 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Led headlights - cheap but legal? |
 
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| I Like Old Skool Member Since: 23 Feb 2015 Location: Manchester Posts: 814   
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Please don't.
https://media.rac.co.uk/pressreleases/a-gl...se-3296130 I have been saying this for years. The arms race for ever more powerful headlights is great for the driver but bad for everyone else and even the legit lights with correct adjustment and beam pattern are a problem before you even encounter the myriad of substandard and badly installed aftermarket conversions. |
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12th Nov 2024 9:44am |
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| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 4216 
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I just don't think you can go too cheap with these things. It takes effort and expertise to design an LED headlight with a good beam and is tough and durable. The cheapest I would go with would probably be these https://ore4x4.co.uk/product-category/ltprtz/headlights/
I've got the Truck Lites ones (not cheap and properly certified) and the MOT guy still moans at me about the beam every year because it doesn't have the kick up to the left so is hard to check on his machine. It still passes though. I fully intend to go back to halogen in the future anyway, as I'm not convinced they are actually that much better on dipped beam, it's the whiteness of the light fools you into thinking its brighter. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS |
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12th Nov 2024 11:07am |
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| Mdm Member Since: 11 Sep 2013 Location: Sunny Lancashire Posts: 1623
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you have a couple of choices.
cheap non road legal ebay specials..only fit for off road use or the bin clear wipacs ( other brands available) with a range of better bulbs and perhaps a red bison type upgraded wiring loom to feed them. led bulbs can and do work if you buy a good set and will pass mot if the beam pattern is correct etc. i know as u have just done some testing with our local mot man. or buy led headlights. the britpart bearmach allmakes ones are good and last well. the nolden,trucklite, stedi or jw speakers all work well. i run jws ones without issue for many years now |
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12th Nov 2024 11:39am |
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| Mike c Member Since: 11 Aug 2017 Location: Maldon, Essex Posts: 930  
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I have to agree with this. 2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW 2002 Discovery 2 td5 GS (gone) 1994 Defender 90 300Tdi CSW (gone) |
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12th Nov 2024 5:59pm |
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| 34064 Member Since: 12 Dec 2023 Location: South Central Posts: 192 
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I was gifted a set of the SP panels ones by my wife a couple of years ago they are pretty good no kick up which is good for driving in EU I guess they are properly adjusted though still know where near as bright as some new cars out there where you can get x rayed by them 110 Td5 Ex Utilities slowly converting into a pop top camper one day
Build thread:https://www.defender2.net/forum/post1024784.html#1024784 |
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12th Nov 2024 8:39pm |
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| MR_JAMES Member Since: 10 Oct 2013 Location: ESSEX Posts: 248 
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I really like the sealed beam led holley retrobrights. Think they are lhd only tho :/ 1953 80"
1987 mini city e 2011 90" |
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12th Nov 2024 9:23pm |
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| I Like Old Skool Member Since: 23 Feb 2015 Location: Manchester Posts: 814
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I have given up cursing the cars that come up behind me and silhouette me in sharp contrast on my sun visor. It's as clear as the outline on my sun visor that around 5-10% of the cars on the road are running unsuitable lights, and that is in a tall Land Rover, god knows how the drivers of 'normal' height vehicles suffer? |
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12th Nov 2024 10:15pm |
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| 34064 Member Since: 12 Dec 2023 Location: South Central Posts: 192
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It's horrible I drive my golf across the new forest for my commute and it gets lit up inside by even normal height cars with these ultra bright lights not pleasant at all 110 Td5 Ex Utilities slowly converting into a pop top camper one day
Build thread:https://www.defender2.net/forum/post1024784.html#1024784 |
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12th Nov 2024 11:45pm |
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| MarkBrown Member Since: 03 Oct 2022 Location: Mid Wales Posts: 475  
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Agree with that. Some of the rear lights are dazzling too when braking. 1983 110 automatic OM606 |
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13th Nov 2024 7:38am |
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| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 4216
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The DfT are currently undertaking research to understand why the modern legally compliant headlights are generating so many complaints. Don't expect a quick resolution, but I imagine there'll be some regulation change in the future. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
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13th Nov 2024 8:40am |
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| mini Anaconda Member Since: 23 Aug 2016 Location: Thames Valley Posts: 784
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I have standard headlights with some Wipac spotlights on my A bar wired into high beam and this setup is more than sufficient.
The dazzle from aftermarket / cheap LEDs is horrible, never mind all the modern cars with bright lights. BORG - Bucks & Oxon 4x4 Response Group  |
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13th Nov 2024 12:59pm |
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