LED vs HID Headlamps
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,851
Likes: 218
From: PA
IIHS did a comparison test on the HIDs vs LEDs in the 3IS.
For test results click on the link, then choose Headlights from the menu down the page slightly, on the left:
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/veh...0-4-door-sedan
For test results click on the link, then choose Headlights from the menu down the page slightly, on the left:
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/veh...0-4-door-sedan
the LED's get a "Marginal" rating. the prius and corolla have better lighting than the IS w/ LED equipped headlamps, lol. and for the posters above, I don't understand the argument how the HID's wouldn't produce as sharp as a cutoff as the LED system, and instant on? not a big deal, HID's light up pretty quickly. Good HID's produce a very nice cutoff.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9,537
Likes: 2,591
Although HIDs appear to fire instant on and they mostly do with good OEM-level ballasts and igniters, HIDs take about a full minute or two for full lumens output. LEDs achieve full output instantly. In the grand scheme of things, not a big deal. you stlll have headlights. But i'm a headlight nerd and the little details appeal to me =)
I've been modifying, retrofitting, and tuning HID setups for over a decade.
A big part of the reason why the high level Prius achieved an excellent score vs models (including its own) with the same projection unit is due to high beam assist. It's not necessarily a sole indicator of how much light a headlight will put out or how well it will put it out. The scores are good but not an end-all.
I've been modifying, retrofitting, and tuning HID setups for over a decade.
A big part of the reason why the high level Prius achieved an excellent score vs models (including its own) with the same projection unit is due to high beam assist. It's not necessarily a sole indicator of how much light a headlight will put out or how well it will put it out. The scores are good but not an end-all.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,851
Likes: 218
From: PA
I'd be more than willing to live with the 2 minutes for it to warm up if the output is better for the next 45 minutes of my commute, LOL.
When i had my accord I did a retrofit w/ the Mini H1 kit from retrofit source. I'm still impressed with the output to this day.
I'm actually completing a retrofit now for my sister's accord using RX330 projectors and morimoto ballasts. The stock halogens on the 7th gen accords are laughably bad and she has a long commute, and i miss doing headlight projects.
Maybe i can find a 3IS in the junk yard one day and get a pair of 3is headlights cheap and do a retro.
When i had my accord I did a retrofit w/ the Mini H1 kit from retrofit source. I'm still impressed with the output to this day.
I'm actually completing a retrofit now for my sister's accord using RX330 projectors and morimoto ballasts. The stock halogens on the 7th gen accords are laughably bad and she has a long commute, and i miss doing headlight projects.
Maybe i can find a 3IS in the junk yard one day and get a pair of 3is headlights cheap and do a retro.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 441
Likes: 2
From: mo
I'd be more than willing to live with the 2 minutes for it to warm up if the output is better for the next 45 minutes of my commute, LOL.
When i had my accord I did a retrofit w/ the Mini H1 kit from retrofit source. I'm still impressed with the output to this day.
I'm actually completing a retrofit now for my sister's accord using RX330 projectors and morimoto ballasts. The stock halogens on the 7th gen accords are laughably bad and she has a long commute, and i miss doing headlight projects.
Maybe i can find a 3IS in the junk yard one day and get a pair of 3is headlights cheap and do a retro.
When i had my accord I did a retrofit w/ the Mini H1 kit from retrofit source. I'm still impressed with the output to this day.
I'm actually completing a retrofit now for my sister's accord using RX330 projectors and morimoto ballasts. The stock halogens on the 7th gen accords are laughably bad and she has a long commute, and i miss doing headlight projects.
Maybe i can find a 3IS in the junk yard one day and get a pair of 3is headlights cheap and do a retro.
Last edited by theory816; Oct 8, 2016 at 08:14 AM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: wa
Factory premium LED
They are great. I have them on my 13 rx350 and 14 is250 very significant improvement over my 06 Is250 that I just sold with 200 k on it.
however the 14 IS250. Brights don’t work drivers side bad and I was quoted 1600 $ from Lexus to repair. 45000. Miles but 5 years old no warranty
i bought it from a Toyota dealer 2 months ago certified select. And when I called them they said they check electrical not bulbs. I looked up Toyota 150 pt inspection and it said check high and low and alignment. I looked up my service history on Lexus drivers. And it was select certified inspected couple weeks before I bought it. I’m familiar with consumer protection act sused car disclosure laws as well as washington state RCW fit for use laws and RCW implied warranty laws. Going to Toyota Sat and asking for checklist. We will see what happens. I may pay for to repair but not without a hearing before the state attorney general. Anyway I love Lexus just not the empty suits and con men that seem to gravitate to used car sales
however the 14 IS250. Brights don’t work drivers side bad and I was quoted 1600 $ from Lexus to repair. 45000. Miles but 5 years old no warranty
i bought it from a Toyota dealer 2 months ago certified select. And when I called them they said they check electrical not bulbs. I looked up Toyota 150 pt inspection and it said check high and low and alignment. I looked up my service history on Lexus drivers. And it was select certified inspected couple weeks before I bought it. I’m familiar with consumer protection act sused car disclosure laws as well as washington state RCW fit for use laws and RCW implied warranty laws. Going to Toyota Sat and asking for checklist. We will see what happens. I may pay for to repair but not without a hearing before the state attorney general. Anyway I love Lexus just not the empty suits and con men that seem to gravitate to used car sales
Last edited by davycreed; Aug 14, 2019 at 07:31 PM. Reason: 1600 to repair one side
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2014, 3000, 4th, auto, california, car, generation, headlight, headlights, hid, koito, law, led, lexus, lumen
