Spyder Projector Light output comparison.

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M3toSVT

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Here I am comparing the newest model Spyder headlights projector to the old model and to a Morimoto Mini H1. I will say I was a bit surprised. I will let the pictures do the talking.

Mini H1 Projector used for testing Link

Version 1

Link

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Version 2 Headlights

Link


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Up first is the disassembly of the headlights. Here is a picture of the projector mounting.

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Backside of the housing.

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Close up of the new projector.

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Closer picture.

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Closer picture of the last versions projector.
Notice how dull these look compared to the newer ones.

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Here are all the projectors together. The Version 1 out of the old Spyder lights are on the left, the V2 projectors in the middle and the Mini H1 on the right.
The version 1 projector comes in a little above 2.5" the Minis a little below 2.5" and the version 2 projectors come in at 3"

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Up next is the lighting output.
First will be the old version 1 projectors.
Now for this test between the 2 Spyder lights, I used the same exact bulb for both projectors to keep things as consistent as possible. Same goes for the voltage, which was 15VDC on a charger.
All pictures were taken in the same spot with shutter speed at 1/250 and an iso of 200.
These were the values I thought represented the output just as I saw it with my eyes.

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The light output for the version 1 was a max of 298 lux which was found just to the right of the horizontal cutoff portion.

Up next are the Version 2 Spyder projectors with the same bulb.

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So do you think there is a difference? LOL!
Man, what an upgrade from the version 1 projectors.
I measured a max lux of 3250 around the same area as the version 1.

Now the big dog, or the little dog with a big bite. The Mini H1.
This was running on a 50w ballast with a 5500k bulb.

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The highest lux I measured here was 3210.
Say what? The Spyder projector was brighter?
Kinda.
While the hottest spot measured on the Spyder light was just barely brighter than the Mini. That was the only place the light output was brighter.
The Mini just puts out great light everywhere. As you can tell in the photos.

And last for ***** and giggles, I threw the Mini's H1 into the Spyder 1 projector.

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The output was measured at 1550 at the brightest point. Which was not consistent due to the bulb not fitting these projectors.
I forgot to do the same to the V2 projectors. Maybe tomorrow.


Took some measurements of the light output of the OEM Ford halogen. 683 lux max.

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Final notes: The first version of projectors from the Spyder headlights are crap.
The new versions projector is a hell of alot better than the previous one. I knew it would be better based on the finish of the projector bowl but it was a huge step up in light output.
The Mini is still a clear winner all around but for anyone who is looking for a decent upgrade over the stock halogen lights, these may be a good choice.
I will need to get some night shots for comparison. But that will have to be another day.
 
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waddellw

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I wonder how these compare to the stock premium headlights on the gen 1. I have them and have thought about changing up the bulbs and ballasts, but unlike with halogens I have no idea how to go about any of that.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk


Edit: how long do the stock premium hid headlight bulbs last? I'm at 87k miles and people keep telling me they see a "flickering" from my headlights
 
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M3toSVT

M3toSVT

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I wonder how these compare to the stock premium headlights on the gen 1. I have them and have thought about changing up the bulbs and ballasts, but unlike with halogens I have no idea how to go about any of that.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk


Edit: how long do the stock premium hid headlight bulbs last? I'm at 87k miles and people keep telling me they see a "flickering" from my headlights

I will have a stock hid comparison soon. May not be till next week though. Been pretty busy.

The stock bulbs can last a long time, they just become dimmer over time.
 

waddellw

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I will have a stock hid comparison soon. May not be till next week though. Been pretty busy.

The stock bulbs can last a long time, they just become dimmer over time.
Thanks for the quick response. That does make sense... I thought they weren't nearly as bright as they used to be!

Would it be hard to change out my projector, ballast and bulbs? After seeing this the mini looks incredible and mine remind me of the gen 1 Spyder lights! Lol

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 
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M3toSVT

M3toSVT

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Thanks for the quick response. That does make sense... I thought they weren't nearly as bright as they used to be!

Would it be hard to change out my projector, ballast and bulbs?

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

If you're on a budget. I would just do a set of nice bulbs and that's it.

You can see a upgrade with the bulbs listed below.

D3S: OSRAM XENARC 66340 CBI

5500K HID BULBS
 
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M3toSVT

M3toSVT

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Here are some output shots I have found from another forums member that installed the HIDs only in the new headlight.

Ok so here's a few preliminary pics of just inside the garage. Didn't have to shim. Thoroughly impressed so far! -img_5897_7b3fd78d734ca11d6dde4824290b441d9e9f503c.jpg
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Night shots:

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Ok so driving the 55 miles to work today was impressive. The lights perform quite well. The beam isn't as wide up by the lights but has a really good spread down the road. I did notice a few small dark spots, but I'm sure with a little tweaking of the bulb those should go away.

They're definitely light years better than the stock halogen housings and a lot better than the dual spyders that I had.

Here's a few night pics, obviously my iPhone can't take pics as good as my DSLR can, so I'll get better pics this weekend if I have time.


I didn't have anyone flash me on the way to work, but I did have to adjust the passenger side down just a little bit.
 
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M3toSVT

M3toSVT

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Finally got around to testing the output of the Evox-r V2.0 from Lightwerks.
First shot is the Osram CBI installed with an output of 4250 LUX. 1000 more than the Mini H1 with an Morimoto 5500k bulb running the same 50w.

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This shot was with the Morimoto 5500k bulb. Don't recall the output, but it was comparable.
Both shots taken with the same ISO and Shutter speed.

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