Stealth Light Cannons: Development process
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis MD
The projector lense (is it lens or lense? I can never figure that one out) is designed (if I'm not mistaken) to stand up to some "abuse" kind of like a fog light? Ever hear of a foglight lense busting from a rock? I haven't. If the shroud were color matched, that'd be no different (exposure-wise) than the old headlight cover. I just think that given how nice it looks with the tubing (and just a little bit of extra work to finish it off), the BPP-style lense would be totally superfluous! If the lights are sealed, unless they're really fragile (which I doubt), they should be quite durable. You gain nothing perceptible in terms of aerodynamics with a separate lense. Aesthetically it's irrelevant, since the lense is practically invisible.
Obviously the manufacturing cost on this project is SIGNIFICANTLY increased by the BPP-style lense. That's a huge cost per unit for virtually no benefit. How many more units would he sell (which from 10 feet away would look IDENTICAL and should hold up just as well) if the price were say $745 or $695? I think the answer to that question is obvious!! LOTS AND LOTS!!
[Do LOVE that Zonda!
]
Obviously the manufacturing cost on this project is SIGNIFICANTLY increased by the BPP-style lense. That's a huge cost per unit for virtually no benefit. How many more units would he sell (which from 10 feet away would look IDENTICAL and should hold up just as well) if the price were say $745 or $695? I think the answer to that question is obvious!! LOTS AND LOTS!!
[Do LOVE that Zonda!
]
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,479
Likes: 416
From: Devil's Island CA
The projector lense (is it lens or lense? I can never figure that one out) is designed (if I'm not mistaken) to stand up to some "abuse" kind of like a fog light? Ever hear of a foglight lense busting from a rock? I haven't. If the shroud were color matched, that'd be no different (exposure-wise) than the old headlight cover. I just think that given how nice it looks with the tubing (and just a little bit of extra work to finish it off), the BPP-style lense would be totally superfluous! If the lights are sealed, unless they're really fragile (which I doubt), they should be quite durable. You gain nothing perceptible in terms of aerodynamics with a separate lense. Aesthetically it's irrelevant, since the lense is practically invisible.
Obviously the manufacturing cost on this project is SIGNIFICANTLY increased by the BPP-style lense. That's a huge cost per unit for virtually no benefit. How many more units would he sell (which from 10 feet away would look IDENTICAL and should hold up just as well) if the price were say $745 or $695? I think the answer to that question is obvious!! LOTS AND LOTS!!
[Do LOVE that Zonda!]
Obviously the manufacturing cost on this project is SIGNIFICANTLY increased by the BPP-style lense. That's a huge cost per unit for virtually no benefit. How many more units would he sell (which from 10 feet away would look IDENTICAL and should hold up just as well) if the price were say $745 or $695? I think the answer to that question is obvious!! LOTS AND LOTS!!
[Do LOVE that Zonda!
]
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
Juste fore thee recorde, it'se lense...withoute thee 'ee' one thee ende! 
er...
Just for the record, it's lens, without the 'e' on the end!
And I've always kinda liked the popup lights on the C5, and love the Light Cannons. But George, I must say that I'm just about sold on the Stealth Light Cannons. Can't wait to see the finished product!
Aloha,
Larry
er...
Just for the record, it's lens, without the 'e' on the end!
And I've always kinda liked the popup lights on the C5, and love the Light Cannons. But George, I must say that I'm just about sold on the Stealth Light Cannons. Can't wait to see the finished product!
Aloha,
Larry
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 946
Likes: 2
2 thoughts:
1) You should strongly consider shaping the area above the projectos slightly. The best would be follow the lines of the tubing along the top of each projector, making them taper back. It would be very easy to do with filler, and would compliment the hood lines nicely.
2). My other thought is - why have the lenses at all? If the projector is sealed, they're really unnecessary, and just add a lot of cost. Specterwerks has a similiar no-lense headlight, but yours is FAR superior due to the "stealth" design.
The tubing does look good, but that can't be the only detail/shaping with or without a lense. Trust my artist's eye on this one.
1) You should strongly consider shaping the area above the projectos slightly. The best would be follow the lines of the tubing along the top of each projector, making them taper back. It would be very easy to do with filler, and would compliment the hood lines nicely.
2). My other thought is - why have the lenses at all? If the projector is sealed, they're really unnecessary, and just add a lot of cost. Specterwerks has a similiar no-lense headlight, but yours is FAR superior due to the "stealth" design.
The tubing does look good, but that can't be the only detail/shaping with or without a lense. Trust my artist's eye on this one.
