1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

LED Headlamp Recommendation

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by LeonG, Sep 29, 2018.

  1. LeonG

    LeonG New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2018
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    New York City
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Hello, I have a 2012 Prius C II and looking to switch to LED headlamps for the first time.
    Can anyone recommend a good brand that has a compatible fit?
    Also how many bulbs to I need? Do I need four? (two for high beam and two for low beam?) No fog lamp required.
    I just looked at the brand Auxbeam that seems to have good ratings.
    Any advice on selection, price and installation would be appreciated.
    Thanks so much.
     
  2. Brandon Most

    Brandon Most Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2018
    116
    70
    0
    Location:
    Dixon, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius c
    Model:
    II
    I've never tried the Auxbeam brand, but last week I changed my fog lights out to Dragon LEDz, and wow are those things bright. I need to take some upgraded pics with them, but they are just ridiculous compared to the previous Amazon special ones I originally tried.
     
  3. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    7,035
    2,780
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Consider........the stock lights are good to start with.
    Unless you pay a LOT, new LEDs might not be even as good.
    Unless you replace the entire headlight assemblies, the light distribution might not be good and might end up being dangerous and illegal.

    What exactly do you intend to accomplish with this change ?
     
    joelg1988 and dubit like this.
  4. Bill Lohman

    Bill Lohman Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2016
    20
    4
    0
    Location:
    Stockton, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    I beg to differ with Sam Spade 2. I converted my headlamps to LED and it's a dramatic improvement over the already great stock lights. My high beams are amazing now. And the projector lenses are also great with the LEDs. I have the box somewhere...I'll try to find the brand I put in (highs were a different brand than lows). I got them off of either Amazon or EBay (can't remember. Spent around $50, as I recall.
     
  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    7,035
    2,780
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    For ALL of the replacement bulbs......4 of them, right ??

    I'm glad that you got lucky.
    I hope that they last for you.
    At that price, I'd be a bit nervous.

    Have you had someone drive the vehicle toward YOU in another car to see how they look to oncoming traffic ??
     
    michael.sfo and dubit like this.
  6. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2013
    3,339
    1,149
    40
    Location:
    Cumming, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    They'll look the same as the regular bulbs... only whiter and brighter, most likely (depending on color of lumen they bought).
    The great thing about the C is that the headlights have the cutoffs built in, so light doesn't protrude upwards into oncoming drivers eyes. This is true with HIDs, LEDs, or the garbage stock bulbs.

    I spent $60 for all 4 bulbs and ballasts and converted to 6k HIDs. Best thing I ever did. Factory bulbs are just terrible with my astigmatism.
     
  7. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    7,035
    2,780
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    YOu are assuming that the bulbs are properly designed and were installed correctly.

    And we were talking about LEDs, not HID.
     
    joelg1988 likes this.
  8. joelg1988

    joelg1988 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2018
    34
    32
    0
    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    2012-2014 Prius C headlights have separate bulbs for low and high beam. Low beams use H11 bulbs and high beams use 9005 bulbs. You can buy these very cheap at Amazon, eBay or Lasfit.com, however it's never recommended to change to an LED bulb unless you have projector lights, therefore the low beams you should be okay as long as you get them no more than 4000 lumens per bulb.

    DO NOT change the high beams to LED because the stock headlight assembly uses reflector and LEDs will create glare to incoming traffic. (cops in Nevada love to give tickets for illegal lights because NV has no income tax and they enforce this law that is not enforced in the majority of the US but it definitely exists.) See pic attached. I work for a shop, so I'm definitely very familiar with this topic.
     

    Attached Files:

  9. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2013
    3,339
    1,149
    40
    Location:
    Cumming, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    You are correct that I'm assuming they are designed to fit in the reflectors for the low beams... yes. With the high beams, as mentioned by Joel, you should not go to LEDs/HIDs unless they are designed to be dual purpose.

    Secondarily, if you installed it incorrectly, then it doesn't really matter what bulb you use... it's going to suck.

    I mentioned HIDs as well, since they are better than the stock bulbs, just like the LEDS. Unless you buy the cheapest LEDS you can buy, this will most likely be true... but then, if you buy the cheapest incandescent bulbs, this will also be true... you get what you pay for in "most" scenarios.
     
    joelg1988 likes this.
  10. Sam Schnaiter

    Sam Schnaiter New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2019
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    low beams standard on Prius C were not bright enough for me. I do rideshare at night I need to be able to see well. Working with H ID replacements was truly “HIDeous so bought LED bulbs from Amazon. The improvement was amazing. I see well without blinding oncoming cars.
     
  11. frenzee

    frenzee Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2013
    95
    73
    16
    Location:
    Costa Mesa, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Agreed. I got the highest quality and brightness LEDs money could buy and at 3600 lumens each, it's as if I have a pair of Jumbojet landing lights bolted on. It really makes the car stand out at night, and there is a nice, clean cut-off, so I'm not blinding the oncoming traffic. A couple of months in, I'm still awed every time I turn them on. I Highly recommend it, especially if you have night time vision difficulties.
     
    priustexasbob likes this.
  12. priustexasbob

    priustexasbob Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2010
    356
    86
    0
    Location:
    arrakis
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    do you have a link?
     
  13. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2017
    783
    268
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Five
  14. frenzee

    frenzee Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2013
    95
    73
    16
    Location:
    Costa Mesa, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    20181116_134022 | PriusChat

    I recommend NOT ordering online from these folks because they may be back ordered, regardless of what the their site says. Call their number and make absolutely sure they have it in stock before giving them your CC number.
     
    priustexasbob likes this.
  15. iceman13

    iceman13 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2017
    134
    102
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Buy the Beamtech H11 fanless bulbs from Amazon. I have had them for about a year and a half by now with no problems. The light output is much much brighter than stock bulbs. Also aim your headlights a bit higher it helps a lot, you won’t blind incoming traffic, they point too low from factory.
     
  16. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2017
    783
    268
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Any problems with FM interference?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  17. iceman13

    iceman13 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2017
    134
    102
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    I have no problems. I believe I’ve heard about interference but with models that have the cooling fan not the fanless models. I chose fanless because I’ve read the little fans can be heard from the front of the vehicle and I want my Prius to be completely silent
     
  18. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2017
    783
    268
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    LEDs need some shielding I think otherwise they kill FM reception.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  19. MichaelKnight

    MichaelKnight Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2018
    39
    22
    0
    Location:
    Westcoast
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It list this but do verify prior to any purchase....
    Low Beam Headlight H11
    High Beam Headlight 9005

    Beamtech
    I personally don't own these led. But I did assist with the install for a friend. This version was the fanless purchased thru amazon. It relies on passive cooling. It does have a large heatsink at the base. This also did not create any interference with audio. No issues.
     
  20. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2013
    3,339
    1,149
    40
    Location:
    Cumming, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Low Beam H11
    High Beam 9005
    Fogs H16 (same as H11, just lower wattage, H11s will fit in a pinch.)