Better Headlamps or Projectors?

[Rochev]

Heres a long one but a good'n. I know there's endless HID and LED upgrades but the issue isnt the lights, but the headlamp itself in the way it projects light. (Check out 2017 Taurus on IIHS under headlight review.) I have several pricey LEDs and HIDs that I routinely swap as I mostly drive at night, especially in the winter. None of them are brighter or shine further than the other.

SO, its come to the point of looking at new cars based on headlight usefulness. (Accord, Altima both with LED shine several hundred feet further, as do most). Instead of buying a new car, is there a EU or Asian version headlamp I can find that is better? Its the case with old BMWs and others since they have regulations for safety. I would absolutely hate strapping a light bar to my Taurus but the lights just dont shine far at all. I could get a 55w HID for brightness but dont want to melt the housing, and I prefer LED.

If you made it this far, thank you and I look forward to opinions!

 

[yaycandy]

I agree the lights are not as good as other cars from the past 10 years. But ive only seen higher power hid bulbs and ballasts but i havent seen anything about them to know if they are actually better. We may be just stuck with the stock headlights, at least for now

https://www.xenonhids.com/dual-beam-hi-lo-9012-led-headlights-nova-series.html?i=yoXPm

Not sure what the stock bulbs look like to compare but you would still need a controller and canceller/capacitor to hold power so they dont flicker with the alternator voltage when its high and low. Im sure something can be figured out for led conversions

 

[Rochev]

Thanks for that link. I have LEDs now and havent had any issues at all, but I believe they are 4000 lumens, not 4900 like those. The more the better, as long as they are aimed correctly!

 

[xFallenxCripplex]

It's the projectors they are poorly made
The fxr is the best hid projector I know of https://www.theretrofitsource.com/bixenon-morimoto-fxr-stage-3.html
But not sure if they will fit but I'm sure any one will be better then we have
Then morimoto has a led retrofit that the led is built into the projector that I have installed on my f150 I'll have to get the two sitting next to each other to compare but the beam pattern is better and the light output seem just as good https://www.theretrofitsource.com/bi-led-morimoto-m-led-2-headlight-projectors.html

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Long rd taurus hi
Long rd taurus lo
Long rd f150 hi
Long rd f150 lo

 

[Rochev]

Wow that looks nice. I think replacing the projectors is a little too advanced for me. Anyone have experience with Deauto HIDs? Ive read really good things but they are pricey. Also, im not sure if HID or LED is better. Distance and brightness is a huge factor for me.

 

[xFallenxCripplex]

Wow that looks nice. I think replacing the projectors is a little too advanced for me. Anyone have experience with Deauto HIDs? Ive read really good things but they are pricey. Also, im not sure if HID or LED is better. Distance and brightness is a huge factor for me.

I've been recommended to get the Phillips d3s 4800k https://www.theretrofitsource.com/d3s-philips-42403xv2-xtreme-vision.html
This coming from people that play with headlights and get real measurements.

But the real issue is the beam pattern that replacing the projectors will make a much better difference

But the price of doing that on the daily driver is alot since I have to buy a new set of light housing's and projectors and no one has any measurements of the Taurus internals so not sure what projectors will actually work

Changing projectors has been easy for me I've done it twice.
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[SHOdded]

HID will trump LED in just about every instance where the entire headlamp assembly is not designed for LED. Since you referred to the IIHS study, see how many OEM LED designs even rate well. Pretty sad. So LEDs in OEM projectors are an "acceptable" combination. The morimoto combo looks interesting tho.

 

[Rochev]

I appreciate the feedback. It is a problem, in the US mostly, with poor headlamp output. Interestingly, the halogen projectors on my Hyundai perform much better with LED than HIDs. I think its because the limited trim comes with LED but AFAIK factory LEDs don't use projectors, bit actual diodes in mini projectors?