I agree on both counts -- Maybe the lens can be an option? Now if the shroud was more C6-ish, I'd definitely want the lens, but as it is...
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
2 thoughts:
1) You should strongly consider shaping the area above the projectos slightly. The best would be follow the lines of the tubing along the top of each projector, making them taper back. It would be very easy to do with filler, and would compliment the hood lines nicely.
2). My other thought is - why have the lenses at all? If the projector is sealed, they're really unnecessary, and just add a lot of cost. Specterwerks has a similiar no-lense headlight, but yours is FAR superior due to the "stealth" design.
The tubing does look good, but that can't be the only detail/shaping with or without a lense. Trust my artist's eye on this one.
1) You should strongly consider shaping the area above the projectos slightly. The best would be follow the lines of the tubing along the top of each projector, making them taper back. It would be very easy to do with filler, and would compliment the hood lines nicely.
2). My other thought is - why have the lenses at all? If the projector is sealed, they're really unnecessary, and just add a lot of cost. Specterwerks has a similiar no-lense headlight, but yours is FAR superior due to the "stealth" design.
The tubing does look good, but that can't be the only detail/shaping with or without a lense. Trust my artist's eye on this one.
The projector lense (is it lens or lense? I can never figure that one out) is designed (if I'm not mistaken) to stand up to some "abuse" kind of like a fog light? Ever hear of a foglight lense busting from a rock? I haven't. If the shroud were color matched, that'd be no different (exposure-wise) than the old headlight cover. I just think that given how nice it looks with the tubing (and just a little bit of extra work to finish it off), the BPP-style lense would be totally superfluous! If the lights are sealed, unless they're really fragile (which I doubt), they should be quite durable. You gain nothing perceptible in terms of aerodynamics with a separate lense. Aesthetically it's irrelevant, since the lense is practically invisible.
[Do LOVE that Zonda!]
[Do LOVE that Zonda!
]you can choose not to install the lens however the shroud is designed around the lens which will leave a small gap between the hood and shroud.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,776
Likes: 928
From: Indianapolis IN
Looking FANTASTIC!!!!
Please keep the lens. I think your price point is very reasonable for a "custom" designed, "hand made" option that NO ONE ELSE OFFERS. You are not gonna please everyone all the time.
I am only painting the shroud body color, the lens will remain clear. (Thinking about applying some 3M Clear Bra to the lens for added protection and scratch resistance).
Secondly, VERY glad you decided to redo the shroud. Shroud Version 1.1b (LOL) looks much much better.
Quick question, I am leaning heavily towards the Halo option, is the shroud design the same with or with out Halo's?
And I think I should get an extra special super deep discount for being the first on the list.
Steve
Please keep the lens. I think your price point is very reasonable for a "custom" designed, "hand made" option that NO ONE ELSE OFFERS. You are not gonna please everyone all the time.
I am only painting the shroud body color, the lens will remain clear. (Thinking about applying some 3M Clear Bra to the lens for added protection and scratch resistance).
Secondly, VERY glad you decided to redo the shroud. Shroud Version 1.1b (LOL) looks much much better.
Quick question, I am leaning heavily towards the Halo option, is the shroud design the same with or with out Halo's?
And I think I should get an extra special super deep discount for being the first on the list.
Steve
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Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Looking FANTASTIC!!!!
Please keep the lens. I think your price point is very reasonable for a "custom" designed, "hand made" option that NO ONE ELSE OFFERS. You are not gonna please everyone all the time.
I am only painting the shroud body color, the lens will remain clear. (Thinking about applying some 3M Clear Bra to the lens for added protection and scratch resistance).
Secondly, VERY glad you decided to redo the shroud. Shroud Version 1.1b (LOL) looks much much better.
Quick question, I am leaning heavily towards the Halo option, is the shroud design the same with or with out Halo's?
And I think I should get an extra special super deep discount for being the first on the list.
Steve
Please keep the lens. I think your price point is very reasonable for a "custom" designed, "hand made" option that NO ONE ELSE OFFERS. You are not gonna please everyone all the time.
I am only painting the shroud body color, the lens will remain clear. (Thinking about applying some 3M Clear Bra to the lens for added protection and scratch resistance).
Secondly, VERY glad you decided to redo the shroud. Shroud Version 1.1b (LOL) looks much much better.
Quick question, I am leaning heavily towards the Halo option, is the shroud design the same with or with out Halo's?
And I think I should get an extra special super deep discount for being the first on the list.
