Best low beam headlight? Crystal vs LED vs?

[Plutei]

A clash with a kangaroo has left one of my original sealed beams illuminating even worse than it did before (as unbelievable as that seems) so I'm in the market for a new set. My main concern is the quality/brightness/spread of the low beam's as I've got extra driving lights to take care of the high-beams, as well as the price (student budget).
So questions.
1. Would I need to update the wiring if I opt for LED? I know Dervish's fix and would use that if I opted for Halogen.
2. Has anyone used a knock-off LED set off Ebay? What did you think?
3. Ignoring any other changes (wattage or wiring) are the Wipac crystals any better than the originals (I think they're the same as the SVX lights??)?
4. Has anyone been unhappy with LED replacements? Particularly Truck-Lite I'm curious about as JWS is beyond my price range
5. Would anyone recommend HID? I have zero experience with them except that I hate all the idiots with their bodgy conversion dazzle jobs.
6. Where can I get Cibie Z-beams? Have only ever heard fantastic reviews but seems they're out of production?

[Grumbles]

Sorry mate I can't help you but watching with great interest.

As an aside I did inquire recently from my Landy independent work shop about replacing my original Rangie Classic factory headlights - H4 7 Inch - with new ones the same but not LR factory brand. The quoted price of $800.00 a pair plus fitting turned me away from that idea very smartly.

[Tote]

We put a set of Narva clear polycarbonate 7" halogen lamps into SWMBO's wrangler after a similar incident. They are a significant improvement on the factory glass halogen units and don't get stone chips either. About $80 on special at Repco...

Regards,
Tote

[Michael2]

...
1. Would I need to update the wiring if I opt for LED? ...


4. Has anyone been unhappy with LED replacements? Particularly Truck-Lite I'm curious about as JWS is beyond my price range


Hi Plutei,

I replaced my IPF QH headlights with the Truck-Lite LED units.

The Trucklite I got have a universal / military spread, that means they spread out and low on both sides on low beam and can be used in RHD or LHD jurisdictions. I'm not sure if the latest version is RHD biased.

I have probably aimed them a little low, as I wasn't sure whether they'd dazzle like HIDs. The light is good (High Beam is better) and even on high beam it doesn't seem to dazzle other drivers. So I better adjust them up a little.

The benefit of the HIDs is that the light switch won't get hot carrying a large current and eventually fail, which is common for factory Defenders. The Truck-Lites were not a disappointment after the IPFs with upgraded wiring, so I don't think they'll be a disappointment after factory lights.

A short (19") light bar complements the High Beam nicely, and there really isn't need for much more up front lighting at the speed the Defender travels at; so less lights over your radiator.

[JDNSW]

The biggest improvement you can make to low beam, regardless of what type of light, is to fit relays so the lights are operating on full voltage. For low beam, it is unlikely that fitting any lights above the legal light output is worth the problem of fitting headlight washers and wipers and levelling as is required (this applies to all HID lamps and probably many other lights as well).

As you comment, the better spread of light is the important bit. It is hard to get clear information on this aspect of any replacement lights, but I was recommended and got some years ago Cibie halogens, which were an improvement on the originals, but I like the look of 'crystal' lights, although there is no inherent reason for their performing better. And I really would like to be able to justify LED lights, but I at present I don't think they are worth the premium cost at present.

John

[Greg4427]

Hi, I've had the Trucklite LED's in my 90 and had them taken out when I traded up to my 2016 110. I was really very happy with them and loved the improvement. I thought they had been aimed a bit low at first but after a while considered they were spot on. I'll have them installed into my 110 when I have a couple of jobs for Les Richmond to do for me :)

[Plutei]

Thanks all. Where and for how much did you source the trucklites? I think I'll go with either the narva free forms or the trucklites but it comes down to the price I can get the LEDs for.

[ozrob]

The standard glass H4 semi sealed headlamps are quite good....yes I believe so, after fitting a set of Philips Xtreme globes and relay.
HID in H4 is very poor as the globe focus is poor on the reflector.

[Greg4427]

Hi Plutei, I bought the pair of them from Westar Truck Centre in Derrimut Victoria for $751 (pair) which included GST :)

[Plutei]

Ouch! I've heard of them going for as little as $450 but I think there must have been something special going on there as I definitely can't find them for that little.

But I have found the Narvas for $85 at Supercheap.

[karlz]

LED light is too white.
Being white, it has less penetration thru Haze, Fog, rain. Your better off with a halogen.
Even in normal conditions, you are more likely to spot the roo with a halogen than a LED.

My preference for standard lights is the Philipps Xtreme rather than the Crystal

LED though has some advantages.
It's less likely to break.
Draws less power.

I use LED for my camp lights.

[newhue]

And here I am thinking the the 55/60 TDCI glass lenses are pretty good, especially if adjusted correctly. I do have the relay upgrade however and don't drive much at night. Well not remotely at 100km/h.
I have found Narva "blue" H4 series globs a bit of a wast of money. The light is marginally whiter from the seat, only slightly better visibility or perhaps just different, but last 1/3 the time of the boring ol halogen.
I have had one just blow this week, so in the market for 55/100 I think this time.

[Tombie]

Let's get the terminology correct.

Filament. Not halogen. They're mostly Xenon filled now... [emoji6]

[Tombie]

LED though has some advantages.

It's less likely to break.

Draws less power.




1) Maybe
2) Not necessarily- the ones on "Ike" are 78w

[Homestar]

From my experience - I've got crystals in the 101 - better than the originals, but nothing special - they were cheap and they do the job for the odd time I'm out after dark in it so if this is you, they may fit the bill. (It has relays for the headlights now as well)

HID - had these in the L322 (just gone back to standards as its getting a RWC) and I was pretty happy with them - they were significantly better than standard.

LED - only got some LED driving lights on the work Hilux - and they're great. Not sure how a low beam would be with them though.

As mentioned do yourself a favour and fit relays to the lights regardless of what you go for, as John said, you're losing volts. Down there now, so nothing you put in will be as good as it can be until you fix this.

[Homestar]

Let's get the terminology correct.

Filament. Not halogen. They're mostly Xenon filled now... [emoji6]

Yep, but you think that's bad - most of the Sales team at work call our Metal Halide light towers 'Halogen'. It ****es me off no end, and they get ****ed off by me as I'll correct them every time. :D

[wpalmo]

Any one tried this set up? Looks like a simple conversion from original halogen H4 globes into existing lenses. The reviews look good on the website.

I have dealt with this company to source some tamper proof nuts and bolts for my LED light bar. The service was excellent.

Regards Warrick.

https://www.stedi.com.au/h4-led-head-light-conversion-kit-cree.html

[Richo130]

After reading Michael2's post I took the plunge and purchased the led replacement headlights. All I can say is WOW! Incredible light and fitment wss a breeze!

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

[tonyf]

The standard glass H4 semi sealed headlamps are quite good....yes I believe so, after fitting a set of Philips Xtreme globes and relay.
HID in H4 is very poor as the globe focus is poor on the reflector.

I agree with JDNSW and Ozrob. On advice of my guru (Justinc) we fitted a relay and I put in the best legal globes, Philiips from Germany, not cheap but reasonable. The improvement was spectacular and I saw no reason to do anything else.

[barkingmad]

Don't suppose you fancy resurrecting the Nolden group buy, or passing on details of the local supplier Tombie?