Projector vs reflector headlights (headlamps)? What is the difference? Which is the best for LED, halogen, HID bulbs? This video shows how to define the projector and reflector headlamps, for more details, please check blog allalightingautoled.com/projector-headlights-vs-reflector/
It would be well worth it to give more focus on what happens when you put the wrong bulb into a reflector housing. I personally know and understand that some halogen bulbs have a cutoff shield built into them so that they can only be used for low beam reflectors. Placing an HID or LED bulb in a reflector results in the appearance of an always on "High Beam". The cutoff shield is what prevents blinding oncoming traffic and is the safety concern with the lighting regulations on motor vehicles. I've been involved in an argument with others who don't understand the cutoff shield. OLDER bulbs (pre-HID and LED) had two filaments internally at different distances from the base of the reflector. This allowed a single headlamp assembly to act both as low and high beams. Depending on which filament was energized you got the low beam or high beam. Back in the day we used to trick out our headlights so that we could energize BOTH low and high beams and achieve an even brighter light. Not legal, but highly effective. I can't recall the last time I saw a dual filament lamp. For that fact I also don't recall the last time I saw a lamp with a shield internal to the bulb. I assume they're still available.
Thank you for this video. After replacing most of my vehicles headlights with LED bulbs I would usually get them to work but my latest purchase is for a car with reflector high beams/DRLs and projector low beams and fog lights. It seems as if I have purchased a different length bulb for my low beams and the light is shallow and majorly scattered. This cleared up all the information I needed! For reference it is a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica premium plus trim level.
Thank you for providing such comprehensive information. I was searching for this kind of explanation and really appreciate your effort. Please keep up the good work.
There are still 100w halogen bulbs that are too bright even for low beam reflector-type housings. I had them, and many drivers thought that I had high beams on. imo, pick 4300k color with 60w if you don't want to blind other drivers with your reflector headlamps. Great vid. I learned a lot.
I put hid in a halogen reflector in a 2009 corolla, the beam pattern was perfect with super sharp cutoff and no glare. I put hid in a halogen reflector in my 98 car and the beam pattern was awful and lots of glare. I dont like leds because they run way too hot and dont last like hids. It really depends.
i have a 2006 corolla with projector headlights and recently took out the ballasts and hid lights and moved to leds. The lighting is terrible though and everyone tells me I need to change the entire housing. I dont know if the auto electrician gave me a wrong deal with the swap. can anyone help?
You have to find answer to the following questions. a) What type is your older lights socket (h7,h4,h3) . b) What is the wattage of your older lights (60w,55w) . A more "power hungry" bulb need thicker wiring (more amperage) . c) What is the size of old bulbs , sometimes new (mostly led type) bulbs need cooling for their circuitry.
Is there any difference between halogen projector lens and HID projector Lens? I have a 08 Camry comes with oem halogen light bulb in a projector setup.
@kimballwhite787 That's not true at all!!! A projector made for a HID bulb is not the same as a Halogen and Led projector lense which are one in the same.
Sorry for being late to reply you, yes, are you looking for both high and low beam? if yes, we recommend combo kits: allalighting.com/products/combo-9005-and-9006-led-kits-bulbs-replacement-upgrade-6500k-white, if low beam, we recommend allalighting.com/products/9006-hb4-led-bulbs-replacement-upgrade-halogen-lamp
High beam is 9005/HB3, low beam is H11, so we recommend below combo if you want to upgrade both high and low beam: allalighting.com/products/mini-h11-9005-combo-led-bulbs-high-low-dipped-beam-replacement-white
I have had 4 vehicles, 3 reflector, 1 projector, driven others, projector headlights were by far the worst. I had a 92 jeep commanche that you had to replace the whole headlight to change the bulb, that had better headlights than any vehicle I've driven with projector headlights. I have actually been tempted to take apart my headlights, and remove the projector parts. My experience reflectors have better distance, and WAY better width, add to that I live in the country, you definitely want width thanks to all the animals. (mostly deer, raccoons, and possums) I have to drive with my fog lights on, and their still not that good.
Thanks for your feedback, please feel free to contact us if you need any assistance by providing your vehicle's make, year, model and bulb type, thanks in advance.
@@delikanis-crete Thanks very much for your message, yes, below are the recommended items for your vehicle: H1 low beam: allalighting.com/products/h1-led-bulbs-replacement-upgrade-halogen-lamp-6000k-xenon-white; H3 high beam: allalighting.com/products/h3-led-kits-bulbs-fog-lights-for-cars-motorcycles-trucks
0:49 This is only partially true. Before 1940, even American cars made use of replaceable bulbs in headlights. Then the law stepped in and sealed beam headlights were mandated for ~45 years. Rest of the world always used replaceable bulbs. You make it sound like it was a technology problem, which it very much wasn't.