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

Are LED headlights any better than the stock halogens?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by ES44AC, Feb 6, 2020.

  1. ES44AC

    ES44AC C.A.U.S

    Joined:
    May 7, 2012
    319
    76
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I was spoiled by my other Prius's headlights because I had added HID lights to it.
    The Prius II I have just has the miserable halogens, they leave me wanting something better each time i drive the car at night.

    I want to add fog lamps to it as well as either HID's again ( if I can find a kit to do it) OR LED's

    Which would you choose to brighten things up and let me see the road better?

    Clearly it seems the LED'S re easier to install but are they as good as or better than HID?

    If I was to go to LED there are so many for sale I wouldn't know which one to choose.

    Thanks

    "ES"
     
  2. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I don't know about the aftermarket LEDs for Gen 3, but the LEDs on my Prime are the best headlights I've ever had. The high beams are a little too narrow, but they are still way better than HID or halogen.
     
  3. JGC61

    JGC61 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2011
    214
    101
    6
    Location:
    Long Island
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    LED's are the best. IMO
     
  4. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2013
    1,313
    888
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I bought the Sealight S1 LEDs (non-fan, passive cooling version) to replace the low beams in our 2012 hatchback. Once I unbolted the coolant reservoir on the passenger side, the installation there took about 10 minutes and another 10 minutes for the driver’s side. Although the light is distinctly more bluish than the OEM halogens, they are much brighter and we have both been very happy with the increased visibility at night. As the power consumption of these LEDs is so low, we are also driving with them constantly ON during the daytime also in order to increase visibility to others.
     
    Teacake likes this.
  5. ES44AC

    ES44AC C.A.U.S

    Joined:
    May 7, 2012
    319
    76
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    All good information!
    I had fitted HIDs on my last Prius and loved them,but it was a pain finding room for the ballasts. They were 4600K not the more bluish 6K. Driving this Prius with the stok halogens is miserable,plus I added fog lights to the other one.
    I never should have sold that car is all I can say, so take care what you wish for. I really miss that car. Now I have to try and re create all I did to that car on this one.

    I already see that I can't get the LED panels I used on the interior map and dome lights. Oh well no one to blame but myself.

    Many thanks to you all!
    ES
     
  6. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    I'm very happy with these.

     
    scona and ES44AC like this.
  7. ES44AC

    ES44AC C.A.U.S

    Joined:
    May 7, 2012
    319
    76
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Georgina,
    In my previous 2011 Prius II I had fitted 4600K HID lights and really loved them I guess there's no way to compare them but to try 'em!

    Like a fool I sold that wonderful car and all the mods I did went with it <sigh> Now I am trying to re-create on this 2011 all the things I did to the other one.

    Looks like these LED'S have a pretty good rating, there are so many manufacturers out there now it makes my head spin, so I am glad for any input.

    Regards,

    "ES"
     
    Georgina Rudkus likes this.
  8. LightCenterLength

    LightCenterLength New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2020
    12
    1
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    This should answer your question 27fkpEa.jpg

    iPhone 3GS ?
     
    Robert Holt likes this.
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    After carrying the 1, all I need a pair of 1.2 gigawatts LED headlights.
     
    LightCenterLength likes this.
  10. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2008
    1,743
    613
    0
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Is the earth round
     
  11. TNToy

    TNToy Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2020
    50
    31
    0
    Location:
    Memphis TN
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I have a pair of Hikari H11s in my Halogen projectors.

    Yes, the fans are loud when stopped.
    Yes, they’re worth it. Bright even beam pattern with a razor sharp cutoff.

    Factory halogens were abysmal and I frequently wondered if they were on. These are 90% of the HIDs that my 14 Mustang had.
     
  12. Aaron F

    Aaron F Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2020
    10
    11
    0
    Location:
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I have been using the Cougar Motor headlights and they have been excellent for 3 years so far. I have a set for the low beams and second set for the high beams.
     
  13. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2008
    1,743
    613
    0
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    These are whiter at 6500k, chip is external and out of the heat
    Fahren 9005/HB3/H10 LED Headlight...
     
  14. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2008
    1,743
    613
    0
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    The other two
    Fahren H11/H9/H8 Bulbs, 60W 10000...
     
  15. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2018
    607
    278
    0
    Location:
    W. Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Do the latest Prii have LED headlights as standard equipment? ff so, that would be a good place to start for deciding what LED replacements to use in an older Prius, no?

    And does not the stuck-in-the-past NHTSA have some strict limitations on the permitted light output of headlights? (I think I have read that some European cars have headlights with computer-controlled beam shaping and aiming, but they would be illegal under current NHTSA rules.)
     
  16. JGC61

    JGC61 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2011
    214
    101
    6
    Location:
    Long Island
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    The Prime had LED headlights and tail lamps.
     
  17. George W

    George W Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2018
    909
    510
    1
    Location:
    San Antonio
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I've never read of standards for retro-fitting older vehicles. The companies make claims that their product is compatible(voltage and socket), but the shape is going to determine how the light gets reflected forward & with how nmuch splay.Trial and error. Best you can do is try to find an LED that is physically similar to your OEM, and hope the focus isn't crazy off. You don't want to blind oncoming traffic.
     
    LightCenterLength likes this.