I know there's a huge thread about LED's for gauge lights, but it seems it's 10 pages of people trying to figure out which lamps provide the least amount of hot spots. Seems like far more trouble than it's worth, not to mention a ridiculously expensive way to simply change your lighting scheme.

Is there anything wrong with just using coated "Hyperwhite" halogen bulbs (or any color) for the gauges and dash lighting? Or do they operate at a higher heat which could melt something?

I don't see why everyone is so hell bent on using LEDs if halogens would work without damaging the cluster. They're cheaper, provide very even lighting and you retain dimmer control. My stock ones have lasted 13 years, so endurance is a non-issue.

 

I think that the reason people choose LEDs is because they are your best bet for changing the color scheme. LEDs are monochromatic, which result in a very pure "crisp" color. Most colored halogen bulbs don't hold their color over time. The coating fades and/or peels over time. LEDs have a longer life, less power consumption, less heat, and you can still use your dimmer