paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

I've always known that LED projectors are not as good as a good HID projector, in terms of cutoff, width, and uniformity.
However I wanted to see some pics before passing judgment. Here now I have some pics of the output from a TLX. I'm sure it'd be similar as the MDX and RLX too.
Don't get me wrong the headlights look pretty cool, but if comparing strictly in output, it's definitely a slight downgrade.

The pics are taken with the same car(presumably), but the distance differences make the cutoff line look slightly different.







here is a pic of TL projectors with genuine zkw lens and philips 85122+ bulbs.
I realize testing conditions are different, but a trained eye should be able to tell how it'll look either way:

bla8291

So you're saying this is the exact output of a TLX? Or you're saying that it's from a RLX/MDX for similarity? If it's a TLX, how did you get those pics? Just curious.

A couple of observations from your pics:

- The pics are a bit unfair. You're comparing the output of a car that's in a near pitch-black, wide-open environment to a constricted, somewhat lit environment. So the perceived output won't look the same.

- You're comparing two different technologies. Each jewel is supposed to light a different segment of the road, while xenon headlights only take care of two segments - left and right. So yes, the cutoff will be different, but as far as output, I have seen cars with full LED headlights from Hyundai, Honda, Acura, Mercedes, and Toyota, and the output is [to me, perceived to be] an upgrade over standard xenon headlights.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

yes the pictures are from a 2015 TLX, not mdx/rlx
Pictures are from acura's video showing the prototype.

Yeah I definitely understand the different environment scenario. I still want to do a side by side test with my car against an rlx/mdx/tlx

bla8291

Oh, I never saw this video. I see what you mean by it looking like a downgrade, but from what I've seen on the road so far, it's definitely an upgrade. It kind of puts xenon headlights to shame. A little bit.

eastcoastguy

I really dont think you can compare pics from the video and pics of actual 3G TL cars. With video editing, the fact that the car os not production yet, etc, etc there could be so many variables that would make the comparison at this point, pointless. IMO

Acura_Dude

I've witnessed LED headlights on the Escalade and new MDX (in front and behind myself in traffic). They are definitely bright. I say they're just as good if not better than projectors. Negligible in terms of which one has a better output as far as I could tell. We all can agree that HID/LED lighting is superior to halogen lighting. I like how the Jewel Eyes look in person. You have a trained eye, and lighting is your interest, so I can't wait to see your comparo shots one day.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

In my experience, the RLX and MDX LED headlights are extremely bright and actually provide a more crisp and bright light, even if it may not project as far, though you would never be able to tell from behind the wheel.

My guess is, if you drive a car sporting LED headlights, you will find that you like it as much as, if not more than, traditional HIDs.

MEKO

iTrader: (1)

Haha, paperboi, no need for this man, haven't you seen any of them on the road?

Let me tell you my experience then.

When RLX first came out, in a short time I saw it on the road (posted the pics to my thread too)
My JnC modded zkw-r Osram CBI felt like sh.t besides it.

And it was in city. City lights around, usually makes the output of the headlight less noticeable, but his was bright as hell

Later on replaced to Osram SVS, and one day, I still don't forget it on highway it was raining pretty heavy, when I couldn't see anything, new MDX passed me from left and output was amazing.
Sides, front, is like no rain on the road. That bright
Bluish color made me think that lumen might be lower but it's totally not. So I am not comparing it as HIDs anymore
Blue but bright, doesn't even listen to rainy highways, what else should I say.
He was like helping me to see on my lane

Now I have 5k Morimoto, still not blue as HIDs

HIDs are dead bro, leave it

Ouhh we had a Moderator from Boston?
Hi
Me too

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

^thats an interesting observation. Just don't forget that a lot of times people mistake a light as being very bright because it causes glare in your eyes. Not saying that's what you encountered but there are lots of possibilities when it's a car driving past you, it's simply hard to tell.

