HID vs LED for Headlights

[Grug556]

there are side by side comparison photos showing HID's projecting light further than LEDs

The reason for this is most likely due to the nature of how the light is emitted in the projector lens, the LED has 2 or 4 point sources rather than an omnidirectional light output, this is going to be a disadvantage in a projector lens

Yeah but its not all apples to apples here. At best you can say from the photo that brand X hid did better than brand y LED. Other brands may reverse this or not.

 

[e60ral]

the projector is made for a 360 degree light source, LEDs will always perform poorly. you will get a good amount of flooding, but you won't have that central hot spot needed to project light further away

 

[meder24]

Agreed, I may just end up with an overboosted LED hi beam and go from there. What bugs me though is when I throw the hi's on it turns off the fogs! Damn so much for triple..blinding power!

There is a reason for this though as fogs and high beams are not meant to be used at the same time. Fogs are intended to illuminate directly in front of your vehicle. You cannot have both the near and far distance vision at the same time. Your eyes simply cannot adjust to this.

 

[Grug556]

There is a reason for this though as fogs and high beams are not meant to be used at the same time. Fogs are intended to illuminate directly in front of your vehicle. You cannot have both the near and far distance vision at the same time. Your eyes simply cannot adjust to this.

YEah I get that...having all three running is sort of like a poor mans light bar! :drum:

I guess I have to get the light bar now....that you ruined my hopes and dreams of being stingy :target:

:heh:

 

[meder24]

YEah I get that...having all three running is sort of like a poor mans light bar! :drum:

I guess I have to get the light bar now....that you ruined my hopes and dreams of being stingy :target:

:heh:

That isn't to say that is cannot be done though as ultimately it is your rig. So the dream doesn't have to die.

 

[Grug556]

That isn't to say that is cannot be done though as ultimately it is your rig. So the dream doesn't have to die.

you crushed my dreams man...:humble::laugh:

 

[Bishop98]

This LED option doesn't look so bad. Will still need to see it in person.

https://www.facebook.com/elstiggarage/videos/1913655635522695/

 

[FORErunner911]

Can't let [MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION] have all the fun on any headlight discussion LOL. Kinda weird they would put a halogen bulb in our HID-designed-projectors :lol:

TO OP: Go with HID, but get a good kit. Morimoto Elite or XenonDepot Phillips.


Off-topic, [MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION], went ahead last week and upgraded to hylux 45w ballast on my retrofit w/ phillips white-vision-2 bulbs..... big improvement in output (vs. 35w morimoto and osram nightbreakers)!

 

[mustangr2]

Throw my 2 cents in. I went led xenon kit for my headlights. I went this way for a couple of reasons. One I went all led for my high beams and fogs and side markers so I was thinking it would look better all matching. Also the xenon led kit was about 100 cheaper than doing the 4300k hid kit so I could do the led foglights for the money I saved. I will throw my review of them all at some point. I am pretty happy with the whole look and kits overall. I don't think they are as bright as doing the hid for sure but still think they are better than stock. I can say the led foglight from xenon made a pretty big difference though.

 

[AZ Craig]

Yeah but its not all apples to apples here. At best you can say from the photo that brand X hid did better than brand y LED. Other brands may reverse this or not.

Grug,

Just curious, what low bulbs are you running? I almost went with a Xenon Depot H11 replacement a few weeks back, but ended up just sticking with a halogen for now. I wish there was a good 4 diode bulb out there which I feel like would be best for our projectors, but I've yet to find one.

For the record, the DDM Tuning Saber and Saber Pro are absolutely ridiculous for the 9005 high beam. Best $55 or $85 you can respectively spend on an upgrade in my opinion.

 

[Thepedigree13]

In my experience with both HIDs and LED bulb upgrades is that the whiter light gives a cleaner look, but does not provide any further visibility, in many cases your visibility, especially distance, is reduced.

I think people get the impression they have better visibility because the light is brighter and a different temperature. I suppose A lot of people just do it for the "look", and that's cool, I get it.

I just see A lot of vehicles on the road with these sort of "upgrades" and their headlights are either irritating because they reflect without purpose, or they are irritating because it is simply a ricer mod and looks low class.

Maybe I am getting old.

My suggestion is if you want a cleaner look, go for a whiter oem bulb. If you simply need more light, (off roading at night, hunting, rural areas, etc) you cannot beat a good light bar.