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,776
Likes: 928
From: Indianapolis IN
I'm designing the shroud so that the Halo rings will fit the base shroud. I just Ordered a set today for testing. The Halo shroud MIGHT require some minimal trimming or additional forming but it shouldn't look significantly different. The Halo rings are 79mm OD and the face of the projectors are 80mm so asthetically there should be no structural difference. The halo rings will be glued to the projector face.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 8,840
Likes: 43
From: State of Confusion.
If you look at all of the OEM's, they have the plastic over the lenses (in a capsule probably because they're easier/cheaper to make that way).
I'd keep the plastic cover. It does raise the cost of the lights, but it also protects the optics inside. While you may have never heard of a rock hitting the lights, I have and it wasn't cheap to replace (BMW light around $1600, but their stuff is WAY overpriced)!
You could make the cover optional for the peeps that are willling to chance it and save some money. Personally, I'd never buy them without a cover, but that's my .02 and you get what you pay for!
I also agree that a set of eyebrows over the projectors would look pretty cool and make the lights have a more finished look to them!
Once again George......Great work!
I'd keep the plastic cover. It does raise the cost of the lights, but it also protects the optics inside. While you may have never heard of a rock hitting the lights, I have and it wasn't cheap to replace (BMW light around $1600, but their stuff is WAY overpriced)!
You could make the cover optional for the peeps that are willling to chance it and save some money. Personally, I'd never buy them without a cover, but that's my .02 and you get what you pay for!
I also agree that a set of eyebrows over the projectors would look pretty cool and make the lights have a more finished look to them!
Once again George......Great work!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,654
Likes: 5
From: Silver Spring MD
I'm not gunna lie I was hoping for a bit more contours on the shroud. As I poster earlier, I would love to see it look similar to the C6's, especially with the bezels of the projectors showing...
It just looks so clean, especially if you could do away with the ribs. Not sure how much space you're dealing with, so I'll just keep to myself over in a corner
. 
It just looks so clean, especially if you could do away with the ribs. Not sure how much space you're dealing with, so I'll just keep to myself over in a corner
.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 4
From: Delmar Delaware
I'm not gunna lie I was hoping for a bit more contours on the shroud. As I poster earlier, I would love to see it look similar to the C6's, especially with the bezels of the projectors showing...
It just looks so clean, especially if you could do away with the ribs. Not sure how much space you're dealing with, so I'll just keep to myself over in a corner.
It just looks so clean, especially if you could do away with the ribs. Not sure how much space you're dealing with, so I'll just keep to myself over in a corner
. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 980
Likes: 18
From: Columbia, SC
+1. I was really looking forward to this deal (though the cash is still a bit elusive), but the inner shroud really turns me off. I love the placement of the bulbs, the low sleek design, but that shroud is begging for more contour up top. I would also go for a more concave curve as it ramps up to the top in difference to the convex shape you have now.
Please don't take this as anything past constructive criticism, I think you have done a bang up job so far. Bravo. Bun in all honesty, that shroud would stop me from buying them. Maybe we can't see the subtle detail in the mock-up and the final product will be awesome... I'm just going off what I see here.
Please don't take this as anything past constructive criticism, I think you have done a bang up job so far. Bravo. Bun in all honesty, that shroud would stop me from buying them. Maybe we can't see the subtle detail in the mock-up and the final product will be awesome... I'm just going off what I see here.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Gettysburg PA
Just looking at that C6 picture it almost looks like if your slid a piece of PVC over the projectors, and had a cut piece similar to what you already made stick out past the end of the the lower front of the projector; your could probably get a killer shroud made by thermo forming a sheet of plastic over the entire setup.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
The biggest issues with contouring as much as the C6 are clearance with the main lens and the shape of the projectors themselves. I would love to have done more shaping but that would have compromised structural integrity or function.
I did shave off another 1/2" on the projector cutout tubes to make teh piece look a little more appealing. keeping with the smooth lines and shape of the C5, having a bunch of sharp edges just doesn't match the rest of the car's looks.
I'm running a littlee low on my photobucket bandwidth so i will post up pics of the finished mold tomorrow.
I did shave off another 1/2" on the projector cutout tubes to make teh piece look a little more appealing. keeping with the smooth lines and shape of the C5, having a bunch of sharp edges just doesn't match the rest of the car's looks.
I'm running a littlee low on my photobucket bandwidth so i will post up pics of the finished mold tomorrow.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,138
Likes: 11
From: Fremont CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Very close to commiting on the advance purchase, but what about blinkers. Can you do a mockup to show how integrated blinkers would work.