Anyway I think I'll go with HIDs again in the Taurus since you mentioned they weren't designed for LED. Seems like it will be more or a hit or miss. I just don't like the warm up period if I get back in the car after its been off for a few. Also they all seem to be greenish

 

[SHOdded]

You can speed up the warmup by using 55W ballasts with 35W lamps, but it might still take a second or two to full brightness. If you went that route, wiring power direct to battery is a good idea.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/55W-AC-Qui...on-Light-HID-Ballast-Replacement/192821277643
Of course, quality may not be there with this particular product. And you want a smooth rampup so as not to stress the bulb. So you get a ballast from a known source such as TRS or DDM etc.

Have not heard issues of "green-ness" with HID. LED, yeah, especially on the outer edges and cheaper products. Having a good power supply can sometimes resolve this issue.

 

[xFallenxCripplex]

You can speed up the warmup by using 55W ballasts with 35W lamps, but it might still take a second or two to full brightness. If you went that route, wiring power direct to battery is a good idea.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/55W-AC-Qui...on-Light-HID-Ballast-Replacement/192821277643
Of course, quality may not be there with this particular product. And you want a smooth rampup so as not to stress the bulb. So you get a ballast from a known source such as TRS or DDM etc.

Have not heard issues of "green-ness" with HID. LED, yeah, especially on the outer edges and cheaper products. Having a good power supply can sometimes resolve this issue.

The stock osram ballast are very quick to warm up.
upgrading them to 55watts would make them brighter but then headlights will burn up quicker. Probably every two years.
And your right I'd stick with morimoto aftermarket ballast because they have a good warranty and other then osram have had great experience with them.
I tried ddm first and have always had ballast and light issues after a year even when using the capasitors they possibly can't handle our cold always go out in the winter.
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[James.609]

Thanks for that link. I have LEDs now and havent had any issues at all, but I believe they are 4000 lumens, not 4900 like those. The more the better, as long as they are aimed correctly!

I’m look into converting to LED’s is their any special equipment needed ?

 

[xFallenxCripplex]

I’m look into converting to LED’s is their any special equipment needed ?

Dremel and patience mostly if this is your daily I'd get a second set to do the install on if your going with a retrofit from morimoto
My first attempt at this with a hid retrofit took me at least 24 hrs my next retro took 3 hrs

You should not need any beutel sealant what is in the headlight already is reusable and seals very well.

Best way I like to open them up is put the headlights in a oven on some wood at 200 for 10 minutes so that the heat will be all thru it this just allows to not deal with re heating.

although once you get it warm and you feel it taking more pressure to open it up from getting cold you just hit the rest of the area your working with a heat gun for a few seconds and pull some more.

Those are the two main methods I know of a flat head may make it easier to open them. Or a set of plastic pry tools.

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[LilCop2002]

Dremel and patience mostly if this is your daily I'd get a second set to do the install on if your going with a retrofit from morimoto
My first attempt at this with a hid retrofit took me at least 24 hrs my next retro took 3 hrs

You should not need any beutel sealant what is in the headlight already is reusable and seals very well.

Best way I like to open them up is put the headlights in a oven on some wood at 200 for 10 minutes so that the heat will be all thru it this just allows to not deal with re heating.

although once you get it warm and you feel it taking more pressure to open it up from getting cold you just hit the rest of the area your working with a heat gun for a few seconds and pull some more.

Those are the two main methods I know of a flat head may make it easier to open them. Or a set of plastic pry tools.

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Have you done a thread on your retrofit you can share? Though I'm not currently in the market to do this, I find it very interesting for future needs.

 

[xFallenxCripplex]

Have you done a thread on your retrofit you can share? Though I'm not currently in the market to do this, I find it very interesting for future needs.

It was on a 01 Subaru the first time then a 94 f150 the next
I do have video of the first but it was so poorly done I'm ashamed to edit and put it up

My second I did it with the morimoto mled

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[xFallenxCripplex]

When I get home I'll try to compare projectors
The light output of the OEM hids and the morimoto led are nearly the same just no warm up what I'd love to have and not have to worry about the on off killing the bulbs quickers
And changing the bulbs are no fun
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