I am looking to do some under dash lighting on my tC, but I am debating on which type of lights to get. I have been researching it on oznium, and they have three main types (Cold Cathodes, Flexible LED Strips, and High Intensity LED Flood Lights) and I don't know which one I should get.

I am hoping people will post their experience with whichever ones they have and that way I (and others) can get an idea of what to buy. If there are other types of lights that are better, please post that as well.

Things to include in your summary that would be helpful:

Brand
Price
Satisfaction with supplier
Satisfaction with brightness
Did it do what you wanted
What did you want (really bright, not so bright, subtle, etc)
Ease of install
Time to install

If you guys could take a few minutes to answer this that would be so helpful! Any other insight you want to add would also be helpful!

 

Ok here's my opinion. I have dealt with Oznium - They are seriously awesome and have the best customer service I have ever dealt with.

I have had their flexible LED strips. I would go against these, considering how expensive they are and how they do not last. I used mine only for shows and they burned out under a year old.

I then went back to (Oznium) cathodes (I originally had them, then changed colors). They are pretty good. I have them now. My only gripe is that they are really delicate, and if you use them for your footwells, make sure your passenger isn't going to kick them with their feet. I had them in the front and back footwells and all of them broke due to stupid people, so i was out like $20. but i recently replaced them and now i don't let anyone ride in my car, lol. They are the brightest form of lighting i have used yet.

i hooked up orange neons (ebay brand) in my yaris. so far so good. no complaints really. they seem a little dull to me though.

i have varad lighting as well, i was tinkering with it, but i can't really seem to get it to work. i'm going to have to put a lot more effort forward because there are so many connections. so install on that is more difficult.


as far as wiring, LEDs, and neons are the same. the cathodes require you to just power/ground the transformer and simply plug in the cathode wires. i found cathode wiring to be just as easy as LEDs and neons, so i went a head and did my entire engine bay with 12 or so cathodes. I would say the time of install should be around an hour, maybe 2 hours if your not that experienced.

 

Oznium is awesome! Here is what i did. And i used the cold cathodes. Turned out great!

 

^And use a fuse with whatever you do.

I suggest just using the battery power for your footwells. run your wires through the firewall. that way you can just tap into those wires at a later date if you want to power a lot more lighting sources. 12v for the cigarette lighter limits you in a way, and i've just found the battery way to be a little better in the long run. just use a fuse!

 

I prefer the Flexable LEDs to the Cold cathodes.....the cathodes are fragile and in that area they are gonna get busted.....good thing is they are dirt cheap and bright.

The Flexable LEDs are bullit proof and bright as well but a bit more spendy....but well worth it.......I use them in my engine bay to light up the bay at night and indoor shows.

Oh yeah.......Oznium FTW.....

 

Great posts so far guys and girls, keep them coming.

I have seen pros and cons to both, and most people complain about the sensitivity of the cathodes. Is there anyway to protect them? Maybe a heavy see-through plastic coat? And toeveryhour said the flex strips fade or go out after only a year. Did anyone else have this issue? Also, do those strips provide an even glow or is it spotty? (They have individual LEDs spaced out so....)

 

i wouldnt go flex strips IMO. i had some of the LEDs on the strip go bad and then it gets real spotty. They're a lot of money too. Cathodes are good, just mount them where no one can break them. you should be good. best light out-put versus LED strips too IMO

 

LED strips will be more spotty. That's why ppl mostly use cathodes for under dash lighting. And if you position them in the right spot then no they won't break easily. There is no way where I have mine that they will break.

 

I wanna give the flood lights from Oznium a try! They seem to put out a pretty good amount of light. The pirahna bars also put out a decent amount.

 

The piranha bars give out massive amounts of lights. Flood lights are hard to get to work in the foot wells, but are great in other places like the engine bay. I'm using the Silicone-Encased Ribbon strips in blue for my footwells right now and they're just as bright as the cathodes I had in before. And as for the LED strips burning out, I've never had any do that for me. Ran red ones in the footwells for ~6 months and never had an issue. Blue ones are going on 4 months and before this they were in my door pockets for 3-4 months. The cathodes are hella bright, I had them in green for a while combined with some meteor bars, but I just went another direction. Overall Oznium is by far the best company I've ever dealt with as far as business practice goes.

Brand: Oznium
Price: $30 total
Satisfaction with supplier: 100%
Satisfaction with brightness: 100%
Did it do what you wanted: Perfectly
What did you want (really bright, not so bright, subtle, etc): Bright, dependable, true blue color.
Ease of install: Simple two-wire hookup
Time to install: Less than 10 minutes, but I've done this so many times to my car it's become rote. And I already had the switch wired and wires run. Normal install time for a knowledgeable first timer would be ~45 minutes.

ninja edit:

Here's some of my glow btw.

Footwell + Blue Dome Light




Piranha Bars in front grilles and 194 bulbs in headlights

 

how many bars did you use in the front grill to get that bright effect?

 

man that looks tight lbjshaq

I have the blue dome light, and I just finished swaping the gauge cluster. I want to put blue lights in the footwells and LEDs in the door cubbies. I will eventually get to swapping out the HVAC LEDs, but haven't had time yet.

 

I absolutely LOVE Oznium Cold Cathodes. I have them all over my car, inside and out. I actually use them as an underbody kit for my car.







They're very bright, Easy to use. I've had them under my car for over a year now, I've blown one transformer, and broke maybe. 2 cathodes or so. Thats total, inside and out., However I do have two sides out on my underbody, I think its just a lose wire tho, Its almost impossible for 6 cathodes to die all at the same time haha. My interior cathodes have never broken yet and I've had them on for about 2 years( wow I can't believe i've had my car that long, time flys). Anyway. I would personally highly recommend them.

 

My car sits prettyyyy low....

So thats the only reason I might get the the led tubes instead.

Just looking for plain white.

Does anyone know, if the factory scion tc footwell lighting tubes, can be replaced for cathodes (plus the transformer)?????

 

i have oznium cathrodes...they work pretty well and i love the colour (blue)
supplier satisfaction is gr8...and i would recommend them.
product is great too
but i would recommend you to get led strips because cathrodes have really short wires (white ones)...if i was u i would get the led strips so you can hide them pretty well!!

 

thx =D

 

Oh. and I don't recommend using the cathodes as underbody. too much of a hassle. The do work great tho.

 

watching this thread. There are some great ideas you guys have, im sure my girl will be a little ____ed when she sees me buying this stuff.

 

I separate my lighting depending on whats its doing. I use cathodes in the footwells, as well as under the seats....I use LED's in the airvents, and usually I use cathodes in the engine bay...

However, after seeing that Piranha bar picture, I might change over, they go real cheap on eBay, that's where i get everything though, its so cheap....

 

You only live once =)