HID vs LED Projector Retrofit Guide - Get it Right The First Time!

Thank you! Well done video.

Ive had problems with ballasts in motorcycles, but LEDs work fine. Would love a good D2S LED bulb to run in a D2S projector to combine the best of both (for motorcycles).

i have bi-xenon headlights in my Subaru outback from factory and i had dilema if it is better to stay with HID or goes to Bi-LED projector. I am staying with HID D2S micro now , because i could easily change bulb when she died, not necessary to change whole projector again. And as you said, we have cold and lots of snow in winter. I know that Bi-Led might shines more, but HID is better option for me.

I do enjoy the MLED 2.0!! Bought it a bit less than 2 years ago, and it’s still running just fine!

Instead of retrofitting a projector into some reflector housing I just ended up buying an OEM-style D1S projector housing and put an LED bulb in my D1S projectors by swapping in a new circular bracket to hold a non HID bulb lol much easier.

Truly thankful for the time you have devoted to creating this new type of content lately. It's fresh and totally relevant to all of us.

You made an excellent point about the relevance of the H1 projector with the advent of the Micro D2S, which is my primary recommendation to customers as well. But, most people don't want to hear about HID anymore. From my standpoint, the hyper white colour and COST are their driving factors. The DIYers want and prefer a threaded shaft projector, and 2.5" with extreme power, which comes with limitations due to heat management and driving insane power levels. Quite frankly, I don't see any of the 2.5" LED projectors seeing revision after revision as we see with 3" LED projectors and the race to achieve maximum power.

One of my concerns is what is Morimoto doing now if this is the end for the Mini H1 and Mini D2S? If the market is trending towards LED, then what's next from MLED 2.0? In my opinion, there is a gap to be filled, such as 2.5" projectors for smaller applications as well as different colour temperatures.

Great video, thanks for sharing Caesar! This is why you guys are my go-to for everything, and why I send all my recommendations your way. It's so great that you're so keen on communication and working with people directly, that seems more and more rare! Thanks for keeping it real, and staying the right size to be a good "small business". Good stuff.

Is there any led projector that is brighter than the NHK IV+ & V that is known to have decent reliability and beam pattern? NHK Uni K? NHK K5? Sanvi A8 Pro? Anything else?

H.i.d and Halogen Only!! Led are garbage!!

Any recomendation for a substitute of the OEM bi-xenon projector with AFS for a 2009 european SEAT Exeo ( based on the Audi A4 b7 platform)? Headlight manufacturer is VALEO.

Wish I saw this sooner, thanks for the vid. Wonder why my local shop recommended an h1 morimoto hid projector

Very nice video. I agree with the servisability of the hids. That's the reason I got hid projectors to swap in my car. I got from China the Sinolyn F1 projectors, I really wonder how do they compare to the mentioned d2s projectors in the video.

What is your opinion to use led bulbs to bi xenon projector? Except the performance is it more reliable for the projectors bowl because of lower temperature of the bulb compare to hids? Thank you for the great video

I have cars with the Morimoto Mini D2S 5.0 and another with the EvoX-R 2.0. The Evos can still hold their own, especially the high beam pattern. The 5.0s have a more even light distribution and wider beam pattern, but honestly, I prefer the Evos when driving. There's something about the way they put their light on the road that makes them more useable in the real-world. The 5.0s are still amazing, just to be clear.

Great vid Caesar. You did two retrofits for me YEARS ago and they are still going strong, save for wear and tear and of course bulbs. Cheers!

Ceeeasaaarrrr!!! Aw man; how have you been?? Good to hear from you. You did a set...damn it's been 17 years???? Geeezz! You did a set for me back in '11. Thank you!

How much can you retrofit hid projector in my 1953 chevy belair headlight i already have the kit i want to pay the labor i have a 3 inch projector

Got the WRX D2S projector retrofit kit from you guys a few years ago and still running strong :) Now I’m looking to do a retrofit for my lady’s base 2020 Crosstrek. Definitely buying from you again:)

Can you guys still get a hand on LS430's?? Or do you leave such a unit for other retrofitters?

I'm still using acme h1 and your micro 2.0 on my tahoe that I retrofitted a couple years ago for a quad setup.

I used to just have a single projector before going quads.

So is bulb burn why 2.5" projectors say to ONLY use 35W ballasts with them, and is that still the case today?

I'm looking at putting a led high beam retrofit projector into my reflector high beam and putting a bi-xenon into my stock halogen 2.5" low beam projectors

This was very helpful thank you!

