3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights

I think this image on Hella's site does a great job at showing the side-by-side differences between their uncoated +50 series vs. their +100 High Performance 2.0 series. To me, the +50 actually illuminates the foreground better with similar distance projection. Overall while the 2.0 "looks" brighter in color temp the lower temp appears more functional in terms of light output due to the lack of the same level of filtering...

 

I must be really getting old because I don't see any difference between those two pictures!

 

Ha ! I must also be getting really old.

Oh wait ! I just remembered that I AM getting really old.

 

In the photos the +50s are warmer in color temp, as would be expected since the 2.0s have a light blue coating. However I place little stock in these kinds of comparisons as they are typically “simulated”.

 

Most of the metadata has been stripped from those two "comparison" images, which essentially means they're meaningless. To do a proper photographic comparison, a professional wide dynamic range camera shot on manual exposure recording RAW data and then both RAW files processed identically in the same raw processing software. About 98 percent of the images of headlight beam patterns are completely worthless because the process was incorrect and non scientific to begin with.

 

Might not be the right place for it but I'm still disappointed in Toyota about their lights. I looked at a base model Tacoma 2020 off-road and still has halogen lights . I mean seriously Toyota.

 

Just because something is new doesn’t make it better.

 

I thought the LED lights in 2020 was an upgrade option?

 

I think it is, but i think most feel that it being 2020 it should come standard.

 

It should be standard. It's 2020. No reason to have the best selling mid size truck and off-road trim having halogen . Not s big deal but Toyota need to get with the times.

 

This thread is an absolute shitload of information, but I finally distilled it all down and ordered the Phillips H9 that is recommended in post #2 over the Eyes of Megatron I had been considering. I have to admit cost was just as big of a factor as the concerns about LED.

 

I went from H11's to H9's. For the cost and performance H9's are the way to go. Not as "cool" looking as an LED but the first time i hit that rain/ mist on the highway i was sold. If the prices for the Hikari's keep going down or if there is a discount i will buy them to try them out for myself.

 

I think I'll do the same, particularly if they drop to around $40 or so just to sate my curiosity.

 

But... why? What performance advantage do they offer over tried and true and easily upgraded technology in halogen headlights that warrants a change?

3rd gen Tacoma headlights suck from the factory because of a low performance long life H11 and, in my opinion as detailed elsewhere in this thread, an excessively low aim from the factory for non-Pro trucks. $15-35 in parts for a set of H9 bulbs or +130 H11 bulbs and 20 minutes with an 8mm wrench both can be fixed for those who care to.

Trucks equipped with LED headlights's from the factory have no upgrade options. If they suck, they'll suck forever. When they fail, they'll cost $1100 to replace. I'm failing to see the benefit...

 

Don't shoot the messenger. I'm just saying, most probably feel that if you bought a 2020, that in the year 2020 Toyota would have the latest and greatest LED technology. I have the latest and greatest Phillips H9's but i'm always geeking out on lighting. Whether it's for home, auto, or even a flashlight.

 

If you want to geek out on home lighting: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...lighting-using-leds-hirs-and-halogens.574930/

 

Awesome man, thanks! Lots of good info on there. I'm pretty sure the LED's i have in some of the rooms are way too high in color temp. I'm also constantly trying to find the right lighting for the color tone of the room. Wife makes fun of me because i'm constantly shopping for bulbs lol.

 

Got around to replacing the headlight bulbs today and a big thanks to Crashnburn. I've never quite seen so much research on truck headlights but it was informative. I ordered the Philips H9 with the adaptor kit, (wasn't needed... It's a simple modification to make it fit) and replaced the H11 Osram stock halogen.


So now I'm running the Stock H9 Highbeams and the Philips H9 Lowbeams. I didn't touch the fog lights because really, I don't use them too often and the lights are good enough. I'm very pleased with the light output and it's worked well for me.

 

I just want to throw in another thank you to crashnburn80 for doing all this amazing research and helping so many people out. I am another who bough the Philips H9 for headlights and also got the Osram reverse lights. Way to be the real MVP man