Safe aftermarket LED headlight bulb info, finds and discussion

[JorJorBinks]

So as far as high beams? I'm not expecting much, my $10 eBay mini ones work well, but honestly they do seem like mostly "super fogs" when engaged but DO light up ahead better as well so they work for me... I did at least notice that the LED chips were at least matched to the right placement length the factory halogen and I figure the TechMax would, looking at the pic of their H1's they look like they should be fine, did you twist them in the holder to get the beam you want? I guess the bottom-line is that for high beams you can't expect much with reflectors, I'm happy with the way my cheapies work.

Yeah I’m only talking about high beams, the low beams everyone seems to have them on lockdown. [emoji106] but I guess I’ll just need to make do with that I have, they do light up the road very well. And the H1 Hikari only rotate about 20* so the adjustment is very minor. I’m thinking I’ll have to deal with the crazy pattern spread as long as I can see.


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[danbfree]

Yeah I’m only talking about high beams, the low beams everyone seems to have them on lockdown. [emoji106] but I guess I’ll just need to make do with that I have, they do light up the road very well. And the H1 Hikari only rotate about 20* so the adjustment is very minor. I’m thinking I’ll have to deal with the crazy pattern spread as long as I can see.

That is kind of weird, most H1 LED's you clip in the ring then insert the bulb into that and can twist however you want...So after trying the stalk at a 45 degree angle when I wanted the stalk at 3/9 (LED chips at 12/6) after hearign that works best for high beams, I eventually just left them at the regular vertical stalk position with the chips at 3/9 and I seem to get decent throw. I have the Euro projector for low beam/LED brow but the high beams are the same H1 reflectors as the US headlights.

 

[danbfree]

Yeah I’m only talking about high beams, the low beams everyone seems to have them on lockdown. [emoji106] but I guess I’ll just need to make do with that I have, they do light up the road very well. And the H1 Hikari only rotate about 20* so the adjustment is very minor. I’m thinking I’ll have to deal with the crazy pattern spread as long as I can see.

But seriously, if you are willing to try one more set, I'd go with the Aukee's for under $30. Tested by Bulb Facts one of the best H1 for high beams.

 

[JorJorBinks]

But seriously, if you are willing to try one more set, I'd go with the Aukee's for under $30. Tested by Bulb Facts one of the best H1 for high beams.

I’ll give them a try! And to respond to your last message, the Hikari have a restrictive plate on the front that only allows a little amount of movement. It’s not removable though damnit! The Hikari can get about 2/8 driver side and on the other side about 10/4.


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[JorJorBinks]

Also not sure where the review of the Aukee’s are on the site. And just want to clarify low beams the less should be pointed at 9/3 and long beams should be 12/6?


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[danbfree]

Also not sure where the review of the Aukee’s are on the site. And just want to clarify low beams the less should be pointed at 9/3 and long beams should be 12/6?


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Just the numbers, really, not a full review, see how many lumens they have for high beam and offer an H1. Also, I'm buddies/sponsored by that site owner and he recommended the Aukee for H1 high beam.

And honestly, I think both low and high should have the stalk vertically/chips at 9/3, I seem to get better throw on the high beams that way.

Let us know how they work out!

 

[JorJorBinks]

Just the numbers, really, not a full review, see how many lumens they have for high beam and offer an H1. Also, I'm buddies/sponsored by that site owner and he recommended the Aukee for H1 high beam.

And honestly, I think both low and high should have the stalk vertically/chips at 9/3, I seem to get better throw on the high beams that way.

Let us know how they work out!

Ordered a pair for the Fiesta and my Girlfriend Prius, I’ll update how they compare to the others in our stock housings. [emoji106] and thanks for the help, the more ya know!


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[JorJorBinks]

Just tested the Aukee’s and can confirm, bro is best. They’re rotatable 360* and fit nicely in the housing. Not as bright as the Hikaris, but the beam pattern is perfect so the light goes where it needs to be! For the Fiesta Highbeams these are a good go to guys. Finally my solution. Haha after 4 tries. [emoji23]


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[danbfree]

Just tested the Aukee’s and can confirm, bro is best. They’re rotatable 360* and fit nicely in the housing. Not as bright as the Hikaris, but the beam pattern is perfect so the light goes where it needs to be! For the Fiesta Highbeams these are a good go to guys. Finally my solution. Haha after 4 tries. [emoji23]

Nice! Glad to hear those worked out well! Can you confirm they have the best output with the stalk vertical or horizontal? Interesting you say they aren't as bright as the Hikari, perhaps it's an illusion as they are actually projecting outward vs. On the ground in front of you? I'd have to double check the BulbFacts data again but regardless glad to hear those work well and will update the first post as the recommended high beam to go with. Thanks for the feedback!

Edit: Yep, the Hikari Ultra are indeed brighter, so it's great to hear the Aukee actually have better high beam output so it will make them easy to recommend.

 

[JorJorBinks]

Nice! Glad to hear those worked out well! Can you confirm they have the best output with the stalk vertical or horizontal? Interesting you say they aren't as bright as the Hikari, perhaps it's an illusion as they are actually projecting outward vs. On the ground in front of you? I'd have to double check the BulbFacts data again but regardless glad to hear those work well and will update the first post as the recommended high beam to go with. Thanks for the feedback!

Edit: Yep, the Hikari Ultra are indeed brighter, so it's great to hear the Aukee actually have better high beam output so it will make them easy to recommend.

