LED vs HID vs Halogen (stock)

morrislee · October 8, 2015

So I have went through different configuration of different type of aftermarket bulbs, 35w HIDs, 55w HIDs annnnnnd!!! 45w (4500lm) LEDs.

Here is the comparison shots

Left: LED Right: LED (dont worry about the bright dots on top of the cutoff, I have managed to fix them)

Left: LED Right: Stock Halogen

Left: LED Right: 55w HID (DDM)

Left: LED Right: 55w HID (DDM) in high beam

Here is a shot of the brightness of my father's grand cherokee 2012 with stock HIDs:

Here is a shot of the brightness of my current setup - highbeam with fogs on:

Beam pattern of low beam:

The pictures does not show, but in high beam, HID has a bright spot at the top when shutter is open for high beam, this actually makes high beam pretty effective. Even in low beam, the light of the HID gets brighter towards the middle, the LEDs have a way more even spread of the light over all. LED's high beam just opens a top portion with a nice smooth even light, not as effective, but has a smooth output when in low beam, I kind of like that.

I hope this thread helps you compare the different types of bulbs. I have taken a lot of time to adjust my LED bulbs to get the sharpest cutoff and with the smoothest beam pattern.

Please add your results too!! I'd love to see what other bulbs you have tried!

irish4life8911 · October 8, 2015

So I have went through different configuration of different type of aftermarket bulbs, 35w HIDs, 55w HIDs annnnnnd!!! 45w (4500lm) LEDs.

Here is the comparison shots

Left: LED Right: LED (dont worry about the bright dots on top of the cutoff, I have managed to fix them)

2015-10-07 21.10.22.jpg

Left: LED Right: Stock Halogen

2015-10-07 21.12.14.jpg

Left: LED Right: 55w HID (DDM)

2015-10-07 21.16.20.jpg

Left: LED Right: 55w HID (DDM) in high beam

2015-10-07 21.16.31.jpg

Here is a shot of the brightness of my father's grand cherokee 2012 with stock HIDs:

2015-10-07 20.15.57.jpg

Here is a shot of the brightness of my current setup - highbeam with fogs on:

2015-09-29 20.26.39.jpg

Beam pattern of low beam:

IMG_20151008_002543.jpg

The pictures does not show, but in high beam, HID has a bright spot at the top when shutter is open for high beam, this actually makes high beam pretty effective. Even in low beam, the light of the HID gets brighter towards the middle, the LEDs have a way more even spread of the light over all. LED's high beam just opens a top portion with a nice smooth even light, not as effective, but has a smooth output when in low beam, I kind of like that.

I hope this thread helps you compare the different types of bulbs. I have taken a lot of time to adjust my LED bulbs to get the sharpest cutoff and with the smoothest beam pattern.

Please add your results too!! I'd love to see what other bulbs you have tried!

Which leds did you try?

Criscone · October 8, 2015

So when you run an LED bulb, there's no need for anything else correct? I want to do HID's in my truck but if I can find a brighter than factory option without all the wiring/ballast etc that would be nice!

morrislee · October 8, 2015

So when you run an LED bulb, there's no need for anything else correct? I want to do HID's in my truck but if I can find a brighter than factory option without all the wiring/ballast etc that would be nice!

You are correct, no relay harness was used. It plugs into the factory connector inside the housing and the ballast sits in there too.

Keep in mind, the high beam is not as effective as HID's due the beam pattern but the low beam is really good.

I have my 4500lm fogs to come on when i use high beam, so everything still lights up like day light

morrislee · October 8, 2015

Which leds did you try?

They are pretty much the LMZ from VLED but came straight from factory at discounted price. They dont sell to end users anymore though

Criscone · October 8, 2015

I've ran sylvania zxe bulbs in multiple vehicles. Which isn't horrible. Just trying to avoid ballasts and all that jazz if possible. This LED might be a good option. I see it says can't be used with headlights and dust caps?

http://www.vleds.com/h11-ultra-lmz.html

Criscone · October 8, 2015

And says not for use in DRL applications. Why is that, burns out quicker or gets to hot?

irish4life8911 · October 8, 2015

They are pretty much the LMZ from VLED but came straight from factory at discounted price. They dont sell to end users anymore though

Don't think they work in the Sierra's.

Thanks though

FishinJ · October 8, 2015

Good comparison. I put the XD Led's and fogs in a couple weeks ago and they are MUCH better than stock. I'm still trying to get use to the projector lights because it seems that the high beams are almost useless because they don't add any additional light to the road. The brights only light up signs and the top of trees. It's the same way in my wife's infinity.

morrislee · October 8, 2015

I've ran sylvania zxe bulbs in multiple vehicles. Which isn't horrible. Just trying to avoid ballasts and all that jazz if possible. This LED might be a good option. I see it says can't be used with headlights and dust caps?

http://www.vleds.com/h11-ultra-lmz.html

Yes, but I took the back plate off and it doesnt seem to get too hot after a couple of hours drive. Only hot to touch but not enough to burn anything. More than ok I am sure. The disclaimer probably is just for coverying their a....

And says not for use in DRL applications. Why is that, burns out quicker or gets to hot?

Because some cars uses reduced voltage on the halogen bulb to create DRL. SLT and above are not affected as DRL are independent LED strips

Don't think they work in the Sierra's.

Thanks though

I have Sierra.... It works... Are you referring to SLE and below?

Good comparison. I put the XD Led's and fogs in a couple weeks ago and they are MUCH better than stock. I'm still trying to get use to the projector lights because it seems that the high beams are almost useless because they don't add any additional light to the road. The brights only light up signs and the top of trees. It's the same way in my wife's infinity.

You are right, highbeam is a little disappointing, but my fogs more than makes up for them now

irish4life8911 · October 8, 2015

I have Sierra.... It works... Are you referring to SLE and below?

Na, I have a '15 SLT. It has projectors. The replacement bulb is for 9012 bulbs

morrislee · October 8, 2015

Na, I have a '15 SLT. It has projectors. The replacement bulb is for 9012 bulbs

The adapter they provide works in both 9006 and 9012, they are practically the same and they just made the tabs to fit both types.

FishinJ · October 8, 2015

You are right, highbeam is a little disappointing, but my fogs more than makes up for them now

What fogs are you running? I'm using the XD 5202 30W Cree fogs. I can actually see a little extra light out to the side when I turn them on.

morrislee · October 8, 2015

What fogs are you running? I'm using the XD 5202 30W Cree fogs. I can actually see a little extra light out to the side when I turn them on.

Same as the ones in my headlight

18000 lumen in total without any light bars.

My fogs lights up everywhere my main headlight doesnt.

As a matter of fact, I just played around with my offset more, my highbeam is way better now. Cant wait to try it tonight!!

ikaika1984 · October 8, 2015

What fogs are you running? I'm using the XD 5202 30W Cree fogs. I can actually see a little extra light out to the side when I turn them on.

FishinJ

Are those XD5202 fogs PNP? I have a 15 Denali 5.3L im trying to find the best bulb combo to achieve the same "white light" output. Im not to concerned about running a "fogs on with Highs" MOD. More concerned about "white light" output... Thanks in advance.