2011 outback headlights

LanaB · Post by **LanaB** » Tue Mar 19, 2013 8:12 pm

I live in the country (LOTS of 'roos), and the headlights are terrible, especially on wet nights.
Wondering what others have done to improve their lights?
In the handbook it says HID was an option on low beam, which I doubt I have but don't know how to check.
High beam can be supplemented with driving lights which I would use HID inserts for lower input power as I have done on other 4WD's.
Ideas please?
cheers, Lana

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Wed Mar 20, 2013 10:49 am

There is lots of HID kits out there (aftermarket) that you could use but I'd use that money and buy a good set of Lightforce lamps.

LanaB · Post by **LanaB** » Wed Mar 20, 2013 7:46 pm

Hi thanks for replying,

yes I have driving lights on the agenda, with HID's in them. BUT, its the standard headlights that have me concerned, especially low beam.

I have little knowledge of globe upgrade with polycarbonate lens so am looking for help from people who have upgraded.

I am also hoping someone can throw some light on the standard HID option that shows in my glovebox hand book, its not a simple job to get to the low beam globes either.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:01 am

Personally I don't like cars with HID in their low beam, as it's horrible when you are the oncoming traffic

I prefer to use higher wattage globes with the blue cover on them, they seem to work well. I'd also beef up your high beam wiring and add 130w globes, this coupled with nice set of LF spotties. You'll be happy with the cost/performance (IMO)

thunder039 · Post by **thunder039** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:09 am

have to agree with rsr using different bulbs can make a huge difference!
i used the Phillips xt-ream vision +100 in our forester and the difference in light output was amazing! they are still the same standard wattage also. worth the investment of the $60 and i recommend them highly.

other wise make sure your lights are aligned correctly

LanaB · Post by **LanaB** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 11:33 pm

thanks thunder, I appreciate your info, I understand RSR's info too, but its the headlights especially low beam that I want to improve, ( I am well versed in driving light info having had Patrols and Pajero's with excellent lights).
All my knowledge to date has been based on glass reflectors/lenses and H4 globes so upgrading wiring and globes has been an easy fix. This Outback has separate beams (not sure of globe type) and Poly reflectors and lenses and with all my reading, heat is the enemy hence globe wattage upgrade has to be done with caution.
I also understand the views with regard to HID's in headlights, I tried them in my last Patrol, but didn't know then that optics for HID are different to Halogen. Subaru offer HID as a low beam only light (info in my handbook), but I cant find any information on that.

thunder039 · Post by **thunder039** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 6:31 am

Not sure if you can upgrade the hid system or not. Double check to make sure you do have HIDs first. Maybe some additional LED daytime running lights?

Post by **Alex** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 9:06 am

Your car is hid upgradable and it's extremely easy to do. Does it have the glass projector lamp bit in the headlight?

I've been running HIDs in my liberty for 7 years with no issues. They are adjusted well and give very good light despite being in a halogen housing. I've never been flashed by oncoming traffic so I can assume they aren't blinding

Sent from my Motorola RAZR HD

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:26 pm

Here's someone that has already done it.

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/80- ... tback.html

LanaB · Post by **LanaB** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 8:07 pm

RSR, thank you for that link. That is EXACTLY what I was after.

littlewhiteute · Post by **littlewhiteute** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 8:26 pm

I have to disagree with HID conversions.

If a headlamp reflector is DESIGNED for a H4 or H7 bulb then that is what should be fitted.

Look at a H4 bulb. Why are the two filaments located at different lengths within the bulb?
That's how we get a different spread of light from low to high beam with the same reflector.

Now fit a bulb with a different filament height.
The spread of light in ALL directions is now wrong, hence blinding oncoming drivers.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:20 pm

LanaB wrote:RSR, thank you for that link. That is EXACTLY what I was after.

No probs

littlewhiteute wrote:I have to disagree with HID conversions.

If a headlamp reflector is DESIGNED for a H4 or H7 bulb then that is what should be fitted.

Look at a H4 bulb. Why are the two filaments located at different lengths within the bulb?
That's how we get a different spread of light from low to high beam with the same reflector.

Now fit a bulb with a different filament height.
The spread of light in ALL directions is now wrong, hence blinding oncoming drivers.

I have to agree 100% with Gary. When you look at the H4 or H7 globe, you can see that half the low beam filiment is covered over, so the light is directed downwards off the reflector. HIDs do not have this as far as I'm aware.

Post by **Alex** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 12:20 am

The globe is shielded on quality H4 kits with a mechanical hi/low beam.

As long as the reflector isn't broken (ie more modern cars) and the lights are adjusted properly there are absolutely no issues with running HIDs in a halogen housing.

Every single car I've owned has had a HID upgrade and I've never had any issues.

My VW has factory xenon HIDs which are really nice. They have the sharp cut off from the projector beam. My liberty has a 8k H7 conversion and I can't live without it. 8k is fairly blue though. They give a very nice even spread of light with no hot spots.

I love HIDs!

Sent from my Motorola RAZR HD