The Best Headlights and Tail lights on sale at Radioflyer Innovations
01-28-2013, 11:54 AM
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The Best Headlights and Tail lights on sale at Radioflyer Innovations
See and Be seen with the best performing Headlight and Tail light system for the C5 on the market:
This week at Radioflyer Innovations,
- Get the Halo tail lights (with the world-famous Radioflyer "Halo mod") for just $300 (tinting option also available) Buy your lights from the place that knows these lights best. (sequencing and euro conversion modifications also available)
Order here:
http://www.shop.radioflyerinnovation...Lights-011.htm
- Get the top-shelf quality Bi-X ACA headlights for just $675. These lights provide 3 times the lumens output of factory bulbs with natural white light using a custom-designed Bi-xenon projector to increase your field of view and long distance view far beyond any other headlight kit.
Order here:
http://www.shop.radioflyerinnovation...lights-015.htm
Further Reading
Justifying the cost: What makes Radioflyer Headlights so special?
There is a general dislike for the headlights on the C5 corvette and other older cars that use aged headlight technology consisting of a halogen light source and a poorly designed reflector and lens. IN my experience such headlights make night driving dangerous due to poor visibility especially on rural or unlighted streets.
There is undoubtedly a demand for better performing headlights, but with so many choices available, many people simply do not have the time to research the subject enough to make a well informed decision. The purpose of this article is to explain the options and how each of them works, their strengths and weakness so that the reader will be able to make the best decision possible.
Section 1: Why the factory headlights are inferior.
The C5 corvette uses the same old style of headlights that have been use since it was introduced in the 50s. A 9006 halogen bulb with 1000 lumens of useable output provides the light source and sits inside a reflector bowl with light being focused by the various contours of the lens. Using a lens to adjust the light pattern is horribly inefficient since the light beams have to be augmented and bent to achieve the desired pattern. Light looses energy as it passes through the augmenting lens surface. In the C5, the lens is plastic and is prone to fading over time which further diminishes light output. The result is a headlight system that is more like a candle.
Section 2: Headlight upgrade options:
Modern headlights use a variety of lenses reflectors and light sources to achieve better output than the sealed beam halogen lights of a few decades ago. The options available for the C5 include (in order of cost)
1: Aftermarket/high wattage headlight bulbs.
The simplest way (and least effective) to increase the effective output of one's headlights is to install a set of aftermarket bulbs. Many companies claim a special gas or "HID-like" color that gives of much more light than factory bulbs. The truth of the matter is there's no such thing. To make more light, you either need a hotter filament (which draws more wattage) or more gas (Toshiba/Philips HIR bulbs). Most aftermarket bulbs that use the same wattage as the factory bulbs will have a blue tint to the bulb to simulate a whiter light. This blue tint actually decreases output by filtering out the yellow frequencies of the light emitted by the burning filament. You can read more about blue bulbs here:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...blue/blue.html
Another trick bulb makers use is to have higher wattage aftermarket bulbs. This can produce a dangerous situation as the Factory wiring was designed for a 55w bulb. Running a 100w bulb might work for a while, but the wiring is not designed for this type of load. The end result can be as simple a fuse popping or as dangerous as melting wires or even a fire. The only safe way to run higher wattage bulbs is with a relay circuit designed to carry the higher-amperage load required.
The ONLY type of bulb that produces significant results on factory wattage in the factory headlight is the toshiba/phillips HIR bulb (characterized by their "fat" glass bulb. (shown below)
The price of these bulbs and the rather limited improvement on headlight performance makes them a questionable purchase compared to other options.
2: HID replacement bulbs
The biggest rage in Headlight performance is the use of HID bulbs in the factory headlights. HID bulbs use the same or less wattage as factory bulbs while producing nearly 2-3 times the amount of useable light. In addition, the customer can pick the color produced by the bulb without losing a significant amount of output (between 3000-6000K). These are the ultimate light source but they come with a few drawbacks.
a) HID bulbs installed in housings not designed for them are illegal in many states.
b) The factory lights were engineered to focus the limited light from a halogen bulb source. HID bulbs overpower that design resulting in glare
Most people will never have to deal with getting a ticket for illegal headlights, but anyone whose installed a set of HID bulbs in their factory headlights will deal with the second issue. Factory lights build around a halogen bulb are designed to use the limited light from a halogen bulb (typically 1000-1200 lumens from a low beam) into the most useable pattern possible (which often means sacrificing long-distance vision so drivers can see some of the road immediately in front of them. Installing an HID light source produces more light, but all of this light is focused in the same area creating intense glare for both the driver and other traffic. This glare reduces visibility as too much light from the foreground is reflected back at the driver. In addition, the output pattern is typically scattered and sporadic making it very difficult to see the road clearly, much less anything on it.
