TheRadioFlyer

Our Bi-xenon ACA headlights have been the top-shelf headlight system for the C5 since their introduction in early 2012, however LED projector technology has progressed to the point where it has now surpassed HID in the following respects:

- Longer "bulb" life
- Instant startup
- Lower current draw
- Consistent focal point
- Overall brightness and further "throw" (The Bi-LED projectors we're considering produce about 20% more effective output than the HID projector system we're currently using. This includes the central hot-spot, width and high beam performance)

The biggest single drawback (as with any new technology) is comparative cost. Our best guess is that going to LED projectors would increase the cost of our kits by $200 (total cost would be $850 retail). We would also need to re-engineer the mounting system to accommodate the new projectors to any decision to proceed would take about a month or so to implement.

For those of you not familiar, these are the ACA headlights:
https://sharplightinnovations.com/sh...aca-headlights

95wht6spd

I would like to be able to send my current ACA standard model in for a LED upgrade, that would probably be worth it if under $200.

TheRadioFlyer

We currently offer a "DIY" bi-xenon upgrade for Standard ACA models. Provided they are genuine ACA (denoted by lettering on the lens) this kit allows the user to replace the projector assembly and high beam.
The Bi-xenon DIY Kit is currently $250. (this includes projector assemblies, all required hardware, Hi-4 harness and high-output LED high beam bulbs)
https://sharplightinnovations.com/sh...t-modification

If we move forward with the Bi-LED projector, I will offer a DIY kit as well, however the price will be more expensive than the HID projector version.

mnotx

I have the original ACA headlights and was considering the bi-xenon upgrade, but I will wait to see about the LED version. I would rather upgrade to LED.

Route99

Really appreciate our Bi-Xenon for night driving, but a Bi-LED upgrade would be a real consideration.

gimp

I bought your bi-xenon kit because you said the bi-LED kit would be far away, due to sealing issues. If you've resolved those, I may well spring for the LED upgrade.

That said, $650 isn't super cheap, and $850-900 is also not super cheap. I think you would do best offering a lower-cost option ($650) rather than only selling the higher-cost option.

Out of curiosity, what causes the cost to increase so much? I would have hoped that getting rid of HID ballasts reduces cost.

C5 4 ME

TheRadioFlyer

Sealing issues have not been resolved yet (we're waiting on technical drawings of a newly designed projector)

LED technology is more expensive for a couple of reasons:
1) It's newer than HID and anything "new" is automatically more expensive. HID bulbs are pretty much standardized in production with minor differences in bulb base, and ballasts. Companies have had an opportunity to recover startup costs on the machines and tools that create those parts. LED projectors on the other hand are so new in the aftermarket world that there is no "standard" set yet. Machines and tools are new and companies are fighting for market share by trying to balance cost with quality. There are cheaper quality Bi-LED projectors, but their optical performance is comparable to halogen projectors.

2) LED projectors require more tooling than HID projectors. Not only do LED projectors require LED drivers to power the LEDs (which are comparable to HID ballasts), but often they require cooling fans, custom PCBs and high quality precision reflector optics to compete with HID projectors.

MAC5

George, I installed your non-bi-xenon HID's on my 98 back in October 2013, and passed on the bi-xenon upgrade you offered a few years later.

Will your upgrade kit be compatible with my set up?

TheRadioFlyer

The plan is to make any upgrade kit compatible with either the Standard ACA or the Bi-xenon ACA kit.

MAC5

Thanks

neutron82

what's the difference between an hid and led projector?... would swapping bulbs yield any noticeable differences (good or bad) or are the optics actually different?

tcfamy

I like the idea of Bi-LED option for the package. I also have been using your Bi-xenon's for two years and the only improvement to suggest is moding the high beam to a stronger "pencil" beam for additional down the road illumination. Would two dedicated hi and lo projectors be cost effective vs the bi-beams?
Tom

knewblewkorvette

I'll be honest with you as I've been eyeing these lights of yours for along time. Cost...cost is what's keeping me from pulling the trigger. $650 is a lot to me to spend on headlights, especially since I don't do a lot of night driving. So, personally, I definitely would not want to spend an additional $200 for a 20% brighter light.
P.S. I thank you for providing an upgraded headlight for our C5s

ApexZ

i still have my original 2004 lights so I would be interested, particularly if there is substantial weight savings over the stock units. That helps justify the price for me as a mostly track day car.

TheRadioFlyer

There are minor differences in the optics to create a slightly different pattern. An HID projector bowl is relatively simple and focuses light from a single point into the pattern. An LED projector typically uses multiple smaller LEDs or one larger LED so the optics have to be slightly different. Nevertheless, the LED Projectors we use typically have a more concentrated central hot-spot resulting in longer-throw than an HID projector despite having similar lumen output.

Here's a comparison we did between the MH1 HID projector and the Bi-LED projector we now use in our Fixed Headlight system.

HID projector

LED projector



Simply swapping in an LED bulb into a Projector doesn't work because an LED bulb does not have a central "point" of light like an HID bulb. As a result, the pattern from the projector is not properly focused and substantial throw is lost. LED bulbs are acceptable in high beam reflectors where a flood-light pattern may be preferred to a spot-beam, but in the low beam (particularly a projector) the bulb must be designed for the housing.

I strongly agree however the challenge here is clearance. The lifting arm does not allow for a projector to be used in the high beam location and retrofitting anything with a pencil beam requires a tremendous amount of time and effort to make it look good, correctly aimed and sealed. In the end, I made only one prototype with a multi-optic high beam projector that provided only slightly better performance than the high output LED bulbs in the reflector housing. It took nearly 8 hours of work and I was not able to get it cosmetically perfect.

If Pure performance is the goal, our Stealth Light Cannon V3 (fixed headlights) use a Bi-LED main projector and a Dedicated narrow-beam LED high projector that provide a clear visibility of 1000 ft. (We're testing this combination as a replacement system for C6 headlights)

TheRadioFlyer

The Bi-xenon (or Bi-LED) ACA headlights are heavier than stock, but the Stealth Light Cannon V3 Fixed headlight system is just 12 Pounds. (A bit more expensive, but about half the weight of the factory system and all in the nose)

MAC5

George, I couldn't find the High beam LED's that would fit into my non-bi-xenon ACA HID's on your website. How much would these bulbs run?

TheRadioFlyer

I don't recommend our LED bulbs for use with Non-Bi-xenon systems. They do not have the same output as a halogen bulb and we couldn't get any brighter bulbs due to clearance issues with the lifting arm.

MAC5

Thanks will stay with what's been in there.