Mr.Tea

Where can i get upgraded headlamps the stock headlamps are really dull at nights.

Thanks.

Skirmich

For the Low Beams or what? What year is it?

mrgold35

I was a little disappointed in my OEM MDX HIDs compared to my RDX and TSX. The light looks more like previous gen high end Halogen yellow color range with limited range/width compared to wider/brighter HIDs on my other two cars. My MDX HIDs were also aimed very low from the factory and I raised them to same levels on my TSX/RDX. A lot of MDX owner also had to raise the HID light levels.

Folks seem to like Osram 66240 CBI or Morimoto XB35 as replacements. I don't think you go wrong with either brand. I went with the Osram on Amazon back in Apr/15 and been very pleased with the increase in light performance. The Osram are around 5000-5500k for a whiter/HID look compared to OEM hint of yellow 4300k HID.

You can replace yourself and you don't have to remove the bumper in 15 mins if you know what you are doing (or 1 hr if you learn as you go).

I would go with a replacement bulb within the 4300-5500 kelvin range. 4300k will be factory and will lean towards the yellow range and will have the most light output (close to early morning/late afternoon sun lower in the sky). Anything around 5000k-5500k will lean towards pure white (no yellow) with a hint of blue (5500k color is like high noon sun in summer). Anything above 6000k will start to touch purple and light output will start to drop off (think UV blacklight as you get to 12,000k).

Here is some info I found to help me figure out what HID for my MDX:

LINK: The Brightest D2S Bulb (Test Results) ? HID Light Reviews | Headlight Reviews

LINK: HID Brightness - HID - Research

LINK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_temperature

Mr.Tea

2012 advance

Skirmich

I have been very pleased with the XB35 5500K (Hiper White) they are true white not yellowish with a hint of white and they outperform the stock Philips Bulbs by a good bunch... I rarely need the High Beams at night with them.

The only issue I had was a flickering bulb in the first pair but TRS step up and replace them for free, No issues so far with the second pair. I will order a new set for my HID Fogs.

technocrat

I am tempted to upgrade my HID bulbs too as they are really poor specially during rains(often have to check if they are on or not), are these 5500k bulbs similar in brightness to the 3rd Gen's LEDs?

I have a 11 Tech + RES

mrgold35

I had the same problem as you with my OEM lights. Any upgrade will be an improvement over OEM. I went with the 5000-5500k range because I like the pure white/hint of blue look. Did the same OSRAM upgrade on my RDX and it improved the range/width/brightness of the HIDs.

I really haven't seen the 3rd Gen LEDs from behind the wheel at night. Had a loaner 14 MDX; but, Acura finished the repairs the same day before I got a chance to drive the vehicle at night. Just "guess-I-mating" by pictures; 5000-5500K looks about in the ball park of the 3rd Gen LED range (could be an extremely bright 4300-4500k also).

It is really hard to judge because the projector lense has a lot to do with how the light is dispersed/focused on the road. The 3rd Gen MDX has the advantage of having 6-10 projector lenses (depending on low/hi beam) to focus more concentrated light in multiple areas while our projector has to duplicated the same pattern with only 2 lenses over the same area. I don't think we can come close to 3rd Gen levels until there is a direct LED headlight replacement.

technocrat

Makes sense, thanks, I think I will go with the OSRAMs, is it a simple DIY(I know skirmich has put up a thread) but I am scared of dropping something in the engine bay. I hope no extra wiring or Relays are required.

Will the local Autozone be able to install these?

mrgold35

Really no tools required, Just very flexibly hands and arm (optional wrench for removing battery if you have large hands/arms like me). I had latex gloves, alcohol/cotton balls, flashlight (old eyes), and a small compact mirror (double-check placement of bulb and clips).

Just make sure the new bulbs are installed with the brown or blue grounding wire that runs the length of the bulb is pointed down towards the ground. It should seat properly and the 2 retaining clips will go on in seconds.

On the passenger side; I un-clipped the plastic power steering reservoir and the black little box near that for more access room (the black box can hang down 180 degrees to give you more room to maneuver). Everything you need to access is just hand tightened (HID dust/water cover, plug on back of the bulb, and 2 clips holding the bulb) and the HID bulb just moves straight in/out.