Further reading about HID kits here:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...nversions.html
3: Projector headlight system
The way to tame the power of the HID bulb is to install it in a projector headlight system. This means replacing your entire headlight assembly. This is often one of the most expensive and time consuming options, but the results speak for themselves. When installed in a projector, the HID light source produces an wide, evenly distributed light pattern that allows for reasonably decent road illumination on even the darkest roads, but this setup can still be improved upon. Most Aftermarket headlight system use a very simple to build projector that has a relatively narrow beam, and poor optics. If you want the ultimate in headlight performance, you need a purpose build Bi-xenon projector retrofit.
4: Bi-xenon Projector headlight system
Both of the headlight systems I currently offer are based on the Bi-xenon projector designed and developed specifically around the H1 HID bulb as a light source. Here are some of the benefits compared to most projectors.
1. The Bi-xenon projectors I use have a compound curved reflector bowl (instead of the cheaper to produce round bowl) which produces a wider and more focused pattern. This focuses most of the light along the top-center of the cutoff which is what gives superior long-range vision.
Typical projector: no distinct focus of light, just a simple cut-off
Radioflyer's Bi-xenon projector: very distinct central hot-spot that fades to the edges:
Light that is projected further away on the road reflects back less light because of the angle at which the light beam hits the ground as well as the amount of reflected light that is directed back at the source. (described below)
Radioflyer's Bi-xenon Projectors focus the most intense portion of the beam at the top-center of the pattern. This is the part of the pattern that is aimed furthest away.
2. The Bi-xenon projectors have a curved cutoff shield resulting in a sharper wider pattern. Traditional projectors have only a flat cutoff shield that is simply cheaper to produce. The Bi-xenon projector's curved shield and bowl can result in 16 degrees more useable pattern width. At 50 feet, this is equal to an additional 10 feet of beam width allowing you to easily see objects on the side of the road such as children or animals BEFORE the cross the road.
Typical Projector:
Radioflyer's Bi-xenon Projector:
3. The Bi-xenon projector features a solenoid-operated cutoff shield that allows for full-beam spread instantly without needing a second bulb for high beams. This circuit draws very little power (usually a fraction of an amp) and instantly gives you a high beam pattern. There is no delay waiting for secondary HID high beam bulbs to warm up since the HID light source is already in use.
Low beam pattern:
High beam pattern:
Radioflyer Innovations is the ONLY source for Bi-xenon projector headlights available in the Factory flip-up version as the Bi-x ACA headlights or in the fixed Stealth Light Cannons V2 Fixed headlights....and the only way to see like this:
This week at Radioflyer Innovations,
- Get the Halo tail lights (with the world-famous Radioflyer "Halo mod") for just $300 (tinting option also available) Buy your lights from the place that knows these lights best. (sequencing and euro conversion modifications also available)
Order here:
http://www.shop.radioflyerinnovation...Lights-011.htm
- Get the top-shelf quality Bi-X ACA headlights for just $675. These lights provide 3 times the lumens output of factory bulbs with natural white light using a custom-designed Bi-xenon projector to increase your field of view and long distance view far beyond any other headlight kit.
Order here:
http://www.shop.radioflyerinnovation...lights-015.htm
Further Reading
Justifying the cost: What makes Radioflyer Headlights so special?
There is a general dislike for the headlights on the C5 corvette and other older cars that use aged headlight technology consisting of a halogen light source and a poorly designed reflector and lens. IN my experience such headlights make night driving dangerous due to poor visibility especially on rural or unlighted streets.
There is undoubtedly a demand for better performing headlights, but with so many choices available, many people simply do not have the time to research the subject enough to make a well informed decision. The purpose of this article is to explain the options and how each of them works, their strengths and weakness so that the reader will be able to make the best decision possible.
Section 1: Why the factory headlights are inferior.
The C5 corvette uses the same old style of headlights that have been use since it was introduced in the 50s. A 9006 halogen bulb with 1000 lumens of useable output provides the light source and sits inside a reflector bowl with light being focused by the various contours of the lens. Using a lens to adjust the light pattern is horribly inefficient since the light beams have to be augmented and bent to achieve the desired pattern. Light looses energy as it passes through the augmenting lens surface. In the C5, the lens is plastic and is prone to fading over time which further diminishes light output. The result is a headlight system that is more like a candle.
Section 2: Headlight upgrade options:
Modern headlights use a variety of lenses reflectors and light sources to achieve better output than the sealed beam halogen lights of a few decades ago. The options available for the C5 include (in order of cost)
1: Aftermarket/high wattage headlight bulbs.
