Brighter Aftermarket Headlamps

[mike100]

Less than $600 for the LED and no additional parts/fabrication to install does have a certain appeal. Will the weight be more than a glass headlamp? Less current draw (and therefore heat) is also a big plus on the charging system.

[Hib Halverson]

I did not weigh the glass headlights I took out, but let me research the weight thing and post back here later.

[Hib Halverson]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

Peter Z!

I didn't remember a "Peter Z" posting here.

Maybe I missed a post?

[5ABI VT]

I haven't used my headlights in about 15 years Im not a fan of how they look popped up but at night.. Im leaning towards having exceptional visibility over worrying about how the car looks. Ive had plans to modify headlight housings to create a lower profile look but I had a few close deals on headlamps and couldn't agree on a price. Sort of glad I hadn't bought any yet as my plate has been beyond full this year.

Anyhow I have the HID fog lamps on the z and my 93. They definitely are brighter than oem but they are horrible for visibility where needed. the light scatters everywhere. Im modifying the bulbs to direct more light forward and down instead of all over the place with shields. They really aren't a good replacement for headlights. After having my e46 M3 with bi-xenons... I am leaning towards using headlights again.

I must admit I actually like the look of these headlights. Still big and square but the bar across the middle looks pretty neat ! I already have a few ideas how I would modify them. I read the review on cf, thanks for that. I think I may have these for the 15 season.

[Hib Halverson]

Just found out that Amazon.com has a $100 off coupon available for Nighthawk LED 5x7s. Price ends up about 390 for a pair.

[5ABI VT]

How do these compare in intensity etc to quality hid/xenons? I see a lot of info on durability etc but I'm wondering how they compare in light output vs a oem xenon setup like on my old e46 m3. While the bulbs burn out eventually and lose light output the xenons are relatively cheap to replace.

[Hib Halverson]

Originally Posted by 5ABI VT

How do these compare in intensity etc to quality hid/xenons? I see a lot of info on durability etc but I'm wondering how they compare in light output vs a oem xenon setup like on my old e46 m3. While the bulbs burn out eventually and lose light output the xenons are relatively cheap to replace.

I'm going to be careful answering this because no one has defined what a "quality HID" for a C4 Corvette would be but I'll guess that the "intensity" of the Nighthawk LED rivals that of a properly designed HID headlight and will be somewhat brighter than a conventional reflector with a xenon bulb

Also, on the earlier weight question: I have some information and still looking for more.

Glass reflectors with H4 bulbs (i.e.: Hella, Cibie and etc) weigh in at about 1-lb. 6-oz. to 1-lb. 12-oz
The stock sealed beams in the earlier cars which were glass will be about the same.
The stock sealed beams in the later cars which were plastic will be quite a bit less.
A Nighthawk LED weighs 2 lbs 10-oz and the extra weight is likely from the aluminum housing.

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by Hib Halverson

I'm going to be careful answering this because no one has defined what a "quality HID" for a C4 Corvette would be but I'll guess that the "intensity" of the Nighthawk LED rivals that of a properly designed HID headlight and will be somewhat brighter than a conventional reflector with a xenon bulb.

Hib, I don't blame you for shying away from making any definitive statements, based on some of the articles by many (most?) of the commercial automotive (car magazines). I don't know if it is because those writing the articles are a little thin with regard to the physics involved in evaluating these new/old headlights, or they are "dumbing it down" to the point they think their readers might understand it (but I have my suspicions as to which it is...)

It doesn't need to be complicated; as long as some basic fundamentals of (light) propagation are understood (or explained for the audience reader) and some standard method of calibration of light intensity measurement is assured, or failing that, some consistency of measuring devices be used to evaluate the various (lights) under test. And, too, a standard coverage area (grid?) be established to better evaluate the various patterns these light may/will deliver.

I don't think it would be all that difficult to do some objective testing, as long as all the various light systems were available in one place to test. No? I see that as being the more difficult piece, actually. Establishing a (target) and doing the measuring I feel wouldn't be so difficult. Getting all the lights for testing in one place at one time is what I wonder about. (Sounds like a simple enough project, or one that perhaps would be of interest to a physics prof to turn over to his students as a project!)

Anywayz, that might be a good way to separate the "lumens from the lemons", so to speak. What do you think? PM me if you think you might be interested in genning up a clinical approach that might work, and we can discuss how to go about it.

[Hib Halverson]

Paul-
You raise some great questions but, unfortunately, to answer them properly would be quite expensive. The costly parts are 1) acquiring a device which measures the amount of light intensity projected out, ahead of the car and 2) acquiring enough lights to test and the labor involved in swapping all the lights.


The "Lummens from Lemons" name.

That's good!

[BigJohn]

A light meter; $40.00 to $2000.00!