So I've searched everywhere and can't seem to find my specific answer and before you answer I already know that OEM is the choice to go with but I"m trying not to pay dealer price. I currently have my passenger side OEM headlamp completely condensated with water and my driver side headlamp is a DEPO lamp. The light output is pretty close to OEM but I've wanted to change my OEM one since it's condensed but not sure if I should go for another Depo. I sure don't want to pay dealer price for new headlamps and even if I do i'm looking at close to a grand for 2 new matching OEM headlamps. I was looking at these (link below) but not sure what you guys think? Any help or advise would be appreciated..

http://www.carid.com/2005-acura-tl-h...-11998227.html

 

As you have noted, DEPO quality does not match OEM. You might consider determining why your OEM housing unit is *leaking*, and try to fix it. The link below is for an RDX, but any HID housings are funtionally the same. Often there is simply a leak around some old deformed, deteriorated gasket. Replace the gasket will fix the leak. There are also a number of TL threads concerning condensation problems.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=785512

 

Depo isn't that bad as long as light output isn't your top concern. It's not as good as oem TL projectors but it's still better than halogen lighting that's still on many cars today

 

Since the housings are usually where the issue lies with stock headlights, and the optics are what stinks in aftermarket ones, couldn't you take the oem optics and install them in an aftermarket housing?

 

you can heat the seal around the OEM light and it will separate, Clean out the lens and seal it back up with some good quality all weather sealant. Take out the main bulb and put a Silicone packet in the housing to catch any additional water and put it back together.

Will take you a day but is your time worth the 400 bucks?

 

I have depo headlights and I can't tell the difference in output when I park next to a friends Tl. I bought the car with them on, but I'd try to save the money and reseal the OE one

 

i doubt the oem projector will be plug and play in an aftermarket housing. that being said, Im sure its possible with some extra cutting and retrofitting

 

A friend of mine recently had some debris crack both headlights. He looked at the TYC branded headlights and ordered both. You can find a lower price on them at RockAuto.com. He still has to install them but was impressed by the fit and finish.

 

^If you don't mind, take some pics of them. At least for members searching in the future, for something close to OEM.

 

Some pics would be nice of the TYC to see how they look. I've been reading that TYC is very close to OEM..

 

If you don't want to do it yourself and save a little cash look on ebay. Just did a quick look and I saw a couple used under 200 and new for right around 200-220. Saw depo and OEM. Not sure if you have looked there yet but I figured I'd throw it out there. I basically buy everything from there!

 

I will try and snap some pics of the assemblies next time I see him.

 

I have a passenger headlight in good shape

 

Are you able to take some output pictures far away from a wall so we can know what the output is like on the depo headlights?