Ruby

How hard would it be to convert my headlights to the new Acura "Jewel Eye" headlights? I'm guessing if I could get my hands on some new RL headlights and take the LEDs out that would work?

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

paging JnC and Ack....

fsttyms1

There would be A LOT more than that involved. Getting each one aimed and aligned properly would probably be a nightmare as well.

ez12a

not a lot of people realize you lose that projector cutoff with LED headlights.

the out put is pretty much like your typical reflector based housing..dispersed.

Ruby

I'm sure it would take a lot of custom work but if you used the housings it might work.

wojo1988

If there is no cutoff im not a fan. Id rather somehow do up 10 mini projectors! Or just keep the classic bixenons!

ez12a

i take that back, apparently the Prius has a LED projector, so you get the best of both worlds.

when the LED is in a array like that, it's pretty difficult to get a single uniform beam (each LED has its own direction).

here's a video on how the jewel eye works:

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

Where did you hear that from? I saw a video of the RLX at a car convention with the headlights on and you can clearly see the razor sharp cutoff just like a projector xenon headlight! It was shining onto the rear bumper of another car in front of it

wojo1988

^ source or lying

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Yeah I was gonna say I would HIGHLY doubt the new jewel LED units would have light scattered all over with no distinct cutoff. I know each LED is aimed a slightly different direction, but I can assure you they will have a very distinct cutoff.

splew

I would venture to say an LED headlight conversion would be borderline impossible. If you look at every car with LED headlights, they all have very different arrays of LEDs and optics specifically tailored to the specific car and headlight housing. It's not like an HID projector where you can easily retrofit it to fit virtually any headlight and have it work fine.

The price would likely be insane too. IDK how much the RLX headlamps will cost, but a pair of Audi A6 LED headlamps cost around $3400. Don't count on the RLX ones being much cheaper.

Even if a conversion were possible and not insanely expensive, there's really not much point in going from HID to LED anyway. The performance of LED headlights isn't all that great. Most of them offer performance that is either on par with a good HID setup or slightly worse. The 3G TL already has one of the best factory HID setups, so an LED conversion probably wouldn't offer any improvement in lighting.

The only major advantage LED headlamps have over HIDs is bling factor, that's why the luxo brands are all coming out with them. As HIDs become increasingly common, the automakers needed some new expensive lighting technology to let their customers stand out from the crowd and show the world they have money to waste.

Sure there are a few relatively superfluous advantages to LEDs that manufacturers like to throw out. One is that they typically use a little less than half the power of HID lamps, but a 40 watt savings is almost nothing when you consider that only equates to a parasitic drain on the engine of 0.05 horsepower. They also point out that you never have to replace the light source, but when you consider the headlamps themselves typically cost around three times as much as a HID unit, there is really no cost savings.

For the tl;dr crowd, I would say forget about it. Even if a conversion were possible, it would be insanely expensive and pointless, sorry.

LED headlights do have a cutoff, it's typically not as sharp as HID headlights though. Obviously things like cutoff and light distribution vary from headlight to headlight though.

Here's a pic of the beam pattern of the LED headlights on the 3rd gen Prius:


As you can see, the cutoff is not as sharp and the light distribution is not as even as a HID projector:

UA6~RBP

I saw a thread on Club Lexus a few days ago about some people sketching ideas on how it can be done with the new GS. I'll try and find the link and post it here.

splew

The new Lexus GS already has LED headlights on the Hybrid models, so I'm assuming what you are referring to is people with non-hybrids trying to simply swap for Hybrid headlights. There's probably wiring issues to work out with that, but they're still just swapping headlights from the same model car. What the OP is talking about is trying to somehow make the LED headlights from a completely different car work on his TL.

Just for reference on the Lexus GS,
Non-hybrid (bi-xenon).


GS450h (LED)

350

iTrader: (4)

IMHO stick with HID, they're not doing LED cause it's better for headlights, but to improve efficiency/reduce weight etc, they're not going to outperform what we have now.

ez12a

post #32 was the only one I could find specifically for an Audi because I too was curious. You have to be a member to see it though.

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/show...t-output/page4

to me that looked no better than a typical parabolic halogen reflector like my dad's e46. Wrong of me to make an assumption that all LEDs dont have a clear cutoff.

shows a distinct cutoff but it's hard to judge exactly how sharp it is. I still think it wont be as sharp as a focused projector, but it certainly is much wider. hard to tell how far the car is away from that wall but the beam is wide.

UA6

Sickk!

pwr2panda

quad bixenons would be just as awesome imo...and twice as practical.

ez12a

I think there is some merit in LED technology. Just needs more adoption from major manufacturers than just the select handful right now. Depending on how its implemented, LEDs can have much higher durability than HIDs. check this out: and as you can see, depending on how its implemented, the Opel cutoff is not sharp.

truonghthe

so I guess Ebay will soon have listing for LED light bulb conversion kit?

splew

Yeah LEDs definitely have interesting potential. Things like the capability for selective dimming shown in the video are pretty neat. As LED technology improves, outputs will probably increase and prices should drop too.

Unfortunately, as of right now though, LED headlights are little more than absurdly expensive bling, as they don't offer any major advantages over HID.

IamaTL

Man acuras design team really is lackluster these recent years. Cool headlights, but it doesnt make up for the granny looking design.

