Brighter and Sharper Headlights? Solution?

mazdaspeed3 · 03-01-2010, 12:02 PM

I was staring at the lens on my headlights yesterday and noticed that we have fresnel lens. I was kind of disappointed by this. Has anyone tried clear-coating them? If so, what were the results? I imagine more focused and a sharper cut-off.

fairladyZ34 · 03-01-2010, 02:00 PM

idk but i would like to know as well

wheee! · 03-01-2010, 02:07 PM

Less light dispersion and overall degraded visibility IMO, stick to fresnel....

nogoodname · 03-01-2010, 02:14 PM

Change the lens, The TSX ones are clear and they probably fit.

mazdaspeed3 · 03-01-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheee!

Less light dispersion and overall degraded visibility IMO, stick to fresnel....

Really?

The best lenses available are not fresnel (S2K, Evo, BMW, etc). Usually projector lenses for halogen lights are fresnel, but I have never seen HID lenses like this.

mazdaspeed3 · 03-01-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname

Change the lens, The TSX ones are clear and they probably fit.

Anyone know the diameter of our projectors? TSX lenses are purdy, but clear coating would probably be cheaper

nogoodname · 03-01-2010, 02:20 PM

The TSX ones are clean and not frosted looking...lol

They fit the G37 projectors perfectly, I doubt Nissan would make a different size projector for the Z.

OMGWTFBBQ · 03-01-2010, 03:55 PM

Most of the new projectors from what I've seen come fresnel nowadays. If you want a sharper cutoff with a slight blue hue near the cutoff, switch out the stock lens with a clear lens (s2k or tsx or some replica lenses). You can also space out the lens for an even nicer cutoff. This is assuming that the G37/370z projectors are similar to FX projectors. I mean uh, not that I've done it already.

kenchan · 03-01-2010, 05:21 PM

wait op, u do realize your in a station wagon mazdazpeed3 and not a Z? or is that just a handle?

mazdaspeed3 · 03-01-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

wait op, u do realize your in a station wagon mazdazpeed3 and not a Z? or is that just a handle?

Oops wrong forum

I picked up a 370 about a week ago. Bad choice for a handle me thinks.....

SoCal 370Z · 03-01-2010, 05:43 PM

A sharper cutout can be a real piss-off to oncoming motorists as your Z goes bopping down the roadways.

mazdaspeed3 · 03-01-2010, 05:45 PM

I was doing some research and it looks like they have started to go with fresnel projectors because it is less distracting for oncoming drivers. I guess that instead of the light appearing as 'all or nothing' with the sharp cutoff, the fresnel lens offers more of a gradient so oncoming drivers aren't as dazzled.

Either way I am going to see if I can just get the projectors clear coated (unless I can find some inexpensive TSX projectors).

Daishi · 03-01-2010, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazdaspeed3

I was doing some research and it looks like they have started to go with fresnel projectors because it is less distracting for oncoming drivers. I guess that instead of the light appearing as 'all or nothing' with the sharp cutoff, the fresnel lens offers more of a gradient so oncoming drivers aren't as dazzled.

Either way I am going to see if I can just get the projectors clear coated (unless I can find some inexpensive TSX projectors).

hmmm i see the reason behind it but i dont think it worked anyway i get flashed all the time.

ghaffar23 · 03-03-2010, 04:39 PM

before trying to find projectors, try theretrofitsource.com. I've bought a set of 3" ZKW replica lenses and I'm telling you, it's the best $55 I've spent for a set of projectors!

tbonesteak · 03-03-2010, 04:53 PM

i miss the projectors on my old s2k. them and lexus ls430 lenses are as good as it gets. honestly, i don't think the difference is worth all the trouble of swapping it out. The Z's lenses aren't terrible imo.

03-01-2010, 12:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
mazdaspeed3 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: the basement Posts: 22 Drives: 09 370z sprt+Trng Rep Power: 15	Brighter and Sharper Headlights? Solution? I was staring at the lens on my headlights yesterday and noticed that we have fresnel lens. I was kind of disappointed by this. Has anyone tried clear-coating them? If so, what were the results? I imagine more focused and a sharper cut-off.

03-01-2010, 02:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
fairladyZ34 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,577 Drives: 08 G37S Black M6 Rep Power: 19	idk but i would like to know as well __________________ From Z to G to BMW and back to a G! Nismo for life

03-01-2010, 02:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 58 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40182	Less light dispersion and overall degraded visibility IMO, stick to fresnel.... __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

03-01-2010, 03:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
OMGWTFBBQ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: the OC Posts: 1,886 Drives: 08 SGM IS350 Rep Power: 4549	Most of the new projectors from what I've seen come fresnel nowadays. If you want a sharper cutoff with a slight blue hue near the cutoff, switch out the stock lens with a clear lens (s2k or tsx or some replica lenses). You can also space out the lens for an even nicer cutoff. This is assuming that the G37/370z projectors are similar to FX projectors. I mean uh, not that I've done it already. __________________ Zele Performance \| Varis \| Powerhouse Amuse \| Craftsquare \| Tommy Kaira \| Top Secret \| HKS \| Defi \| Volk Racing \| Cusco \| SPL \| Never ending build thread.. PM me if you have rare JDM parts for sale!

03-01-2010, 05:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 33	A sharper cutout can be a real piss-off to oncoming motorists as your Z goes bopping down the roadways. __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!!

03-01-2010, 02:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1765	Change the lens, The TSX ones are clear and they probably fit.

03-01-2010, 02:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1765	The TSX ones are clean and not frosted looking...lol They fit the G37 projectors perfectly, I doubt Nissan would make a different size projector for the Z.

03-01-2010, 05:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	wait op, u do realize your in a station wagon mazdazpeed3 and not a Z? or is that just a handle?

03-01-2010, 05:45 PM	#12 (permalink)
mazdaspeed3 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: the basement Posts: 22 Drives: 09 370z sprt+Trng Rep Power: 15	I was doing some research and it looks like they have started to go with fresnel projectors because it is less distracting for oncoming drivers. I guess that instead of the light appearing as 'all or nothing' with the sharp cutoff, the fresnel lens offers more of a gradient so oncoming drivers aren't as dazzled. Either way I am going to see if I can just get the projectors clear coated (unless I can find some inexpensive TSX projectors).

03-03-2010, 04:39 PM	#14 (permalink)
ghaffar23 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 4 Drives: MB Rep Power: 15	before trying to find projectors, try theretrofitsource.com. I've bought a set of 3" ZKW replica lenses and I'm telling you, it's the best $55 I've spent for a set of projectors!

03-03-2010, 04:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
tbonesteak Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 914 Drives: MY09 MB 6MT Rep Power: 375	i miss the projectors on my old s2k. them and lexus ls430 lenses are as good as it gets. honestly, i don't think the difference is worth all the trouble of swapping it out. The Z's lenses aren't terrible imo.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Paint issues/Solution	feelzpwr91	Exterior & Interior	28	04-15-2010 04:56 PM
Paint issues/Solution	feelzpwr91	DIY Section (Do-It-Yourself)	2	11-27-2009 10:10 AM
The Ultimate Wheel Cleaning Solution!!	dlmartin81	Wheels & Tires	0	10-06-2009 09:36 PM
Bird-on-the-mirror Problem: Anyone Got A Solution?	FlashBazbo	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	33	05-20-2009 06:54 PM