ebay projector lights
01-07-17, 08:44 PM
#16
Pole Position
Have to disagree slightly.
Most projectors don't have the exact same output.
Many factors such as bowl design, lense type and bulb used drastically can alter desired light output.
Case in point...the Q45 vs the LS430....no way are these putting down the same amount of light on the road.
The Q45 uses multiple small lenses and casts the light into a simulated d.o.t based light pattern. This simulation of the multiple lenses focused into 1 beam detracts from the light output.
The LS430 uses a different approach...it takes light from both the projector itself and a smaller area under the projector that casts a cleaner beam pattern to the road.
This design works so well it provides superior foreground lighting AND the widest spread of HID projectors.
Different design approaches result in different amounts of light cast to the road along with alterations of beam patterns based on the features listed above.
There used to be a site I referred my former customers to which went into grave detail of my explanation above.
It's been a long time since I've done this work...I'll have to see if I can find the site...
it's a fascinating read if you're interested in this sort of thing
Most projectors don't have the exact same output.
Many factors such as bowl design, lense type and bulb used drastically can alter desired light output.
Case in point...the Q45 vs the LS430....no way are these putting down the same amount of light on the road.
The Q45 uses multiple small lenses and casts the light into a simulated d.o.t based light pattern. This simulation of the multiple lenses focused into 1 beam detracts from the light output.
The LS430 uses a different approach...it takes light from both the projector itself and a smaller area under the projector that casts a cleaner beam pattern to the road.
This design works so well it provides superior foreground lighting AND the widest spread of HID projectors.
Different design approaches result in different amounts of light cast to the road along with alterations of beam patterns based on the features listed above.
There used to be a site I referred my former customers to which went into grave detail of my explanation above.
It's been a long time since I've done this work...I'll have to see if I can find the site...
it's a fascinating read if you're interested in this sort of thing
I believe there are others that are better now, however, the last I heard the LS430's are the best and actually the Q's are one of the worst.
One thing that practically NOone understands is that ALL projectors have the exact same output in lighting. The difference between all the projectors is how wide the beam extends from left to right (the degree of the angle). Obviously its pretty much impossible to get a headlight pointing forward to go anywhere behind it for output, so best width of the beam would be 180*, the LS430 projectors are somewhere around the high 160's due to the shrouds they use which is pretty damn close to perfect. Most other projectors are like this ----> \ / yes that bad like a 60* angle of output, so basically you dont see anything to the sides of your car, just directly in front of you. Its not a huge deal to see straight to the sides since when you're driving high speeds, anything directly to the side of you goes by in a fraction of a second thus no reason to see it, however when driving, its cool to be able to see everything
Actually, his grammar is rather well considering English is his second language...
One thing that practically NOone understands is that ALL projectors have the exact same output in lighting. The difference between all the projectors is how wide the beam extends from left to right (the degree of the angle). Obviously its pretty much impossible to get a headlight pointing forward to go anywhere behind it for output, so best width of the beam would be 180*, the LS430 projectors are somewhere around the high 160's due to the shrouds they use which is pretty damn close to perfect. Most other projectors are like this ----> \ / yes that bad like a 60* angle of output, so basically you dont see anything to the sides of your car, just directly in front of you. Its not a huge deal to see straight to the sides since when you're driving high speeds, anything directly to the side of you goes by in a fraction of a second thus no reason to see it, however when driving, its cool to be able to see everything
Actually, his grammar is rather well considering English is his second language...
01-07-17, 11:27 PM
#17
I can say from my experience going from Q45 to LS460 back to Q45 that the LS460's definitely seemed brighter as well as having a wider beam pattern. I don't have any scientific evidence to back that up but with the exact same bulbs and ballasts I noticed a difference in useable light on the road. I decided to sacrifice output for the look of the Q45's, they definitely stand out more for a show car, the LS460's blended in so well that I doubt average Joe even realized it was a retrofit. That being said, the Q45's are still and upgrade in output from the factory hid reflectors. It just depends on whether your priority is looks or output.
01-08-17, 12:43 AM
#18
Have to disagree slightly.
Most projectors don't have the exact same output.
Many factors such as bowl design, lense type and bulb used drastically can alter desired light output.
Case in point...the Q45 vs the LS430....no way are these putting down the same amount of light on the road.
