This video is NOT meant to be an endorsement of altering the headlights in your vehicle. It’s just meant to be a comparison between the Halogen, HID, and LED bulbs that are available now.
That said, I did feel like I got some surprising results from my testing as you’ll see in the video.
All tests were done using a 2004 Honda Element with Halogen headlight housings. The distances were constant as we kept the vehicle in the same spot for all testing with the engine running.
Also, I did not aim or alter the headlights in any way. I only installed the different bulbs for each test.
Listing of State Headlight Laws: https://www.motorfiend.com/state-headlight-laws/
I got all of the bulbs for testing from MotorFiend: https://www.motorfiend.com
Halogen bulbs were stock H4’s/9003’s: https://www.amazon.com/SYLVANIA-SilverStar-Halogen-Headlight-Contains/dp/B0012ETJ1O
HID’s: https://www.amazon.com/Innovited-55W-BI-XENON-DUAL-BEAM/dp/B00KV8MN56
LED’s: https://www.amazon.com/Boltlink-Headlight-Bulbs-Dual-Beam/dp/B00QEYKGJG
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: http://www.ericthecarguy.com
Camera: Derek Sims
Thanks for watching!
Discussion about this video: https://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/18-The-EricTheCarGuy-Video-Forum/67460-halogen-vs-hid-vs-led
Tools
My Luxi light meter: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1017614-REG/luxi_esdhw905_light_meter_attachment_for.html
Related videos
Element HID Headlight Install: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB-KQIySb7w&feature=youtu.be
Re: HID Headlight Install video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBbAGqpH0pM
HID Diagnosis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8OnMcA302g
2004 Honda Element HID Fog Light Install (Part 1): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvOez4RCyn8&feature=youtu.be
2004 Honda Element HID Fog Light Install (Part 2): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rINkzWHgCTM&feature=youtu.be
How To Install LED Headlights 2012 Honda Odyssey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq5pf0srHyk
CREE Headlight Installation Acura Vigor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NddUhGVI7EA&t=14s
How To Adjust Headlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ3OZnzR1Zc
How To Aim Headlights with a Hoppy Headlight Aimer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3GOz8cX7Dw
How To Restore Headlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvNSjjTHua4&t=3s
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Led sucks I had them they look bright close to wall but when driving they suck.
i have 2 cars one of my cars has HID LED 6000K HEADLIGHTS (AWESOME) MY other car
has HID XENON 6000k HEADLIGHTS (SUXS) I wish there is a kit i can buy to switch
from XENON to LED..
Excellent video! Can't argue w/the results.
What type of halogen bulbs are they? I changed from basic to Silver Star Ultra and the lighting improved greatly
If the car is designed for a certain bulb you should stick with it because that's how the housing is designed. Also HID and LED might have incomplete spectrum which might cause poor visibility in some cases.
Dip your lights and don't be an asshole.
thanks
The glare test is pointless because everything on your camera is set to auto….
LED's are a good option in reflector style headlights, but you have to get the correct led style bulb that mimics your stock halogen beam pattern. I recommend Morimoto, GTR Lighting and Headlight Revolution S-V.4 for best light output, brightness, and beam pattern.
Appreciate your efforts
Thanks a lot
I've been having trouble seeing the road specially when it rain at night after seeing your footage its extreamely helpful thanks
What a jerk off video!
It's not illegal if you don't get caught
The newer, thin LED’s that put it’s light source as close to the original halogen filament is much better than before.
So the LED's are just like driving with high beam constantly on…and why people get blinded at night.
Eric should check out the modern LED Bulbs that have great beam pattern, such as the GTR Lighting Ultra 2. They're bulky, but bright
Please delete this fucking video. You got shitty LEDs. Period. Some companies know what they're doing. I've tested several myself.
What ever my car comes with I just buy the best bulb I can afford of that type. Retro fitting LEDs is shit anyway and hids isn't much better
Fuck everyone with too bright headlights! Thanks for making it so I can't drive at night anymore. Get a life, cars are not toys. No one cares about your laser beam pimped out cars. Have some courtesy please bitches!
What a terrible video…just keep turning wrenches buddy 😂🤣😂🤣
Just depends on the led bulb. Every led bulb is different. Do some research and redo the test with quality led bulbs and I guarantee you will have a different outlook on them
LED us the best.
I get dazzled if there is an led light anywhere ahead of me, even from 2 or 3 miles away it will pierce my vision. It causes White lines in my vision to splay everywhere. I cannot believe that lights that dazzle people from any distance were made legal, and the fact that people consider them safer than halogens that do not blind people is mind blowing. And the fact that they want to ban halogens which are the only lights that do not blind people, for the environment. Mad world i tell ya
Where to buy good HIDs that aren't fake? I bought some from OrangeMika and they were FAKE brands and stopped working. There must be some honest shops on the internet?
_ I gotta say, I like the LED's in the dash, but I still prefer the warmer light of the old incandescent bulbs. LEDs in the cabin feel like the fluorescent lighting in Office Space …lol._