New generation of Angel Eyes?!? Umnitza Orion

[WeatherB]

I've been following the development of these new angel eyes on the BMW forums for the last few weeks and they seem to be on the verge of release.

The Orion, as named by Umnitza, favor multiple tiny LEDs instead of the sometimes unreliable CCFL tube. Based on the pre-production pictures, they are not as uniform as the CCFL, but I would gladly trade a bit of uniformness for reliability.

All credit goes to e46 forums... See here for pictures: http://www.umnitza.com/albums/Orion/

Any comments? I wonder whether the sponsors here have a release date for these.

[bubba1983]

ive had the thinlines, chromiums....
its not worth my time to de-install, and re-instal a new generation...
the chromiums have been very reliable for me...moreso than the thinlines which umnitza origionally brought out to the market years ago

[MPS]

meh

[S.F.W.]

they do look interesting. For me though, the whole process of baking my headlights, is not worthwhile for this mod.

[Gizzmo_jr]

Frankly, the curtain rod DYI is more uniform then that. I don't see whats the problem with chromiums.

[WeatherB]

Of course, no one is going to remove a perfectly good chromium for this, but it would be a good replacement if one of the rings die.

The curtain rod one isn't very uniform either. It's also not very bright.

[Gizzmo_jr]

Oh okay, I thought your going to do the hassle and remove your existing in change for these new ones, I see what your saying now. From what you provided, you are right that these new ones are much brighter then a curtain rod if one goes that route.

[nicker]

not bad, I like the LED part of it. I love the look of angel eyes, but I don't want the hastel of baking my lights either. I wish there was a easier way!:bang

[Operator]

I'd like to see how they look from a distance. And on the plus side I don't think they would brown like the current ones.

[Unoriginalusername]

i've always been tempted but have been afraid of leaks and burn outs, seems interesting so far but install is expensive

[WeatherB]

I think from a distance the light will become more uniform... If anything, these should be cheaper since there is no external ballast.

[Operator]

If anything, these should be cheaper since there is no external ballast.

Good point!

[nicker]

im not totally worried about the cost, its the freaking install. But a good point made, no browning!

[mEtH]

Ive always held off because of the ballast problems that some people have had. I wouldn't want to have to deal with that. If these can become more reliable then I might rethink doing angel eyes.

[WeatherB]

Ive always held off because of the ballast problems that some people have had. I wouldn't want to have to deal with that. If these can become more reliable then I might rethink doing angel eyes.

That's exactly why I am looking forward to the Orion... No ballasts, no CCFL tube, and no cold issues.

[RallyPlaya]

How Much Aprox. Does An Instal For Angel Eyes Cost Since the Angel Eyes themselves are Relatively Cheap?

[plontoc]

How Much Aprox. Does An Instal For Angel Eyes Cost Since the Angel Eyes themselves are Relatively Cheap?

I've been quoted around 200.00

I love the look, but I'm not paying that much for it.


yet...

[condor888000]

Can always do it yourself.

[KenYork]

I've been quoted around 200.00

I love the look, but I'm not paying that much for it.


yet...

For the time it takes to do it $200 is not that expensive. That is what Lockdown use to charge, I think they charge $350 now.

Even for an experienced person it will take 4-5 hours. Plus if they have to warranty their work, which is not usually a simple fix if they need to re-open a headlight (at least two hours).

[WeatherB]

Ya, having done this installation twice, $200 would be very reasonable.

[Gizzmo_jr]

I agree, that sounds about right.

[perryham]

can you guys give me some info where I can get this thing done anywhere in GTA?? Give me some recommendations, address or phone number would be nice. Thanks.

[Unoriginalusername]

any release date/price yet/cnd sponsor carrying?

[WeatherB]

Probably not for a while... This isn't coming out for the BMWs until March so expect a few months before they expand to other cars.

[WeatherB]

Looks like the Orion V2 is already available for the BMWs. I wonder how long it'll be till they're available for our Mazdas.

Looks fantastic.

http://www.umnitza.com/albums/E46Orion/porion2ecomparison.sized.jpg
http://www.umnitza.com/albums/E46Orion/porion2f.sized.jpg

[ziegs2020]

I wonder how well they will hold up in that hot environment.

