Here's my recommendation. Others who have tried different styles, feel free to disagree or comment based on your experience.

If you want the brightest, whitest light, go with the Supernova.

Personally, I prefer the Superstar because of the slightly bluish tint. It's almost as bright as the Supernova. If you decide on the Superstar, make sure you get the "New and Improved" Superstar with heatsink!

I haven't tried the SMT Tower, but I wouldn't use it in my license plate because our license plate bulbs point straight down. The Tower has a wide projection angle and I'd expect some of the light to be wasted. Therefore, the best style is something with a unidirectional, narrow projection pattern. If you plan on using the bulb for something other than your license plate, you may find that the SMT Tower or something else works better than the Superstar or Supernova.

Of course, if you have the $$$, just buy two or three different bulbs and try them out

 

i know I'm bringing up an old thread, just an update...

I've since upgraded to the wedge bulbs that GotuningTommy sells. Its by far the brightest LED for the license plate I've found/tried.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...&#entry11935322

 

I have the SMT tower LEDs in my license plate, trunk, and parking lights. They are all 194 size and really help give the lighting a modern look.

First ones on this page:
http://autolumination.com/194.htm

 

I used the WLED-WHP wedge bulb from superbrightleds.com and it looks amazing on my GPW!

fourth one down
http://superbrightleds.com/mini-wedge.html

 

It seems like most of you are looking at drop-in replacements but I highly recommend these LED board lights. The kit comes with 5 different adapters and will work in the dome, trunk and license plate locations on the S. I've replaced all of mine and they are very bright. The great thing is that all 6 LED's on the board shine in the same direction so there isn't any "wasted" light in any of the mounting locations that I have mentioned above.

The board does have to be mounted with double-sided tape (included) but I have been very happy with it. A bit pricier as well but, again, very bright.

http://www.isfanatics.com/forums/sho...d.php?p=130035

 

too lazy to check all 7 pages of this thread...but using a single LED creates a "hotspot" (where one part of the license plate gets the most light). if the LED is rounded...you can sand off the rounded part so the light isnt concentrated in one spot..it will be more evenly distributed.

OR...

has someone thought about rigging a CFL light tube/strip that can be found at your local computer store?

 

I can't say about the other drop in replacements, but the wedge led in the link I posted above is a very wide angle emitter. You can look at the picture and tell that it doesn't have the conventional "lens" molded onto the diode. Most people also don't realize that there is a lens over the stock plate lamp socket as well that does a very good job of evenly spreading the light.

I'll try to snap a shot when I get home from work tonight.

 

The board LED kits have 6 LED's per board. Hotspots really aren't an issue with them. Another reason why I'd recommend them.

 

creates a little hotspot, but it's no worse than the Lexus either. Both the board kit and the wedge replacement create a nice look, so the difference is pretty much pay ~$20 or $5, completely up to the owner

 

takeshi, would you mind taking a pic of your license plate LED too? I think I may go that route. at least for the interior, that link you posted has some really nice and bright shots in their Lexus'!