I'm considering a retrofit in my 2GS; not sure which way to go. I've got factory HID's but I'm not thrilled with the output. I'd like a little better output but looks are a significant concern as well. I'm considering either Q45's or LS460's, I think I'm kinda speaking out loud looking for some feedback.

Just to get it out of the way, I don't think I care much for the look of LS430's although I wouldn't completely eliminate them as an option; just that I think I'd rather go in a different direction. The output is tempting though.

I'm assuming the output of the LS460's is at least slightly better than the Q45's from what I've heard, and I think the LS460's look better when they are off. The Q45's look sick when they're on but I'm not 100% sold on the way they look when they are off like I am with the 460's. The Q45's are also pretty common on the forum, I think there's only one GS w/ 460's and it's caught my imagination!

My only concern with the LS460's is that I wonder if the smaller projector would look unbalanced with HID fogs? It just occured to me that when the lights are on the larger fog lights may seem too heavy with the LS460 projector. Anyone have an opinion on this?

The main thing going for the Q45's is that I have a pair of them sitting in the closet and that they may flow better with the HID fogs.

If anyone has read all of that, I'd appreciate your opinion!

 

I have a buddy whose considering the exact same thing for his 2GS.

The LS460s definitely probably has one of the best outputs and a real wide beam pattern. It'll output plenty of light, amazing when seen at night or in the country side at pitch blackness.

But then again, if your more for city driving with tons of amber city lights or highway lights, then output isn't all too necessary, the Q45 seems to output a slightly sharper beam and better color in my opinion. The Q45's are used often, mainly because they are large projectors and fit nicely in the 2GS's housing.

I'd probably stick with the Q45 for it's improved color and sharper line, unless light output is actually going to be that noticeable for you in your area.

 

Thanks for the input. I do alot of country driving, like 2 lane unlit highways so the output is a consideration. If that was the only thing I'd stick some LS430's in there and call it a day but I like the looks of the LS460's so much better. I've had the Q45's in my closet for 5 months and keep going back and forth whether I like them enough to do the retrofit. When I saw the 460's there was no doubt, they look perfect in the housing IMO.

I'm ok with the intensity of the stock HID reflectors but IMO the beam pattern is lacking, especially directly in front of the car, I think it should throw out farther. I remember my old retrofit (BMW 5 series) having better throw and much more even distribution.

I guess my main concern is that the HID fogs would look unbalanced with the 460 projectors since the headlights' light would be from a much smaller point than the wide fog lights; if anyone has night pictures of a retrofit with a similar size lens and HID fogs I'd love to see them. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated!

 

So what's more important to you: visibility or looks?

If for visibility then I would say go for the LS projectors. If for looks then I say go for the Q projectors.

For exclusivity go for the LS projectors, the Q projectors are pretty common. They look nice but I'm not as impressed when I see them anymore.

 

Well there are couple of different ways of looking at this scenario....looks vs. functionality!!

Looks.....LS460
Functionality......LS430, all it takes is one night and you will love it!! the output is out of this world!!

Then again during the day time, the LS460 looks better. Q45 looks good as well but the output is dismal... Never understood how infiniti advertised this as being the brightest headlight in the market!!

 

I think the Q45's are gonna be up for sale as soon as I get off my a$$ and take some pics and write a FS post.

I think I'm trying to convince myself I can live with the stock reflectors and HID fogs for a while and use the cash for a TTE lip or Supra TT brakes instead of a retrofit. It's a tough choice though, my buddies neighbor was leaving in his S2k the other night and I watched the cutoff and light distribution with envy. I'm just not impressed at all with the stock HID's.

The car is gonna be parked for the winter soon anyway so I've got some time to decide what I want to do. I think if I do the retrofit the LS460's are my first choice but the output of the LS430's might win me over. Another mod might make more sense to do first since I already have the stock HID's. If I'd had halogen stock something would've been done as soon as I got the car.

 

LS430 projectors [/thread]

 

i have TSX retrofit.. and i hate driving next to the newer gen LS430 and LS460 >.< they just put my projectors to shame =[

 

I've been a member of hidplanet for a while now and have LS460 projectors retro'd in my 03 RX300. I'll give you the best projectors:

.......BRAND...............INTENSITY.........WIDTH..........SHRP CUTOFF/COLOR
#1...LS430 Stock........best.................best.............average, no color
#2...S2000 Stock........sec best...........sec best.......best, beautiful color
#3...TL + XKW lens.....sec best............third best.....best, beautiful color
#4...LS460 + STI lens..third best..........sec best.......best, beautiful cutoff
#5...TSX Stock...........4th best...........4th best.......sec best, avg color

If you want the BEST intensity and width, go with LS430. Only flaw is blurry and colorless cutoff. There are no successful "mods" with the LS430.

If you want the second best intensity and width, go with S2000. Only go S2000 over LS430 if you want the best cutoff on the market.

LS460 is a little less intense than the S2000 and TL with ZKW lens but just as wide as S2000.

I chose the LS460 and painted the shield black to add color and sharpness to the cutoff. I chose LS460 for the looks, the crystal-like shroud is beautiful whereas the LS430 is boring, and the S2000 doesn't even have one...

All of those projectors are 2.5" except for LS460 and TSX which are 3". TL are the only projectors with bi-xenon (meaning the shield flips own for high beam) which would be useless since the GS has a separate bulb for high beam.

I wouldn't go with any other projectors for a retro unless they're on the list above. BMW's, Mercedes, Audi are HORRIBLE compared to the ones above. And the Q45's have a horrific cutoff and poor intensity, at least compared to the ones above. The Rx330 projectors are the only other stock Lex projectors i would even "consider" the IS being the worse. Check out hidplanet.com if you want more advice

Here's the link to see pics of my 03 RX with LS460's: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=381107