3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights

I just wish these things weren't so expensive, but the price isn't going to go down now.

 

Are those the factory LED's to add on to 3rd Gen/2020 OR?

 

Yep.

 

For the mysterious withdrawal of replacement LEDs, apparently (according to a credible source) Diode Dynamics and possibly others received a letter from the NHSTA about their illegal LED products, causing them to withdraw replacement LEDs from being promoted as a legitimate headlight solution.

 

With a high performance halogen bulb, the 2nd gen reflectors were superb. Out on a dark highway, you really could appreciate how good they actually were. The 3rd gen projector, in comparison, was a significant downgrade in useful light on the road.

Same in the newest 4runner projectors.

 

Statement on their website here:
https://www.diodedynamics.com/street-use-of-led-bulbs

Street Use of LED Bulbs

Diode Dynamics is suspending the sale of LED Headlight bulbs in the United States, due to federal regulations which restrict the use of replaceable light sources in headlamps. This restriction applies to all LED Headlight bulbs on the market. It is not unique to Diode Dynamics.

Our LED Headlight bulbs were designed and tested for effective photometric output, providing increased output with compliant beam patterns when installed in specific applications. However, the federal regulations do not include any provision for LED replacement headlamp bulbs. Therefore, it is not currently possible to certify any LED bulb for headlamp use.

The regulations are updated very rarely, with the last major revision occurring in 2007. However, we maintain hope that progress will be made so that advances in technology may be accommodated in the future. Newer technologies like LED lighting offer many potential benefits to consumers, which we believe should be incorporated into the regulations.

We apologize for any disappointment or frustration, and hope you will be able to find an alternate solution for your headlight needs. We are pleased to continue offering bulbs for other applications on your vehicle, as well as our highly-rated lamps and offroad lighting products. Thank you for your understanding and support.

International customers may continue to find LED Headlight bulbs available in their market, based on local laws and regulations.

 

A huge step in the right direction and I totally applaud it. Unfortunately, the really cheap (translation: blinding) drop in LED bulbs will continue to be sold through dubious channels. One can only hope that the legendary Chinese quality of the bulbs currently out there will cause most of them to fail in short order.

 

Just means Amazon going to get more business in this market

 

Wish there was more regulations on Amazon on the sale of Replacement Headlight LED bulbs.

My friend buys cheap Amazon Leds and tries to get everyone to go for them....
So many people with LEDs in reflector housings. Worse offenders are lift 2nd Gen Tacomas and 4runners, with their massive reflectors.

He also lives in the same neighborhood, so from time to time I would have my eyes seared on my way home.

Also, Local auto shops are always having sales on LED drop in bulbs, and people just gobble it up. Dread driving at night now.

 

Driving around the dark coasts of Oahu and getting blinded all the time by the monster ass lifted 4runners and Tacomas use to drive me nuts.

 

Usually when lights aren't legal, companies just add "for off-road use only" on the packaging.

 

And lord knows that everybody follows that guideline.

 

*looks at all my Meso mods*

 

Those federal regulations have always been in place, and they knew so, they just now decided to follow them after getting a slap on the wrist. While this can seem like a 'win', unfortunately credible brands actually trying to advance the technology in meeting an SAE spec will withdraw their products from the market, while poor quality brands with no legitimate testing whatsoever will continue to promote the same garbage as before.

 

Crash,
Any ETA on the full review of the OEM led
Headlights...?
Might have an option to get a pair but waiting on your science driven opinion.
TIA.

 

And that's my biggest concern. The ones who don't play by the rules, won't play by the rules. This will just allow the cheap Amazon brands to thrive, worsening the products that we see. The market is already chockfull of cheap LED bulbs, and this won't make it better.

 

I’ll see if I can finish the testing this week, as I’ve got more exciting stuff coming in soon to test.

Spent the last couple days on trails in the remote mountains.

 

Any hints to em exciting stuff?

 

It isn’t a headlight.

 

Hmm.