1157 replacements (tail light bulbs)

[bouncytruck]

The other day I picked up a set of APC Halogen 1157 replacement bulbs. The guy at NAPA said that they are suppose to be much brighter than the standard incandescent bulb. I put one in and discovered it was about half as bright. When I put the tail light lens back on, it was hard to tell that the lights were even on.

What other options (affordable & without modifications) do we have for 1157 replacements. I have heard that some of the LED's aren't very bright either. Who has what brand(s) and how do they work? I'd like to have brighter brake lights than stock, especially since traffic is so wonderful in Seattle and everyone is in such a hurry.