12-06-2014 | #31 | |
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: CenCoast California
Posts: 899
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Re: Brighter Aftermarket Headlamps
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Because, in the last year or so, I have been doing product reviews of various lighting products, I have several tests I run on headlights I am testing. Garage door pattern test. High speed test which–always done on the same highway, at the same time on a moonless night. Lo beam performance test Hi beam light pattern imaging test. Subjective impression test. Installation test. Because I've never run any tests on the CorvetteHID.com system, I rely on anecdotal accounts from others and, as you've read here, anecdotal accounts are that the CorvetteHID system works reasonably well but then, with respect to HID conversions in general, there is a ton of mis- and disinformation on the web about them. Also, many Internet forum discussions of lighting are anecdotal and subjective. That said, my gut feeling is that HID conversions which actually work well are going to slowly become obsolete because of the cost, the complexity and the need–in some cases–for modifications to the vehicle. LED technology, such as the GE Nighthawk LED conversion, makes a lot more sense in light of all that...ah...no pun intended. This is not to say that a properly-designed HID conversion won't work in a C4 for high-speed night driving, but it is to say I believe there are more simple and less expensive alternatives that work as well or better.
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Hib Halverson Technical Writer former owner 95 VIN 0140 current owner 19 VIN 1878 |
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12-06-2014 | #32 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 9,154
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Re: Brighter Aftermarket Headlamps
Having also used the other alternatives from silver stars and H4 Hella housings there is no better system than the HIDS that I am currently running. So I have to disagree completely with your argument other than LEDs are something to look into in the future. Go ahead and take the 800 dollar plunge and report back. The rest of the alternatives as stated previously and also earlier in this thread only offer subpar improvements in my used daily experience as a daily driver. As technology improves it will all become cheaper using moore's law as a baseline argument from technology improvement. The rest of the argument is hollow at best... Headlight aiming etc is assumed to have been done. Some of us have already tried the rest.. And moved on. GC
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GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V Last edited by GOLDCYLON; 12-06-2014 at 05:36 PM. |
12-06-2014 | #33 |
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: McLean, VA
Posts: 3,710
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Re: Brighter Aftermarket Headlamps
This is a very interesting subject matter for me because I have been toying with an eye towards to headlight upgrade. Once I started to drive cars with HID headlights, poor quality of illumination of my 94Z was almost annoying.
Until about 5-6 months ago my intention was to go with HID. Upon research it became apparent, regardless of HID bulb itself, reflector/lens assembly would make or break actual quality of illumination, namely controlled cut-off and uniformaty of illumination. I concluded that CorvetteHID.com system may be the best out there. Having been involved with marketing Korean made (LG) high power LEDs to top of the line US Operating Room Light manufacturer along with marketing other LED lighting products a few years back, I learned a few things about LED lights. By 2008-2009, auto industry and light manufactureres already concluded that high power LED would become the choice of automotive headlights. This is being driven, especially, by electric powered vehicles where minimal power use of LED relative to lumen output becomes indespensible feature. Then I accidentally stumbled onto GE Nighthawk LED website. LED, like any other light source, must be designed with well engineered reflector/lense combo in order to provide high quality illumination. When major brand such as GE brings a product to the market fear of poor design and quality of product can be put to rest. Also, recently I started to notice Philips manufactured version also. Both are currently priced at around $250 each. Third brand currently available is Truck-lite at about $180 each. This alternative to HID is very attractive in that it's a cost competitive alternative to HID, with GE and Philps engineering behind them I expect high quality illumination, these are simple plug-in units with no modification to wiring, low wattage consumption (less then halogen for sure) and the life expectancy of LEDs are 15,000 hours plus. On the down side (and I think Hib briefly mentioned this), in order to maximize lumens/watt, I suspect these LEDs have white phospher coating resulting in 6,000 to 7,000K color temp (bluish white). At such high color temp, light tends to reflect back when driving in rainy or snowy condition. However, I'm sure most of Z crowd consciously avoid driving in these type of condition and may be a non-issue. I look forward to your report Hib. |
12-07-2014 | #34 |
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: CenCoast California
Posts: 899
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Re: Brighter Aftermarket Headlamps
To read the Corvette Action Center review of GE Nighthawk LED headlights, please, click here.
I just checked pricing and for the just-released Second Generation Nighthawk LED 5x7-in headlight, Amazon get $290-ea.
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Hib Halverson Technical Writer former owner 95 VIN 0140 current owner 19 VIN 1878 Last edited by Hib Halverson; 12-07-2014 at 11:49 PM. Reason: added some price info |
12-08-2014 | #35 |
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri
Posts: 6,493
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Re: Brighter Aftermarket Headlamps
Very interesting. Thanks, Hib and everyone for the comments. I'm "in the hunt" as they say. No doubt about it...the STOCK lights have got to go!
And, not to get off topic, any update info on complimentary FOG LIGHTS would be appropriate too, I recon. Hib, the HOTB is always looking for articles that will keep our beloved cars current as possible, if you would be interested.... Just a thought. Paul.
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Good carz, good food, good friendz = the best of timez! 90 #1202 "FBI" top end ported & relieved Cam timing by "Pete the Greek" Sans secondaries Chip & dyno tuning by Haibeck Automotive SW headers, X-pipe, MF muffs Former Secretary, ZR-1 Net Registry |
12-08-2014 | #36 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 9,154
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Re: Brighter Aftermarket Headlamps
No mention of the re lensing option that you can get with the HID alternative I mentioned. The blue light reference is a matter of element temperature so mine are bright white and not blue. zero mention of the pairing of the HIDs with the correct European projectors housings. Not a balanced article IMHO only weighted devoid of the other benefits and correct methods of use as mentioned above. You like the $600 samples you were provided. Good data Hib but the research is not complete until you actually sample the correct HID setup beyond simply speculate. Kind of anecdotal right?
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GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V |
12-08-2014 | #37 | |
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 838
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Re: Brighter Aftermarket Headlamps
Quote:
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12-08-2014 | #38 |
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bartlett, IL
Posts: 7,153
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Re: Brighter Aftermarket Headlamps
Correct, Goldcylon is talking about the Projector lenses not reflectors
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12-08-2014 | #39 | |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 9,154
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Re: Brighter Aftermarket Headlamps
Quote:
Correct. They will not work correctly in any H4 housings . They have to be focused in the correct euro projector housings like most high end luxury and sportcars to aid in your daily driving
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GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V |
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12-08-2014 | #40 | ||
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: CenCoast California
Posts: 899
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Re: Brighter Aftermarket Headlamps
Quote:
Quote:
Let me know what you think.
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Hib Halverson Technical Writer former owner 95 VIN 0140 current owner 19 VIN 1878 |
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