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View Full Version : Umnitza Orion v2.5 Install/Review (05 sedan)



baz11
11-29-2013, 04:43 PM
Umnitza Orion v2/v2.5 (http://www.umnitza.com/predator-orion-v2-led-angel-eyes-with-remote-p-1198.html)

So Umnitza was having it's annual black friday sale this past week, and as I had been researching angel eyes for a week or so, called them up on Monday 11/25 with all intentions of ordering their Orion v2 4300k Angel Eyes (AE) with night controller for my 05 imolarot ZHP. I talked with Matt (who i believe does most of the work advertising and helping out customers on the forums). Unfortunately, he said they had run out of the v2 4300k (they weren't really supposed to be part of the BF sale either on top of that) and they wouldn't be arriving until sometime in december at the earliest. He immediately recommended their new (summer 2013) v2.5 in 6k, saying they had 2 left at $135 shipped (v2.5 does not come in 4.3k yet). I was pretty set on 4.3k, but after him immediately emailing me pictures of a customer car with the 6k and him pushing me to buy the 6k v2.5, I figured since the normal price is $200+shipping I should just buy a pair of the v2.5s, and if I don't like them put them up on the marketplace and break even. That way I could tell if I liked angel eyes in person - pictures are one thing, but seeing something in the flesh is another.

So I ordered the v2.5 6k angel eyes (I also was told that the night controller wasn't necessary and a DIY rheostat was cheaper and more flexible), which don't have the option to add a night controller for some reason. For anyone not familiar, the night controller is supposed to dim the angel eye lighting when the factory xenons turn on. The order was processed Monday morning in the west coast, and I picked them up from my doorstep Wednesday afternoon. Fast shipping! (from CA to the great lakes)

Because install how-to's are commonly found, this post will be more of a review and "lessons learned" for the installation rather than a tutorial.


http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/aerobaz11/IMG_3004_zps01b5ef0f.jpg

So, the angel eye box came in a large USPS envelope, the box consisted of the wiring harness, 4 angel eyes (90 led each), instructions, and 4 'splice connectors'. The angel eyes have a slight yellow color when powered off due to the LEDs. I installed these over the course of 2 days (taking my time) as this was during thanksgiving holiday. Disassembling the light assembly was easy, although I did run into a quick snag as the driver-side factory xenon ballast (see below) has a phillips-head screw underneath that I couldn't find to remove the rubber plug to route the angel eye wiring out.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/aerobaz11/IMG_3015_zpse860f4c6.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/aerobaz11/IMG_3014_zpsd30899e0.jpg

One thing I wasn't expecting, and was a little disappointed with was the fact that the rings nearest to the grille don't fit flush with the headlight bowls. Also you can see here that there is a slight tinge of yellow. Not terrible, but it definitely is noticeable if you are looking at the headlights. Stock (without the AEs) looks cleaner.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/aerobaz11/IMG_3029_zpsbf708f9c.jpg

Also, in numerous places online and in the instructions with the kit, it is mentioned 'Do not slide the AE ring all the way back into the projector'. I didn't, however the issue is that the clip mount angle causes the ring to sit angle, not perpendicular to the top of the xenon surround. Apart from bending the angel eye clips and possibly breaking them, I'm not sure if that can be resolved. Once you have the black headlight surround and the lens on though, it is visible, but no one is going to notice except for you.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/aerobaz11/IMG_3022_zpsd1e2f385.jpg

One thing I should note, my headlight lenses are likely stock (~110k on the car), and need replacement. I plan to order a new set of lenses from ECSTuning. You can buy a polishing kit for $20 and an hour+ of your time, but I'd rather pay a little more just for a brand new set. Like others have mentioned, you notice your lenses are more pitted with the AEs due to the wide light spread.

