GM OEM Dark Tail Lights vs Amazon ATOPLITE Brand
 

Alright, this is just a quick little comparison of the GM OEM Dark Tail Lights vs ATOPLITE brand from Amazon.


First thing first. The ATOPLITE brand looks to be a great product for a very fair price, so if you're working on a budget this is not a bad way to go. You can also buy just the tail lamps, 3rd brake light, or a complete kit that comes with the tail lamps, 3rd brake light, and dark reflectors.

Cost:

GM OEM Tail Lights - $450-$475 depending on where you buy from.
GM OEM 3rd Brake Light - $100-$125 depending on where you buy from.
Aftermarket Dark Rear Reflectors - $20-30 depending on where you buy from and brand.

Total cost for full rear end darkening: $570-$630

ATOPLITE Tail Lights ONLY - $305
ATOPLITE 3rd Brake Light ONLY - $59.50
ATOPLIGHT Kit (Tail Lights, 3rd Brake Light, Rear Reflectors) - $359.50

Total cost for full rear end darkening: $359.50


Packaging:

Packaging from both was very well done, no complaints here.

GM Packaging:

https://i.imgur.com/qAh9X59l.jpg

ATOPLITE Packaging:

https://i.imgur.com/hrz6gXel.jpg


Fitment:

Fitment was identical, lens quality was comparable to the OEM, and overall quality was pretty close. The lens on the ATOPLITE 3rd brake light, is actually noticeably darker than the GM OEM, can be seen in the picture below, the light on the left is the ATOPLITE brand, and the right is GM OEM.

https://i.imgur.com/0q8Q1sMl.jpg

Lighting:

Without having the ATOPLITE brand side by side with the GM OEM Lights you probably wouldn't notice the difference in lighting, but the ATOPLIGHT brand is noticeable less bright(DRLS) Brake light intensity was similar, but the GM OEM still took the win on brightness.

Below is a picture I snapped of my install. Keep in mind that the tail light on the driver side is the OEM GM Lights, and the passenger side is the ATOPLITE brand.

Notice in the picture how on the ATOPLITE brand light, you can see some light coming just to the left of the light, that is actually the one thing I noticed that i did not like about them, there is a small gap near the end of the housing, where that bit of red light came shining through, very noticeable compared to the GM OEM not allowing any extra light where it doesn't belong.

https://i.imgur.com/wIEMDnql.jpg

Hopefully it's just the angle of the picture, but the light on the right seems to cut out part way across?

Just the angle, the light does not cut out.


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Detailed and brief! Good job Tricksta. This will be helpful for everyone looking to make this type of purchase.

Thanks! I don't mind doing these types of comparisons!

The ATOPLITE brand is definitely well worth the ~$200 savings if you are on a budget, but if you are very picky and detail oriented and want perfection like me, OEM is the way to go.

Great thread. Thanks

Here is mine, with sequential turn signal.
250 USD on Aliexpress.

always glad to help

They don't look terrible, just not a fan of the sequential effect.. Do the bottom "eyebrow" not light up as DRL's on those?

Eyebrow is ok.

Great thread, nicely done write up.

Thanks!

I had summit credit and summit gift cards and summit is 10 minutes from the house so I bit the bullet and went with the gm smoked lights. I am amazed how much these change the car, I need the third brake light now. Either either one will look better than the stock ugly ass red

The dark lights definitely instantly increase the looks.


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