HID vs LED Headlights
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Flin Flon, Manitoba
Do an HID retrofit. Google hid planet and get some info there and you'll never look back. I did one on my Colorado after running hids in my fogs for a few months. Whatever you decide to do, PLEASE do not run hids in stock housings.
Even though stock is pretty brutal, if you run the hids in stock housing you won't be gaining any usable light as most of the light is reflected skyward. A projector retrofit ensures optimal useable light on the road where you need it and adds a nice clean cut off.
Also, the higher end of the color spectrum you claim to have seen on high end cars is actually due to the projector. What you're seeing is the edge of the cut off, which can be very colorful.
Even though stock is pretty brutal, if you run the hids in stock housing you won't be gaining any usable light as most of the light is reflected skyward. A projector retrofit ensures optimal useable light on the road where you need it and adds a nice clean cut off.
Also, the higher end of the color spectrum you claim to have seen on high end cars is actually due to the projector. What you're seeing is the edge of the cut off, which can be very colorful.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Being from TO, how much heat generated from the lights to melt any slush or snow that gets thrown up on the lights when driving around in the winter might be something to consider.
I'm not sure if there is much difference vs. incandescent lights, but could be something that is overlooked. It might not be significant enough to be an issue, either.
I'm not sure if there is much difference vs. incandescent lights, but could be something that is overlooked. It might not be significant enough to be an issue, either.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Originally Posted by blackhouse
Do an HID retrofit. Google hid planet and get some info there and you'll never look back. I did one on my Colorado after running hids in my fogs for a few months. Whatever you decide to do, PLEASE do not run hids in stock housings.
Even though stock is pretty brutal, if you run the hids in stock housing you won't be gaining any usable light as most of the light is reflected skyward. A projector retrofit ensures optimal useable light on the road where you need it and adds a nice clean cut off.
Also, the higher end of the color spectrum you claim to have seen on high end cars is actually due to the projector. What you're seeing is the edge of the cut off, which can be very colorful.
Even though stock is pretty brutal, if you run the hids in stock housing you won't be gaining any usable light as most of the light is reflected skyward. A projector retrofit ensures optimal useable light on the road where you need it and adds a nice clean cut off.
Also, the higher end of the color spectrum you claim to have seen on high end cars is actually due to the projector. What you're seeing is the edge of the cut off, which can be very colorful.
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, AL
I just did the JW Speaker 8700 and they are awesome. High cost of ownership, but the JK Headlight housing is terrible for HID's...
Im an HID fan and have had them in my Armada for years but I personally dont like them in the JK housing.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
jfg
Im an HID fan and have had them in my Armada for years but I personally dont like them in the JK housing.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
jfg
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: scottsdale
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 211
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, MD
I also recently upgraded from 6000k HID lighting to the JW Speaker 8700. It is a night and day difference. The light output is at least double and much more evenly spread.
Also to answer your question, no... LEDs put out almost no heat. They will not melt snow.
Also to answer your question, no... LEDs put out almost no heat. They will not melt snow.
Last edited by WhosUrBuddiee; Dec 4, 2011 at 09:44 AM.
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Post Falls, Id
I've also been wondering whether to get HID or LED. One thing I'm wondering is how well the pencil beam HID vs LED beams light up the trail? In other words, which beam pattern is more preferable to those who have experience using each on the trail?
Thanks!
Thanks!