The simplest way (and least effective) to increase the effective output of one's headlights is to install a set of aftermarket bulbs. Many companies claim a special gas or "HID-like" color that gives of much more light than factory bulbs. The truth of the matter is there's no such thing. To make more light, you either need a hotter filament (which draws more wattage) or more gas (Toshiba/Philips HIR bulbs). Most aftermarket bulbs that use the same wattage as the factory bulbs will have a blue tint to the bulb to simulate a whiter light. This blue tint actually decreases output by filtering out the yellow frequencies of the light emitted by the burning filament. You can read more about blue bulbs here:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...blue/blue.html
Another trick bulb makers use is to have higher wattage aftermarket bulbs. This can produce a dangerous situation as the Factory wiring was designed for a 55w bulb. Running a 100w bulb might work for a while, but the wiring is not designed for this type of load. The end result can be as simple a fuse popping or as dangerous as melting wires or even a fire. The only safe way to run higher wattage bulbs is with a relay circuit designed to carry the higher-amperage load required.
The ONLY type of bulb that produces significant results on factory wattage in the factory headlight is the toshiba/phillips HIR bulb (characterized by their "fat" glass bulb. (shown below)
The price of these bulbs and the rather limited improvement on headlight performance makes them a questionable purchase compared to other options.
2: HID replacement bulbs
The biggest rage in Headlight performance is the use of HID bulbs in the factory headlights. HID bulbs use the same or less wattage as factory bulbs while producing nearly 2-3 times the amount of useable light. In addition, the customer can pick the color produced by the bulb without losing a significant amount of output (between 3000-6000K). These are the ultimate light source but they come with a few drawbacks.
a) HID bulbs installed in housings not designed for them are illegal in many states.
b) The factory lights were engineered to focus the limited light from a halogen bulb source. HID bulbs overpower that design resulting in glare
Most people will never have to deal with getting a ticket for illegal headlights, but anyone whose installed a set of HID bulbs in their factory headlights will deal with the second issue. Factory lights build around a halogen bulb are designed to use the limited light from a halogen bulb (typically 1000-1200 lumens from a low beam) into the most useable pattern possible (which often means sacrificing long-distance vision so drivers can see some of the road immediately in front of them. Installing an HID light source produces more light, but all of this light is focused in the same area creating intense glare for both the driver and other traffic. This glare reduces visibility as too much light from the foreground is reflected back at the driver. In addition, the output pattern is typically scattered and sporadic making it very difficult to see the road clearly, much less anything on it.
Further reading about HID kits here:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...nversions.html
3: Projector headlight system
The way to tame the power of the HID bulb is to install it in a projector headlight system. This means replacing your entire headlight assembly. This is often one of the most expensive and time consuming options, but the results speak for themselves. When installed in a projector, the HID light source produces an wide, evenly distributed light pattern that allows for reasonably decent road illumination on even the darkest roads, but this setup can still be improved upon. Most Aftermarket headlight system use a very simple to build projector that has a relatively narrow beam, and poor optics. If you want the ultimate in headlight performance, you need a purpose build Bi-xenon projector retrofit.
4: Bi-xenon Projector headlight system
Both of the headlight systems I currently offer are based on the Bi-xenon projector designed and developed specifically around the H1 HID bulb as a light source. Here are some of the benefits compared to most projectors.
1. The Bi-xenon projectors I use have a compound curved reflector bowl (instead of the cheaper to produce round bowl) which produces a wider and more focused pattern. This focuses most of the light along the top-center of the cutoff which is what gives superior long-range vision.
Typical projector: no distinct focus of light, just a simple cut-off
Radioflyer's Bi-xenon projector: very distinct central hot-spot that fades to the edges:
Light that is projected further away on the road reflects back less light because of the angle at which the light beam hits the ground as well as the amount of reflected light that is directed back at the source. (described below)
Radioflyer's Bi-xenon Projectors focus the most intense portion of the beam at the top-center of the pattern. This is the part of the pattern that is aimed furthest away.
2. The Bi-xenon projectors have a curved cutoff shield resulting in a sharper wider pattern. Traditional projectors have only a flat cutoff shield that is simply cheaper to produce. The Bi-xenon projector's curved shield and bowl can result in 16 degrees more useable pattern width. At 50 feet, this is equal to an additional 10 feet of beam width allowing you to easily see objects on the side of the road such as children or animals BEFORE the cross the road.
Typical Projector:
Radioflyer's Bi-xenon Projector:
3. The Bi-xenon projector features a solenoid-operated cutoff shield that allows for full-beam spread instantly without needing a second bulb for high beams. This circuit draws very little power (usually a fraction of an amp) and instantly gives you a high beam pattern. There is no delay waiting for secondary HID high beam bulbs to warm up since the HID light source is already in use.
Low beam pattern:
High beam pattern:
Radioflyer Innovations is the ONLY source for Bi-xenon projector headlights available in the Factory flip-up version as the Bi-x ACA headlights or in the fixed Stealth Light Cannons V2 Fixed headlights....and the only way to see like this:
Last edited by TheRadioFlyer; 01-28-2013 at 11:59 AM.
