Hi all,

I am wondering if any of you know the difference (if any) b/w the projector headlight lens w/ factory HID vs the factory halogen? I am thinking to install HID to the IS250 and like to see if there's anything difference in terms of the lens and the type of bulbs (will I need the type of HID bulbs that has the small metal plate that blocks lights from reflecting at the wrong direction...)

thx

 

They are entirely different. Halogens use reflectors, HIDs use projectors, which you probably already know. You could get a straight conversion kit (H11) and use the reflectors with HID bulbs (lots of glare, no clean cutoff, "ghetto" style HIDs basically), or you could retrofit projectors, but it's a big project. Google/search it.

 

Doesnt the ISX50 with halogens come with projectors as well? I remember seeing a thread where someone showed a "before/after" pics and it showed a clear cut-off on the "before" pic ...

 

I can't tell the difference between any IS because they all have projectors haha. ES too the halogens have projectors. This is when they aren't on. At night when they are on the brightness is noticeable.

 

Hmmm, could of sworn I saw a 2IS with reflector lows, could be wrong though. The bulb will definitely be different from the OEM HIDs though, unless you do a D4S retrofit.

 

the one w/o HIDs got projectors too...you can tell the from the color difference / brightness

 

Ok, found the pic of halogen cut-off ... looks like projectors to me...



here is the thread by muzzman1

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-pictures.html

 

^ Yup, I stand corrected.

 

2is have never had reflector low beams, high beams/DRLs are reflector housings.

an HID kit on the non-hid projectors look just as good to me as the factory HIDs, same cut off and everything

true some projectors are better than others, like everybody loves s2k projectors with their crazy cut off, but i honestly can't tell a difference between a 2IS with after market HID ballast and a 2IS with stock HID ballasts and bulb swap, the only thing your missing out on is AFS

 

The lens on OEM HID projectors is more Clear than the halogen projector where the lens is more foggy I think thats the word im looking for.


Check this Out
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...intensive.html

 

The link you provided is of someone who installed different projectors into his headlight to get that crazy color and cutoff.

 

I do not have factory HIDs but after installing the Volt 6k HID system I compared them to a friends factory HIDs and his cufoff is better.

 

yea i have a hid kit with halogen projectors..there a clear difference between this a clear difference between this and hid projectors with the beam pattern and cutoff....theres no after market route we can do that is fairly inexpensive to get hid projectors for this car other than a retrofit is there?

 

I thought all 2IS had HID, I guess I learned something today.

I never paid much attention to one with the lights on at night, but just passing them by on the street I saw projector lenses and made assumptions.