On the driver side is a little less room. If you have smaller arm/hands, you can do it without removing anything. I had a little more room taking the lid off the air box and sliding it over a bit. It was taking me a while, so I just removed the battery and the plastic tray it sit in. That took waaaay less time and huge hole was there for access compared to squeezing my arm in to seat the bulb and do the clips (just have your radio/navi code available afterwards).

There is no reason to have to take the bumper off to change the HIDs. The only things you might drop are the dust cover or the HID bulbs.

technocrat

Thanks, will refer to the thread & manual & see if I can do it. I have done interior light replacements & HL in smaller much less complicated/sophisticated cars but never an HID headlight hence the

Found this video on youtube but that doesn't help much

Skirmich

I can do it in under 2 minutes now with no tools no anything.. ITS INCREDIBLY easy to replace them my TL-S is way harder. My tips will be: LOTS OF LIGHT! Do it in broad day light with the sun aiming at the headlight from above (specially at 12 o clock or 1pm) if you have a garage use a spot light OR if you have a buddy or son that will keep a flashlight above you, will work..

This is specially important if you are not very dexterous as the passenger side is tricky because of the wire loom you will have to put your hand and arm in an angle and only work with your thumb to press the retaining tab in place while holding the bulb in place with your index.. Sounds way harder than it is, Once the bulb is locked in place (Fully Seated) it wont move by itself so you can secure the bulb with the retaining tab..

That video above is useless because its using the Drivers side which is the easiest to do and he is using the wrong hand for that side.. FYI: You only need 1 hand to do the job, And its Left Hand for the Drivers Side and Right Hand for the Passenger Side. You will look at what you are doing from the small triangle gap above the HID Cover.

technocrat

Thanks a lot, will wait for the Sun to come out to do this DIY (Its snowing in here)

Mr.Tea

Are these the bulbs:

I would go with a replacement bulb within the 4300-5500 kelvin range. 4300k will be factory and will lean towards the yellow range and will have the most light output (close to early morning/late afternoon sun lower in the sky). Anything around 5000k-5500k will lean towards pure white (no yellow) with a hint of blue (5500k color is like high noon sun in summer). Anything above 6000k will start to touch purple and light output will start to drop off (think UV blacklight as you get to 12,000k).

Here is some info I found to help me figure out what HID for my MDX:

LINK: The Brightest D2S Bulb (Test Results) ? HID Light Reviews | Headlight Reviews

LINK: HID Brightness - HID - Research

LINK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_temperature[/QUOTE]

mrgold35

You will need the DS2 types.

thoiboi

Fixed for accuracy

There are a few options here:https://www.theretrofitsource.com/components/bulbs.html



Code:acurazine should give you 5% off.

Skirmich

AFAIK from everything I read:

Best bulbs to Normal Bulbs
1.- OSRAM Cool Blue Intense (150-160bucks)
2.- OSRAM Nightbreakers (160-170bucks)
3.- MORIMOTO XB35 (40-50bucks)
4.- Philips Xtreme Vision (160-180bucks)
5.- OSRAM Xenarc (60-80bucks)

And you need D2S bulbs.

technocrat

So got the bulbs installed this weekend by a local garage. Initial impression, these are definitely brighter & whiter(which I like) than the stock Phillips however its not a huge improvement over stock.

They are no where the LED brightness that I was secretly wishing for. Have driven only once in dark post installation so will drive some more & report how does it perform under different lighting conditions over the stock.

mrgold35

Which type did you go for OSRAM or MORIMOTO?

I did the D2S - Osram Xenarc 66240CBI HID Bulbs and they were a big improvement over OEM. Decided to step it up a notch and moved the Osram Xenarc 66240CBI HID Bulbs to the RDX and purchased the Osram 66240NB Xenarc D2S Nightbreaker for the MDX. It seems the first pair looked brighter and better than the night breaker. I'm now going to move the Nightbreaker from the MDX to replace the OEM HIDs on the TSX. Just ordered OSRAM D2S CBI Cool Blue Intense Xenon HID Headlight Bulbs 5000K to give them a try.

technocrat

D2S - Osram Xenarc 66240CBI HID Bulbsm bought from Amazon