-x or WLED-x5 bulbs, and what their opinion is? The WLED-x is a single led with either 90 or 120 degree beam. The WLED-x5 has 4 radially mounted leds with a central 5th led, giving it a 220 degree beam.

I'm thinking the x5 would be best, but I'll wait to hear if anyone has any experience with them.

Thanks.

I have the x5's in my VF750F gauges, and they're very bright. I also removed the little metal hoods that were set on top of the old bulbs, don't remember off hand if the 4th gen has those.

This is what the hoods look like.

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x5's w/ no hoods:
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Correction: looks like I used 5 single-led WLEDx bulbs for dash lighting. I forgot I had a picture of the bulbs when they were still in the bags. I used WLEDx4 bulbs for the other idiot lights.

Seb: did you use red leds, or is the VF750F dash red as stock?

According to the website, the x4 are .443" in diameter, while the x5 are .551". I assume the x5 will still fit; I'm just a little leery because they have to fit through these holes in the back of the cluster:

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[image: View Post]blkrabit, on 13 November 2010 - 10:14 PM, said:

Seb: did you use red leds, or is the VF750F dash red as stock?


Both.

You can take the cluster apart and set the bulbs in from the inside of the panel. I had to do that with mine, the x5 bulbs are pretty large but they have a nice light spread(as opposed to looking like "hot spots" on the gauge faces).

Taking the cluster apart isn't too bad, you can't really break anything if you're gentle and have a bit of patience.

While blue does look pretty cool, you might want to consider changing color to one that's going to be a bit brighter by nature or offer a bit more contrast.

[image: View Post]YoshiHNS, on 14 November 2010 - 09:53 AM, said:

While blue does look pretty cool, you might want to consider changing color to one that's going to be a bit brighter by nature or offer a bit more contrast.


You've obviously confused me with a rational person! :laughing6-hehe:

I'm using the single blue inverted-cone LED's in my 5th gen and they are just bright enough to be seen well at night, but not so bright that they cause glare or eyestrain.


Why can't motorcycle dash lights be dimmable like cars?

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Why can't motorcycle dash lights be dimmable like cars?


Actually, they can be, but it's another gimmick that ups the price of the bike. My R1200RT has a dimmable dash, along with a whole lot of other tech toys that made it cost wayyyy more than I spent for my VFR. It wouldn't be that difficult to rig a dimmer on the VFR dash lights, while you've got the dash apart for adding LEDs.

Blue lighting will always be harder to read than other colors at the same intensity. It's due to the long wavelength of blue light making things look a little blurry. Swap in red LEDs of the same intensity, and everything will appear crisp and clear. You can see the same effect if you look at illuminated signs along the road at night. The blue ones are a bit harder to read than other colors.

In truth, I'm considering all colors except white. I just wish it weren't such a PITA to get to the back of the dash. Red is sounding more appealing, but green might be cool, too. Then again, amber seems nice and bright.

I think a little Photoshopping is in store for me tonight.