Celica Forums General Discussion General H7 low beam led bulbs test report

After trying out many H7 LEDs bulbs for low beam, none of them worked. The plate that the LEDs are soldered on are just to thick, putting the light emitting elements out of focus for the projector. The beams were just too dim and unfocused. There are just too many wild claims and false advertising in the market. A big waste of time and potential hazards.

You need to focus on the LUX measurements, not LUMEN..You dont care how many lumens if the beam cannot be focused to produce high lux on the road.

So this is a very comprehensive tables of test data of various brand with pricing
https://www.bulbfacts.com/led-kits/chart/#katana

Based on these data, I bought a pair of the latest KIKARI for $35. Will see how they do

H7 LED bulbs are much brighter than Halogen. LEDs with fans in the back is the brightest., but the size and shape of LED bulbs with the fan wont fit properly into the Celica's socket.

Bought a pair of Hikari for $35, allegedly produce 8000 Lumen white light each about 20x brighter than OEM stock. I can line up the tab on the base of the bulb into the slot on the socket and insert it all the way in. The LED elements would be in the exact position as the Halogen filament and the lens would focus the beam. But the black connector adapter cannot be used with the LED's fan in the back. So the clip spring cannot hold the LED bulb in tightly.

With the clip spring loose, the weight of the fan drag the back of the bulb down, moving the LED element away from the optimum focus point, LED beams are therefore odd shaped, not a flat beam that sine a swath of road in front of the car.

I had to use foam to shim the bulb in place, but the foam does not press the bulb's base tight against the socket so the beam is not focused. I will fashon a rubber ring around the base of the bulb to help the clip spring hold it in tight.

The head lights work OK now, but not a solid swath of light in front of the car. So I am still trying to improve it. Strange thing I put in LEDs in antoher Celica and it worked perfectly. I dont remember exactly how I did it, and I am afraid to take it out as it may not work again.

LEDs are worth it if they focus the beam properly. Will advise progress.

There are adapter that can hold LED firmly in the socket, so the clip spring can press on it into the socket, sold for $2 in eBay:

2pcs H7 LED Headlight Bulb Retainers Holder Adapter
https://www.ebay.com/itm/401792506938

I ordered it. Will try out to see if it works.

This Auxito bulb has the new narrow CSP chip with 10.000 lumens per bulb $20, probably the best deal.

AUXITO H7 LED Headlight Kit 20000LM Hi Low Beam Bulb 6500K Lamp White High Power
https://www.ebay.com/itm/153979756462

LED bulbs cannot focused properly in the OEM projector housing. LED beams are diffused with odd patterns

I added 3 LED bars to the front of the grill to augment the fog lights, 1 spot beam at center, 2 flood beams on both side. Flood beam on driver side has narrow dispersion to avoid blinding oncoming traffic; the passenger side has wide dispersion to light up road side. The LED bars are controlled with a remote or can be spliced into the fog light wires.

10 feet away, the top of spot beam is measured 6" below OEM low beam cut off; at 25 feet away the top is measured 9" below OEM low beam cut off.

Cannot upload pictures, but road surface is lighted up to 500 feet ahead, road signs up to 1000 feet. There is no blinding other cars as the beam is lower than the low beam cut off.

This is a big improvement in focused light output over the OEM Halogen projector bulbs, significantly improves driving safety.
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The round spot on the wall was 25 feet away.

Dispersion pattern is tighter than the high beam on a Lexus.

In my experience, the Rigid 504813 is the best DOT/SAE driving lamp, it is road legal, and you will enjoy it.

https://www.rigidindustries.com/d-series-sae-fog-light-2-504813.html



If you want to replace the H7 bulbs, I recommend getting the cree xhp70 bulbs in 5500k :
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32980926450.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.23223c0051SIRB&mp=1

Will check out the H7. Thanks.

After reading every reply on this post I am now more confused. Why doesn't everybody just get a set of Halo lenses and go from there? Seems like that would be the best alternative and look great too. Yes it's more money but less hassle

I like that beam pattern with Rigid 504813. Are there anything cheaper than Rigid 504813 ?


This H7 bulb has the CREE XHP70 LED. Still not sure if it will focus properly. .

https://www.ebay.com/itm/332883725568?hash=item4d816a8d00:g:oXEAAOSwJ5dcdlC8