I really like the looks of the lower priced alternatives... wonder if the cons you shared would be similar for these too?
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Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Black Projector Headlights (U Type+LED Signal) for 10-14 Subaru Outback / Legacy at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
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I bought from this exact listing, they are the exact same design as zsubiedubies. He was generous about the turn signals' visibility- they are really hard to see even from the front and basically impossible to see from a 45 degree angle, much less the 90 degree angle you would have at a 4-way intersection.
But here's the real kicker: Mine didn't fit. The housing on one of them was molded incorrectly and simply could not be forced into the space. The one that was able to be mounted left a 1-2 cm gap between the hood and the edge of the light, and generally just did not look like they fit in the space, which really bothered me. (I've attached some low-quality pictures I took, but they don't really convey how odd the fitment looks in person.)
While some people have had good experiences with these, I would recommend just getting the SAP headlights on RockAuto if you want a darker headlight, the build quality and safety concerns with these are a deal-breaker for me. I was extremely disappointed because they do look really cool....but if they don't fit then there's really nothing you can do.
TLDR: Aftermarket parts are sometimes poorly made/designed, get OEM parts instead unless you don't care about part fitment or feel lucky.