DangerBoy

I found these LED headlamp bulbs on eBay and I'm curious about them. I don't want bulbs with a bluish tint so 6000K is out for me. These are 4300K so much warmer and easier on the eyes of oncoming drivers. They also offer a 5000K version which might be okay too. One of my headlamp bulbs has gone out. Was looking at replacing t​​​​​​​hem with Philips X-treme Vision 100% Halogen bulbs but​​​​​​​ shorter lifespan for increased out​​​​​​​put​​​​​​​ is a bit​​​​​​​ of a deterrent, especially being in Canada where we have DRLs so headlamps are on all the time. These LEDs are more costly initially but should out​​​​​​​last several pairs of the Philips bulbs. A lot​​​​​​​ more out​​​​​​​put​​​​​​​ too.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164810957058

Here's another cheaper brand of 4300K LEDs

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265553908352

And then there's these halogen rally bulbs...

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/144304800154

Oldblue

I installed these six sided leds, no blue glare or flashing from oncoming traffic. Good price , quick delivery.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/H13-9008-LED...-127632-2357-0

DangerBoy

How's the light/range from those things in comparison to the standard halogens? Much brighter? Is there a good difference between dims and brights with them?

Did you have to use an anti-code warning cancellor with those?

Oldblue

Plug and play, brighter yes, lo beam to high beam is quite a difference.
no problem or need for a resistor

DangerBoy

These guys offer LED headlamp/fog light kits specifically for HHRs on eBay. Huh. (insert guy scratching his head emoji here)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/393609932210

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185185717432

Oldblue

Yep, there are those !

DangerBoy

Well, I really got into doing some research on LED lighting upgrades in headlights that were designed for Halogen bulbs. It turns out, there's a LOT to know and most cheap and even some more expensive LED bulb replacements out there are pure crap and don't produce a light/spread pattern anything close to what the original halogen bulbs do and some throw patterns that are so scatted and unfocused, they aren't even as bright as the original halogens. It also turns out that the type and placement of the LED chips on the bulb is absolutely critical to achieving good results with the spread pattern and getting the hotspot in the desired location. Other design considerations such as heat management are critical to the longevity of the bulb.

For anyone considering upgrading their HHR headlamp bulbs to LEDs, the following video is essential to watch, It contains very key Information on LED Bulb design and what to look for (and what to stay away from) in a LED bulb


Here's a video where they test and evaluate 15 popular LED replacement headlamp bulbs and show you the differences in the beam patterns they all make. You'll be amazed how bad some are and how good some others are.


After a lot of research and deliberation, this was the bulb I decided to purchase. It's a lot more money than I had originally planned on spending but I feel it's money well spent. I can drive with the confidence in knowing I've got way more light than before, the beam pattern will be very near what the HHR headlamps were designed to produce, I won't be blinding or irritating to oncoming drivers and that the bulb has good heat management and should outlast several sets of expensive premium halogen bulbs. Also, I think they'll fit and work very well in our HHRs. The bulb I chose was the GTR Lighting CSP Mini. Here's a link to a page where you can read a number of customer reviews.

https://www.headlightrevolution.com/...ulbs-PF1.H13_2

I didn't purchase my bulbs from these guys (Headlight Revolution) because I found a better deal with free shipping at a Canadian vendor, Prolightz.com. In the USA, Headlight Revolution is probably as good as any place to buy them.

Here's Headlight Revolution's video reviewing the GTR Lighting CSP Mini and ranking them among a number of other brands/models.

Oldblue

Most of those are about older 2 sided led bulbs, the modern 6 or even 8 sided bulbs are much better, I’ve tried them, very satisfied with the penetration into the darkness and pattern.
a 4 sided set that I had required setting the bulbs in a position that really was bizarre.

DangerBoy

Actually, the only ones their testing has shown to be good are two sided bulbs. All of the examples of 4 or more sided bulbs they show have terrible spread patterns but then again, some two sided ones they show are bad as well. It depends a lot on the placement and type of LEDs used. I think their videos are very informative and helpful.

Oldblue

Information evolves over time. So does pricing. I’m very happy with mine. I hope you’re as satisfied with your selection.