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

Headlights: HID Stock Projector VS. H1 Retrofit

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by A.Reyes, Nov 5, 2015.

Page 1 of 2
  1. A.Reyes

    A.Reyes Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2013
    270
    178
    0
    Location:
    Beaufort, 29902
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I've been seeing so many threads recently regarding HID and/or LED "Plug N Play" kits.
    I've simply came with my own thread to show the differences between HID kits vs. H1 Quik Retro. I will not even talk about LEDs because they are far from being worth it. Just not up to par with the HID output.

    There really is no simple answer as to how good HID H11 kits are. I've had the H11 Morimito kit from TheRetrofitSource.com for almost 3 years. I have never had any problems with it. I do not use the HD Relay kit. Some say you will blind oncoming traffic. Who cares? So do the big trucks. Even the stock ones...

    The only reason, I did the retrofit was so that I can have Bi-Xenon projector at a cheap price.. At the end of the day its, not that much better. Its better, but not supremely better. Had I tuned it a little bit, maybe? I got Bi-Xenons and that's all I really wanted. Is it worth the price? ABSOLUTELY!!!!

    Well here is my comparison....
    I tried to capture the same angles as best as could.

    Stock:
    [​IMG]
    H1: Shutter Speed: 1" ISO:100 F/4.5
    [​IMG]

    Wall/Garage Shot
    Stock
    [​IMG]
    H1
    [​IMG]

    Stock
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    H1
    [​IMG]

    H1 Low
    [​IMG]
    H1 High
    [​IMG]

    Rear
    [​IMG]

    Different Angle Rear with High
    [​IMG]

    GoPro Pictures
    Low
    [​IMG]
    High
    [​IMG]

    Thanks for looking at my comparison. If you need more pictures of the H1 output I'll be happy to post some up. Again Thanks for looking.
     
    #1 A.Reyes, Nov 5, 2015
    Dylan Doxey, slowpriusj and HelloHybrid like this.
  2. HelloHybrid

    HelloHybrid Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2015
    482
    1,483
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Can really see the difference in that cutoff. I should probably get the retrofit done when I blackout my headlights. Thanks for sharing this.
     
    #2 HelloHybrid, Nov 6, 2015
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Major differences due to clear lenses on the retrofit, for sharp, clear cutoffs and wide dispersion. Also, no squirrel spotter light leakage/glare on the retrofits.

    I have my squirrel spotters blocked on my factory projectors and am quite satisfied with the output.
     
    #3 xliderider, Nov 6, 2015
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    If you're going to open the housings, then yes, a worthwhile upgrade while you have them opened up.
     
    #4 xliderider, Nov 6, 2015
  5. A.Reyes

    A.Reyes Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2013
    270
    178
    0
    Location:
    Beaufort, 29902
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    On your car blacking out the headlights looks really good. I really wanted to paint mine, but i think it would look weird because my car is white. Yeah. Super easy to do. All can be done with simple tools.


    iPhone ?
     
    #5 A.Reyes, Nov 7, 2015
  6. A.Reyes

    A.Reyes Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2013
    270
    178
    0
    Location:
    Beaufort, 29902
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yup. With the exception of the squirrel finders, I thought the output was more than fine. I really just wanted bi-xenon projectors because it is extremely dark around here.


    iPhone ?
     
    #6 A.Reyes, Nov 7, 2015
  7. davidw8818

    davidw8818 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2014
    39
    3
    0
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Sir, how did u seal the back of the housing?
     
    #7 davidw8818, Nov 7, 2015
  8. A.Reyes

    A.Reyes Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2013
    270
    178
    0
    Location:
    Beaufort, 29902
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Good question. I had to use the 80mm cover I ordered from theretrofitsource. I don't think I like it to much.
     
    #8 A.Reyes, Nov 8, 2015
  9. davidw8818

    davidw8818 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2014
    39
    3
    0
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    i see. i want to find out how to seal the back housing before doing the retrofit.
     
    #9 davidw8818, Nov 14, 2015
  10. A.Reyes

    A.Reyes Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2013
    270
    178
    0
    Location:
    Beaufort, 29902
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Completely understandable. I didn't think about the reseal issue until after purchased the kit. And a few minutes later bought the caps. So far so good though. I live in extremely humid environment and haven't had any condensation problem or leaks(yet). It has been raining a lot recently. I washed my car yesterday and still everything was fine.