One of these days I will definitely get a true comparison pic though, whether it'd be a mdx/rlx/tlx

MEKO

iTrader: (1)

Made my comment about thinking that observation
Especially in rain, it's really different on highway, that's when it actually amazed me.
Other 2 guys inside the car were like what's the hell is coming, that bright, of course rain made it spread way too more I think but, that doesn't happen on mine

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

Am I weird for noticing the cutoff lines in that video? Most people just look at the car and some ppl listen to the engine, but I look at the lighting

MEKO

iTrader: (1)

Haha pulled my attention too, but cutoffs I've seen on them sucked, even inside the dealer last weekend. Nothing like zkw

I was expecting our paperboi to retrofit jeweleyes to 3g

Or get this thing in there, just one might be enough hehe
Watch from 2:30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jdpP46jx1Q

Might need this too I guess
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150w-DC-DC-Boost-Converter-6A-10-32V-to-12-35V-Step-Up-Voltage-Power-Supply-/310748593239?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item485a0f3c57
Done and could be way more brighter haha

I think I counted 18 leds inside the MDX headlights
It's just like that yellow cover of smd lights, I guess jewel is the main point for the brightness idk

GKinColo08TL

I had a Panamera behind me the other night and then pass me, those jewel eyes on it were very bright, brighter than my HID's. I just read that the LED headlights on this Porsche are a $2700 option.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

damn thats bright! the whole neighborhood lit up LOL

Not sure if any of you guys are into lasers but I made this one myself:

Acura_Dude

Nice!

myron

iTrader: (4)

that is BAD ASS!!!

I always loved messing with those when I was a kid. But never thought of making one

carbngrytl

I had an RLX as a loaner a few weeks ago while my car was in for service. The LEDs are much nicer than the hids. The cutoff was just as good as the projectors, and the beam was much wider and brighter than my hids. I'd take leds any day over hids.

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

My only issue with LED headlights is what if an LED goes out? You can't necessarily go to Autozone and pick up a replacement. I'm assuming the whole headlight assembly would have to be replaced which I couldn't imagine the cost of a headlight. I know LED's are supposed to last a long time, i'm just simply thinking what if.

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

You're not the only one. That's the first thing I looked for when watching the original video yesterday. That is what got me to buy my TL was wanting the best Bi-xenon projector at that time.

I'm waiting for someone to retrofit these into their foglights.
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/clo...foglights.html

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

Cutoffs, no.
Distance, no.
Color, subjective.
Hotspot, much better.

Should sum it up nicely.

leo221

it's meaningless to compare using photos, unless both light sources are at exactly the same location. camera shutter speed and aperture must be the same too.

fsttyms1

Audi is going to be using lasers for lighting

TeamAcura

Passed by a 3G MDX one day and the LED lights made my stock HID projectors look like Halogen lights. It is bluer yet brighter. The LED lights took up the whole road.

jwong77

I really like seeing them adjust to the surroundings. You can see when the high beams automatically adjust and such, its really high tech looking.

07Acuradude

This is a question I had too. When one "jewel" goes out do you have to replace the whole headlight or can each "jewel" be replaced separately? Any Acura techs know?

George Knighton

If it helps any, my perception is that the LED on my RLX are a step up from the xenon of my 4G TL.

For one thing, the light is even more like daylight, and you see a little farther and better.

And remember that Honda has never been very big on bi-xenon. The high beams of the RLX jewel eyes are quite a bit better than the high beams on the TL were.

George Knighton

Just stay right where you are.

Even as I type this, Homeland Security is closing in on you....

Acura_Dude

Seen a 3G MDX tonight driving in the opposite direction as my sister and myself were heading. Pointed the Jewel Eyes out to her and wow they are amazing at night. I've seen them as DRLs during the day and on at Dusk, but at night, I'm blown away by them. BTE the only Acura vehicle I've known to have bi-xenons are the 3G TL. Apparently the S2K, 3G TL, and 1G TSX projectors/lens are still highly sought after.

