STARTEC Taillights... How do they work?

[JamesE30]

Ok, so everyone seems to think that these lights always photograph differently, and never look the same in person.. I guess this has everything to do with reflections and camera flash, but what I would like to know is
What makes the light red, or orange?

I did some searching and found this photo, which makes it look as if it's just the bulbs that are coloured, Is that true?



Because then I found several other photo's which led me to believe otherwise..





Including this one where you can see orange on the far right with no bulb in place..



Now i am beginning to suspect the lenses are coloured, but if thats the case, then why does the colour only appear where the reflective "buckets" are for the globes. Where the lens is backed by the plastic, you can see it's silver, or a dark grey/brown colour depending on how think that part is...


If anyone here knows or has a set and could check, could you please post it up. Either MHW or STARTEC early lights... I need to know what colour the actual plastic lens is (if it's one piece, or multiple coloures heat welded together like the OE BMW lens) And how they produce coloured light.
Thanks!


PS I ask because I am considering manufacturing a replica, or similarly designed light :D


*Oh and I know the fog light section has a separate piece of red reflector behind the outside lens.

[TDE30]

I still don't see the draw to these smoked taillights, they look tacky. Just my opinion though.

Maybe it's just me, but the late model MHW taiilights don't seem to have the photograph problems that I commonly see with early model Startecs. They always seem to look the same.

[archemedes]

could it be 2 layers? Almost looks like the amber is under the smoked part in the one pic. I think they look good on a dark color, but on say my white car they would look like crap

[JamesE30]

I still don't see the draw to these smoked taillights, they look tacky. Just my opinion though.

Maybe it's just me, but the late model MHW taiilights don't seem to have the photograph problems that I commonly see with early model Startecs. They always seem to look the same.

Yes I believe the late model MHW are completely different.

could it be 2 layers? Almost looks like the amber is under the smoked part in the one pic. I think they look good on a dark color, but on say my white car they would look like crap

I disagree







And yeh, I did think maybe it was two layers... Maybe there is someone with a broken set who would know?

[homegrone30]

So where do I buy these?

[Bimmerista]

Here is the straight talk on these tails, MHW did make early tail lights as well as lates. Oddly enough, on the 2 white cars posted above, both have MHW early tails. Startecs have a more "rosey" color to them. My preference is MHW on the early cars over Startec.

I've done so much research because I was considering these tail lights & actually ended up purchasing them for my 86 325es.

So where do I buy these?

Every now & again they pop-up on the forums. But they're very pricey.

[JamesE30]

Here is the straight talk on these tails, MHW did make early tail lights as well as lates. Oddly enough, on the 2 white cars posted above, both have MHW early tails. Startecs have a more "rosey" color to them. My preference is MHW on the early cars over Startec.

I know all of that, But it doesn't answer my question even slightly.
I am not here to talk about MHW and startec, which is which, who made what and when, and what you think looks better.
There is a hole thread about that HERE.


I just need to know how the lens is composed, and if they use coloured bulbs.


Sorry for sounding like a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffles, I just want to keep this to the point. :up:

[euro3]

cups

It's been a while since I looked at them, but I'm pretty sure they have little "colored cups". When the bulb is installed, the cup surrounds the bulb. The outer lens is clear, so you see the color.

[B2702]

MHW and Startec are a complete different tail light , The Startec tails are coloured by the bulbs. You can get them from Germany..they come up on ebay.de here n there..im waiting for my set to come :)

p.s I think Hella use to make them aswell

[JamesE30]

MHW and Startec are a complete different tail light , The Startec tails are coloured by the bulbs.

I'm not sure about that. I know for a fact that these are Startecs:



You can see the orange through the hole on the RHS
I'm quite sure both MHW and STARTEC are the same, the MHW's just use a darker colourless lens.

Here is a close up of the same light where you can see the logo:



Can anyone who actually owns either type, CONFIRM the use of coloured bulbs or otherwise?..

This is really starting to bug me now!

[homegrone30]

So are startec and mhw not around anymore? And James if you do make these I totaly want a set.

[Bey]

So are startec and mhw not around anymore? And James if you do make these I totaly want a set.

NLA. You're going to have to find a set used. Usually goes for around 200-500 depending on the condition

[Stephen]

Someone really ought to make knock offs of these. If you could keep the price reasonable and your profit reasonable, they might just make a killing...

[CAOSyAMOR]

Startec does NOT use colored bulbs, the first pic in this thread are my Startecs and there are no bulbs in them.

I have a pair for sale here http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=119170

[JamesE30]

Startec does NOT use colored bulbs, the first pic in this thread are my Startecs and there are no bulbs in them.

I have a pair for sale here http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=119170

Perfect, so you actually have a set!

If there are no bulbs in that, can you tell me what makes them coloured? is it a double lens? Or a multi piece lens like the OE BMW lights? Or maybe the reflective buckets are coloured?

Thankyou!

*edit

Hang on, you're saying there are NO bulbs in this photo??



Wow that's a weird optical illusion..