cheap LED headlights, really?

J

jvandyke

Been Around the Block
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-14V-Universal-Motorcycle-Chrome-5-LED-Headlight-Headlamp-For-HARLEY-Honda-/181598280385?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a4819dac1&vxp=mtr

seriously?
There's so many of these offered up on ebay from China. Can you really run one of these? I haven't been able to find any review of them?
 
If the light doesn't list the lumens, skip it. Most LED headlights that are bright enough to actually use, usually include a ballast and/or heat sink. 2000+ lumens is what you'll need. Anything labeled "CREE" is likely to be better.
 
I went with just an LED replacement bulb on my Monster. You can see the heatsink was big enough that I had to cut out the back of the bucket to get it all to fit.

Still, it's very much an upgrade. Brighter than a 55W halogen bulb with 60% less power usage.

The final pic shows the light shining down my 100ft driveway and still illuminating the neighbor across the street.
 

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okay, thanks, I was interested as much for the cute chrome bucket as the LED. I know the finish probably isn't great but even if it's only "okay" for that kind of money it's a no-brainer. Surely someone has tried one of these, no? I'm looking to possibly ditch my OEM bucket for a small chrome one, to fit lower and possibly give more room to drop the gauge down a bit.
 
They probably want $10~$20 for it, shipping at $21.00 makes up the difference.
Lot of LED's are rated in MCD, but I don't know how that relates to candlepower or lumens?
 
MCD is Micro Candles, so 1000 MCD to a candle. Candlepower is the brightness of a light at it's source and lumens takes into account distance and area covered. Most spot lights are rated in candle power and most lights for coverage (e.g. headlights) are rated in lumens. There is a direct calculation to relate the two, though.
 
Cool, thanks.
That means the 35,000 MCD LED's I have are three and a half candlepower?
 
I have the same bulb as Sonreir. Plugged it into a LSL Clubman headlight unit. Higher price-tag to match with the exponentially higher quality.

Beware of false economy goods. I happen to have a very large box of discount/ebay bike parts sitting around in my closet that I don't know what to do with. They always look great in photos but once you see them in person the difference is beyond night and day.
 
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Universal-5-30-LED-White-Light-Headlight-for-Motorcycle-Harley-Chopper-/181583129887?pt=AU_Motorcycle_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a4732ad1f

i've got one of these on my bike and whilst i reckon it can be seen from the moon, i can't see a thing with it.....does seem to be the way with some LED stuff, great visibility to others,no actual projected beam
mrs spottys lil black french car has an LED headlight on one side and a halogen on the other (probably illegal, i'm sure a cop will let her know one day) and its the same thing, the LED side can be seen a mile off but puts out no beam, the halogen is a horrible sickly yellow glow that enables you to see some way into the distance

i'm going for one of these in a 7" yamaha unit next, somethings gotta work one day......
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/111380474246?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
 
That second one looks a lot better. It won't be quite as bright as a 55W halogen, but it will be pretty close. Like I said in an earlier post, if they don't list the lumens, don't buy the bulb. LED lights can be seen from a long way away, but it's the lumens rating that lets you see at night.
 
I just looked one of those Hellfighter lights up. HOLY SHIT THAT"S EXPENSIVE! and for the record 18Bravo, you really need to show the rest of that bike.

http://www.surefire.com/hellfighter-6.html
 
Pretty sure that's military/NASA pricing. Seems an awful lot for whats basically a HID with machined case.
You can get a good HID with driver for less than $100.00 but need to know a machinist to make the housing (or have someone who will do a single/dual CNC cheap)
 
Military pricing is the only kind they offer. Sure I could make one (I have the lathe ability) but that would defeat the purpose of the build - a bike made out of weapon parts I used on bad people, and that they used on me.

Canyon-I'm glad you like it. I've posted build logs in the appropriate forums, but I'm trying to stick to my Cafe builds here.
 
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