Nicole

I just posted about this on the 924/944/951/968 board, but I thought some of you might be interested in seeing the difference between the glossy, high quality products I offer versus some low cost alternatives.

Note the transparency - the "blue" you can see through my lenses. The gloss and transparency is how I can tell from 50 feet away, if someone uses my lenses...

123

I saw a set of other brand ones in person once. I really don't remember anything about the clarity of those. I think I was too busy looking at how warped they were to notice much else. That may have been a particularly bad set, but seeing them and knowing that they'd been sold to someone was plenty to keep me from considering buying anything from that supplier. It really wouldn't have mattered how much cheaper they might have been.

RyanPerrella

I have to agree with you Nicole, yours are probably nicer. I have a set of the Klearz and they need to be sanded and polished and they will look good. The substrate is there and its workable. I would have bought yours had you had a better price. I think they are way to expensive. I paid $60 for the TS lenses and the SM lens with housing together. I think yours would run me close to $200.

Make them in bulk and reduce the cost per unit and I think you would sell allot more, and also make more money by selling 5x as many. (although there are fewer and fewer 928's running around so the market is ever shrinking, so perhaps not) I never even considered yours because of the price.

I thought I would post honestly and give you some feedback from my point of view.

I would love to see you come up with a new rear lens for the rear lights on S4's and later. You can make an all red version, or a slightly smoked (ala 2000 model 996) version. I know there is a better way to get rid of the orange in the rear then using testors transparent paint.

User 41221

Nicole,

I have a set of Klearz (I provided them the original set to make their molds off of) and have no doubt that yours are worth the additional cost. Keep the quality up!

Regards,

Nicole

Ryan: I appreciate your honest feedback! Here are a few comments...

1. The only feasible way to make such lenses is (in very simplified terms) to create silicone forms, hand cast each lens, then cure it in a special oven.

The alternative would be making metal casts for injection molding, which would be an investement way beyond what this market could ever justify - it sure would not make the lenses any cheaper, unless we'd sell thousands (which we can't).

2. We don't spare any expenses to make these lenses worthy of being put on a $80k Porsche, and worthy the time and effort it takes to do the conversion. For the lenses we use the highest grade materials we can buy, and have spend a lot of time perfecting our casting process to yield this consistent level of high quality. There is much more to it than you might think - my customers get to enjoy the outcome, but how we get there is our secet...

3. The effort to make each of these individually, along with the material cost and the weak US Dollar make it impossible to offer these lenses for any less. The only alternative is not to offer them anymore. Then you have only one choice left.

4. You get what you pay for. Everybody needs to decide for himself, what the conversion is worth to him. Obviously, its worth less to you than to my customers. That's totally OK! I know I can't please everyone, as much as I'd like...

5. I have stated before that we cannot make replacement lenses for the rear of the 928 S4/GT/GTS due to their sheer size. Our equipment does not support that size, and it's not feasible to upgrade for a few lenses - particularly when people end up not buying them because of cost.

(I currently need to guarantee a minimum of 20 pairs before a new product is even looked-at; if special equipment is required, the quantity would likely have to be much higher, or the cost will go through the roof)

Think about it this way: What does a mass produced 928 tail light cost? A hand cast tail light lens in good quality would cost at least as much or more. Based on your statemens above, I somehow doubt you'd buy a pair...

6. We have a conversion for the amber section of the 78-86 models, but little interest so far. It might be because it takes advanced skills to install those. S4 tails would be even more tricky, as there are no "frames" for the lens sections. One little mistake in cutting out the amber could ruin the whole tail light. I don't think that would make my customers happy. If we have to do the labor, it will be prohibitively expensive, as it takes a lot of time to get it right. Then we'd have to factor-in warranty risk on top of that...

ROG100

Hi Nicole,
I just fitted some of your clear turn signals and the fit was perfect.
However I did have to drill out the screw holes as they were blocked with plastic.
Customer is very happy.
Best,
Roger

MGW-Fla

I just ordered the complete set front & rear of the side marker covers & housings; along with the front clear blinker covers & Euro clear front bumper insert replacements for the wife's '91 S4. She is psyched & can't wait to see it on her S4. Kinda cool when you ask the wife what she wants for her birthday & she rattles off a list of items for her 928!

I agree 100% with the thought of keep your quality up to par with the quality that Porsche made the cars. I don't want to be putting less quality products on one of our hand made super cars. That's being penny wise & pound foolish, or as you said Nicole, you get what you pay for. A cheap product lessens the entire overall look of the car, especially, something as noticeble as the lens covers. Someone walking by your 928 in a parking lot can see that from 20' away. It might be different if it was not seen. For me, if its exterior, in the engine bay, or in the interior, I don't want it looking like junk on our sharks. Simply cause if no one else sees it, I will.

Thanks for doing what you do Nicole!

Shane

I bought the klearz lenses and Nicoles both.

The Klearz I sent back just about immediately as the quality sucked to such a point that I could never imagine putting something that terrible on one of my Porsches.

Nicoles on the other hand are exactly like the stock color lenses and are CLEAR without any imperfections. A product that I'm proud to put on all of my Porsches!!

Thanks Nicole!!

RicerSchnitzzle

Sorry to dig up an old thread but I just got my clearz on and what a difference.

I have nicoles on the side. Nice and clear, in fact you can see the unlit amber bulb through the lens in bright sunlight! Maybe too clear, as I let a little bit of glue run into the lenz while drying and it's fairly apparent when you look up close. My fault..
I have the Clearz on the front turn signals. One came with a huge scratch which they will only replace if it's completely in the visible section. Other lens had a big peice of flash around the screw hole on the inside that caused the lens to crack slightly when I screwed it on. They are very foggy by comparison to nicoles side markers, with many air bubbles. They are soft and pliable like model plastic. Looks more at home on the daughters "Barbie" jeep.

Finally Clearz customer service just sucks. I sent many, many messages to them about slow shipping. they ignored all until I claimed with PAYPAL and left negative feedback on ebay. Then, amazingly they responded! With a return neg against me. They must be a bunch of 12 year olds. I PAYPAL'd with an instant payment at auction end. Payment within seconds. They take over 3 weeks to deliver with not one email or ebay message answered. Then retaliate with a counter neg on ebay. Good thing nobody cares about feedback anymore..most vendors will not leave feedback until after you do so first. Cowards!

Funny I believe Nicole left mine first after payment.

My clearz lenz are free to good home, just pay shipping. I'm ordering Nicole's.

Nicole

Hi Terra-pistris:

I'm glad to hear you (and others) appreciate the quality of my products!

If the amber bulbs under the clear lenses bother you, there will be a solution shortly. I'll be offereing LEDs for the side markers that will be clear when off.

For the front turn signals, I still favor the silver 1157 bulbs that you can buy on ebay. I have not found a supplier for those who wants to give me a reasonable deal, so for now I recommend getting those on ebay. Another alternative are the silverstars, but their tealish shine are not everybody's cup of tea - they look a bit ricy...

pasa

Clearz lenses suck I bought two pairs, it took them 5 months to deliver them and the quality is just sh_t. Don't waist your money on that junk.


Dan 1990 928GT