HID vs LED headlight bulbs?

[jwaldo432]

My current set up is 55w 6k HID in both my hi and lo beam headlights (lo beams are in a projector housing). I was looking around and found that the aftermarket now offers a LED conversion that has drivers (not just a led bulb, but like an HID kit's ballast.) and cooling fans on it. Would swapping over to the LED bulbs be worth it or no? Current HID kit claims 2800 lumens and the LED kit offers 1800 lumens. The reason for the potential swap is that I'm tired of explaining the legality of my HIDs to officers and the texas traffic code says nothing about LED headlights, nor do the federal regulations.

For those in Texas a nice slice of info is that you CAN have HID installed but must be in a housing made for them (I.E. projector), Must be less than 60 watts and a neutral color (no blue or exotic colors). They DO NOT have to have DOT stamps on them since the revision says "bulbs MAY have DOT markings", Just make sure your housings are DOT/SAE stamped and please have them aimed correctly.

 

[soulsea]

I was looking around and found that the aftermarket now offers a LED conversion that has drivers (not just a led bulb, but like an HID kit's ballast.) and cooling fans on it. Would swapping over to the LED bulbs be worth it or no?

No

 

[jwaldo432]

No

What makes you say no? Not to be disrespectful or anything, just wondering.

 

[CHOO CHOO]

Look in his sig and read all about the lighting aspect of hid vs projector and everything else. Serge is the resident expert when it comes to lighting

 

[NathanJax]

What makes you say no? Not to be disrespectful or anything, just wondering.

HID is still better lighting than LED. However, the life of LED bulbs is longer and they turn on to full power right away (HID ballast have to warm up)

 

[Passin Thru]

You forgot to mention less heat and less current draw

 

[YukonXL04]

Actually the current draw isn't a whole lot less. Also high power leds generate alot of heat as well. That's why they need such large heat sinks. We just installed some 50w led housings on the outside of a building. Super bright and equivalent to a 250w metal halide. But they are the size of a shoe box because of the huge heat sink.

 

[jwaldo432]

ok, I will be staying with HIDs lol. Saw those and thought I would ask the all mighty Tahoeyukonforumers. Thanks y'all.

 

[fiatdale]

I have the LED's and have for about 8 months now. Absolutely love them. Are they bright for oncoming drivers? A little, yes, but then again so are all the lifted trucks with their halogens hitting me right in the face. Can't worry about it all, but I do like the LED being solid state, instant on, and very white.

 

[Stam2000]

I have the LED's and have for about 8 months now. Absolutely love them. Are they bright for oncoming drivers? A little, yes, but then again so are all the lifted trucks with their halogens hitting me right in the face. Can't worry about it all, but I do like the LED being solid state, instant on, and very white.

Any chance you could post a night pic with them? And where did you get them from?

 

[jwaldo432]

I have the LED's and have for about 8 months now. Absolutely love them. Are they bright for oncoming drivers? A little, yes, but then again so are all the lifted trucks with their halogens hitting me right in the face. Can't worry about it all, but I do like the LED being solid state, instant on, and very white.

Do you have them in a projector or just put in the stock halogen housing? and x2 for some night pics if you can.

 

[fiatdale]

Got them from eBay. I'll try to get a pic tonight or first thing in the AM. Stock housing. They are WHITE.

 

[Goodinblack]

Got them from eBay. I'll try to get a pic tonight or first thing in the AM. Stock housing. They are WHITE.

Want to see this as well