2016 headlight with 3200 lumen LED

[detours]

I've been on the hunt for an LED headlight for a while now. I want a better light pattern than stock with higher light output and the same heat as stock.

My latest find is a 3200 lumen CREE headlight from ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/36w-3200lm-B...-/172028576802

It has several features I liked:

• 3000+ lumens (3200 claimed)
• 36W high beam for low heat
• Cree LED emitters
• Large lenses over each LED for wide light pattern
• Dual LED over/under design
• Shield blocking direct view of the LED from the front

[detours]

I'm actually changing two variables here: the LED and the headlight ... because I also ordered the new 2016 light assembly from CSC.

The new design removes the side LEDs and the large housing around the running light to improve the overall light pattern.

[detours]

Here is the light pattern of the new LED in the new housing (top) compared to the Silverstar in the old housing (bottom).

It's hard to see, but the Silverstar has shadows in the center and bottom and the DOT square cutoff at the top. The LED has a full round pattern that is much wider than before, with no shadows and no DOT cutoff.

I think a lot of the spread comes from the headlight redesign, but the brightness and fullness of the pattern is thanks to the LED.

[detours]

Here's a shot of the high beam. Both LEDs are on for the high beam and it's a nice bright beam.

I haven't ridden with the new LED because of all the snow, but I didn't want to wait for a thaw to share the pics!

[detours]

The heatsink is too large to fit inside the stock housing, so you have to cut out the back to fit it. The LED sticks out the back of the housing, but it still clears the bike frame (barely).

I can't wait to try it on the road!

[SpudRider]

This LED bulb appears to be an excellent solution.

If you have time, can you switch the new LED bulb to the old headlight/reflector, and compare the light patterns?

[keithmaine]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

This LED bulb appears to be an excellent solution.

If you have time, can you switch the new LED bulb to the old headlight/reflector, and compare the light patterns?

x2 for your time and effort

[Weldangrind]

Thanks for the pics, Detours. The LED creates an impressive light spread.

[rtking]

Ditto, Detours! Great write up! I am going to follow your lead as I like having lots of light on the road (aging eyes), and the illumination is impressive!

[RedHawk47]

I tried some LED H4 headlight bulbs in my Stelvio and was not pleased with the results. They provided more light to the side and less light directly ahead. This is probably a function of the LED source not being in the same place as the halogen that the reflector was designed for. Also the low beam cutoff was non-existent, as is yours. I have asked about LED headlight and DOT compliance and have been told that no LED in a halogen reflector can/will be DOT.
That said, a recent report in the Stelvio thread on ADVrider is that this LED gives good results including low beam cutoff. They are pricy however.
http://www.xenondepot.com/h4-philips.../12953bwx2.htm
YRMV

[SpudRider]

I am certainly curious how this LED bulb will work with the original headlight reflector.

I have a brand new, original headlight assembly. Does anyone want to trade their new, revised headlight assembly, for the original headlight assembly?

[detours]

I might not be able to install the new LED in the 2015 housing for a while. But here's a pic of the Tripage LED I tested last October in the old housing.

Tripage LED in 2015 housing:



New 3200 lumen LED in 2016 housing:



Obviously, the exposure, ground cover and saturation are different, but you can still compare the light pattern. The previous LED pattern is full and bright, without shadows. However, its pattern is a vertical oval ... much narrower than the new LED in the 2016 housing. Also, the old pattern is much more focused than the new one, with less light spread to the sides.

It's hard to say how much of the new pattern is due to the LED design vs the new reflector. Likely, it's a combination of both, but I think the housing redesign makes a big difference. It looks better too. I can see why the Canada required the change.

[rtking]

I followed in Detours' shoes and installed the LED light in my 2015 RX3 (with original headlight.) I could tell immediately that:

1. The beam pattern became oval instead of having a defined cut-off (first photo below)
2. The LED is MUCH brighter than the Philips Xtra Vision 55W bulb I installed previously
3. High beam becomes another oval on top of the low beam pattern (instead of mostly overlapping the beam pattern in an incandescent bulb) as you can see in the second photo below.

I haven't yet gone for an early morning or evening ride yet, so no ride reports in contrast to the 55W bulb. But in conjunction with the spot beam LED auxiliary lamps I added, there is a LOT of light being projected forward.

Word of caution, however... the cooling fan on mine actually does contact a brace behind the headlight, but it's very light contact. There really isn't any extra room. But there is room inside the black protective housing to mount the balast for the LED headlight (as Detours did), so that makes the wiring neat and clean.

[jct842]

Redhawks makes a real good point,.......led and reflector must be a close match.

Many of the posted pictures on this and other forums are taken with a camera set on auto settings. You can tell by different light levels off to the side of the main light pattern and don't really tell much because the camera is compensating and trying to make every thing the Same. The camera has to be on a manual setting that is the same for high and low beam settings of the led. I used a manual setting to take pictures of my OPT7 Led which I posted here in the "OTHER BRANDS" forum here. Mine is not perfect but is so much better than the stock h4. I did not consider it to be safe riding at 55mph, now it is. John

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=15127

[rtking]

Originally Posted by jct842

Many of the posted pictures on this and other forums are taken with a camera set on auto settings. You can tell by different light levels off to the side of the main light pattern and don't really tell much because the camera is compensating and trying to make every thing the Same. The camera has to be on a manual setting that is the same for high and low beam settings of the led. I used a manual setting to take pictures of my OPT7 Led which I posted here in the "OTHER BRANDS" forum here. Mine is not perfect but is so much better than the stock h4. I did not consider it to be safe riding at 55mph, now it is.[/url]

Thanks John! I'll have to grab one of my cameras that can let me lock the exposure. I usually just use my iPhone for photos. But I will agree with you that the lighting difference is dramatic. It is also quite a bit brighter when seen from head-on, so it may blind some drivers at night. I'll have to wait for the weekend, but maybe park the bike behind my car and see how bad the glare is. I'll get the camera charged so I'll take pics this weekend.