    What "theretrofitsource" considers a kit is not a kit. I had to do my own splicing "plug pinning" and figured out a temporary way to seal the back of the headlight. Not good in my opinion.
    Output is still great.


    iPhone ?
     
    #10 A.Reyes, Nov 14, 2015
  11. ES44AC

    ES44AC C.A.U.S

    Joined:
    May 7, 2012
    319
    76
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    @A Reyes,

    Nice write up and photos.

    From what I gather there are only 2 manufacturers making an HID conversion that fit the Prius, Morimoto and Xenon Supply, correct?
    Seems that the XenonSupply ones have a very short wiring harness since the kit isn't specifically made for the Prius. I had trouble with the "retrofitsource" site and never found the set for the Prius... the site is still looking for more information as I type this! lol

    Do you recommend taking the headlight nice person'y out of the car to make it easier or isn't that necessary? I have big hands and that doesn't look like a lot of room even on the drivers side. What are your thoughts?

    Thank you in advance!

    "ES"
     
    #11 ES44AC, Nov 15, 2015
  12. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    You're going to have to remove the headlight assembly, because you have to bake the headlights, or carefully use a heat gun to soften the adhesive holding the sealing the cover.

    FYI, they sell HID extensions that let you mount your ballasts anywhere. They are in lengths of 1 to 4 ft long.
     
    #12 xliderider, Nov 15, 2015
  13. slowpriusj

    slowpriusj Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2015
    167
    271
    0
    Location:
    Brunswick, MD
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hey man this is awesome! Great comparison
     
    #13 slowpriusj, Nov 15, 2015
  14. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Here's a pic of my output with oem projectors with blocked squirrel finder cutouts on my Camry, 35w AC ballasts 4300k:

    [​IMG]

    Definitely not as sharp and clean as a retrofit with clear lenses, but a major improvement over stock projectors with H11 halogens.
     
    #14 xliderider, Nov 16, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2015
    HelloHybrid likes this.
  15. ES44AC

    ES44AC C.A.U.S

    Joined:
    May 7, 2012
    319
    76
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    xliderider,

    Thanks but I am not interested in separating the headlights to black out certain areas as some have done. I don't think I have to separate the halves to install an HID bulb, unless I am missing something.

    I was asking if there is a kit specifically for the Prius and not a "one size fits some." Who has the extended ballast wires. XenonSupply?

    Regards,

    "ES"
     
    #15 ES44AC, Nov 16, 2015
  16. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I thought you wanted to install an HID retrofit projector. For that you need to open up the housing.

    I got my ballast to bulb extension wires from ebay. My ballasts are mounted below my front bumper support area, out of the heat of the engine bay.
     
    #16 xliderider, Nov 16, 2015
  17. A.Reyes

    A.Reyes Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2013
    270
    178
    0
    Location:
    Beaufort, 29902
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three

    Yes, what I have done here is completely change out the projector. It requires me taking off the headlights and splitting them apart.

    This is beyond your HID plug in kit. It takes patience.

    Theretrofitsource.com has the H11 "plug'n' play" kit. They don't have a car specific, but more bulb specific.


    iPhone ?
     
    #17 A.Reyes, Nov 16, 2015
    ES44AC likes this.
  18. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Theretrofitsource does have a Prius specific mini H1 HID retrofit kit, which I think is the one the OP installed.

    They also sell the plug and play H11 kit.
     
    #18 xliderider, Nov 16, 2015
    ES44AC likes this.
  19. ES44AC

    ES44AC C.A.U.S

    Joined:
    May 7, 2012
    319
    76
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks, I will have to look again at their page, it gave me trouble the last time I was there trying to get info.

    Cheers,

    "ES"
     
    #19 ES44AC, Nov 17, 2015
  20. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2014
    1,240
    692
    0
    Location:
    Cedar Crest, NM, USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    can one reach those squirrel finders in a prius without taking the headlights out?
     
    #20 StarCaller, Nov 17, 2015
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2