TLDR

Don't make our nice 4runner look like the 1992 Oldsmobile everyone sees on 22" wheels and HIDeous lights.

 

[e60ral]

In my experience with both HIDs and LED bulb upgrades is that the whiter light gives a cleaner look, but does not provide any further visibility, in many cases your visibility, especially distance, is reduced.

I think people get the impression they have better visibility because the light is brighter and a different temperature. I suppose A lot of people just do it for the "look", and that's cool, I get it.

I just see A lot of vehicles on the road with these sort of "upgrades" and their headlights are either irritating because they reflect without purpose, or they are irritating because it is simply a ricer mod and looks low class.

Maybe I am getting old.

My suggestion is if you want a cleaner look, go for a whiter oem bulb. If you simply need more light, (off roading at night, hunting, rural areas, etc) you cannot beat a good light bar.

TLDR

Don't make our nice 4runner look like the 1992 Oldsmobile everyone sees on 22" wheels and HIDeous lights.

then you had shit HIDs

The XD phillips 4300k project light much much further, it's not even close

 

[Thepedigree13]

I've never had HIDs that weren't oem. My experience is based on all the pure shit I see on the road.

I agree though, if you get a quality kit, they may perform well. The problem is most people get the cheapest or maybe they feel frisky and get the second cheapest kit off fleabay, or Amazon.

I still stand by the fact that if the housing was not designed for HIDs then the reflection can be annoying for other people.

I have seen a handful of cars that did not come with HIDs and were upgraded to HIDs that actually performed well.

 

[e60ral]

I've never had HIDs that weren't oem. My experience is based on all the pure shit I see on the road.

I agree though, if you get a quality kit, they may perform well. The problem is most people get the cheapest or maybe they feel frisky and get the second cheapest kit off fleabay, or Amazon.

I still stand by the fact that if the housing was not designed for HIDs then the reflection can be annoying for other people.

I have seen a handful of cars that did not come with HIDs and were upgraded to HIDs that actually performed well.

The projector cutoff is good

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Thepedigree13]

Good to know.

I looked at the HIDs you were referring to. They look like a good option. I may look into them in the future, in the 4300k.

 

[cmilviper]

then you had shit HIDs

The XD phillips 4300k project light much much further, it's not even close

This man speaks the truth....It really is not even close.

 

[vpg86]

anyone have a recommendation for me?

I love the LED look, and basically just want something better than stock and 6000K color.

Whats a good set up that changes Hi Beams/DRL, Low beams and fogs?

 

[Heavy_GD]

I upgraded to HIDs and don't get flashed, but I feel like I'm blinding everyone. The cutoff is so noticeable that I'm constantly aware of how far behind a vehicle I am so I'm not shining headlights in their mirrors. The light is so much better, but I'm considering swapping to something different and adding a light bar.

HID's in the 5.5gen projectors have great light cutoff

I see this thread went multiple pages while I was off the grid.

You two are correct, the cut off is pretty sharp.

UPDATE: As directed I adjusted the lights and the scatter issue is gone...

As for those asking about the brand, Diode Dynamics has a really nice kit.

 

[Grug556]

Grug,

Just curious, what low bulbs are you running? I almost went with a Xenon Depot H11 replacement a few weeks back, but ended up just sticking with a halogen for now. I wish there was a good 4 diode bulb out there which I feel like would be best for our projectors, but I've yet to find one.

For the record, the DDM Tuning Saber and Saber Pro are absolutely ridiculous for the 9005 high beam. Best $55 or $85 you can respectively spend on an upgrade in my opinion.

Went with Xenon depot LED kit. IT was the more expensive one with the fabric cooling straps. I am quite happy with it.

 

[e60ral]

I see this thread went multiple pages while I was off the grid.

You two are correct, the cut off is pretty sharp.

Unfortunately the light "scatter" is out of control, Ive seen my runner coming in my rear view mirror and it was not pleasant. I can only imagine on coming traffic with a dirty windshield.

As for flashing, its a no harm, no foul mentality.

As for those asking about the brand, Diode Dynamics has a really nice kit.

scatter isn't a thing if you have good cutoff

what is often the problem is that the headlights are aimed too high from the factory, and it becomes an issue when you make the lights brighter. just check and adjust your headlight aim after you install your lights, its pretty common for them to be too high before adjusting.