Headlamps

[dancam]

So, the headlamps on my 2002 dx sedan are pitted, fogged up and faded so im gonna buy some new ones. Looking for brighter stuff because i drive in the dark half the year... online i see Spec-D halo projected LED lamps. I have a few questions: has anyone tried them? Are the high and low beams LED or is just the running lights LED? Are they decent quality? Are they actually brighter than stock headlamp assemblies? Is there something better available?
I dont care how they look, i just want bright lights and dont wanna waste a ton of money changing blown bulbs twice a year with nighthawks.
Anyway, i did try searching on here and only found one thread that had anything to do with headlights and google wasn't much use either-only people selling em or installation videos. So any help would be great, thanks.


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[2slo4u]

I don't think the LED pertains to the bulb that will project light out. More for looks I'd say. Those projector lights usually will have light output and will use a smaller bulb than OEM. Why are your bulbs blowing out so quickly? Maybe just get a PNP HID kit and re-aim the beam lower. Have you tried cleaning the lens of the fogged up headlight(s)? Getting a good quality output will probably putting a nice projector into the OEM headlight but I know not many people have the money or experience to do so. If you do go the PNP HID kit route, just make sure to aim your lights down to not blind oncoming drivers. You will most likely lose your hi-beam feature though. Even the Hi-Lo HID kits I've seen only work with the Low beam.

 

[dancam]

I don't think the LED pertains to the bulb that will project light out. More for looks I'd say. Those projector lights usually will have light output and will use a smaller bulb than OEM. Why are your bulbs blowing out so quickly? Maybe just get a PNP HID kit and re-aim the beam lower. Have you tried cleaning the lens of the fogged up headlight(s)? Getting a good quality output will probably putting a nice projector into the OEM headlight but I know not many people have the money or experience to do so. If you do go the PNP HID kit route, just make sure to aim your lights down to not blind oncoming drivers. You will most likely lose your hi-beam feature though. Even the Hi-Lo HID kits I've seen only work with the Low beam.

Thanks for the reply!
I was kind of thinking they were just for looks but they look quite bright on yourube videos so im not sure. Im hoping someone who has a set can confirm this. In the videos it looks like some have a seperate high beam/ low beam but these cars have a single bulb.
Are you saying that these ebay projected lamps are usually not as bright as new stock ones?
My lights burn out fast because the brighter they are the less long they last. The nighthawks or brightest sylvanas last about 1/3-1/5 as long as the plain dim ones. I also live kind of centrally in Canada as far as North and south goes and i drive a lot. 2 hrs a day 6 days a week and quite often long trips on weekends. 5 days a week its in the dark from about a week ago until like may or something. 5 or 6 times a year ill do a 4-8 hr trip in the dark. So lots of hours on the bulbs in 6 months.
I have cleaned quite a few headlamps over the years working in an autobody shop. I find that it works fantastic on lights that arent too bad but once they reach a certain point its just not worth it and doesnt help enough. Mine also have condensation inside.
I bought an HID kit for my other car that has high/low beams in a single bulb. I still need high and low beams and this kit has a stupid way of doing it. I havent installed it yet though so i dont know how well it will work. Its not the brand you mentioned though. I also hear from a lot of people that standard headlamps cant focus the beam from an hID if they are designed for halogen and thats my bigget concern. I dont need my lights shining everywhere but the road.
Perhaps these projecter lamps with HID's would be better than stock lamps with HID's? What do you think?
And no, i dont care to try and make my own headlamps...
Thanks again for the reply and any other tips or suggestions would be great.


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[Mr.Baker]

Get a new seat of headlamps to fix the fogging and haze problem. $60
Try a pair of Osram Nightbreaker bulbs, $30
Add a set of OEM or OEM style driving/fog lights, $50 at the most.

This is what I did with my 6th gen to help with lighting the road up at night.
Pretty affordable, no hassle with wiring up an HID kit, and it worked well for me.

 

[dancam]

Get a new seat of headlamps to fix the fogging and haze problem. $60
Try a pair of Osram Nightbreaker bulbs, $30
Add a set of OEM or OEM style driving/fog lights, $50 at the most.

This is what I did with my 6th gen to help with lighting the road up at night.
Pretty affordable, no hassle with wiring up an HID kit, and it worked well for me.

If i had seen oem headlamps for $60 i probably wouldn't be asking this question. Where do you find this?
I will look for that brand of bulb, thanks.