The Q45 uses multiple small lenses and casts the light into a simulated d.o.t based light pattern. This simulation of the multiple lenses focused into 1 beam detracts from the light output.
The LS430 uses a different approach...it takes light from both the projector itself and a smaller area under the projector that casts a cleaner beam pattern to the road.
This design works so well it provides superior foreground lighting AND the widest spread of HID projectors.
Different design approaches result in different amounts of light cast to the road along with alterations of beam patterns based on the features listed above.
There used to be a site I referred my former customers to which went into grave detail of my explanation above.
It's been a long time since I've done this work...I'll have to see if I can find the site...
it's a fascinating read if you're interested in this sort of thing
Most projectors don't have the exact same output.
Many factors such as bowl design, lense type and bulb used drastically can alter desired light output.
Case in point...the Q45 vs the LS430....no way are these putting down the same amount of light on the road.
The Q45 uses multiple small lenses and casts the light into a simulated d.o.t based light pattern. This simulation of the multiple lenses focused into 1 beam detracts from the light output.
The LS430 uses a different approach...it takes light from both the projector itself and a smaller area under the projector that casts a cleaner beam pattern to the road.
This design works so well it provides superior foreground lighting AND the widest spread of HID projectors.
Different design approaches result in different amounts of light cast to the road along with alterations of beam patterns based on the features listed above.
There used to be a site I referred my former customers to which went into grave detail of my explanation above.
It's been a long time since I've done this work...I'll have to see if I can find the site...
it's a fascinating read if you're interested in this sort of thing
Actually I did study it all back when I was retrofitting, I just opted not to write the complete book on it. I failed in my adjective choice of "all", my bad LoL . And absolutely, the Q's have probably the dimmest output. And yes, we can start talking about fresnel lens and clear lenses and their effects
01-08-17, 01:59 PM
#19
Like I said, it is a nit, anyway.
Also, we cannot forget about the light output ABOVE the main cone. That is just as important, to me, and is neglected by many.
I doubt those amounts are universal across all low beam projectors.
The whole system makes me shake my head. Automakers making silly decisions and customers buying for silly reasons.
Last edited by AmanO; 01-08-17 at 02:08 PM.
The following users liked this post:
tiguy99 (01-08-17)
01-10-17, 06:39 PM
#20
Have to disagree slightly.
Most projectors don't have the exact same output.
Many factors such as bowl design, lense type and bulb used drastically can alter desired light output.
Case in point...the Q45 vs the LS430....no way are these putting down the same amount of light on the road.
The Q45 uses multiple small lenses and casts the light into a simulated d.o.t based light pattern. This simulation of the multiple lenses focused into 1 beam detracts from the light output.
The LS430 uses a different approach...it takes light from both the projector itself and a smaller area under the projector that casts a cleaner beam pattern to the road.
This design works so well it provides superior foreground lighting AND the widest spread of HID projectors.
Different design approaches result in different amounts of light cast to the road along with alterations of beam patterns based on the features listed above.
There used to be a site I referred my former customers to which went into grave detail of my explanation above.
It's been a long time since I've done this work...I'll have to see if I can find the site...
it's a fascinating read if you're interested in this sort of thing
Most projectors don't have the exact same output.
Many factors such as bowl design, lense type and bulb used drastically can alter desired light output.
Case in point...the Q45 vs the LS430....no way are these putting down the same amount of light on the road.
The Q45 uses multiple small lenses and casts the light into a simulated d.o.t based light pattern. This simulation of the multiple lenses focused into 1 beam detracts from the light output.
The LS430 uses a different approach...it takes light from both the projector itself and a smaller area under the projector that casts a cleaner beam pattern to the road.
This design works so well it provides superior foreground lighting AND the widest spread of HID projectors.
Different design approaches result in different amounts of light cast to the road along with alterations of beam patterns based on the features listed above.
There used to be a site I referred my former customers to which went into grave detail of my explanation above.
It's been a long time since I've done this work...I'll have to see if I can find the site...
it's a fascinating read if you're interested in this sort of thing
I can say from my experience going from Q45 to LS460 back to Q45 that the LS460's definitely seemed brighter as well as having a wider beam pattern. I don't have any scientific evidence to back that up but with the exact same bulbs and ballasts I noticed a difference in useable light on the road. I decided to sacrifice output for the look of the Q45's, they definitely stand out more for a show car, the LS460's blended in so well that I doubt average Joe even realized it was a retrofit. That being said, the Q45's are still and upgrade in output from the factory hid reflectors. It just depends on whether your priority is looks or output.
