Random thought

[PrinzII]

My current HIDs are 3200 lumens but I am always interested in higher output, especially if it does not come at the expense of current draw. I am researching these LED headlights which are 4400 lumens but want to see if they will play nice with the Edge's electrical system.

 

http://www.oraclelights.com/automotive-lighting-products/ORACLE-LED-Headlight-Fog--DRL-Bulbs/ORACLE-5202-LED-Headlight-Replacement-Bulbs

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

I know of a guy who used their lighting products on his F150, and the results were quite good! Their lumens rating is also probably a believable rating, unlike many vendors on EBay.

[PrinzII]

I just got an email on these. They are claiming 4500 lumens/side.

 

http://www.vleds.com/headlights.html?series=918&mc_cid=9535282791&mc_eid=6941a65c04

[Duckkarl]

I'm not sure about the led headlights, but their other products are high quality. I just got some reverse led bulbs from them this week. They are bright and built well. I would definitely buy their other products.

 

I just got an email on these. They are claiming 4500 lumens/side.

 

http://www.vleds.com/headlights.html?series=918&mc_cid=9535282791&mc_eid=6941a65c04

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

I just got an email on these. They are claiming 4500 lumens/side.

 

http://www.vleds.com/headlights.html?series=918&mc_cid=9535282791&mc_eid=6941a65c04

vLEDs is a reputable vendor, most issues have related to switchbacks, not surprising with the Edge's finicky system. BUT the rating of 4500 has to be total for BOTH bulbs, not ea, as only 125% of halogen output means 2250 per side (halogen typically 1600-1900 per side). I hope the wattage rating is also a TOTAL rating, because I currently have LED headlights that are purportedly 20W/2200 lumens per bulb (unverified).

[PrinzII]

I like the ones by Oracle but I am wondering if we would need the resistor harness considering the pickiness of the electrical system. Plus, I want to get Dan's LED taillights which means I will need resistors there as well.

[PrinzII]

Rest assured, I am getting the LED bar to go with all of these lighting upgrades.

Edited November 30, 2014 by PrinzII

[PrinzII]

Anyone have any input here?

[PrinzII]

For the record, my yardstick for light output is when I had low and high beam HIDs in my 2008 Edge. That combination was 11200 lumens when all lights were activated. The light output of the Oracle LEDs (4400 lumens) is pretty darned good.

Edited January 14, 2015 by PrinzII

[PrinzII]

Researching these further is causing me to lean toward the VLED LED headlights.

 

http://www.vleds.com/headlights/lmz-ultra-2669.html

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Are they available in the style you need? Not sure what the bulb collar means, but I see H4/H13/9004/9007 listed as options. These seem to be HI/LOW type bulbs. Since the Edge uses a shutter (right?) for high beam, would you be running LOW all the time, or HIGH all the time? Worth a phone call to vLED.

[TheWizard]

V-LEDs has those LED headlight kits for a variety of different bulb types including 9005 and 9006 so you can get the correct type for the Edge low/high projector setup. They are claiming 4500 lumens per bulb (9000 lumens for the pair). V-LEDs is known for using the "add them all up" method for advertised brightness rather than measurement of actual total bulb output so that number is somewhat inflated but still very impressive. With that much output you'll have to be very careful with headlight aiming (which is notoriously bad on the Edge) or you will fry the retinas of other drivers.

 

Bear in mind that these will not be simple plug-and-play replacements for halogen bulbs. The LED bulbs have a large fan and heat sink on the back and require an external driver box similar to the ballast of an HID setup. So some modification to the dust caps on the back of the headlight assembly will be necessary.

 

Over the years (and dozens of purchases from them) I have found V-LEDs customer service can range from arrogant to excellent but overall they are a good company to deal with and they sell quality products.

Edited December 15, 2014 by TheWizard

[PrinzII]

Wizard: Thanks. That's why I really want to consider them. The last trip from Phoenix to Chicago sealed the need to make some lighting changes.

[enigma-2]

^{Anyone have an opinion on the Sirius LEDs? 6400 total output.}

^{http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QWVGT7O?psc=1}

Edited December 17, 2014 by enigma-2

[PrinzII]

I got the feedback from VLEDs and confirmed the output is 4500 lumens per bulb (9000 lumens for both). These bulbs plus the LED bar (another 8000 lumens) are going to give me all the forward light I am going to need, especially when the weather turns inclement.

