There are two main difference's between cheap halogen lights and the more expensive ones. The first is the quality and placement accurracy of the material used for the reflector coating. The second is the grade of materials used for the lens.

High quality lights usually have better quality material for the reflector coating that is electrostatically - vacuum deposited to give about a 10 to 100 micron surface variation on the reflector.

The more important difference is the material the lens is made from. lenses are not just glass, although some of the cheap lights are. The best quality lights use a lead crystal lens with very high refractive indices (RI). With a very high RI and an accurately molded lens, this allows the light beam to be shaped very accurately. This means you can have your lights adjusted so oncoming drivers are not dazzled, while you have excellent night vision even on low beam.

I designed some lighting systems for overnight haulage trucks for one of the major freight compamies a few years ago and had to do lots of home work to get the system to meet ADR's (Australian Design Rules).

WTF????

you=pronoun=the nominative and objective singular and plural pronoun of the second person, used in addressing one or more persons, animals, or things, and ALWAYS taking a plural verb....you'd=you had....you'll=you will....your=pronominal adjective=the possessive case of the pronoun 'you', used attributively....you're=you are....yours=pronoun=the possessive case of the pronoun 'you', used predicatively....yourself=pronoun=a form of the second person pronoun, used as a reflexive or as an object of a preposition in a reflexive sense....you've=you have........Sorry, drunk again. Carry on.

not only are the 90/100w bulbs overkill and a drian that may fry the wiring, they are also illegal in AUS. I found ausram 55/100w bulbs that are certified as adr complianced for $10 each at kmart. best investment cause how oftem do you drive with the headlights on highbeam for extended periods of time in residentail areas, unless your like me.

$140! WTF? Who are you pricing the kit through? I just did the conversion from sealed beams (circa 1974) to H4 halogen semi sealeds in the XB and it cost me a lot less and they are all new parts.

Head down to your local Super Cheap Auto store: Semi Sealed beams $17.99 each x 2, Autotechica H4 Opti Blue Platinums $24.99 pair = $60.97, 15mins of your weekend and hey presto, halogen lights. This was the best $60 I have ever spent and it has made a major improvement. I only got the 60/55W globes, the 100/90W are overkill and as someone said you would have to beef up the wiring.

I recomend it to anyone who comes in to buy sealed beams, #### it I recomend it to anyone.

Cheers,
Simon

I've got HIDs that are going in as soon as
I start the engine transplant later this year
took Lexus IS300 headlamps and cut them
apart then glue into the back of lights I
bought at the goodguys hotrod show
I tested them and the work great but I
have to figure out how and where to mount
the transformers.... will have pictures of the
whole project once it starts....

Wubbits

ive got the hellas as well, and put navara 55/100 globes in them... they work really well when aimed... at taxi drivers heads.

Most Halogen lights have removable (replaceable) elements. The H4 ones for example. So I figure if these are Halogen, then they'll be the same as the Hellas. As the replacement globes are common parts, and surely not specifically for the aftermarket units. Whether they be Narva,Hella etc etc.

So if you bought these units, then got higher power replacement globes, then wired up the lights with thicker wire to handle the current..it'd be all good. I got high powered "made in poland" H4 globes in Poland for $5 each.

Chris

Halogen sealed lights and bulbs are commonly available in the USA and inexpensive as well.

But the Hellas and most conversion kits have extra-high power lights, right?

Thanks man..that's a great suggestion.

I bought some new Hellas already..but it's definitely a great budget tip!!

Chris