Are LED headlights really OK for low beams? Comparison pictures.
 

Hello everyone,

Just posting some quick info. We constantly have customers ask about using LED bulbs in low-beam headlight applications, like the FR-S. I just took these shots for a customer, to show them why the LED bulbs on the market are still not a good option, even when using a halogen projector, like that found on the FR-S. Just thought some of you may appreciate this comparison!

Most companies selling these products for low beam application show very poor comparison pictures, where they are washed out so you can't actually see the beam pattern. They claim that the output is good. The real pictures below tell a very different story.

Cutoff doesn't matter. Many companies justify that the output of their LEDs is OK, just because there is a cutoff line. Sure, you don't want light sprayed everywhere, but more importantly, you need light focused properly. As you can see, the factory halogen light is focused into a very tight beam, with a hotspot right at the center, which shines light far down the road. This is key to performance and visibility. You want all of the light focused right in the center, with a small area to the sides also illuminated, and just a bit below.

Total lumen numbers don't matter ...unless it's focused. Many sellers claim high lumen numbers, telling you the output is higher than halogen. In reality, the total output is usually about the same as halogen, and sometimes it's a bit higher. But since it is not being focused where it should be, the end result is that your visibility will decrease. It doesn't matter how much light you have if it isn't going in the right direction. As you can see, if you use an LED bulb for your headlights, you'll get some light output, but it will not shine very far down the road because it is not being focused into a hotspot at the proper location.

Just for comparison, we included a standard HID output. With HID, you get a focused beam, and a lot of light, so there is indeed a significant improvement in visibility. However, you do add quite a bit of light everywhere as well, including some on the top end. The main problem with HID is when it is installed into reflector housings, and the factory optic cannot direct this extra light properly. However, the projectors in the FR-S are quite good.

Summary: when you're looking at your low beams, an upgrade to OEM HID headlights is the best option, but an HID conversion is still a much better choice in terms of output and visibility compared to the LED bulbs on the market.

Of course, these LED bulbs are still a great option when you don't need focused light- such as high beams or fog lights. But there is still a long way to go before they are suitable for low beams.

Paul
Product Development
Diode Dynamics

Interesting! I'd been on the fence about using LED in a headlight application and I'm glad I decided against it in the end after seeing this.

Yep, LED lighting is very focused and the design of the housings is completely different than halogen or HID. The most effective designs I've seen are using virtual filaments.

If I had an FRS, I'd be looking at possibly retrofitting a set of Corolla LED projectors in...

This is great info as I like your summary. I haven't changed any of my bulbs yet, but if I did, I'd go with an HID conversion/upgrade for lows. This also gave me a better understanding as I've been on the fence about using LEDs for DRL/Highs.

:(:( Sigh....I was looking at getting HID's but found out Hawaii law doesn't allow them unless it's installed from factory.

I thought that was illegal in all states... But the thing is most cops don't care for illegal headlights unless it's really bad. You will have to gamble that one...

But I am glad I bought a BRZ for the stock HID and LED DRLs~ :)

:mad0260:Yuh, I tend to have shitty luck so I'd probably end up getting pulled over by cops and get a frickin ticket. Only thing left for me is to get LED DRL's and Fog Light set from Diodedynamics.com

Appreciate the feedback everyone!

Can always get a set of OEM headlights with HID (Monogram has them)

The answer is as simple as this:

Unless it's an OEM engineered/manufactured LED headlight, no LED headlights are not a viable alternative to HIDs.

So if I understand correctly, LEDs like these would be fine to use as DRLs?

I've try the latest LED bulbs and the light output is not as focus as HID and HID is bright straight to one point, but the LED bulbs will see much wider area, it is even wider than Halogen and much wider than HID.
HID is just bright right in front of the car and the light are not spreading out and not far enough. If you're in a really really dark area, you can see the light output from quality LED bulbs are much wider and spread out than HID.
When I said quality LED bulbs, I am not saying those made in China/Taiwan no brand LED bulbs from the internet or ebay.

Just my 2 cents.

What distance were these pictures taken?
What filter did you use?
Do you have any pics further away and maybe no filter?

upgrading the stock projectors and then adding hids will be the best bet. but most people will not upgrade the stock projectors so just throwing an hid kit is better than halogen. LED will only be good if the actual diodes are placed in the same location as the filament in the halogen.