I wired in a rheostat to allow dimming of the AEs per this excellent tutorial: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=677806. It didn't take long and wasn't difficult as long as you can walk in to a radio shack and solder wires together. So far I have been using ~85% of max I would guess. Visible during the day and not too bright at night. In the future I might tie in an auto dimmer with the xenons turning on at dusk to allow for full bright during the day (like the $40 night controller Umnitza sells)

Angel Eye Pictures (these are super hard to photograph like you would see in real life). All pics un-edited, taken with iPhone 5s

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/aerobaz11/IMG_3053_zps2648f803.jpg

With DRLs on, I like the faint warm yellow glow.
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/aerobaz11/IMG_3064_zps2400c290.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/aerobaz11/IMG_3085_zpsf275bb8e.jpg


Summary

Positives
+ v2.5s Look Great - 6k color much better than I expected. I haven't seen 4.3k in person, but I would say I 6k looks very 'OEM' (especially when dimmed with a rheostat) and likely prefer it to the 4.3k (as Matt suggested)
+ Umnitza - super fast shipping and good customer service (great price too!)
+ Good instructions - everything you would need for a basic install was supplied with the Umnitza kit. (shrink wrap, wire conduit, etc for "OEM" wiring install is extra)
+ Did I say they look great?
+ DIY Rheostat works as expected, dimming light output with the turn of a knob (in the engine bay currently)
+ 'Remote' trigger wire option super easy to install for AE functionality when locking and unlocking car. The included splice connectors are super helpful.
+ Wiring harness had ample length (yet easy to bundle up in conduit for OEM look), mesh black covers over much of the length of the wires is a nice touch.

Cons (pretty minor)
- Angel eye fitment could be better. 99.9% of people will never notice, but if you like perfection, it's not going to be perfect.
- Slight yellow tinge to AEs when viewed from certain angles. Other viewing angles look OEM. A small gripe.
- Install instructions could include how to remove silver ballast box to get at rubber boot on the rear of the driver-side headlight assembly.
- Hard to photograph with an iPhone! :)

Overall, I'm very satisfied with the v2.5s!! A good buy from Umnitza. A future step on this install (maybe in a few months) would be a Euro LCM to better control the angel eyes (on/off, rheostat dim) from the cabin. Thanks!

:like

PS - a note about the 6k color, it looks much different in person than many pictures you see online. If I had to provide an estimate of the most representative pictures on a red car, this below would be closest.

With stock xenons on you can see the difference between xenon and AE up close, but 1) the difference fades away at normal viewing distance & 2) the v2.5 6k color is a very true white
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/aerobaz11/IMG_3036_zps700ddc64.jpg

danewilson77
11-29-2013, 06:30 PM
Thanks for contribution.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

QC_ZHP
11-29-2013, 06:34 PM
Hmm interesting and nice review. Do you think you'd go with Umnitza again or order elsewhere?

Avetiso
11-29-2013, 06:50 PM
I used 3M double sided to tape to get them flush with the projector. My rings are perfectly flush and don't move at all, and everything still works perfect. I think my clips are all the way in, as well. I don't know why they say not to do that, but it creates no issues as far as I know.

Good work! I agree about the 6k color. It looks more blue in pictures than it actually is. I like it.

Vas
11-29-2013, 08:33 PM
I used 3M double sided to tape to get them flush with the projector. My rings are perfectly flush and don't move at all, and everything still works perfect. I think my clips are all the way in, as well. I don't know why they say not to do that, but it creates no issues as far as I know.


Just put the tape on the back of the rings?

baz11
11-29-2013, 08:40 PM
Hmm interesting and nice review. Do you think you'd go with Umnitza again or order elsewhere?

Yes, I'd go with them again.


I used 3M double sided to tape to get them flush with the projector. My rings are perfectly flush and don't move at all, and everything still works perfect. I think my clips are all the way in, as well. I don't know why they say not to do that, but it creates no issues as far as I know.

Good work! I agree about the 6k color. It looks more blue in pictures than it actually is. I like it.

Yes, I had read about that prior to the install. I don't understand how double sided tape interfacing with only a corner of the ring would stick though, doesn't seem like that would be that strong?

baz11
11-29-2013, 08:43 PM
Also, I'd say the 90 LEDs in the v2.5 helps to reduce the "pearl necklace" look the v2 can have, although the v2.5 is likely not as uniform as their v4 model with 120 LEDs

Avetiso
11-29-2013, 11:40 PM
Just put the tape on the back of the rings?
For the xenon, I put a piece on the bottom to hold it against the projector shroud. For the halogen reflector, I moved the ring as far as I could towards the xenon. This way, more of the ring was visible without being hidden by the bezel, and I was able to mount a piece of double sided tape to the corner and got it to hold tight.

