HID vs LED vs Halogen?

Sonic Mustang- Yeah, agree completely about the tinted lights. I do run brighter bulbs/improved wiring in some vehicles, but nothing [dumb that doesn`t really work right].

I actually also agree about dark/aftermarket window tint despite always having had it on my Crown Vics (always seem to be that way when I get them). I *REALLY* feel for LEOs who have to approach a vehicle with dark tint, gotta be one scary experience and besides being inconsiderate, that just potentially bodes ill for everybody involved. (Heh heh, I know how to behave during a traffic stop, and if I get pulled over in that car the windows are all going down before the LEO approaches, even if it`s pouring rain.)

The Cop Magnet thing can be funny...I`ve *never* been hassled for the usual "red flags" even when pulled over. Sometimes they mention something, but they never cite me for it..pays to be LEO-friendly with regard to how to handle interactions with them.
 
I will chime in since I have done several retrofits on my car. my .02 cents.

Unless you get a very high end OEM led setup from a luxury car (or newer corolla/camry), placing led bulbs into you low beam or high beam will more often than not be brighter but also glaring to others on the road. As others have mentioned, the reason is that the oem bowl is not meant to be used with an led (or HID for that matter) bulb source. Brighter headlight does not mean better headlight. It`s also matter of both color of the bulb and the way in which the oem halogen bowl or projector bowls was designed to reflect the light source back on the road.

Best usable color temps (as others mentioned) are bulbs at 4300k-4500kelvin. higher temps are whiter, lower and more yellow. It would seem that the human eye sees yellow-ish better than white-ish on the roads, therefore above 5000 k, it`s more aesthetics than useful. Lots of information here: danielsternlightingxcom

True (as in OEM) HID headlights still seem to beat led headlights in terms of spread/use on the roads. It`s not to say that led projectors are bad, it`s just that there still new. SO yeah, find a camry, lexus, corolla etc... factory equipped led projector, install it in your halogen headlights, and voila: you have an awesome, usable, brighter headlight output. Or pay someone to do it.
If you are tinting your lights, then I would suggest an led bulb to compensate for the darker tint you put on. absolutely.

SO best bet is to get oem projectors from a lexus, bmw, acura etc... there are tons out there. A reliable place to go is `theretrofitsourcexcom`. you can find oem stuff and their own brand called morimoto. It`s cheaper, but works well, are reliable, and they have good customer service.
HIDplanet forum also has gobs of information is you have hours to spare to learn more. I bet someone already did what you want to do...

If you want to stay with your oem but upgrade the bulbs, have you considered better halogen bulbs? Here is a good place to look if you haven`t already: store candlepower com

Hope that helps.
 
1. Pull over right away.

2. Never every reach for anything inside the vehicle as you`re being pulled over.

3. Assume the "California Felony Stop Position." Keep your hands glued to the steering wheel.

4. Address the LEO correctly. Officer, Trooper, Deputy, etc. They really like that.

5. Even if it`s not required in your state, inform the LEO if you`re carrying or if there are weapons in the car.

6. Receive your verbal warning.
 
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