Discovery 4 HID to LED Light Conversion

[Konradical]

I have a HID globe that began to change colour - From pure white to rusty orange - and after a few minutes would turn off.

This usually signals one of two things; 1) The HID globe is fried, or 2) the HID balast is on its way out.

A simple test of which was/is failing is to swap the HID globe left to right. Simply this test identifies the cause of the problem - if the fault follows the globe, its the globe; if it remains in place, its the ballast.

In my case it was the globe.

Now, the D3S globes (35W in this case) are not cheap and on hunting around on the internet for a good price, I stumbled upon these EVISION-X LED (D3S) – Spectr LED Accessories (https://www.spectr.com.au/products/evision-x-led-d3s) Envision-X HID to LED conversion globes. These utilise the existing ballast as a power source (I dont get the witchcraft behind it) and simply plug straight in.

I thought I would give them a go, as a pair was about the same price as a good brand HID. Should they not work out, I will bite the bullet and buy a proper globe.

Today I received and fitted them.

them and fitted them.

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Came well packaged (and a free air freshener)

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Looks well made, constructed of aluminium and had an enclosed cooling fan within the heatsink.

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You can see the discolouration of the left (right in the picture) headlight. This was the same for high beam and both did not light up once the ballast turned off.

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With both changed, you can see a whiter, more crisp colour and a bit more definition.

Yes.. my lenses are dusted.. yes I will be replacing them when time allows. But for now this seems to be a good option.

I will give the lights a test when it gets dark and report back with how I feel about them.

Cheers,

Kon

[Graeme]

I replaced the same HID globes with $60 ebay LED in my L322 6 months ago due to the high cost of a replacement Osram HID globe that failed after only 2 years. I have no reason to remove the LEDs, having found the light output excellent and the whiter light does a better job on the verges.

[Konradical]

A few pictures from tonight.

**Sorry about the poor background, I didnt go for a drive, but will endeavour to take better pictures another night**

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Reference picture

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Low beam

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High beam

Impressed with the colour and it doesnt seem to be an unbearable light. Per the HIDs, there wasnt much noticable difference with the high beam, but that may be different in an open area.

So far I am happy with them, the long term test will be the decider.

Cheers,

[Tombie]

Long term test will be a Kangaroo on the side of a greened area of road.

The LED CRI is poor and whilst glare makes it appear sharper, the ability to define colour variances is washed out compared to Xenon.

You’ll also on prolonged night drives find that human eyes don’t like blue and strain harder leading to fatigue at a quicker rate.

[PerthDisco]

Is HID sane as Xenon?

[DiscoJeffster]

Is HID sane as Xenon?

Yes

[DiscoJeffster]

Well tonight one of my Stedi HID/Xenon’s lamps failed at 2 1/2 years old. Well I assume it’s the globe but I’ll check the ballast tomorrow.

[Konradical]

Long term test will be a Kangaroo on the side of a greened area of road.

The LED CRI is poor and whilst glare makes it appear sharper, the ability to define colour variances is washed out compared to Xenon.

You’ll also on prolonged night drives find that human eyes don’t like blue and strain harder leading to fatigue at a quicker rate.


You are right. The colour of the standard globes were fantastic when I was in the Top End - critters hiding in the long grass - was able to see them with enough time to react, and I never really got sore eyes from them.

Ideally I would have loved to get these globes in a 4500K (or 5200K) which would be more aligned with the standard colours, but alas, 6000K it is.

I did have a short journey at night the other day, which really didnt give me too much of a better idea of how they will be long term, but first thoughts were that they werent as bright as other LEDs I have seen out there (definitly sharp and direct angles, not scattered light), but still had the distinct reflection off of signs and what not. I do my best to avoid driving long distances at night normally. I have a drive back to Adelaide at the end of next week, we will see how that night time, long distance test goes.

Cheers!

[Tins]

You’ll also on prolonged night drives find that human eyes don’t like blue and strain harder leading to fatigue at a quicker rate.

Not to mention being blinded by the newer hyper reflective road signs.

[veebs]

How has the CRI problem in LEDs been resolved in new cars, like the Defender for example?

Are they simply accepting that the future (LED) is inferior, or doing something clever to bring the light back to that of an HID?

[101RRS]

My 2007 RRS was originally fitted with halogen globes and about 10 years ago I replaced low beams with 55W HIDs and the high beams with the then latest 55w Arctic Blue Halogens. Has worked well though better Hi Beam would have been better.

Recently one of the HIDs failed and I put one of the Halogens back in as temporary measure. When parked at night the difference between the two was obvious with the halogens being much yellower but driving there was no real difference.

I thought that this was a good opportunity to replace the HIDs in low beam with LEDs and if they were Ok also replace the high beams. On the basis of discussion on the forum - after putting my vehicle into their website they suggested Copper Heads which is what I bought. They are on 1760lm which is a bit low but they seems to work for others on here. Kit did not come with clips to hold the globes in but Stedi provided them free of charge.

I fitted the side with the halogen and clearly much brighter, whiter and clearer. I left the HID in the other light and compared to it the LED was a little whiter, much clearer and a little brighter - however when the lights were reflected off the garage door the HID had a much brighter reflection.

Driving - the LEDs are Ok but nothing special - about the same as the 10yo HIDs. The Stedi product is clearly a quality LED but could be a bit brighter. A bit expensive at $145 for two plus $11 for clips but if you buy ebay specials for half the price, if they are no good you need to buy again.