JnC

iTrader: (12)

Seems like the TLX will have the same set up as the current gen MDX. I have driven behind one of them for at least 20 minutes on my way to Canada a couple of months ago, even though the light seems brighter from afar but it certainly isnt brighter than a good HID set up such as modified 3G TL projectors with good bulbs such as SVS.

As far as assessing the intensity is considered, you can only compare them if you have the cars side by side or if you get to drive both of the cars and notice the intensity from behind the wheel.

LED headlights still havent achieved their full potential as the biggest enemy of LED headlight set ups is heat. I have a pair of MDX headlights in my possession as we speak and the actual light components are not that big but the heat sinks are enormous. I am sure as years go by manufacturers such as koito, stanley, valeo, bosch etc will figure out how to use higher intensity LEDs without having the fear of components overheating. Audi already installs cooling fans in some of their higher end LED headlights.

Here are some pictures of the MDX headlights showing the heat sink etc.



Picture of the LED driver installed in the back cover.









and here are some output shots posted by a fellow member on HIDplanet.

Output shots still dont tell the full story as some of them are over exposed and some of them are under exposed.

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/show...-LED-headlight

BTW at some point I intend on retrofitting the MDX LED set up in the 3G TL or the 2G RL.

Acura_Dude

Thanks for this valuable info JnC.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

How about on the 2G TSX? You're not far from me and I would love to experiment with a set of LED headlights after driving with them on the new MDX and RLX.

Edward'TLS

I have a 4G TL and a 2014 MDX.

The "Jewel Eye" LED headlights are definitely brighter in illumination and whiter in color than the HID headlights on the 4G TL.

Tuan Ha

I like the Jewel eye for myself. However, it sucks for others because they will blind the hell out of incoming cars which is very dangerous. The TLX is less blinding compared to the MDX whenever I see them on the road. HIDS are still the best choice for lighting imo.
Im not experienced with how good aftermarket hids are but the hids on the new honda oddysey are some of the cleanest and brightest hids ive ever seen. No need for blinding leds. Plus, you have the color choice of 4300k which is a huge plus imo because it looks cleaner than the white on leds.

Tuan Ha

My current car is running PROJECTED HALOGENS and its very BRIGHT and CLEAN. It does not blind incoming traffic one bit and has very good illumination. If I were to upgrade my bulbs to HIDS, itd be game over. I wish there was a way to retrofit the jewel eyes to run quad projected halogens or hids. Just imagine how sick that would look.

Kense

Huh? Halogens suck.

Tuan Ha

Lol I know halogens suck. But im not running strictly halogens. They are PROJECTED halogens. Its a step below HIDS but much better than stock halogens. It looks very clean IMO and does not blind incoming traffic at all while providing good lighting.

I think id kill myself if I were to run stock halogens lol.

a77

Tests I have seen on line show that HIDs project further but LEDs are brighter - so things like reflected street signs are super bright with LEDs but that doesnt mean they enable you to see further. That is certainly my finding - closer objects are fantastically well lit - but they dont project that far. I am sure some halogen set ups I have had in Europe have been better, but that may be a function of the different lighting standards over there.

BEAR-AvHistory

Will have to deal with these issues next go round. My choice would be for the high beam that lets me see the furthest down the road. Moving quickly on country roads you want to see way out front for the random dear looking to commit suicide.

Quandry

I have encountered MXD and TLX coming towards me at night. They are quite distinctive and they have not blinded me. Maybe it would be different on a back road with no street lights and other oncoming vehicles.

Tuan Ha

I have extremely good eyesight and can make out the brand of car miles down the road. The TLX is a little bit harder to make out because the Jewel eyes on it seem to be a bit weaker and smaller than the MDX. The TLX won't blind you as much but I know for sure the MDX will and that may be due to it sitting higher at eye level.

It may be just me but the throw distance for LEDS on cars specifically are not very far. I guess that's a good thing since you don't want to blind incoming traffic. But for them to make up for the shorter distance, the diodes/lenses are made to be brighter which ends up blinding traffic anyways if you look at it from an angle.

So imo, the sweet spot for lighting are HIDS or just one step below it which are projected halogens.