Iam looking around at LED Bulb H7 + H1 kits and reviews its a bit mixed out there considering only want to a couple of question answered

 

1. Is it worth it do they make a noticeably diffrence
2. Can you get the back on the lens once installed
3. Do you need to take them out and change back to Halogen for the MOT

 

Looking for some good before and after pics / footage do you have any to share?

Thanks

It's been covered a few times, drop in LED kits aren't suitable or legal for dipped/main beam use. There are also reports of LED kits damaging the car's electronics.

 

In short, the LED can't correctly mimic the light output of a halogen bulb which causes the light to be out of focus. This tends to result in more foreground light which gives you more confidence but less distance light where it's actually useful. As the Octavia uses projectors, the cut off should be good but the distribution of light under the cut off will be rubbish.

 

If you want better lighting:

- use a correctly fitted quality bulb

- make sure your headlights are clean

- check the projector lens and reflector are in good condition

 

If that's not good enough, buy proper xenon headlights and retrofit them with level sensors and headlight washers to make them road legal.

The test I've seen on line show the LED bulbs do vary.  The cheap ones are awful, and the expensive ones which are circa £100 still aren't as good as halogens.

 

The LED bulbs tend to have hotspots and while looking brighter (to on coming drivers), reLity is they aren't as good.

 

If you want good quality halogen H7's look at the General Electric 150% brighter bulbs.  I fitted thoseto mine and not only are they brighter but the beam pattern is better (on my Octavia 3)

2 hours ago, langers2k said:

If that's not good enough, buy proper xenon headlights and retrofit them with level sensors and headlight washers to make them road legal.

 

If I go down the road of retro fitting the Xenon headlights. Is it an easy thing to do just a straight swap out plug and play?

There is a brief description in this post: 

 

 

15 hours ago, ScoutCJB said:

The test I've seen on line show the LED bulbs do vary.  The cheap ones are awful, and the expensive ones which are circa £100 still aren't as good as halogens.

 

The LED bulbs tend to have hotspots and while looking brighter (to on coming drivers), reLity is they aren't as good.

 

If you want good quality halogen H7's look at the General Electric 150% brighter bulbs.  I fitted thoseto mine and not only are they brighter but the beam pattern is better (on my Octavia 3)

Just fitted the GE H7 as the factory fitted dipped lights were very poor. Let's hope for better visibility.

Interested to see what you think of them  - did you go for the '150% brighter'?

39 minutes ago, ScoutCJB said:

Interested to see what you think of them  - did you go for the '150% brighter'?

Yes, went for the 150% brighter. I'm out tonight on the country roads so will let you know how they perform.

Ive tried quiet a few Alite 130% & 150% (Halfords own Branded) and GE 130% and 150%.  The GE 150% are the best out of those

2 hours ago, ScoutCJB said:

Ive tried quiet a few Alite 130% & 150% (Halfords own Branded) and GE 130% and 150%.  The GE 150% are the best out of those

 

I tend to go for the Philips - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01LWPJF1J/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AW49UXCPG0VXB

Iam guessing the GE will give me the same sort of results.

 

The reason for my want to change is two fold looks and features (brightness)

 

So if I give up on the looks I could achieve the feature with an LED light bar that could work with the High Beam. Just need to find a good place to put it and a well matched LED light bar.

4 hours ago, VJBennett said:

Yes, went for the 150% brighter. I'm out tonight on the country roads so will let you know how they perform.

OK. Just driven 30 miles from the city to the country. In the city, even though there's enough surrounding light from street lamps, buildings and other cars, there is a visible difference. Out of the city and where the motorways and roads are dark there is a big difference and I can see twice as far as the factory fitted units allowed. I can drive at the speed limit with confidence and the beam angle is wider too. The verge is lit up more and I can see the road ahead very clearly.  I thoroughly recommend an upgrade to these 150% GE bulbs.  They got the thumbs up from the (Commander in Chief, Wing Commander, she who must be obeyed) the wife so they must be good!!

Edited 12 November, 20187 yr by VJBennett

Glad your happy with them .  It's amazing how much difference a decent set of bulbs can make.

What's the longevity of the 150% ones like? And where is best to find them? I can only find Halfords, and that's £20 for one bulb.

Can't comment on longevity but I got mine from Halfords - with a trade card they are £15 each.  The GE 150% are a relatively new bulb and there doesn't seem many places that sell them at the moment ( just quickly looking on line now)

Edited 16 November, 20187 yr by ScoutCJB

It's been covered a few times before, but the trade-off for brighter halogen bulbs is life.

 

No doubt things are improving all the time though.