Thank-you for this video? I have a 2014 f150 limited with factory e55s. I'm guessing the evox-r 2.0 is a no brainer?

The way you talk about any other product not sitting on the table makes you sound really afraid of improvement and stuck in your ways. For example bi-lasers have created a massive stir in the market for very good reason, and not wanting to educate and test these new technologies for yourself to better your customers is a real mistake.

Hey Caesar I had a quick question: Do Morimoto 5000K XB H7B color shift at all? They are very neutral white looking, they remind me of 4300K. Which isn’t bad, I like the CRI on the road at night but do you know if they turn whiter over time? How many hours do you think? Thanks!

Thanks for this extensive guide about different projector types. I have a question about the reflector bowl of HID, do you think the new bowls of NHK is reliable as it is made of aluminum? Can it handle the temperature of HID OR LED bulbs for long time?

No more FX-R 😞

Do you have a side by side of the micro d2s vs. the latest h1? Have an older retro using mini h1 from morimoto and just curious on beam pattern. Also, what happened to the g5 exl? I dont see them around anymore.

This video came up after i ordered some retro brackets and a split harness from you guys in the morning.

HID does not perform well as a lot of peolple think they do specially with low beams. Don't waste your money with HID's.

Can you use led bulbs in the hid projectors?

ugh, finally a video that isn't hyping LED.

I have a Acura Integra, oem is a halogen projector low beam and reflector high beam.

Today, would you go for a hid conversion or a LED replacement bulb and a clear lens?

Back in the day guys were going for tsx protectors, but that's a bunch of work and cutting to get the job done.

Are led bulbs in oem protectors up to snuff?

Thanks! And great video!

Great video, the gentleman really gets into the required details

Which HID projector should I use in 2015 GMC Sierra? The halogen projectors are junk

Wonder if 55w xen would burn the reflector inside the projector? Mid to long term at least...

Suddenly I wonder if it’s worth buying the aftermarket projector conversion composite headlights, splitting them open, and converting them to a better projector.

As im researching, you should really update your website page for G5R as it looks like a whole new projector from the G5R i purchased from you 4 years ago. I see why the price has increased now.

Nice overview I've always wanted to do a retrofit im leaning towards them nhk with that thinner shaft seems like less work with a 9006 all the other projectors have Huge mounting shaft that requires more work

Maybe its just me but I actually prefer the power up of HIDs over the instant on of LEDs. The first car I ever drove with HIDs was my first Honda s2000 that I bought in 2004. I didn't even really know what HIDs were or that it had them. I bought the car during the day and didn't drive it at night for a few days. I still remember that first night when i got in and turned on the headlight at it was dim yellow (like most factory halogen headlights at the time) as I expected. But suddenly they started powering up until they were bright white and (in my mind at the time) 5x brighter than the brightest halogen lights I had ever had in any vehicle prior. It felt high end... premium... To this day that's what it feels like to me. When I turn the lights on in a car with HIDs to me it feels like Im in a premium automobile where LEDs just feel like really bright halogens.

I have a 2011 Camaro SS/RS (Factory HIDs). They are no longer extremely bright. The driver's side light is the worst by far.
Should I just buy factory projectors to replace them since the retrofits are only 5 to 6 years? The factory headlights will last 6 years no problem. I tried bulbs. (OSRAM Nightbreaker Lasers)

I got a 2020 VW GTI and I bought these HID projector upgraded assemblies from AliExpress 3 years ago and I’m wondering if yall know if it’s possible/or doable to remove the ones that came with and install some new ones

What do you recommend ?

One thing to note is that some cars use PWM for DRL using the main light, meaning LED will flicker expressly because of the "instant on" effect.

Thanks for being honest and practical with regards to letting people know companies don’t last forever.

I recently got an 06 tsx and upgraded to clear lens and osram nb bulbs. I dont think theres any need for more light on the road. Im very happy with the headlights.

Huge thanks for this video. Am planning another retrofit and was considering going Bi LED. However the details covered here about potential serviceability issues and possible lack of width in beam pattern will def have me sticking to G5's.

Is it legal to put a projector in fog lights? ( in California)

You recommend HID by providing reason of serviceability but LEDs also don't go bad easily. They have much higher life than a HID. Me personally would like a product that has long life and possibly avoid service. LEDs can possibly last over the lifetime of vehicle. LEDs are new technology and they are yet to be time tested but they definitely have longer life. HIDs are good retrofit technology though.

Are there any empty water proof housing to put these on a motorcycle, something like a 90mm biled or bi xenon hella module, but with a Morimoto or NHK inside ?