eBay LED light strips

[TTP]

Hey guys ,I did a search on LED lights here and didnt see anything archived about these. Does anyone have any experience with these things?
Several listings for 12V strips, about 16ft long, 300 LED's, waterproof and 3M backing. Price ranges from $25-40 shipped.
I know Bluewater is the standard, and their lights look top-notch, but Im searching for a more cost effective method if its available.

[luke1wcu]

Bluewater will be your most cost effective route in the long run. I've "been there" and "done that" with the Ebay alternative and went to Bluewater within 6 months. Your baby deserves the best!

[jameson93]

love to the meatwad! yeah just do a search for bluewater on this thread! make sure you have a free hour or two to look at pics!

[TTP]

Thanks. I was hoping someone had tried these out and could comment on them.
Ill take another look at their site and see what package fits my needs.

[Mike Daleo]

There is nothing wrong with buying cheaper lights because they fit your budget right now. You will end up with lights not working and nowhere to turn to replace them, but so what. If you want, let me know what you are looking for and I will try to make it as cost effective as possible.

[-BjBnet-]

every cut in the BlueWater strips is watertight.

I've had BW Leds under the hood of my jeep for about 3 years now, blistering summers, extreme winters and they haven't failed me yet.

[TTP]

Thanks Mike. I appreciate the offer. Right now Im trying to tackle the cost of power poles. Hopefully Ill be seriously looking into a set of lights later in the Spring.
Also, thanks to the rest of you fella's that have gave your opinion on the LED's.

[Sooner496]

Bluewater!!!

[Ron S]

The lights I have seen that come from ebay are no where near as bright as what mike offers. A guy I know mounted some on his trailer and they give off a nice glow but when I put one of Mikes 12" strips next to one of his 36" strips there was no comparison. BW lights even using a 9 volt battery were at least 3 times as bright.
I bought some UV light strips thinking I would make my own night fishing lights from Ebay. They work ok if you fish 12 feet from what you are casting to. I am going to Try the Blue Water UV lights now that Mike is offering them on the same rail I had the Ebay lights on. If they are as bright as the other Blue Waters I will love them.

I cant say for sure but I would also say the Ebay light color has faded to more of a white/ blue glow over the last 6 months and the stip its self has strated yellowing.

If you do buy the cheaper lights do so knowing you will want to upgrade very soon. I did put some of the white led lights from ebay under my fender steps a couple years ago and they are still working fine, but these are lights I dont care what they look like because they are covered.

Watch for when Mike puts kits on sale. You can get a great deal on the best lights and not worry about haveing to replace them. BW lights have the best warrentee around but I have never heard of anyone having to use them personaly.

[WATER DOG 2]

Just asking , where did my post go about BullyBass and Terry Hobbs installing lights and me listing his phone number earlier , he has done a few lights on some friends of mines boats in the past and does a great job also . Not trying to with the comment just trying to help him out also.

Here is his number again if any interested that lives in TN or surrounding states 615-642-3085

[haveme1]

A link to what you are looking at would help others to give an opinion on .....

[fastman151]

Some times, and this is one of them, you get what you pay for!!!!

[TTP]

Thanks for the continued replies. I have decided to hold off on the eBay LEDs. When the time comes I will be looking at the BW lights a lot closer.

[WATER DOG 2]

Trust me , Terry Hobbs knows what he's doing when it comes to these lights. Just give him a call he will help you out with what you need and very reasonable with his $$$$ on installing these for you .

[Tamale]

There is several people down here in central Texas with those ebay LED light strips in thier rub rails and they look damn good. You can get the lights for practically nothing. I know some of them are going on 2 yrs, and havent heard of any failing, but for $2.50 who cares if they go out.

[g352nv]

Year later my ebay ones are still good

[-BjBnet-]

You know what's funny? Most Americans complain about the economy and the power of their dollar (rightfully so in most cases) but then instead of supporting local businesses (or BBC sponsors) they still go to Ebay to get a "better deal" from china and such.

I have my own LED business and can get LEDs from my suppliers but I still use BlueWater on my boat and my customers' boats because he has tried and tested most of that ebay stuff you find (and so have I for that matter).
You might pay a bit more but that's because every strip is made separate, it's not a long strip cut into lengths, soldered and shrink tubed. It's sealed all the way to the ends. Take a BW strip apart and you'll see what I mean....I have just to show my customers. The thing about his LEDs is not that "they have been in for year and still ok", it's the long run that matters with LEDs.

[Mike Daleo]

thanks BJ, I appreciate your integrity and that is a rare thing these days. It seems that everyone is in a hurry to make or save money regardless of quality or service and when it comes to budget I certainly understand that. I would just ask that anyone on a tighter budget give us the opportunity to try and make something work within their needs.

With several of our longtime dealers going out on their own and starting LED businesses after operating through us, we are even more willing to make things work for those who are willing to get the best from us. We are here for the long term and we will be offering our lifetime warranty ALWAYS. I have put my life into this business which means my family, my house, and everything I have depends on how I treat my customers and I take it very personally.

We have recently purchased some equipment that will alow us to keep our product made here and we believe that people will see that as worthy of their dollars. After inventory issues iin the past, we have guaranteed to always have a huge inventory so we are more able to work with people to get them what they want, when they want it, and for affordable prices.

[tundra mike]

To the guys going to ebay LED's, yea its your money an such however i have been researching and lookig into he bluewater system for quite sometime! For your "money" there is no better deal! Yea ulyiu can buy off ebay pay less but when something stops working then what? Yea sure alot of ppl say "oh well it was cheap!" idk about you guys but i work hard for my money and i want my money to last in watever it is i put it into! As far as customer satisfaction it doesnt get any better than mike at bluewater! These days you cant find an "owner" of a business that is willing to help you out no matter what the situation. Of course this is just my opinion and it boils down to what "YOU" as a person want! Great product at a fair price with a guarantee while supporting "OUR" economy! Or supporting economies overseas with no guarantee and no customer support!

[Elite Rods]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by tundra mike &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">To the guys going to ebay LED's, yea its your money an such however i have been researching and lookig into he bluewater system for quite sometime! For your "money" there is no better deal! Yea ulyiu can buy off ebay pay less but when something stops working then what? Yea sure alot of ppl say "oh well it was cheap!" idk about you guys but i work hard for my money and i want my money to last in watever it is i put it into! As far as customer satisfaction it doesnt get any better than mike at bluewater! These days you cant find an "owner" of a business that is willing to help you out no matter what the situation. Of course this is just my opinion and it boils down to what "YOU" as a person want! Great product at a fair price with a guarantee while supporting "OUR" economy! Or supporting economies overseas with no guarantee and no customer support!</td></tr></table> Lets not forget about the value it adds to your boat when you're ready to upgrade. Bluewaters for me!