MDX Headlights compare to TL Headlights
#1
Cruisin'
Thread Starter
MDX Headlights compare to TL Headlights
I have a 2012 MDX and 2007 TL, it seems to me i have brighter lighting at night with the TL than the MDX, i was wondering anybody have the same problem or just me not use to driving an suv and of course i been driving cars all my life until now i got the MDX.
#3
Senior Moderator
The only suggestions I have to make the lights on your MDX a bit brighter are to swap out the bulbs with some OSRAM CBI bulbs (brightest 5000Kelvin color bulbs on the market). But since your MDX is new, the bulbs may need time to burn in and color shift a bit. The lights are plenty bright now, but the color they cast off can make it appear that they aren't that bight. With some use the lights will become SLIGHTLY bluer and give a bit more contrast making them seem brighter when they are the same brightness.
#4
Burning Brakes
makes them so good compared to others?
#5
If you want even brighter, try the Osram SVS bulbs. They are 4300k so they won't be as white as the CBI, however they are brighter. SVS bulbs aren't yellow though, they are on the warmer side of the white compared to CBI which are a bit on the cooler side.
#7
Burning Brakes
Funny, I was just talking to my wife about the brightness of the lights on the MDX tonight. The 05 TSX that we traded, were much brighter. And my TL is waaaaaay superior to the brightness on the road compared to our MDX. However, I did swap out the TL lights to Phillips bulbs with ZKW-R lens.
I do think the MDX being taller affects the amount of light that hits the road. I'm contemplating changing the bulbs in the MDX to either Phillips or brighter Osrams. I'll wait till I'm at 15,000 miles before deciding to go ahead with the change. I want to see how the current HIDs settle in before I make any changes. I'm at 8,000 miles right now.
I do think the MDX being taller affects the amount of light that hits the road. I'm contemplating changing the bulbs in the MDX to either Phillips or brighter Osrams. I'll wait till I'm at 15,000 miles before deciding to go ahead with the change. I want to see how the current HIDs settle in before I make any changes. I'm at 8,000 miles right now.
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#10
David_Dude
The TL's projectors are some of the BEST on the market today, especially the 3G TL's projectors. A lot of HID's look horrid compared to them! The MDX's projectors are on the upper end of the HID market but by no means are as good as the TL's.
The only suggestions I have to make the lights on your MDX a bit brighter are to swap out the bulbs with some OSRAM CBI bulbs (brightest 5000Kelvin color bulbs on the market). But since your MDX is new, the bulbs may need time to burn in and color shift a bit. The lights are plenty bright now, but the color they cast off can make it appear that they aren't that bight. With some use the lights will become SLIGHTLY bluer and give a bit more contrast making them seem brighter when they are the same brightness.
The only suggestions I have to make the lights on your MDX a bit brighter are to swap out the bulbs with some OSRAM CBI bulbs (brightest 5000Kelvin color bulbs on the market). But since your MDX is new, the bulbs may need time to burn in and color shift a bit. The lights are plenty bright now, but the color they cast off can make it appear that they aren't that bight. With some use the lights will become SLIGHTLY bluer and give a bit more contrast making them seem brighter when they are the same brightness.
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The retrofit source (theretrofitsourse.com) has them rated at 3500lumens for the CBI/SVS's, while the Philips are at 3200lumens. Pakya IDK how much you know about lighting, but brightness is measured in lumens. Higher the number, brighter the bulb. Color temp is the opposite. Higher the color temp, the lower the lumens (which is measured in kelvins). Which is why OEM bulbs are usually in the ~4300K temp. Osram's CBI's figured out a way to increase light output while upping the kelvins (5000K). The higher you go up the color chart the color of light start to change which eventually ends up in the blacklight range, if I recall correctly.
Another example are the 02-06 Alitmas, they could be equipped with HIDs but they were reflector-based housings. No projectors. The 2G TL (99-03) had the same setup.
Hope I helped you out at least a little. All I did was just add on to the many great replies. BTW Osrams make the brightest HID bulbs on the market right now, a little pricey at $185/pair. But many members on here and on HIDplanet.com has sworn by them, plus you can actually see vids on youtube AND comparison pics of them.
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Last edited by Acura_Dude; 12-09-2012 at 07:13 PM.
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pakya (12-12-2012)
#11
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The good thing about CBI is that even at 5500k, they put out just as many lumens as a 4200k/4300k bulb does when most aftermarket bulbs lose lumens as they move away from 4300k. Morimoto bulbs put out 3000 lumens at 5000k compared to their 4300k which is rated at 3200 lumens.
@OP, here's a video of the SVS installed on TL projectors.
its not MDX projectors but still gives you an idea of what to expect.
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Acura_Dude (12-09-2012)
#12
David_Dude
Thanks Arpz for the corrections.
I'm starting to believe these bulbs are underrated. I believe TRS has the Philips 85122+ rated at 3200lm. Either way, you can't go wrong with Osrams.
I'm just wondering if the CBI's 5500K color temp pre-colorshift or post-colorshift. I'm assuming that it starts out at 5000K and then colorshifts to 5500K gradually.
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#13
Yup, def underrated. They cannot be putting out 3200 lumens and still be brighter than Philips. I think you're right, CBI's start off at 5000K and colorshift to 5500K. If they started off at 5500k, they would probably colorshift to 6000K which is not what OSRAM claims.
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Acura_Dude (12-11-2012)
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