Hey guys,

I do not want to bring back a discussion of what reverse lights are for but I know that I can't see anything when I'm backing up at night in a street that is less than well-lit. Our other car lights up the road really well and I would like to get that same thing in our 2007 RX.

Basically, what I wanted is something like the GS owner has in this post: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/7233533-post7.html

That is amazingly bright. I have tried removing the bulb covers inside the lamp and that did not help. I have tried installing iJDMTOY 7.5w Extremely Bright LEDs (with and without the cover). The LEDs would fit fine without the cover but would cause the rearview camera to catch some weird blue circles (most likely from the reflectors). With the cover in place, the LEDs barely fit in since they are almost 43 millimeters long and there is about 40-41 millimeter to the end of the cover. So, with the cover on, the blue circles disappeared but the lighting wasn't noticeably better.

I know the GS owner in the post mentioned above used VLEDs and some people say that those are day and night difference compared to iJDMTOY. VLEDs is designing shorter (about 38 mm) 921 LED bulbs and I am planning to try them out when they come out (in about 6 weeks).

So the questions I have:
1) Is there anybody out there that was able to drastically improve reverse lighting in their RX330/350? Whether through LEDs or additional lighting.
2) Do you guys think the problem is in the camera itself and not the lighting?
3) Is it the problem with lamp assembly itself and it's just not capable of reflecting the light efficiently no matter how much light is provided.
4) Can anyone really speak to whether VLEDs are much superior to the iJDMTOY bulbs? I am wondering if it makes sense to try out the new shorter VLEDs when they come out.

I hope my post is not too confusing and sorry that I didn't take any pictures -- I just thought about it when I started writing the post.

Thanks!

 

There have been some previous posts regarding changing the lights to LED's. Just do a search and you should be able to find it.

 

check out my thread on reverse light using VLEDs. I love them. I have tinted windows and couldnt see ***** with the oem bulbs.

 

^^Same here, VLEDS is the way to go. Although I only started using them in the 450h and not the 330, I will say I'm extremely happy with them. Most of the interior bulbs were replaced with their LED bulbs four years ago, the reverse lights maybe three years ago. They're super bright. Only one interior bulb died out of close to 20 after a year. It's good I ordered a few extras. Make sure you sign up for their newsletter to get a discount.

 

Thanks for the replies guys! I knew that as soon as I create a new thread somebody will point to an existing one... Honestly, I searched before posting...

alchemist, did you have to remove the cover around the bulb or did you install it right away? If you installed it right away, did you have to push it in for the bulb "holder" to lock in the socket?

 

Yes i had to push it in to get it to lock

 

After having a hard time seeing while reversing down narrow driveways in the dark I added a pair of Hella lights under my wife's RX. I had to add a reverse trigger to the trailer harness so it wasn't much more involved to add the lights. Made a huge difference, now we can see the ground in the rearview camera.

 

Would you be able to post a picture of how those add-on lights look like under the bumper? I would appreciate it a lot if you could provide any info on the location of the trailer switch and how you wiring into it. Thank you!

 

Sorry, the picture did not load up on my phone the phone time I opened the page...

 

Philips 921 LED bulbs (reverse application) are easily the best lights on the market for this application. They are the ONLY 921 LED bulbs that are able to mimic OEM beam patterns...

 

Questions:
1) Is that price per bulb?
2) It says 180 lumens, I was told the stock ones are 100 lumens. How is that 5 times more light?
3) How is there visibility during the day?
4) Do you know the dimensions? I know 04-09 RX can only fit 38mm long bulbs. Though I'd imagine this one will comply with the standard 921 bulb specs.
5) Do I need the one with CANbus or without?

Thank you so much for the recommendation and, in advance, for answering my questions!

 

Hi,

As per your questions:

(1) Yes - the bulbs are sold individually as some vehicles use this bulb as a centre high mount stop light (single bulb)

(2) This bulb can replace any wedge style incandescent bulb with an IEC W2.1x9.5d base - not just a 921 bulb.

(3) I find that this bulb is easier to see during the day as they offer a much "crisper/whiter" colour output then the stock bulb.

(4) The Philips T16 / 921 LED bulb is 30mm from end to end (overall length).

(5) If you are installing these bulbs in the reverse lights then you would not need to get the can bus resistors.

Make sure to use coupon code 'KBLED' to save 15% on your order - for a limited time.

Steve

 

Thanks for the answers and the coupon code but I am not sure I understand the answer to the 2nd question. Thank you!

 

Hi, This bulb can replace approximately 14 different types of bulbs with the same IEC base - not all of which are rated at 100 lumens.

Steve

 

Oh, I see what you mean now. Thank you for the explanation!