LED Headlights vs. HIDs
LED Headlights vs. HIDs
Didn't find any posts but is there anyone that can take pics of their LED headlights vs HIDs vs Halogens? I'm under the impression that LED is better than regular halogen, but not as bright as HIDs? What if you wanted to HID your LED headlights, or is this a useless mod? Thanks!
ive heard the same. HID > LED > Halogen.
Problem with LED is that they do not generate as much heat compared to HID so your headlights can stay frosted in cold climates. at least from what i heard.
Problem with LED is that they do not generate as much heat compared to HID so your headlights can stay frosted in cold climates. at least from what i heard.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 408
Likes: 18
From: MA
Not possible, completely different type of light. HID is a single bulb that burns 360degrees around and is projected outward due to the reflector/housing or projecter. LED is a Light Emitting Diode...completely different animal.
One of the issues with LED is cooling. Small LED bulbs are fine, but when you're reaching into a territory of 90lm/watt, and you need to generate 1000lm+, it's going to get hot as hell. LED bulbs need a heatsink because all the heat generated by the bulb exits through the base in high concentration. In an HID setup, heat is removed by radiation, just like halogen bulbs.
LEDs have come a long way though so there is hope. It use to be that if you wanted LED, you could only go with a white/blue-ish color because that was the only color that could generate a decent amount of output. Going towards the lower end of the color temperature (yellow) meant you had to sacrifice bulb efficiency.
I support LED technology, but HID still offers some of the highest efficiency we can package into a car while maintaining a good deal of light output.
LEDs have come a long way though so there is hope. It use to be that if you wanted LED, you could only go with a white/blue-ish color because that was the only color that could generate a decent amount of output. Going towards the lower end of the color temperature (yellow) meant you had to sacrifice bulb efficiency.
I support LED technology, but HID still offers some of the highest efficiency we can package into a car while maintaining a good deal of light output.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 26
From: GA
The HID (High Intensity Discharge) bulb is called that for simplicity. Here is more info on it.
What is HID?
HID, or High-Intensity Discharge, is a technology that utilizes xenon gas with an electrical arc to produce brighter, more efficient headlight bulbs.
http://www.customhid.com/
My RX 450h has the factory HID xenon lamps and having driven both the LED version and mine I think mine offers a little better contrast and illumination over the LED's. However both are far better than Halogens that not too long ago used to be the state of the art for headlamps.
Both the LED's and the xenon HID's use less electricity as well as offer a better light.
What is HID?
HID, or High-Intensity Discharge, is a technology that utilizes xenon gas with an electrical arc to produce brighter, more efficient headlight bulbs.
http://www.customhid.com/
My RX 450h has the factory HID xenon lamps and having driven both the LED version and mine I think mine offers a little better contrast and illumination over the LED's. However both are far better than Halogens that not too long ago used to be the state of the art for headlamps.
Both the LED's and the xenon HID's use less electricity as well as offer a better light.
Last edited by Cruiter; Sep 23, 2011 at 01:09 PM.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4
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From: mi
Lumens ratings for the Led Upgrade vs hid vs halogen
does anyone have this info.. I just bought the led upgrade and was ignorant of the fact that they are not as good as HIDs..i called lexus and they said they would send me this info but never did...
The HIDs are aftermarket on the CT. The LEDs are only available through Lexus. Stock lights are halogens. The LEDs are the best Lexus sells without aftermarket modification.