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[Mr.Baker]

If i had seen oem headlamps for $60 i probably wouldn't be asking this question. Where do you find this?

A little searching...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Pair-Set-Headlight-Headlamp-Assembly-DOT-01-03-Honda-Civic-4-Door-Sedan-/331385490091?hash=item4d281d4aab:g:vfIAAOSwFnFWEyv7&vxp=mtr

Their OEM style, but these are what I used on my 6th gen, look and fit like OEM.

 

[dancam]

A little searching...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Pair-Set-Headlight-Headlamp-Assembly-DOT-01-03-Honda-Civic-4-Door-Sedan-/331385490091?hash=item4d281d4aab:g:vfIAAOSwFnFWEyv7&vxp=mtr

Their OEM style, but these are what I used on my 6th gen, look and fit like OEM.

Yes, they are on my watch list, but by the time i get them shipped here its $125. For not a lot more i can get these projector lamps which is why i am asking if the projectors are brighter.


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[HeX]

Projectors can be brighter but it also depends on the bulb quality. I suggest PIAA bulbs as they are excellent quality and last a long while. I've had mine for at least 2 years without issues. As for projectors, I'd be hesitant to buy projectors that cost as much as factory-style replacements. I've seen a lot of cheap projector headlights that either yellow within 2 years, leak, don't fit well, or have certain parts begin to break. Since looks aren't a factor for you , I suggest you wet-sand, polish & wax your current headlights as haze and yellowing can significantly reduce light output. That'll buy you time to hunt down some used factory headlights via Craigslist, eBay, or junkyards. While your hunting, order some PIAA bulbs rated at 4500k-5000k as that's as close to clear uncolored bulbs as you'll get. The wet-sanded headlights accompanied with PIAA bulbs will hold you over until you find some good headlights to put the PIAAs in.

 

[dancam]

Projectors can be brighter but it also depends on the bulb quality. I suggest PIAA bulbs as they are excellent quality and last a long while. I've had mine for at least 2 years without issues. As for projectors, I'd be hesitant to buy projectors that cost as much as factory-style replacements. I've seen a lot of cheap projector headlights that either yellow within 2 years, leak, don't fit well, or have certain parts begin to break. Since looks aren't a factor for you , I suggest you wet-sand, polish & wax your current headlights as haze and yellowing can significantly reduce light output. That'll buy you time to hunt down some used factory headlights via Craigslist, eBay, or junkyards. While your hunting, order some PIAA bulbs rated at 4500k-5000k as that's as close to clear uncolored bulbs as you'll get. The wet-sanded headlights accompanied with PIAA bulbs will hold you over until you find some good headlights to put the PIAAs in.

Huh, ok. Ive never paid much attention to other peoples headlights. This style of lamp ranges in price from $200-$700. :p what do you think of these?
http://www.ebay.ca/ulk/itm/301297126398
I think ill install the new lamps and HID kit in my other car and see what they are like. How much i like them may determine what i do. I have a feeling (dont know why) that HID's in projector lamps will probably be better than HID's in oem lamps. Maybe LED's are worth trying, i dunno.
But anyway, does that lamp kit look like the cheap junk you see faded?
Ive heard good things about PIAA, ill try to see who sells them around here, i havent seen them in the regular auto shops, neither have i seen the nightbreaker brand though.
Thanks for the reply.


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[HeX]

Huh, ok. Ive never paid much attention to other peoples headlights. This style of lamp ranges in price from $200-$700. :p what do you think of these?
http://www.ebay.ca/ulk/itm/301297126398
I think ill install the new lamps and HID kit in my other car and see what they are like. How much i like them may determine what i do. I have a feeling (dont know why) that HID's in projector lamps will probably be better than HID's in oem lamps. Maybe LED's are worth trying, i dunno.
But anyway, does that lamp kit look like the cheap junk you see faded?
Ive heard good things about PIAA, ill try to see who sells them around here, i havent seen them in the regular auto shops, neither have i seen the nightbreaker brand though.
Thanks for the reply.

I cant help but notice random things like headlights, due in part to my interest in seeing how long they last. Ive seen more lights like that appear hazy than not, which tells me that at least the lens finish is of low quality. If it were me, I'd probably have a shop clear coat them just to not worry about it later. But Im different like that.

Theres no doubt HIDs will perform far better behind projectors and I would agree with others that a plug-n-play HID kit is a great option, buts its more costly. I've been very satisfied with my PIAAs in my headlights and fog lights, which I turn on in really dark road stretchs. The bulbs arent cheap and I can only find them online but I feel theyre worth it.