AZP-TL

It would be very difficult to convert the TL's headlights into the RLX's jewel eye LEDs. It would require significant custom molding, etc. It's not worth it, while LEDs have their advantages over HIDs they aren't necessarily brighter. Manufacturers are moving to LED primarily for power savings and significantly extended MTBF, along with the bling factor.

350

iTrader: (4)

I'm curious what they're using for high beams, a jump in voltage or is there an additional bulb, or does the light array move?

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

Watch from 0:40 & at 0:50 you will see it shine on the wall. It's not a precision cut-off but it still has a cut off none the less and not "dispersed" like a reflector.


And watch this video from 0:22


Looks good enough for me lol

dannyz

Interesting question. The jewel headlights are pretty cool, but I'm a little surprised they don't steer (or at least have an additional outboard "jewel" that comes on to better illuminate a turn.

Thanks vietx as well for the 2014 RLX video. I think I caught that it will have four wheel steering (in addition to drive). I loved my 1988 Prelude Si 4WS that had four wheel steering--it was an absolute blast. It's the only car I know of, besides the much less noticeable implementation of the 300zx's Super-HICAS, that implemented four wheel steering. In the Prelude, fast highway lane changes were almost creepy (the rear wheels turned in at the same time as the fronts so the whole car instantly shifted over), and turning into a parking spot was downright fun (the rear wheels turned opposite when turned hard so the the rear end wheeled around). It's interesting that Acura is bringing a new version of this idea back in such an advanced car. Cool.

Sonnyb1979

I have a new rlx with the jeweleye, first off there is a razor sharp cutoff line also the amount of light on the road is truly insane it seems like 10 times brighter than that of my 2012 tl. Each led lens shoots off at a different direction and they overlap. So I'm not sure where people are getting the info from, led is much much whiter and brighter than hid, it's like comparing his to halogen, the difference is that great.

Slpr04UA6

^could you take some pics?

Up against a wall, to show how sharp the cutoff is?

Fibonacci

+1

The difference between the jewel eyes in our '14 versus the xenon projectors in our '08 MDX is significantly better. Dunno if I can put a percentage on it, but very noticeable improvements in throw pattern and brightness.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

Given that the majority of the public doesn't know much about how lighting works I will have to hold judgment until I see them in person. Not doubting what you guys are saying or anything but I just need to see it in person before being convinced. If there's anyone around LA who would like to do some comparison pics I would love to meet up.

Pictures by themselves dont really mean much, but a comparison picture will be much better since both outputs will be subject to the same pictures conditions

thoiboi

Check this out guys:

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

Andrew and friends at TRS have discussed this and have some pictures too!

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

A project like this would take someone with a lot of time and energy and some serious engineering background. I am not going to say it is impossible to accomplish but crazy props to anyone who can do it!

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

It's crazy that they are getting close though, it's just a matter of time. Using MDX ones btw. I know peeps are talking about aiming, alignment etc. Well the whole concept is basically transplanting it as a unit. It can be done as long as you check clearances. Who wants to pioneer this? I know we have people here with some serious skills:

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

Hey where's that kid that wanted to do HIDs in his rear signals? Drop that man, get over here, I got a project for ya!

tones160

That looks like a super uber hard job to do. Is there any way possible we can make those jewel eyes headlights to be compatible with our 3 Gen TLs? o_0

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

RLX Headlight assemblies are $2100 EACH. I hope you guys have deep pockets

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

The RLX are double decker though. I don't know if it that would work. The headlights in the pic are single row from the MDX. That is a headlight for an Optima I believe. So it would all come down to dimension and clearances. Once installed you need enough back space and it can't intrude into the battery. Or you could wait till the TLX comes out and those jewel lights may be an even better fit, someone will have to investigate under the hood.

If that part works out, I don't see how this couldn't be worked out. It would require an extensive hack job to a TL headlight housing and most of us have taken it apart and knows what it looks like in there, so that isn't anything crazy. Cut the back of the housing out, transplant this in. The hard part will be to fabricate a new background and backing of the housing, make sure it is perfectly aligned and JB Weld it and seal it back together real good. As long as it fits, it can be done. It will just require a lot of patience and perfection.

Cost will be crazy but I saw TRS talking about $500 or something? I dunno I only speed-read it, didn't pay attention, lol. I think they have a few on hand if you email them. They claim the dimensions are 2x13"

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Jnc and Nate_002 are in that thread.

nate asked jnc if the single MDX jewel eye set would work in the TL's head lights on the last page.
JNC said, yes if heat sink is shaved.

1black_seven

iTrader: (2)

I dont know about changing out the projectors, they give the TL its personality. Jewel LEDs are too fancy pants for me. Maybe on a Benz but I like the aggressive look of the Type-S housing.

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

Oh ok, that's him? I was wondering where the TL expert came from all of a sudden. So it sounds JnC he is attempting this? Sorry if we blew his undercover project.

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

I'm with you. I really like the 3G headlights as is. They are a marvel engineering feat for 10 year old technology. They are among the top 5 headlight designs out there and most people would envy them on their cars.

But what if you saw the headlights once they were done? Might come out really nice! I think it would give the car a sleek updated appearance. I'm sure nearly everyone would think your car was a better version of a TLX. The reason I'm not going for it is that it's just not worth the energy and effort for me. At this stage I'm looking to a next car and this is stuff I'll look for built in. Perhaps years ago when I was into heavy mods that I could enjoy a few years, I think I definitely would have tried this.