Thanks for the reply.

I am also familiar with HIDs and projector setups, which is why I asked. I've built retrofitted projector setups and I've never looked back because nothing else seems to compare but I know everyone has different tastes. The newer kits have a really low warmup time. Plus I built my last setup in my Cobra for under $300 bucks granted I caught the kit from TRS on a good sale and the housings were only $50 shipped but it shows that it can be done. Now the warmup time for the kit I used last wasn't that great but usually I turn them on right when I fire the car up and by the time I start moving they are at full power. As for the factory plug the kits I've always used connected into the factory harnesses but I'm sure some cars might not always fit that situation.

I can understand the wiring and ballasts getting annoying especially finding places the route the wires cleanly or finding a location to mount the ballast without it looking horrible or being too exposed to the elements. I think the main issue I have with the LED setups is the light spread is normally horrible. They always seem to look more like center focused flood lights.

From a safety perspective you cannot beat a properly built retrofitted projector. That is one huge reason why I cannot stand HIDs in a reflector housing. People can say what they want but its unsafe for oncoming traffic where projectors are designed with the cutoffs to help protect other drivers.\

Whenever I pick up my XJ I am planning to build a FXR projector setup.

No worries man. I can talk about light output all day long. It's something I've always been interested in since I saw my first retrofit years ago.

-Brian

 

yeah, I like the behind the bumper that's nice, mine has an aftermarket bumper on it now... I would either have to mount mine to the cowl or build a bumper hoop, or lights on a roof rack, we go through a lot of water down here

 

I was looking at them for my XJ but I think I'll pass I'll build my own hid retrofit for my XJ

I bought the HID retrofit from FST and the cut off pattern is great compared to those lights. I can also build a retrofit for 200. As for Hids needing to warm up it only takes 15-20 seconds to get to full power it takes me that long to back out of the garage and wait for the door to close . The pics below were before I had aimed the lights

 

Where can you buy these lights?

 

I am the same way! I could talk about lighting for days! I find it fascinating.

You are right, the warm up time really is pretty much a non issue.

These particular LED's are just as bright as any HID light I have encountered. So the light output is not an issue.

Where I have to say these lights fall short is the clean cut off off line of a projector housings.

Please don't get me wrong though, these headlights don't scatter the light by any means. They are not hazardous to other drivers at all. I'm just saying that the clean cut off line of a good set of projector housings is not on these lights.

For the factory plug ins, I should have explained better. Due to the projector housing I had at the time I had to use I believe h7's if I recall. The H4's did not fit inside the housing, but did plug in to the factory harness.

Having slim ballasts and mounting them was not too bad.

But I have to admit... Getting such a phenomenal upgrade in light output for a direct plug and play replacement is a huge plus for me.

The other major factor is the decrease in current draw like I said before. Decrease in heat and the fact that these are sealed beam headlights I will not have an issue getting them wet or fogging up.

I have done a bit of research on retrofitting, but do you know if it is possible to have a sealed HID housing?? It seems like every retrofitted housing I have seen has interchangeable lights. Would it affect the the HID in anyway if it was a sealed light? Obviously the downside is no interchangeable lights.

Idk, just a thought.

 

Also Brian,

I have to admit I gave a biased love for LED lights. I like HID's alot. But I have always loved HID's.

I think it has to do with how efficient they are. What kind of output is available for such a little amount of strain on the system.

Idk, its probably more of an irrational love than anything.

 

Got any links for decent looking tail lights? I've been looking for some LED taillights, but all I see is ugly euro style ones

 

Not bad. I agree they have a look to them only a Mother could love but probably not too bad in person. Is the company looking to make a 2.0 version once they have enough units out in the wild? Wondering if the cut-off you speak of could be tamed or maybe aiming...

$250 is not bad, especially with the quality you talk of. I recently bought an XJ and I'm learning lighting has been something people have been working on for awhile. I was totally surprised when I bought two headlights assembly's at Autozone for $20 out the door. I was like whaaa? Didn't realize you replace the whole dang thing. Might start saving pennies for these LED units. Plug and play is a great feature too.

 

Glass? Their website says the lens material is Polycarbonate. Not a big deal, just noticed that.

They sure put out some light - thanks for the review.

 

Looks pretty good man! I am not trying to claim these LED headlights are better than HID's. I am just sharing my experience!

Do you have any problems with water getting in the housings or anything?

 

You are very right! My bad, it feels like glass, looks like glass, and it weighs about the same. Polycarbonate is actually better! It is more impact resistant than glass. I believe it refracts lights almost exactly the same as glass as well.

 

Link is in my first post!

 

Do the lamps get hot at all? That's quite the array of LED's- I would think they would generate some heat.


I routinely drive in the winter with descents of 7000ft in the mountains and in a decent snowstorm those TruckLite LED's didn't generate enough heat to melt the ice from the face of the headlights. That resulted in an ice lens that scattered light all over the place. Curious to see if that ever happens with the ones you reviewed. At least they look pretty cool. Thanks for the review.

 

Yeah, that is the perfect way to describe the look. But, those pictures really do not do them justice. They look significantly better in person.

You really cant beat the quality for the price. I am beyond impressed with the quality of these headlight assemblies.

haha that is exactly how i was when i first replaced a light several years ago. I had never encountered a sealed beam headlight before. I have learned soo much since then.

And yes, the plug and play aspect was definitely a factor for me.

And i believe this is actually their 2.0 version. Scrolling through their facebook they had experimented and produced a version that looks completely different than these ones. I actually spoke with the owner of the company about those either lights and he said that there is no comparison that these lights are much much better than their first attempt. Knowing that made me feel better, like they have worked out the bugs.

 

These lights do an amazing job at dissipating the heat. Like i said in my write up the back is just one giant heat sink. They got slightly warm, but definitely not hot. This was after about 30 minutes of being on. And honestly, the warmth could have been from my engine. I was going slow through some trails and sat idling a good bit. But no i would not rely on them to melt ice or snow. They run impressively cool.