[PETER PAN 2009]

After trying out many H7 LEDs bulbs for low beam, none of them worked. The plate that the LEDs are soldered on are just to thick, putting the light emitting elements out of focus for the projector. There are just too many wild claims and false advertising in the market. A big waste of time and potential hazards.

You need to focus on the LUX measurements, not LUMEN..You dont care how many lumens if the beam cannot be focused to produce high lux on the road.

So this is a very comprehensive tables of test data of various brand with pricing

BulbFacts | Aftermarket LED Kits Chart - Comparing to Halogen in Reflector Headlights & Foglights

Bulb Facts, Lab testing on automotive headlight & foglight bulbs, comparison chart before you buy.

www.bulbfacts.com

Based on these data, I bought a pair of the latest KIKARI for $35. Will see how they do

 

[PETER PAN 2009]

H7 LED bulbs are much brighter than Halogen. LEDs with fans in the back is the brightest., but the size and shape of LED bulbs with the fan wont fit properly into the Celica's socket.

Bought a pair of Hikari for $35, allegedly produce 8000 Lumen white light each about 20x brighter than OEM stock. I can line up the tab on the base of the bulb into the slot on the socket and insert it all the way in. The LED elements would be in the exact position as the Halogen filament and the lens would focus the beam. But the black connector adapter cannot be used with the LED's fan in the back. So the clip spring cannot hold the LED bulb in tightly.

With the clip spring loose, the weight of the fan drag the back of the bulb down, moving the LED element away from the optimum focus point, LED beams are therefore odd shaped, not a flat beam that sine a swath of road in front of the car.

I had to use foam to shim the bulb in place, but the foam does not press the bulb's base tight against the socket so the beam is not focused. I will fashon a rubber ring around the base of the bulb to help the clip spring hold it in tight.

The head lights work OK now, but not a solid swath of light in front of the car. So I am still trying to improve it. Strange thing I put in LEDs in antoher Celica and it worked perfectly. I dont remember exactly how I did it, and I am afraid to take it out as it may not work again.

LEDs are worth it if they focus the beam properly. Will advise progress.