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2012 Prius: What LED headlights do you recommend?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by VicVicVic, Jan 24, 2019.

  1. VicVicVic

    VicVicVic Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2012
    51
    3
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA, USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Hello. I will be getting my default 2012 Prius headlights replaced, and I am seeking recommendations. Ideally, I want something that is of good value - I can't set a budget because I know too little about how much I should spend. Also ideally, I want the brightest, white-colored headlights I can legally have in California. Driving at night makes it a bit difficult because my headlights don't seem too bright; when I drive other people's cars, their default headlights seem to be much stronger.

    Also, if there is anything else whatsoever I need to purchase other than the LED headlights, please let me know. I am not handy at all and a friend who is handy will help, but he's never worked on cars and he's just mostly DIY around the house.

    Someone online recommended these $36.99 BEAMTECH H11 LED Headlight Bulb, 50W 6500K 8000Lumens Extremely Brigh H8 H9 CSP Chips Conversion Kit to me. Are they any good? Can I do better? I am willing to pay a lot more than $36.99.

    Thank you!
     
    #1 VicVicVic, Jan 24, 2019
  2. gertsprius

    gertsprius Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2018
    61
    36
    1
    Location:
    Dubois PA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I just recently replaced my Halogen lights to LED and I used this brand that I found on here, I just can't remember the thread. They are Cougar Motor LED Headlights All-in-one conversion kit, i found them on amazon. This was the easiest thing I have ever done. It is just like putting in a new halogen bulb. It is a little more tricky because they have a cooling fan on the back of the bulb but with a little maneuvering they went in easy!

    I did this swap about a couple weeks ago maybe and I haven't had any problems with them at all and they are bright!
     
    #2 gertsprius, Jan 25, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2019
  3. Fubar1764

    Fubar1764 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    127
    41
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Just installed BeamTech H11 LEDs. Excellent. Appears to be lower lumens, but that's not accurate. Because the light is bluer, it seems less light. Also, the beam pattern is similar to halogen because it's shaped similarly and light pours out similarly.
    Excellent lights. Let's see about longevity as I've heard they can go out on occasion.
     
    #3 Fubar1764, Mar 9, 2019
  4. Nopho4u

    Nopho4u Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2016
    1,007
    2,061
    0
    Location:
    Socal son
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    HID is still king of the hill when it comes to drop in lighting
     
    #4 Nopho4u, Mar 9, 2019
    James Powers likes this.
  5. jtchinoy

    jtchinoy New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    13
    16
    0
    Location:
    Hayward, California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I used the beamtechs for about a month, but because of the blue-ish hue I found them too dark. Using Hikari LEDs now. At a glance they're about the same brightness, but I find them to actually be more visible when driving. Advertised brightness for them are 8k lm and 12k lm, respectively.
     
    #5 jtchinoy, Mar 14, 2019
  6. waldox

    waldox Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2018
    69
    17
    0
    Location:
    toronto
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    look up bulbfacts dot org
    i went with the aukee leds, on 2008 and 2010 prius, both are great upgrades, see further down the road, uses less power, and cheap
     
    #6 waldox, Mar 15, 2019
  7. Fubar1764

    Fubar1764 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    127
    41
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Update.
    Love the BeamTech. The perception of low lumens is because the headlights are pointed fairly far down from the factory. When I adjusted them properly, the results were stunning. A lot more light. On my first trip in them, the added brightness helped me see a dog on a country highway from far away. I was able to stop quickly enough not to hit the dog. BeamTech lights saved the dog's life and my bumper!
     
    #7 Fubar1764, Mar 22, 2019
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