Saw a review on Youtube of many difference brands of HIDs and LEDS with various LM claims - from 3000 to 30000 and most "real" LMs were 2000 to 3500LMs - so on this basis the Stedi product is a bit low on LMs.

So if you want a well built Led with average performance then give Stedi a go.

Garry

[twr7cx]

I'm not a fan of replacing low beams with LEDs. The headlight housings aren't designed for the LEDs and while most of the discussion above has been about the lighting for the driver there's been no consideration of our fellow road users and the effect that this change can have for them. With high beams, go for it, you hopefully aren't using these around others!

If the HID/Xenon's expense isn't to your liking then consider replacing the entire headlight housing with a lower spec model version with the halogen globes rather - go back to basics, it's cheaper.

Alternatively, brands like Stedi offer the D3S HID globes in a pair for around $145.00 - that's not much more expensive than the fancy Plus halogen globes are...

[Tombie]

How has the CRI problem in LEDs been resolved in new cars, like the Defender for example?

Are they simply accepting that the future (LED) is inferior, or doing something clever to bring the light back to that of an HID?

It hasnt. YET....

There have been several test reports done where it has been stated that modern vehicle lighting is getting worse.

Only a few reports have actually taken into account the effect of Blue light on animals / humans as far as damage to eyes etc.

Then theres the modern glare issue, commonly reported. Both for the user and oncoming traffic. The later being the worst, once you blow someones eyesight out they are half blind and driving towards you at a pace that if it goes worng can hurt!



Then theres these stupid LED upgrades (down grades)...
HID emits an arc, its all but radial in its output.
The LED replacements are 2 faces of emitters, so there is shadowing. And the light is focused differently to the original design - hence it looks intense - its focused differently and leaving cut offs - always sharper in LED and means theres dark areas that once had sufficient light off to the sides.
Then we start being selfish, and hitting motorists coming towards us with 3,800 lumens (if thats the real output) focused intensly in direction, and not exhibiting the correct cut off.

[101RRS]

The headlight housings aren't designed for the LEDs

If the HID/Xenon's expense isn't to your liking then consider replacing the entire headlight housing with a lower spec model version with the halogen globes rather - go back to basics, it's cheaper.



Well - these LEDs are listed as a direct replacement for the Halogens in my headlights and they work - dont blind anyone as the HIDs I have had in there for over 10 years never blinded any one.

I do not have BiXenon headlight fittings, they are the Halogen fitting and the HIDs worked fine and the LEDs now work OK too.

[twr7cx]

Well - these LEDs are listed as a direct replacement for the Halogens in my headlights and they work

No one has disputed if they work or not - they get power and emit light - we are in agreement on that. As for direct replacement that would be referring to the physical shape and fitment, not that they're legal as a replacement or suitable - probably also says 'for off road use only' or something of that like in the fine print.
But regardless of the direct replacement and that they work, neither relates to the curtsey to your fellow road users.


...as the HIDs I have had in there for over 10 years never blinded any one.

How do you state this with such certainty?


...the HIDs worked fine and the LEDs now work OK too.

Again, not disputing that they work, but it's irrelevant to my point about the other road users.

[101RRS]

Oh dear :bat: - here we again.

[bigwhistle]

The only cars that blind me these days are modern vehicles fitted with standard LEDs

[veebs]

I see a case for aftermarket bulbs not intended for a particular housing/reflector causing wayward beams of light, but in a car specifically designed for LEDs I haven't noticed any more glare or blinding. The exact same argument was used when HIDs started appearing on the market, and 'projector' beams before that.

I think the eye is drawn to a light that looks different from the rest, so until LEDs are more commonplace, we will keep getting distracted, looking right at them.

Frankly I have far more issue with the stereotypical GU patrol running 2 LED bars and a few spotlights aimed way too high on a lit highway around town! In WA at least, there is no annual vehicle inspection to check the lights comply (or that they do for a few hours each year, until changed back) so backyard jimmy's alignment effort endures.

[veebs]

It hasnt. YET....



Seems like something that isn't beyond the wit of man to resolve right? Googling it a bit, it looks like house lights are starting to appreciate the value of 'high CRI' - Surely only so long before vehicles start to see the same thing. Maybe even add a dial to adjust the colour output of the bulb (I know, CRI is more than that), like my Ikea lightbulb does - from 'daylight' to 'Sunset' at the touch of a button :)

[loanrangie]

I see a case for aftermarket bulbs not intended for a particular housing/reflector causing wayward beams of light, but in a car specifically designed for LEDs I haven't noticed any more glare or blinding. .

Of course there wouldn't be any adverse effects if the lights were already designed for LED's.

[veebs]

Of course there wouldn't be any adverse effects if the lights were already designed for LED's.

Yes, I was responding to the post immediately above mine...

[Tombie]

Seems like something that isn't beyond the wit of man to resolve right? Googling it a bit, it looks like house lights are starting to appreciate the value of 'high CRI' - Surely only so long before vehicles start to see the same thing. Maybe even add a dial to adjust the colour output of the bulb (I know, CRI is more than that), like my Ikea lightbulb does - from 'daylight' to 'Sunset' at the touch of a button :)

The challenge is that to get a high CRI, the current generation of LEDS become seriously inefficient / ineffective.

The tech will no doubt advance, it just hasnt got there yet.