Thread: Discovery 4 HID to LED Light Conversion

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...

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

Originally Posted by twr7cx

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.

Originally Posted by 101RRS

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.

Originally Posted by 101RRS

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

How do you state this with such certainty?

Originally Posted by 101RRS

...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.

Oh dear - here we again.



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

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.

Originally Posted by Tombie

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

Originally Posted by 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. .

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