I have more to think about now lol.
Actually I did study it all back when I was retrofitting, I just opted not to write the complete book on it. I failed in my adjective choice of "all", my bad LoL . And absolutely, the Q's have probably the dimmest output. And yes, we can start talking about fresnel lens and clear lenses and their effects
they will be better than halogen though right? lol
I agree, but think he should have had someone go over it for a close to 1K item. Now, if he were selling 2$ iPhone chargers, no big deal.
Like I said, it is a nit, anyway.
Also, we cannot forget about the light output ABOVE the main cone. That is just as important, to me, and is neglected by many.
I doubt those amounts are universal across all low beam projectors.
The whole system makes me shake my head. Automakers making silly decisions and customers buying for silly reasons.
Like I said, it is a nit, anyway.
Also, we cannot forget about the light output ABOVE the main cone. That is just as important, to me, and is neglected by many.
I doubt those amounts are universal across all low beam projectors.
The whole system makes me shake my head. Automakers making silly decisions and customers buying for silly reasons.
01-11-17, 07:52 AM
#21
Pole Position
dang this scuks. now I have to decide about looks over performance. such a hard choice!
thank you so much for chiming in man. this gives me a good Pov about both projectors from someone that actually used both!
I have more to think about now lol.
sad to hear the qs may be that bad
they will be better than halogen though right? lol
I hate bad grammar too lol
thank you so much for chiming in man. this gives me a good Pov about both projectors from someone that actually used both!
I have more to think about now lol.
sad to hear the qs may be that bad
they will be better than halogen though right? lol
I hate bad grammar too lol
Won't take long before you find what you need!
That site is like crack....if you have mod money to burn you sure will part with it once you see some of the setups over there lol
With that being said, now that I have my GS400, I'm starting to get the ol retrofit itch myself.
01-11-17, 02:42 PM
#22
The Q45's are an upgrade over halogen. They won't wow you though. I felt they were an upgrade over the GS stock HID reflectors as well. They just aren't on par with other projectors.
The LS430's are even wider than the LS460's I had but I preferred the looks of shroud on the 460. I believe that car had the motorized lights that would turn the projectors as you turned the steering wheel so they didn't feel the need to use the reflectors to throw more light to the sides like the 430's did. They do have reflectors that fill in a few dim spots in the beam pattern. The 460's would still light up the opposite ditch on a 4 lane divided highway though.
If you want to be blown away by the output, either LS set would be good, the only reason to choose the Q45's is for looks.
The LS430's are even wider than the LS460's I had but I preferred the looks of shroud on the 460. I believe that car had the motorized lights that would turn the projectors as you turned the steering wheel so they didn't feel the need to use the reflectors to throw more light to the sides like the 430's did. They do have reflectors that fill in a few dim spots in the beam pattern. The 460's would still light up the opposite ditch on a 4 lane divided highway though.
If you want to be blown away by the output, either LS set would be good, the only reason to choose the Q45's is for looks.
01-13-17, 08:16 PM
#24
The Q45's are an upgrade over halogen. They won't wow you though. I felt they were an upgrade over the GS stock HID reflectors as well. They just aren't on par with other projectors.
The LS430's are even wider than the LS460's I had but I preferred the looks of shroud on the 460. I believe that car had the motorized lights that would turn the projectors as you turned the steering wheel so they didn't feel the need to use the reflectors to throw more light to the sides like the 430's did. They do have reflectors that fill in a few dim spots in the beam pattern. The 460's would still light up the opposite ditch on a 4 lane divided highway though.
If you want to be blown away by the output, either LS set would be good, the only reason to choose the Q45's is for looks.
The LS430's are even wider than the LS460's I had but I preferred the looks of shroud on the 460. I believe that car had the motorized lights that would turn the projectors as you turned the steering wheel so they didn't feel the need to use the reflectors to throw more light to the sides like the 430's did. They do have reflectors that fill in a few dim spots in the beam pattern. The 460's would still light up the opposite ditch on a 4 lane divided highway though.
If you want to be blown away by the output, either LS set would be good, the only reason to choose the Q45's is for looks.
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