 

[HeX]

Oh, I read recently that they are now making LED headlight main bulbs but I have no idea how effective they are at illuminating the road. I rather wait until theyve been out on the market a while before considering them.

 

[lowlife9]

the reason your headlights are yellow or hazed is because there so old and the oem UV protection is gone. if you buy cheap aftermarket headlights the UV protection on the lens will be subpar compared to oem. that means your new headlights won't last half as long as your stock headlights did and you will be in the same boat as your are now in a year.

what you need to do if buff out your stock headlights and re-clear them. the new LED bulbs are just as bright if not brighter then the previous generation HIDs but if your lenses are faded its not going to make much difference.

 

[dancam]

I cant help but notice random things like headlights, due in part to my interest in seeing how long they last. Ive seen more lights like that appear hazy than not, which tells me that at least the lens finish is of low quality. If it were me, I'd probably have a shop clear coat them just to not worry about it later. But Im different like that.

Theres no doubt HIDs will perform far better behind projectors and I would agree with others that a plug-n-play HID kit is a great option, buts its more costly. I've been very satisfied with my PIAAs in my headlights and fog lights, which I turn on in really dark road stretchs. The bulbs arent cheap and I can only find them online but I feel theyre worth it.

Oh, I read recently that they are now making LED headlight main bulbs but I have no idea how effective they are at illuminating the road. I rather wait until theyve been out on the market a while before considering them.

Thats a good idea, i will buy some 2k clearcoat, paint em and bake them when i get new lamps, thanks for the idea.
Wow, you weren't kidding that the PIAA's are expensive.
I have a really good foglight kit i had on another car but i have been procrastinating installing them because they aren't going to be easy to modify to fit... I need to get on that though.


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[dancam]

the reason your headlights are yellow or hazed is because there so old and the oem UV protection is gone. if you buy cheap aftermarket headlights the UV protection on the lens will be subpar compared to oem. that means your new headlights won't last half as long as your stock headlights did and you will be in the same boat as your are now in a year.

what you need to do if buff out your stock headlights and re-clear them. the new LED bulbs are just as bright if not brighter then the previous generation HIDs but if your lenses are faded its not going to make much difference.

Yup, i know why they are like that but they are also sand pitted very very badly which lets the uv light in further making the hazing deeper and not worthwhile trying to sand out as i mentioned before. Unless i want paper thin headlamps which i dont.
I have not decided what to get yet but either one will be aftermarket and i will spray clear coat on whichever set i get. Spraying clear on after i try to polish my current ones would make them a lot nicer but good clearcoat is pretty pricy and im not sure i want to spend it on an experiment...
And yes, i realize that putting bright lights behind whats essentially a cover wont help, so i will do something to fix the real problem one way or another.
I have heard good and bad about LED lights for cars, so i am with HEX on waiting a while before trying them.
Thanks for the help!


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[Mr.Baker]

Yes, they are on my watch list, but by the time i get them shipped here its $125. For not a lot more i can get these projector lamps

Then it comes down to aesthetics, for me, projector lights just look cheap and tacky.

 

[dancam]

Then it comes down to aesthetics, for me, projector lights just look cheap and tacky.

Nope, still want whats brightest regardless of how it looks. I still dont know which that is so i am hoping someone who has tried cheap projecters on a civic will comment here on how they were.


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[R3dline]

you buy cheap projectors, your going to have a bad time. the fit sucks, the lens are s**t. sand and buff your factory headlights, and do a retrofit projector if thats what you want. at least you know its legit projectors and not some jimmy jam bullshit made in a third world country for 10 cents.

 

[XpL0d3r]

I love the output from my retrofit.

 

[Mr.Baker]

Nope, still want whats brightest regardless of how it looks. I still dont know which that is so i am hoping someone who has tried cheap projecters on a civic will comment here on how they were.

you buy cheap projectors, your going to have a bad time. the fit sucks, the lens are s**t.

Not only do the projector style look cheap, but they are poor quality, for the most part.

 

[2slo4u]

you buy cheap projectors, your going to have a bad time. the fit sucks, the lens are s**t. sand and buff your factory headlights, and do a retrofit projector if thats what you want. at least you know its legit projectors and not some jimmy jam bullshit made in a third world country for 10 cents.

Basically what I was trying to say, but in a more positive way haha