9/3 is for sure the preferred adjustment. [emoji106] At 12/6 you’ll be able to see the pattern do weird kaleidoscope like things with the beam.

So after I thought about it, the brightness I’m referring to is hotspot brightness and with bad setup on the Hikari’s means bad projection and weird hotspots. The light output is probably more for the Aukee’s but it’s a natural HUGE wall of light with little to no hot spots. I was skeptical, now very impressed. Thanks to you danbfree, and Mr.Bulbfact. Thanks to his site I’ve bought 3 sets of LEDs for me and my GF’s car. She’s rocking the Hikari Ultra for H11 Projector lows, and the Aukee’s for HB3 reflector.


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[danbfree]

9/3 is for sure the preferred adjustment. [emoji106] At 12/6 you’ll be able to see the pattern do weird kaleidoscope like things with the beam.

So after I thought about it, the brightness I’m referring to is hotspot brightness and with bad setup on the Hikari’s means bad projection and weird hotspots. The light output is probably more for the Aukee’s but it’s a natural HUGE wall of light with little to no hot spots. I was skeptical, now very impressed. Thanks to you danbfree, and Mr.Bulbfact. Thanks to his site I’ve bought 3 sets of LEDs for me and my GF’s car. She’s rocking the Hikari Ultra for H11 Projector lows, and the Aukee’s for HB3 reflector.

Man, that's what this is all about! Love hearing the success stories and appreciate the feedback!

 

[RubberDucky_82]

@danbfree and @JorJorBinks, can you guys clarify, are you talking about the H11 Aukee's or the H1 Aukee's? The language and links have been a bit unclear. Thanks. And @JorJorBinks, did you need to buy clips to make them fit? If so, do you mind adding a link? Awesome stuff, guys. Thanks.

 

[danbfree]

@danbfree and @JorJorBinks, can you guys clarify, are you talking about the H11 Aukee's or the H1 Aukee's? The language and links have been a bit unclear. Thanks. And @JorJorBinks, did you need to buy clips to make them fit? If so, do you mind adding a link? Awesome stuff, guys. Thanks.

Sorry for any confusion, this was regarding the H1 high beams, we have long settled on the TechMax as the best H11 low beam that we know of for now for the factory reflector housings.

 

[JorJorBinks]

Sorry for any confusion, this was regarding the H1 high beams, we have long settled on the TechMax as the best H11 low beam that we know of for now for the factory reflector housings.

Yes I’ve the H11 lowbeams Techmax, and now have H1 Highbeam Aukee. They require a little asymmetric clip to hold them in. I got them off amazon I searched for “Ford H1 bulb holder” should be one of the top choices I have the TOMALL ones.


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[joeyearl]

Yes I’ve the H11 lowbeams Techmax, and now have H1 Highbeam Aukee. They require a little asymmetric clip to hold them in. I got them off amazon I searched for “Ford H1 bulb holder” should be one of the top choices I have the TOMALL ones.


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Well, now I’m going to have to try the Aukee H1s in my Fiesta ST. Thanks, guys!

 

[danbfree]

Well, now I’m going to have to try the Aukee H1s in my Fiesta ST. Thanks, guys!

Just make sure to get these bulb holders, only $4 instead of $9 for the same thing

HUIQIAODS H1 Headlight Bulb Adappter Retainer Base Fit for Ford Focus Fiesta Mondeo High Beam Light （pack of 2） https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N838269/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ynZjDbE25RVGP

 

[joeyearl]

Just make sure to get these bulb holders, only $4 instead of $9 for the same thing

HUIQIAODS H1 Headlight Bulb Adappter Retainer Base Fit for Ford Focus Fiesta Mondeo High Beam Light （pack of 2） https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N838269/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ynZjDbE25RVGP

Saw that. Thanks

 

[averyislost]

In case anyone was curious about the "legality" of LED bulbs, I recently had my FiST inspected here in NC and it passed without issue with Techmax LED low beams installed.
I even made sure to point out the lights to the techs when I brought the car in, they've previously failed my 4runner with HID's installed. They are pretty strict about cutoff lines / glare at the shop I take it to and WILL fail HID's in reflector housings. They gave a thumbs up to the Techmax though!

 

[Ford ST]

In case anyone was curious about the "legality" of LED bulbs, I recently had my FiST inspected here in NC and it passed without issue with Techmax LED low beams installed.
I even made sure to point out the lights to the techs when I brought the car in, they've previously failed my 4runner with HID's installed. They are pretty strict about cutoff lines / glare at the shop I take it to and WILL fail HID's in reflector housings. They gave a thumbs up to the Techmax though!

I also live in North Carolina and that's not really how legality works with lights. It's about it being DOT approved or not. Most rarely even use the tool to check for proper lighting. If they do use it and everything checks out it's going to be passed regardless of the light used.
At the end of the day North Carolina is pretty chill.

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[averyislost]

I totally agree, I guess legality was a poor choice of wording since they don't have DOT approval. The place I go to is pretty strict when it comes to checking things, so I figured they would fail me knowing that they were LED but I guess as long as it meets the cutoff restrictions most places don't care too much.

I also live in North Carolina and that's not really how legality works with lights. It's about it being DOT approved or not. Most rarely even use the tool to check for proper lighting. If they do use it and everything checks out it's going to be passed regardless of the light used.
At the end of the day North Carolina is pretty chill.

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