Article 2 of 4 · Compare LED Setups
Already have LED bulbs, but still struggle to see at night? The bulb is only part of the headlight. The reflector and lens determine where its light goes.
The first two setups below use replacement bulbs in separate headlight housings. The third is a complete LED headlight designed around its own light source. Here is why that difference matters.
Separate Bulb + Housing
H4 LED Conversion
A Mismatched Bulb Can Scatter LightGlare and dark gaps can result.
See How It Happens ↓
Projector Built Into the Bulb
Miniature Projector Bulb
The Bulbs We Tried Fell ShortDim edges. Weak center. Poor high beam.
See What We Found ↓
Complete LED Headlight
Dapper Lighting OE7
Our Recommended ApproachLEDs and lenses engineered and tested as a complete headlight.
See the Engineering ↓What to Look For: Useful light across the road on low beam, light farther ahead on high beam, and control of glare for oncoming drivers.
H4 Housing + LED Bulb
When the Bulb Does Not Match, the Light Scatters
H4 is a bulb type. An H4 conversion uses a replaceable bulb in a separate headlight housing. When that housing was designed for a halogen bulb, fitting an LED bulb does not ensure the light will go where it should.
Mismatched Bulb in an H4 Housing
The Result Can Be an Uneven Beam
The reflector is the curved surface behind the bulb that directs its light. It works with the front lens to shape the beam. If the LED chips sit in different positions from the original halogen filaments, those parts may no longer direct the light where it is needed.
The result can be a headlight that looks bright to oncoming traffic but leaves you with uneven lighting on the road.
Miniature Projector Bulbs
The Bulbs We Tried Lacked Width and a Strong High Beam
These replacement bulbs have a projector lens built into the bulb itself. In the setups we tried, the edges of the beam were dim, there was little concentrated light in the center, and high beam performed poorly.
What We Found With These Bulb Conversions
Projector Bulbs: Low Beam
Projector Bulbs: High Beam
Based on the setups we tried, we do not recommend these bulb-style projector conversions for a new build.
A projector lens alone does not guarantee good lighting. The useful comparison is how well the whole headlight lights the road on both low and high beam.
Complete LED Headlight
The OE7 Is Engineered as a Complete Headlight
With the 7-inch OE7, the LEDs, projector, and high beam reflector are designed together as one complete headlight. The electronics and cooling are designed for that assembly, too.
The goal is useful light across the road on low beam and farther ahead on high beam, while controlling stray light.
The OE7 is engineered and tested to meet applicable U.S. headlamp requirements under FMVSS 108.
Its H4 plug connects the headlight to your vehicle’s wiring. You are replacing the complete headlight, rather than inserting an LED bulb into a separate housing.
Explore the 7-Inch OE7 →
Your Next Upgrade
Choose Your Headlight Size
For a new LED upgrade, we recommend a well-engineered complete headlight. Start with the size your car uses. If you are unsure what is installed, send us your vehicle details and photos of your current headlights. We will help you choose.
Next · Article 3 of 4
What Is Inside the OE7?
Next, look inside the OE7 to see how its projector and high beam reflector shape the beam.
Read Next: Inside the OE7 →