More light and then some

a lot of people here replace their existing headlights with more powerful ones. i can't point you to a thread because there are so many and it's personal preference. try a search, i'm sure you will be overwhelmed with the volume. (hopefully will help you see the light)

i can testify to the 60 y.o. eyes.

 

When you search,
Try Google search Priuschat Head lamps modifcations?
Somthing like that.

 

There's a link in my signature below my post (H9 headlight conversion) where you replace your 55w lowbeam halogen bulbs with 65w halogen bulbs for a significant improvement in light output with minor modification of the H9 bulb base.

SCH-I535

 

The best thing you can do to upgrade your headlights is to do a full projector replacement/retrofit and put HID into that retrofit.
I'll be doing the RX350 retrofit because we carry them and it's supposed to completely plug and play into our headlights. If you are interested PM me I can keep you up to date on my progress and results.

 

Best thing to do? Don't drive in the dark!
The only problem is, I'm always in the dark!

 

The retrofit is good if you want to spend that much. I have had a great deal of satisfaction from simply fitting a set of HID H11 bulbs and ballasts to the standard Prius headlight projectors. 160,000+ Kms and still working well. High beam is more of a problem but I fitted 4" HID spotlights to the front spoiler with no loss of fuel efficiency. This area is well into the "dead" area around the grill where minimal extra drag is created. I had to cut away a small section of grill to enable the lights to sit back enough.

 

yes change out your bulbs, go with the hid bulbs and ballast, I also added fog lights, again hid bulbs and ballast for them too

 

The projectors inside the Koito headlights are average at best and produce an uneven "hot-spotted" pattern. It's a good interim solution but for maximum light output, it's well worth the $150 + whatever labor time it takes to install the higher quality RX350 projectors. In fact, it's probably even a good idea to retrofit a mini projector for the high beam as well while you're at it.

With Fogs, there is only so much light they put out, not saying it's a bad idea, but they are limited. There are little mini projectors you can put there that will significantly improve your visibility...
Or you can really get creative and install an LED Light bar

 

The light pattern from those are poor because they are far from point light sources like the halogen filament or an arc from the HID bulb.

There are 35w HID systems as well that claim about 3x the light output compared to a halogen system. For best visibility, use 4300k HID.

For the $180 you're willing to spend, you can get a good quality HID system.

SCH-I535

 

Believe what you want. By all means, you're welcome to try those LEDs out.

Please post your results back on this thread. Thanks.

 

Try Sirius LED - H8/H11 these are definitely plug and play with 2000 lumens (halogen is abour 1400). I'm using them in my Fogs. Great light output, but not as good as HID which are 3400 lumens approx.

 

Also, for what it's worth, check with local vehicle laws. I can't speak for Norway, but in some states here, you can only have so many light sources on at one time, so adding a bunch of fog lights might not be a wise option.

If you haven't already upgraded to HID, give it a shot.

 

I installed those into my fog light housings. Very pleased with the result. Not only do these appear to match the hid 4300k h11 in my projector low beams, but they bath the road in front with a very white light.

The visibility of my car to oncoming traffic is enhanced, but there is not an issue of glare to them as would likely be the case if I put hid's into the fog housing.

As has been mentioned to you by others here, the Toyota fog lamp housing does not do a wonderful job of focus with any type of bulb, and you could do better if you were to install projector housings down there and enjoy a more efficient beam pattern and distance.

For greater visibility in rain and snow, I've installed amber halogen bulbs into my high beam positions, which also serve as daytime running lights in Canadian cars, at reduced voltage and brightness during the daylight. The 2500k really gets the light down the road.

I tested the LED lamps in the application, and they work fine at the lower voltage as DRL's, and I know that they would do well in those high beam reflectors.... just that even using the 4300k LED's as I did in the fog lights, not sure that they would work as well in poor weather.

If I get tired of the short life of the amber halogen bulbs, then I may change to LED's in the high beams as well.... maybe the same kit as you linked and I installed into my fogs, or the newer bulbs that have the circuitry built in such that there is no fan and no external igniter. they don't have the small reflectors on the actual cree chip to focus light better on the reflector though, so might stick with the kit you linked above.

Nota bene.... I bought mine from Amazon and paid $100 less..... check it out.

Roland

 

My .02, this is better, I'll be testing this tomorrow:

I expect 3400LM out of this and that is on par with an HID but should be much much much cleaner light.

 

Prepare to be disappointed.

SCH-I535

 

Source?