Notices
GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011) Discussion about the 2006+ model GS300, GS350, GS430, GS450H and GS460

OEM headlights are kinda weak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 04:43 AM
  #1  
sagikun's Avatar
sagikun
Thread Starter
Driver
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: ca
Default OEM headlights are kinda weak

Dont you guys agree? the output from the inside doesnt even look like hid's imho with the blurry cut off line n all. adjustments have little effect. and i know im doin it right.. its just the way the projectors were designed im guessing? what gives? could aftermarked bulb be possibly brighter? i noticed when i took out my oem phillips bulbs there was like some sorta dirt or something up inside the little bubble. on both bulbs. i dunno, anyone? i mean the self leveling and left to right adjustment when steered is really cool but common. they have to be one of the dimmest oem lights out there. there has to something we can do
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 06:44 AM
  #2  
ryan78's Avatar
ryan78
Instructor
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 5
From: md
Default

i upgraded my high beams and fog lights, but the factory HID seem ok. if there was an upgraded bulb available, i would be interested, but for low beams the factory HID is working fine. as you say, with the bulbs being dirty it may effect output, but i have had no issues with mine. let me know if you find aftermarket HID with more output...
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 07:21 AM
  #3  
Yang1815's Avatar
Yang1815
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
Default

I think the factory's fine...
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 07:41 AM
  #4  
sagikun's Avatar
sagikun
Thread Starter
Driver
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: ca
Default i second that

compared to what? the brightness and cutt off lines are straight weak compared to other makes. or maybe its just mine. on both my bulbs inside the little bublle is dirt or something, anyone have this problem? i dont know what it is but for sure i cant clean it out. its like inside inside.. ill post pics later
Attached Thumbnails OEM headlights are kinda weak-bulb1.jpg  
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 08:23 AM
  #5  
LexFather
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I suggest throwing some nice 6000k bulbs in place of the stock 4300....very nice whiter light with minimal blue, you will notice a difference in light output.

Bulbs don't cost that much to replace, under $100
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 08:26 AM
  #6  
LiCelsior's Avatar
LiCelsior
Retired
CL Folding 500,000
15 Year Member
iTrader: (32)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 12,364
Likes: 19
From: NY
Default

4300 has the best output, 6k is just for looks lol. i have 4300k in my LS and i love it. nice white and bright.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 10:08 AM
  #7  
lucasb7's Avatar
lucasb7
Lead Lap
CL Folding 500,000
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 423
Likes: 1
From: CA
Default

My headlights seem to do an admirable job lighting the road and I compared to a 535i and ours had the same sharpness if not better.

But, my RX has these BLURRY cutoff lines. Yet when I got a loaner RX and put it next to mine, I noticed that the loaner was much sharper.

I think Lexus designs a good headlight but for some reason the factory cannot get it right every single time.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 11:19 AM
  #8  
GS300.ru's Avatar
GS300.ru
Pole Position
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default

Completely agree. To be honest, our HID suck in comparison to RX or any other German system. There is also a huge blind spot in the middle ___- ------ as well due to projectors setup and location. I had a big problem aligning them when I raised it a little. I attribute all those problems to the low profile of the headlamp, can’t feet large projectors and usage of the new “green” bulbs. Those bulbs are, theoretically, the same HID bulbs as other D2/4 bulbs but the projector lets only certain amount of visible white light out. It is kind of sad that designers cheeped out on the lighting system for the 50k car. But hey, it works better than halogen anyway.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 11:19 AM
  #9  
whlkev's Avatar
whlkev
Lexus Champion
CL Folding 25,000
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,298
Likes: 4
From: CA
Default

lol if stock 4300k is weak, then going to 6000k is going to suck even more..

what's inside the glass capsule is the metal salt, it's not DIRTY!!

I've driven enough HID equipped vehicle to know that the cut off on the lexus is just fine, sharp cutoff just looks ghetto.

changing the bulb isn't going to work, you can get HID fogs to increase the night visibility

Last edited by whlkev; Jun 23, 2009 at 11:45 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 11:44 AM
  #10  
The G Man's Avatar
The G Man
Lexus Test Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,809
Likes: 143
From: MA
Default

I agree with kev, HID fog will help. Dont even think about going to 6000K, it will amke things worst. Lexus is Lexus and German is German, Lexus does not have that shape cutoff and the German use bi xenons, thats why they are brighter.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 12:33 PM
  #11  
vuiskool's Avatar
vuiskool
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 842
Likes: 6
From: S. FL
Default

I personally think the lighting is good.
Does anyone notice a flicker of the HID when hitting a small bump in the road or such at night?
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 02:44 PM
  #12  
sagikun's Avatar
sagikun
Thread Starter
Driver
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: ca
Default

Originally Posted by GS300.ru
Completely agree. To be honest, our HID suck in comparison to RX or any other German system. There is also a huge blind spot in the middle ___- ------ as well due to projectors setup and location. I had a big problem aligning them when I raised it a little. I attribute all those problems to the low profile of the headlamp, can’t feet large projectors and usage of the new “green” bulbs. Those bulbs are, theoretically, the same HID bulbs as other D2/4 bulbs but the projector lets only certain amount of visible white light out. It is kind of sad that designers cheeped out on the lighting system for the 50k car. But hey, it works better than halogen anyway.
Finally, one person that understands me lol.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 02:46 PM
  #13  
sagikun's Avatar
sagikun
Thread Starter
Driver
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: ca
Default

Originally Posted by whlkev
lol if stock 4300k is weak, then going to 6000k is going to suck even more..

what's inside the glass capsule is the metal salt, it's not DIRTY!!

I've driven enough HID equipped vehicle to know that the cut off on the lexus is just fine, sharp cutoff just looks ghetto.

changing the bulb isn't going to work, you can get HID fogs to increase the night visibility
thanks for saving me some money and trouble my fren
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 02:49 PM
  #14  
sagikun's Avatar
sagikun
Thread Starter
Driver
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: ca
Default

i have hid fogs on my 3gs, you can see pics on "new to CL..." thread. vibrations are noticable not bad. only on sharp bumps.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2009 | 09:26 PM
  #15  
SRGS300's Avatar
SRGS300
Pole Position
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default

bringing this thread back.. i have an 06 gs300 and my light output when the car was new was awesome but now 3.5 years later they suck. should i replace my ballast with new 09 gs350 ballast? would that make any difference?
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:36 AM.