[omar302]

Another new option are the Philips Xenon X-tremeVision, which claim up to 50% more light (compared to standard HID), though I've never seen them on a vehicle so I can't say my opinion.

 

http://www.lighting.philips.com/gb_en/application_areas/automotive/xenon-xtremevision.wpd

 

But they are expensive, ~100 USD each bulb!

 

http://hidconcept.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=223

[Cellbine]

I am looking at a bulb upgrade again since I was forced by Germany to go back to stock...

 

I have looked at LED headlights in the past but just passed them over because I didnt think the output was what was being claimed. They just seemed week. But these look great! The only problem is the price. You have to choose a bulb color temp and that is $75 per bulb making the set cost upwards of $250. I'll just go back to DDM Tuning for that price.

 

Am I reading that price wrong? It looks like we are forced to select those options.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

I think the switchable Lo/Hi (2500/4500 lumens resp) is adding to the price significantly, BUT it would give you the flexibility when you need it, instead of going full-out all the time.

[wannabang]

Not sure about the output in lumens on a 35w HID setup, but $200 for 2500 lumens on the low end doesn't seem worth the upgrade for me in the comparison video on the 55w morimoto kit on the vleds link. We all have our budgets, though, and our own dark roads. My HIDs have been fine and my windshield is tinted.

[TheWizard]

I think the switchable Lo/Hi (2500/4500 lumens resp) is adding to the price significantly, BUT it would give you the flexibility when you need it, instead of going full-out all the time.

 

The Edge doesn't require the high/low capability of H4, H13 and similar dual filament bulbs. The 9005/9006 single filament version listed below the H4 version allows the Edge projector to use its internal shutter to control high and low beam. They are listed on the main page at $250 for the pair but when you look at the details page you'll see that all those "add-ons" are included - they start with $100 for the bulbs then add $40 for the controller boxes, $75 for the color temp (yes I know that is silly) and $10 for the mounting collar (9005 or 9006). That comes to $250 from which they will deduct a $50 discount at checkout... net price $200 for the entire kit.

 

That's still not cheap but you get impressive (almost overwhelming) light output, the instant on, no warmup capability that is missing from HIDs and they last many times longer than either a halogen bulb or an HID capsule.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

I needed to go back to the main page to see other options (doh)

 

For Bulb Types: H7 H11 H8 H9 H10 9145 9005 9006 D2S D4S

http://www.vleds.com/headlights/lmz-ultra.html

 

For Bulb Types: H4 9004 9007 H13

http://www.vleds.com/headlights/lmz-ultra-2669.html

[PrinzII]

 

The Edge doesn't require the high/low capability of H4, H13 and similar dual filament bulbs. The 9005/9006 single filament version listed below the H4 version allows the Edge projector to use its internal shutter to control high and low beam. They are listed on the main page at $250 for the pair but when you look at the details page you'll see that all those "add-ons" are included - they start with $100 for the bulbs then add $40 for the controller boxes, $75 for the color temp (yes I know that is silly) and $10 for the mounting collar (9005 or 9006). That comes to $250 from which they will deduct a $50 discount at checkout... net price $200 for the entire kit.

 

That's still not cheap but you get impressive (almost overwhelming) light output, the instant on, no warmup capability that is missing from HIDs and they last many times longer than either a halogen bulb or an HID capsule.

 

Now, you see why I am considering them. My sole concern is how they are going to handle the extreme heat down here.

[TheWizard]

I have a similar set of their H9/H11 LED bulbs with drivers in my fog lights and they have survived the Florida heat without any issues. I know it's not quite as hot here as in Arizona but yours is a "dry" heat, right?

 

I would contact V-LEDs and ask them. I expect they'll say that it isn't a problem as long as you ensure sufficient air flow around the heat sinks and fans on the back of the bulbs. That's where modification of the dust covers comes into play.

[PrinzII]

Wizard: Funny you say that. They said the exactly the same thing. Considering my dust covers are already "modified" from the HID install, I probably could make a larger hole for the fan.

[PrinzII]

Outside of that, I am going to have to replace the backup lights. One of them is incredibly dim. This might be the point where I get Dan's LED taillight with the LED kit for the turn signal and backup light.

 

Translation: The lighting mod list groweth.

Edited January 2, 2015 by PrinzII