[WeatherB]

I wonder how well they will hold up in that hot environment.

I think very well... They are LEDs which are a lot more durable than the florescent bulbs currently used. Also, no ballast is required, which seems to be the weak point of the current configuration.

I sent them an email to find out if they'll be releasing the Orion V2 for the Mazda3.

[Operator]

Price?

[Donutz]

I'm very interested in these ones...

[WeatherB]

Alright, here is the official reply from Umnitza about the Orion V2 for the Mazda3:

"We do not plan on it, but if you have enough people to do it, we can probably make a mold for it.
We’d need over 100 confirmed buyers."

So, I am the first confirmed buyer. Just need 99 more.

[x_o_k_x]

Alright, here is the official reply from Umnitza about the Orion V2 for the Mazda3:

"We do not plan on it, but if you have enough people to do it, we can probably make a mold for it.
We’d need over 100 confirmed buyers."

So, I am the first confirmed buyer. Just need 99 more.

haha lol good luck with that..

I'de be interested depending on the price

[WeatherB]

haha lol good luck with that..

I'de be interested depending on the price

The BMW one costs about $130US, so expect it to be around there.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Alright, here is the official reply from Umnitza about the Orion V2 for the Mazda3:

"We do not plan on it, but if you have enough people to do it, we can probably make a mold for it.
We’d need over 100 confirmed buyers."

So, I am the first confirmed buyer. Just need 99 more.

1 - WeatherB
2 - TheBiz

[ziegs2020]

Seems the umnitza people/brand/etc, are in bad terms with the m3f community.

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=28798.0
http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=49624.0

It's going to be impossible to get those 100 people.

[bubba1983]

that was what? 2-3 years ago!!

[ziegs2020]

Then I noticed this one right at the top lol, http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=16507

[1flycdnM3]

I would be very interested, depending on price ofcourse. But since i am not afraid to bake the headlights (ive done this before many many times) then it would be alot less for me. I think 100 people would be very very difficult though.

[KPao]

For the time it takes to do it $200 is not that expensive. That is what Lockdown use to charge, I think they charge $350 now.

Even for an experienced person it will take 4-5 hours. Plus if they have to warranty their work, which is not usually a simple fix if they need to re-open a headlight (at least two hours).


can you guys give me some info where I can get this thing done anywhere in GTA?? Give me some recommendations, address or phone number would be nice. Thanks.

McGuyver does the installation. Check the sponsor forums for his info. I believe he charges $150.

As for the install, bubba1983 and I did the angel eye install to my car in about 6 hours. The only reason it took so long was because we took our time and did one housing at a time. Also, one of the angel eyes didn't stick to the headlight so we had to reapply the silicon to that one and let it sit again, this took an extra 20 min. All in all if we had to do it again I think we could get it done in approx 4 hours. But the key is to do things right and take the time to make sure everythings done right the first time. With the rain we've had the past week I still haven't had any problems with my headlights in terms of moisture.

I cannot stress enough that taking your time is VERY important. If you want to do this plan a whole day. Watching videos on youtube when things are drying/heating up helps too :). Most of the time you're just waiting for things to dry or heat up (about 2 hours of the install).

That's my two and a half cents


Kevin

[bubba1983]

^^ thanks for the plug man!

[WeatherB]

Ya, I doubt we'll be able to get 100 people interested, especially considering how hard the installation is.

Maybe one of the stores that provide lighting options can get this organized.

[Donutz]

Alright, here is the official reply from Umnitza about the Orion V2 for the Mazda3:

"We do not plan on it, but if you have enough people to do it, we can probably make a mold for it.
We’d need over 100 confirmed buyers."

So, I am the first confirmed buyer. Just need 99 more.

I received the following reply from Umnitza a few days ago:

"We will build one in about 3 months probably."

I'd focus on the "probably". I wonder if they're getting enough interest from the community for these. I'm holding out until winter to see if the orion v2's get released for the 3. :pop

[WeatherB]

I received the following reply from Umnitza a few days ago:

"We will build one in about 3 months probably."

I'd focus on the "probably". I wonder if they're getting enough interest from the community for these. I'm holding out until winter to see if the orion v2's get released for the 3. :pop

Very weird that we got different replies from them just days apart. :loco

I'd definitely get the Orion V2 if they release them for the Mazda3.