Yes, I'd go with them again.



Yes, I had read about that prior to the install. I don't understand how double sided tape interfacing with only a corner of the ring would stick though, doesn't seem like that would be that strong?
The cheap stuff they give you, isn't. 3M double sided tape will hold very well.

QC_ZHP
11-30-2013, 05:57 PM
You've got me considering the v2.5's now. I wonder how they look compared to the v2 opaques. You mind posting some distance pics?

baz11
12-01-2013, 10:50 AM
You've got me considering the v2.5's now. I wonder how they look compared to the v2 opaques. You mind posting some distance pics?

I don't have the skills to take distance pics of mine. These shots look pretty close to what mine look like (I'm not sure if M0nk3y has opaques or regular v2).

http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12098738&postcount=643

I think with the opaques you could just paint the regular v2s with some kind of 'frost clear' and achieve a smilier effect.

baz11
12-01-2013, 10:57 AM
Also,

Regarding the 'remote' feature, I forgot to mention above I followed this DIY:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=635793&highlight=angel+eyes+remote+diy

Very straightforward, no need to remove the glovebox. Just pry out the the footwell light, feed the remote wire through the rubber plug in the firewall, and splice into the red wire going to the footwell light.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/aerobaz11/IMG_3052_zpscae434c3.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/aerobaz11/IMG_3050_zpsd5e31858.jpg

poke08
12-09-2013, 09:44 AM
Looks great. My 2.5's came in on saturday I believe so when I go home on Wednesday, I'll be installing them.

baz11
12-09-2013, 05:34 PM
Looks great. My 2.5's came in on saturday I believe so when I go home on Wednesday, I'll be installing them.

Nice! Post up some pics when you are finished.

Here are a few more iphone-quality pics of my setup.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/aerobaz11/IMG_3092_zps36b9453f.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/aerobaz11/IMG_3094_zps48693641.jpg

poke08
12-09-2013, 05:52 PM
Definitely. I may also need to order some new lenses if I can't get them cleaned up to my standards so we'll see how everything goes.

QC_ZHP
12-09-2013, 09:03 PM
Dat intercooler...

poke08
12-11-2013, 06:40 PM
I never got any splice connectors with my angel eyes. Hopefully I have some laying around so I can install them tonight.

baz11
12-11-2013, 09:31 PM
I never got any splice connectors with my angel eyes. Hopefully I have some laying around so I can install them tonight.

that's too bad. they gave me 4-5 when you should only need 2 at most. I'd think radio shack or an electronics-based store should have some for a few bucks. hope the rest of the install goes smoothly!

ELCID86
12-12-2013, 06:47 AM
Nice write-up. Did I miss how you wired them to come on? Manual with the parking and/or headlights?

baz11
12-12-2013, 10:12 AM
Nice write-up. Did I miss how you wired them to come on? Manual with the parking and/or headlights?

I wired them how Umnitza tells you to by splicing into the accessories +V in the engine bay. I was planning on buying another LCM and integrating the rear fog light button into on/off for angel eyes, but have since decided I don't think that's necessary. Instead I'll likely setup a similar setup to the 'night controller' to dim the AEs when the headlights are on (cheaper than the $40 they charge).

ELCID86
12-12-2013, 10:15 AM
I wired them how Umnitza tells you to by splicing into the accessories +V in the engine bay. I was planning on buying another LCM and integrating the button into on/off for angel eyes, but have since decided I don't think that's necessary. Instead I'll likely setup a similar setup to the 'night controller' to dim the AEs when the headlights are on (cheaper than the $40 they charge).
So to clarify, you have to manually turn them on whenever you want them on?

baz11
12-12-2013, 10:24 AM
So to clarify, you have to manually turn them on whenever you want them on?

No, they are always automatically on.

You would need to wire in additional switch to turn on/off

QC_ZHP
12-12-2013, 10:24 AM
So to clarify, you have to manually turn them on whenever you want them on?

Sounds like he wired them as 'always on'

EDIT: oops

ELCID86
12-12-2013, 12:09 PM
No, they are always automatically on.

You would need to wire in additional switch to turn on/off
Thanks. I think I like this idea, just haven't thought through it enough. Like are there times I might run down the battery or be sitting still and want them off.