Best HD Headlights?

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Apr 24, 2013 | 10:03 AM

#31

frenchbiker

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 3,948

Likes: 54

From: The Burgh

Quote:

Originally Posted by aces25

I'd like to go LED but can't do $230 for the headlight or $400 for the headlight and passing lamps right now. What was the disastrous experience with HID?

I installed 3 different HID kits from the vendor, 2 of which were defective. The only one who wasn't defective was a hi-lo HID kit where only the low beam was HID, the high beam being halogen.
This is not what I purchased and it was a "loan" from the vendor, while the replacement for the full HID kit I ordered was traveling between the Far East and the US.

The 2 full HID kits, called bi-xenon and requiring a special relay harness, created problems with either the security system (my HD alarm could not locate the fob even when it was on the seat (!) or with the stock harness.
The last straw was when I suddenly lost all power to the headlight for several seconds. Fortunately, it happened in my garage and not on the road.
I also had problems with the auxiliary lights not working with the low beam from time to time.

When I got tired of installing replacement parts from the vendor (and returning the defective ones), I trashed the whole thing, cut my losses and moved on.

Apr 24, 2013 | 10:05 AM

#32

drspencer

Road Warrior

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 1,534

Likes: 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pondskipper

The HD LED looks great but the Phase 7 has a better spread of light from what I have seen.

I thought it was just the opposite?

It's my understanding the Phase 7 LED, not the HD LED, gives more of the can't-see-in-the-corners effect that people describe.

Thanks

Apr 24, 2013 | 10:14 AM

#33

frenchbiker

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 3,948

Likes: 54

From: The Burgh

Quote:

Originally Posted by drspencer

I thought it was just the opposite?

It's my understanding the Phase 7 LED, not the HD LED, gives more of the can't-see-in-the-corners effect that people describe.

Thanks

I don't have the "can't see in the corners effect" with my Phase 7 set, not even with just the headlight.
With the addition of the 2 LED auxiliary lights, and if they are aimed properly, the road and the 2 sides will be lighted up extremely well, even in a curve.

Apr 24, 2013 | 10:28 AM

#34

drspencer

Road Warrior

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 1,534

Likes: 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by frenchbiker

I'm getting the HD LED, but have a Street Glide, so I won't be getting the aux running lights.
Thanks

Apr 24, 2013 | 11:38 AM

#35

frenchbiker

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 3,948

Likes: 54

From: The Burgh

Quote:

Originally Posted by drspencer

I'm getting the HD LED, but have a Street Glide, so I won't be getting the aux running lights.
Thanks

You will be fine even with just the headlight. No pun intended but it's night and day compared to the stock headlight with its halogen bulb.
Make sure it's aimed properly though. This is very important and worth a few minutes of your time.