[x_o_k_x]

Very weird that we got different replies from them just days apart. :loco

I'd definitely get the Orion V2 if they release them for the Mazda3.

Are those the ones you find in 2008 3 series coupes?? the very bright ones..

[WeatherB]

Are those the ones you find in 2008 3 series coupes?? the very bright ones..

No, they are not the ones that come stock with the BMWs. Those are very yellow and not uniform.

[Operator]

ive had the thinlines, chromiums....
its not worth my time to de-install, and re-instal a new generation...
the chromiums have been very reliable for me...moreso than the thinlines which umnitza origionally brought out to the market years ago

I found a seller that sells CCFL's that don't brown. And with what you stated my CCFL's have been reliable aside from the browning. My big complaint with these is the lack of uniformity as stated in the 1st post. I don't want to see the individual bulbs up close.

[bubba1983]

so far no brown-ing for me, and they are just a year old so far

[Darkfrosty7]

if anyone knows where to get them hit me up...

[ICEBOX]

wow those are really bright in the daytime.

[bluemazda3]

I hope they make it for the 3.. i'd definetly be interested

[McGuyver_3]

McGuyver does the installation. Check the sponsor forums for his info. I believe he charges $150.

As for the install, bubba1983 and I did the angel eye install to my car in about 6 hours. The only reason it took so long was because we took our time and did one housing at a time. Also, one of the angel eyes didn't stick to the headlight so we had to reapply the silicon to that one and let it sit again, this took an extra 20 min. All in all if we had to do it again I think we could get it done in approx 4 hours. But the key is to do things right and take the time to make sure everythings done right the first time. With the rain we've had the past week I still haven't had any problems with my headlights in terms of moisture.

I cannot stress enough that taking your time is VERY important. If you want to do this plan a whole day. Watching videos on youtube when things are drying/heating up helps too :). Most of the time you're just waiting for things to dry or heat up (about 2 hours of the install).

That's my two and a half cents


Kevin

Yes i do the instals at 150$ for them. It takes me roughly 3-4 hours for both of them. The thing that takes the most time is actually installing the angel eyes. Because you have to wait for the silicone to adhere somewhat prior to reinstal otherwise they may fall off again and that has happend to me once. That was my very first instal on my own car. I just installed another set on my car last weekend. Of course in order for them to reseal properly i simply use silicone. I had gone through a couple of days of rain and have gone through a high pressure car wash and so far no leaks. Although i do use a heat gun to open my housings because my mother got very upset the last time i tried to put them in the oven :chuckle

[bubba1983]

time is the key
ive done a few sets on my car, plus kpao's car tooo and time is the key!!

[KPao]

Yes i do the instals at 150$ for them. It takes me roughly 3-4 hours for both of them. The thing that takes the most time is actually installing the angel eyes. Because you have to wait for the silicone to adhere somewhat prior to reinstal otherwise they may fall off again and that has happend to me once. That was my very first instal on my own car. I just installed another set on my car last weekend. Of course in order for them to reseal properly i simply use silicone. I had gone through a couple of days of rain and have gone through a high pressure car wash and so far no leaks. Although i do use a heat gun to open my housings because my mother got very upset the last time i tried to put them in the oven :chuckle

lol congrats on not pissing your mom off.

[Donutz]

Latest update from Umnitza, as of last night, "We’ll have those out next year".

Dang; I've sourced most of the parts for my retrofit. I don't know if I should wait for these!

[ziegs2020]

Seems a bit unusual to be releasing it next year, when the newer 2010 3 comes out, unless that's what they meant.

[Donutz]

I didn't make mention of any years, only that I had a hb. Are the headlights changing?

[Operator]

Seems a bit unusual to be releasing it next year, when the newer 2010 3 comes out, unless that's what they meant.

True.... But the larger market will be the 2004-2009 models.

[Hives]

I have always loved the Angel Eye look, but have held back from doing it for certain reasons. I'm just worried that they won't hold up in our Canadian winters. I dont have the time/money to have them installed/re-installed every season. Once I have them in, I want them to last as long as possible and to function 100% of the time, and also not be removed.

Has anyone had them for at least 2 winters, and not run into any problems?