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View Full Version : LED headlights?


CoasterToasterXB
01-19-2008, 08:25 PM
Do they make LED headlights? If so where could I find some.

seftonm
01-19-2008, 09:37 PM
They do, but the light produced by drop in LED's isn't enough to illuminate much on the road. Take a look at msantos' review at http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6282

I think the Audi R8 and Lexus LS600hL have LED headlights that do make enough light for night driving, but they would be custom designs with current drivers and optics specifically made for the LED.

WriConsult
01-22-2008, 12:25 PM
LEDs aren't quite to the point where it's practical to use them for headlights yet. The new Cree emitters are getting close, but in most cases you still need an array of emitters with custom optics to get the 1000 or more lumens you want out of a car headlight and in the proper beam pattern.

Bike lighting, where light weight, efficiency and vibration resistance are greater concerns than with car headlights, is leading the way when it comes to LEDs. The only LED bike headlight that comes close to a car headlight is the Lupine Wilma, whose single 15W emitter pumps out 800 lumens. Basically the same efficiency you get with HID. Two of these would just barely be adequate for automotive use. They cost $700 each.

Meanwhile, my homebrew bike light costs a tiny fraction of that and kicks out 1200 lumens from a 30W halogen (overdriven to about 36 watts). Halogen is still the way to go for most uses.



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