Headlight upgrade: Xenon or LED?

[andrewwynn]

Those are exactly like the ones I bought that were HID. They also had xenon version.

[Masospaghetti]

In my experience (not to be a downer...sorry) aftermarket parts like this usually are of poor quality compared to the OE stuff and will deteriorate / fade / crack in short order.


I'd get a replacement OE assembly and call it a day personally. It's also probably better for resale value.

[andrewwynn]

The ones i got were very good the only thing or complaint was they used a spherical lens for the projector beam vs the "$100s of each" aspheric and/or achromatic lenses so when lighting just the wrong surface you'd see some prism effect. Not a terrible trade off for 90% cost reduction. I'd only notice on white large reflective signs never a big distraction.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

Wow! Would they be plug and play for an '06? ...

Looks like the three Spec-D units offered are only for the pre-facelift model, so no.

[Salty B.]

Originally Posted by Masospaghetti

For the sake of everyone else on the road please do not drop in LEDs into a halogen housing. No matter what people say, there is excessive glare and it's both annoying and dangerous to others.


Either stick with factory Xenon (I have the Xenon system in my 2003 and it's fine) or get a good halogen upgrade bulb. They have high performing halogens such as Philips NightGuide Platinum that do a really nice job, IMO. They certainly have way more output than the 9006 capsules I grew up driving around at night.

Yeah don't just drop in LEDs. Some new cars (looking at you, Hyundai/Acura/most Ford/GM trucks) LED headlights are absolutely blinding at night. After cataract surgery last year all LEDs appear with haloes, and the brighter they are, the further the haloes impinge on the scene. If I have to adjust my side/rearview mirrors to avoid being blinded, your lights are TOO F'ING BRIGHT.

[Masospaghetti]

Originally Posted by Salty B.

Yeah don't just drop in LEDs. Some new cars (looking at you, Hyundai/Acura/most Ford/GM trucks) LED headlights are absolutely blinding at night. After cataract surgery last year all LEDs appear with haloes, and the brighter they are, the further the haloes impinge on the scene. If I have to adjust my side/rearview mirrors to avoid being blinded, your lights are TOO F'ING BRIGHT.

I'd go further to say most new vehicles with LED headlights are way too bright, especially on SUVs and trucks. The lamps are mounted so high up that you are almost guaranteed to be under the cutoff area and the emission intensity is unregulated (as unbelievable as this is, the federal standard does not have any limits for intensity). Stand next to a new Silverado or F150 and notice the headlamps are almost at roof level for a regular sedan. New LED lamps are literally 10x-20x brighter than normal halogens. Look on Amazon and you'll see drop in bulbs advertising 30,000 lumens with names like "The Punisher", which indeed they are.

[Salty B.]

Originally Posted by Masospaghetti

I'd go further to say most new vehicles with LED headlights are way too bright, especially on SUVs and trucks. The lamps are mounted so high up that you are almost guaranteed to be under the cutoff area and the emission intensity is unregulated (as unbelievable as this is, the federal standard does not have any limits for intensity). Stand next to a new Silverado or F150 and notice the headlamps are almost at roof level for a regular sedan. New LED lamps are literally 10x-20x brighter than normal halogens. Look on Amazon and you'll see drop in bulbs advertising 30,000 lumens with names like "The Punisher", which indeed they are.

How illegal is it to mount rear-facing ones to get these assclowns to back off? Asking for a friend.

[andrewwynn]

Quite illegal but check your froend's local ordinance. The penalties are often pretty mild. Eg. "stop doing that please"