Tried some of the earlier LED headlight bulbs a few years ago in my old D2 and to say I was underwhelmed is an understatement.
Have kept an eye on developments since and noted how they were changing from multi-led bulbs to single (or double) CREE type LEDs. Very sophisticated with built in cooling fans etc.
So, a few weeks ago I thought I'd experiment and bought some of these:
I do hope Steve at Advanced Factors tests these bulbs & decides to stock them.
If they are any good I'm up for a pair for my MG B GT V8.
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
There are 10 types of people in this world: Those who understand binary, and those who don’t.
I'll try to get some of the lamps in situ over the weekend. Don't know whether I can get any meaningful pics of the beam at night but will try.
Compared to Xenons ? Seem to suit Hi-beam well as they light up instantly ( especially when you flash headlights). Rated at 6000K so quite a good white-blue light colour but illuminates the sides as well as distant so hedgerows close to the car are well illuminated. as I said, the colour is very similar to the Xenons in my dipped beams.
If the fittings had had the usual wire clips to hold the bulb in place it would have been virtually impossible to fit them as they stick out from the bulb holder a lot and the fan housing is quite wide but having the push-in system for the bulbs in the D4 it just needed a firm push. No secondary box like a lot of these LED bulbs so just needed to connect up to the wiring. Dust cover fitted back on no problem.Morris Dancers: Drinkers with A Dance Problem
20th Mar 2015 6:05 pm
Advanced Factors Site Sponsor
Member Since: 27 Nov 2012
Location: Southampton
Posts: 2648
NJSS wrote:
I do hope Steve at Advanced Factors tests these bulbs & decides to stock them.
If they are any good I'm up for a pair for my MG B GT V8.
NJSS
Very unlikely!
Whilst no retro fit exterior LED meets the legal requirements we all currently get away with it if they appear in order (correct colour and no flicker) However I can't see these being able to focus so how would the beam pattern be? They may actually be okay in the OPs fitment to high beam as the Xenons are still doing the required bit but I doubt that they would suit a dipped beam fitment.
Would like to see the result on a beam tester to see what they do, if its just a bright white spread then they are no good for dipped beam even if they look great.
I will await someone else's investment in this one until more is known.Paul Redding
+44 (0)23 8052 2774
Order Parts Online at www.advancedfactors.co.uk
Steve, I would have to agree with you on the dipped beam front, which is why I've only considered these for main having got Xenons on dipped.
I, like a few people, tried aftermarket HIDs in the dipped beams of my old D2 and the beam pattern was ! OK it was bright but spread everywhere and was obviously causing real problems for oncoming.Morris Dancers: Drinkers with A Dance Problem
20th Mar 2015 6:20 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Wont be long and they will be common, on trucks every sidelight, top marker is now led, only reason rear and headlamps are still bulbs is cost.
Led worklights now becoming common place as well.
Not as retrofit though. As Steve mentioned, the light source from an LED is fundamentally different to the source from a filament lamp, so the reflector is unable to focus the light correctly. Fitting them for main / dipped is going to end up with light all over the place, and little of it where you want it.I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
I definitely agree with you for the dipped beams, my experience with HIDs in my D2 taught me that, but fitting these into the hi-beam seems to have worked extremely well.
The point with the units I've fitted is they have a single CREE LED source replicating the filament rather than the older style of having lots of LEDs spread over a wide area (also these seem to have a 'collimating' reflector behind them).
So far my experience with them at night is a good throw of light (as you'd expect for a hi-beam) but a good deal of 'extra' coverage at the sides. very useful when travelling Devon lanes Morris Dancers: Drinkers with A Dance Problem
24th Mar 2015 8:06 pm
harvey6480
Member Since: 30 Apr 2012
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 116
what are they like for distance compared to halogen?
last set i treid, £90 were rubbish at long distance......
might try a set you bought though. Also like how quick they react when you flash them etc....
I've been trying to work out how to take some meaningful photos at night. Given I didn't take any with the halogens in I don't think they'd be useful.
all I can say is that having driven at night on a variety of roads, the LEDs are excellent. They give a really good forward projection and a wide beam close to the car (useful on Devon lanes !! ) The whiter light they emit seems to pick up detail much better and matches the xenon low-beam well.
In all, I'm more than happy with the switch. I'll be interested to see how others get on when they try them Morris Dancers: Drinkers with A Dance Problem
7th Apr 2015 10:36 am
harvey6480
Member Since: 30 Apr 2012
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 116
Mine have arrived and they are ! They light up approx 1m ahead and the sky. Mine are ones on your link! They didn't fit properly either. How are yours so good
If they're definitely the ones on the link then I don't understand why they are so bad.
As I said, they are a tight fit into the light unit. You have to make sure the tab is lined up with it's slot and then gently manoeuvre them into the headlight. They do butt up against the back of the headlight unit. When fitted, the light-emitting units should be top and bottom, though only one lights up in the H7 bulbs.
Mine definitely provide a really good high-beam so maybe they're faulty, although to have two faulty units seems to be too coincidental.
I'd get back to the supplier before you give any feedback.Morris Dancers: Drinkers with A Dance Problem
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
! OK it was bright but spread everywhere and was obviously causing real problems for oncoming.
