HID vs. LED on SoCals Website

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06-07-2016, 03:31 PM
Elroy

HID vs. LED on SoCals Website

Clicked on a link I had saved for the HID's on SoCal's website and instead found an LED product. They're Pathfinder LEDs, I do like the fog lights by Pathfinder. There's also a $20 difference in them. Anyway is someone who is more knowledgeable than I able to provide input on the difference between these two? Is the cut-out harness still necessary with the LEDs? Here's the link:
HIDs: http://www.socalmotogear.com/GL1800-...-p/gl18hid.htm
LEDs: http://www.socalmotogear.com/GL1800-...STS-p/gl18.htm

I know there's been discussion previously on LED headlights, but if there's already a thread covering these products specifically I apologize.
06-07-2016, 05:59 PM
Hornblower

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elroy

Clicked on a link I had saved for the HID's on SoCal's website and instead found an LED product. They're Pathfinder LEDs, I do like the fog lights by Pathfinder. There's also a $20 difference in them. Anyway is someone who is more knowledgeable than I able to provide input on the difference between these two? Is the cut-out harness still necessary with the LEDs? Here's the link:
HIDs: http://www.socalmotogear.com/GL1800-...-p/gl18hid.htm
LEDs: http://www.socalmotogear.com/GL1800-...STS-p/gl18.htm

I know there's been discussion previously on LED headlights, but if there's already a thread covering these products specifically I apologize.

Elroy--I've tried a few different LED bulbs with varying success. I haven't personally tried this particular one but I know some other forum members that have and have reported good results. I'll say this...if the advertised specs are accurate, you should be happy with these bulbs. Having used both HID and LED bulbs, my personal preference is LED. The cut-out harness would not be necessary with the LED bulbs but I still like having that. It's nice to be able to turn on your ignition without turning on the headlights.
06-10-2016, 06:41 AM
pilotguy299

I have the LEDs, but have never even seen the HIDs. Well, at least not those on the F6B.

I really like the LEDS. The HIDs may be brighter, but I like how the LEDs look.

Sorry if I'm not really answering your question. But I'm in a rambling mode...
06-10-2016, 06:53 AM
Elroy

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotguy299

I have the LEDs, but have never even seen the HIDs. Well, at least not those on the F6B.

I really like the LEDS. The HIDs may be brighter, but I like how the LEDs look.

Sorry if I'm not really answering your question. But I'm in a rambling mode...

No problem. Appreciate the input. That's all I was looking for really. I like the idea of not having the larger ballasts of the HID's with LED's, and not needing the cut-out harness that the HID's recommend.
06-10-2016, 07:39 AM
pilotguy299

the LEDs still have a mini ballast, or voltage rectifier, or whatever the small box is.

There is a thread with comments on the SoCal LED headlights.

http://hondaf6b.com/showthread.php?8...D-HID-Lighting
06-10-2016, 07:51 AM
Hornblower

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotguy299

the LEDs still have a mini ballast, or voltage rectifier, or whatever the small box is.

There is a thread with comments on the SoCal LED headlights.

http://hondaf6b.com/showthread.php?8...D-HID-Lighting

It would be correct to refer to the "small box" as the driver. LED bulbs require a driver which basically is a current-limiting device. Otherwise, you get the magic smoke :yikes:.
06-10-2016, 08:53 AM
Elroy

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotguy299

the LEDs still have a mini ballast, or voltage rectifier, or whatever the small box is.

There is a thread with comments on the SoCal LED headlights.

http://hondaf6b.com/showthread.php?8...D-HID-Lighting

Thanks for the thread reference. I've bookmarked it. If I get them, I will try to install them without cutting the rubber boot to ensure a fool proof seal as others mentioned in that thread.
06-18-2016, 12:24 PM
Flat6addict

Hi. Newbie here. I installed the high/low beam LEDs. Pretty straightforward plug and play, other than trimming a little rubber from the boot. Awesome amount of light.

Once the old bulbs are removed, you slip a ring into place where the old bulbs were and hold that in place with the stock spring. Then the bulb fits through the ring and twists into place.

DO NOT drop the ring or you will be fishing for it or disassembling your fairing. (Personal experience.) To prevent this, use a bamboo barbecue skewer to guide it in...push one end through the hole in the headlight reflector where the bulb protrudes through, slide the ring down it, push it into place, and then close the spring. the rest is plug and play.