Halogen -VS- LED Headlights with pictures

OMG this is terrible

I thought my wife would be content with the Gen III package IV. But now that you've shown how good the Gen III package V LED headlights are, I'm not sure our budget can survive this revelation

 

Not to crap on LEDs, because I think LEDs are awesome. I use them a lot... but if all you like about the V is the look that LED produces, then I suggest you look into a set of HID lights. You even have different shades of color to choose from. (Waterproof and Shockproof HID Kits - The best HID conversion kit resource for everything from drift cars to tractors! - plug for a good company!)

 

so a few questions:

How do these LEDs work in foul weather(rain, wet pavements, etc)? I have used quite a number of LED devices and even the higher powered SSC P7 emitters have trouble with wet conditions,.

also, what's with the color of the back ground sky? they look a lot different in the two photos.

 

I keep coming back to how dramatically different these are. I'm have feelings of inadequacy about the halogens in my IV.

Since I can't just plug in LEDs, any guesses as to cost to upgrade the headlamps?

 

Warmer tints are easier for the eyes to interpret real colors when in dim situations.... ie" low light output up close or high output when looking at objects far in the distance where output is diminished at those ranges".

the higher kelvin white looking lights are better when intensely illuminated... the brain needs that kelvin with intense lights and will do a better job of accurately interpreting colors... but again, when lighting conditions are low, the brain actually interprets colors better at those warmer lower kelvins.

 

JSHARPE,

What lights did you use to replace the HIGH BEAMS? I finally took delivery of my V Friday and I notice the Yellow tint compared to the LED'S and wanted to make them look more similar?? Was it simple and easy? Where did you buy them online or at a local Autp Store?

Thanks for any help!.

Bob

 

Hi Bob,

The bulbs I used are the same PIAA ones described by stream in the sticky topic at the top of this subforum (http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-parking-lights-rear-license-plate-bulbs.html).

I did some searching but at the time the places mentioned in that post ended up being the cheapest and all the bulbs arrived very quickly. Although they do more closely match the color temperature of the LED low beams they are still a bit more yellow, just not nearly as yellow as the OEM bulbs. Although I've seen other bulbs with a slightly higher color temperature that would match even better, I'm ok with the remaining color temperature difference of these as it's my understanding that the bluer bulbs sacrifice some brightness and I really like the brightness and expected lifespan of these.

Replacing the high beam bulbs was trivially easy with direct access through the engine compartment. You just twist the bulb holder out of the housing, swap the bulbs and twist it back in place.

Bottom line - I'd do it again with the same bulbs.

 

Great pics, but the white balance is different between the two. The white balance is far more yellow in the halogen pic, you can tell by the sky. I have the II with the halogen and while they are yellow, they are not that yellow. Your pictures clearly show that the LEDs are better than the halogens tough. They illuminate wider and more evenly.

Others mentioned the cutoff with the LEDs. The Halogens have the same issue on mine. They have a really sharp cutoff. I'm getting used to it but I would prefer a less dramatic drop off.

Michael

 

The sky is clearly more bright in the LED pic. It's almost as if the halogen pic has a sepia-like effect on it. (not to claim that these pics are a fraud but I just don't remember my stock halogens looking nearly that orange/yellowish)

 

Thanks for this nice job.
But in my country (Belgium) the difference between the price of a 'LUNA' or a 'SOL' is too high and I don't drive enough at night.
Belgian market has only 4 models :
Terra ( 27150 €) => I - II (in the USA)
Luna (29060 €)=> III - IV
SOL (32360 €)=> IV - V
SOLAR PREMIUM (36450 €)= SOL + solar roof + some extras
The equipments are defined by models and only painting metal is available as option.

 

What is involved in making the change to LED or can it even be done? Is it a simple matter of buying and replacing the current bulbs or is there some modification that is necessary to fit the LED into the existing structure? How about price, and where should the LED's be purchased...dealer or auto supply store?

 

Even if it was an even swap.... I honestly don't know if I would consider it.

Its obvious they are close or there wouldn't be such a toss back and forth in the debate.

The warmer color is more natural for the brain to interpret that kelvin as its used to seeing all day long.

If you compare the pics and looks at things the lights could never illuminate "like the sky" you will see the LED pic is brighter.
Is that due to different settings on the camera or earlier in the eve.. I don't know, but without that being the same, its hard to compare the rest.
If fact, if a camera settings are not "fixed" on its Fstop and shutter speed, the camera will adjust the picture darker for the brighter light "in an attempt to make it normal", the result can be the background is darker.

Without knowing if the camera settings are constant, again, its hard to compare.

Even when looking at the pictures, if you stare for long, you will notice the warmer pic is easier on the eyes and "invites" you into the scene.

When you come around a corner and have milliseconds to interpret whether the blob you see on the road is a rock, rabbit, or just a spot or shadow on the road makes a big difference if the brain and make an accurate interpretation quick enough to make an informed reaction.

Sometimes our choice is just personal preference.... like anything else, change is good.... thats why we go to purple and other crazy colors.
Whats safest is not always "funnest".

I do like the Halogens, they put the old halogens of yesteryear to shame... possibly because of how the light is focused. But when high beam is on.. I see "everything".. not just whats down on the ground, but tree tops, limbs, signs etc.

Its quite impressive when I hit the high beams as "all the signs" on the freeway in the distance light up like a neon light.

I don't have LED to compare to, but I still have two GenIIs with HID.

I was one of the worst skeptics when trying to decide whether to take a package IV with Halogen as I didn't trust I would be able to adjust to the lesser light output after being used to the HIDs.
But I'm glad to say... thats a non-issue.

 

I bought the Prius IV and I am extremely disappointed with the headlights. The brightest part seems to be offcenter towards the drivers side, and there is so little light off the front corners of the car that I have trouble parking or even making sharp turns around roads b/c I can't see around the corner. I am very concerned that I will end up hitting curbs and such b/c I can't see where they are.

 

Wow!.. no kidding?

You better go to the dealer and let them see if there is an issue....
I have none of your complaints nor have noticed anyone else with them.

If anyone else has similar complaints, maybe they can chime in.