We often get asked about the many different styles of projectors we carry, and thought we’d compare a few for you. There are a few things to consider when comparing HID vs LED projectors such as serviceability, raw vs controlled output and size/weight. Generally LED projectors are heavier and if being retrofitted into a halogen reflector, require the “nut & bolt” method as many do not include the threaded shaft due to the cooling fan or even if they do include a threaded shaft, it may be too heavy and suffer from long term road vibrations and harshness. But with our large selection of projector retrofit brackets (and we can even get more custom made, just ask!) the led projectors make for a great bolt-in solution. FAQ at bottom of the page.

Bi-Xenon Projectors

• If your car came with OEM Hid projectors, we’d select a projector that can reuse most of the parts, as oem bulbs & ballasts have a much longer lifespan than aftermarket.
• Smaller footprint & light weight. Aftermarket HID projectors come in a variety of sizes, and don’t need large heat sinks, so they can fit in smaller places often found in aftermarket headlights.
• Bulb burnt out? No problem, remove the cap in the back, take out bulb and put in a new one. Unlike LED projectors, where the entire headlight will need to be opened for a replacement.
• Cheaper. At the end of the day, we/you can select if you want $455 in parts, or $195 in parts, they’re both going to way out perform your stock headlights, especially halogen reflectors.

      Bi-LED Projectors

• Tired of waiting 10 seconds for your lights to warm up? LED may be for you.
• Want to have an output pre-tuned from factory for maximum output without the risk of not inserting the bulb properly? LED may be for you.
• Downsides? If you projector burns out… you (or we) have to open your headlights. If you thought removing your headlights to change a bulb was too much work, opening it might not be for you. Some LED projectors (Morimoto Mled), have external drivers, and sometimes that could be the issue. But other like the NHK M4, the projector is an all in one unit, and if it fails….everything must be swapped.
• For this reason, we’re still not recommending Bi-LED projectors to customers we are retrofitting them in to a halogen reflector, as we use a nut & bolt method to make them as secure as possible….which also makes they very difficult to remove. But if you’re using an adapter bracket…fire away!

When using our Projector Retrofit Brackets you should consider the fitment & clearance required around the projector, not just depth. Makes such as BMW, Audi & Mercedes often have VERY full headlights, filled with wiring, drivers & servos that you would not see on a North American vehicle. Significant trimming & sanding may be required to provide clearance for your new projector, especially on vehicles with AFS, and it’s important to test the range of motion fully. Retrofit brackets should be seen as a tool to allow perfect alignment, but you should still verify before sealing up your headlights. For example, a 4mm diameter screw hole for a 3mm screw, can allow a 1mm tilt, which can be drastically pronounced at 200 ft away. Lastly, these brackets may need trimming themselves to accommodate the wide variety of projectors the mounting holes are compatible with. The safest/easiest bet, will always be a G5-R BRT or Morimoto D2S 5.0 Bi-Xenon Projector.

Morimoto D2S 5.0 – Product Link

Price: $290 + Bulbs ($55-$108), Ballasts ($140-$252), Relay Harness ($30-$85)

G5-R BRT – Product Link

Price: $220 + Bulbs ($55-$108), Ballasts ($140-$252), Relay Harness ($30-$85)

Morimoto MLED 2.0 Bi-LED Projector – Product Link

$652. External driver, so you still have to mount a driver when installing onto your vehicle.

NHK M4 Bi-LED Projector – Product Link

$395. Internal driver, making your headlights as plug and play as possible. Overall, best width, best distance, best high beam (by a long shot), cons being more foreground light.

Special Mentions

NHK Pro Plus Bi-LED Projector – Product Link

$250. Internal driver, making your headlights as plug and play as possible. Better than most HID projectors, and pretty much any OEM projectors, but not quite there when compared against the big boys like the Morimoto 5.0, NHK IV Plus or MLED 2.0. But then again… it’s $250…. It’s also a little more compact than the IV Plus, and all HID projectors

Mini H1 V8.0 – Product Link

Price: $245 + Bulbs ($45-64), Ballast ($130-165), Relay Harness ($30-50)

Chosen when it’s real tight in there, as it has a much smaller footprint around the shield, with the rising cost of Morimoto products, it’s no longer the budget option.

Mini H1 V7.1 – Product Link

Price: $75 + Bulbs ($55), Ballast ($75 – our budget ballast), Relay Harness ($30-$85)

Chosen when it’s real tight in there, and in your wallet. However, you’re still gunna double your OEM halogen reflector output.

Q: Do LED projectors need warm-up time?
A: Nope, that’s the #1 selling feature for LED projectors, instant on, instant off for your flash to pass needs.

Q: Can you replace HID bulbs without opening the headlight?”
A: It depends. The problem is that many vehicles now a day have such a cramped engine bay that you’ll destroy the skin on the back of your hand just trying to get in there, or sometimes you even need to go in through the wheel-well taking off your wheel. All this assumes you which style of bulb holder is used, clips or twist lock, and can get the cap off.

Q: Are Bi-LED projectors worth the cost?”
A: Short answer, yes. With proper installation, and high quality parts (which is only what we sell), you can expect a long lifespan from your LED projectors.

Q: Why are LED projectors harder to service?”
A: There won’t really be any servicing providing you do a competent job with quality connections on the install. Keep moisture and excess condensation out of your headlight and you’ll have a long lasting LED projector.

Q: What’s the main difference between HID and LED projectors?”
A: The largest difference between the two in the “all-in-one” aspect of the LED projectors (except the M-LED which has an external driver). Pick your favourite output style & colour temp and you’re set for life, HID allows you to change your bulb make/model/temperature as will (give or take a difficult install).

Q: Which is better is a colder climate?
A: While neither will lose performance due to cold, HID has a significant advantage, which is actually a bi-product, heat. The extra heat from the HID bulb will benefit you to melt snow, slush and ice off your headlights while driving.