Are Sonars the only 'good' option?
02-15-2011, 03:02 PM
#1
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Are Sonars the only 'good' option?
It seems like every thread I can find on here talk about the Sonar projectors for the xB. Are these the only decent option for the xB, or are there others that people have found to be a functional option?
I am well aware of the horrible knock-offs that exist on fleaBay, and the wonderfully bizzare cut-off patterns they can throw.
My biggest issue is that I hate Halo's and don't want them on my xB. I know you can just not wire them up, I just don't want them on there. Flat out.
I'm strictly looking for a projector setup so I can load up a low beam HID kit, have one on my Honda Pilot and the xB just feels like a wet fart in comparison (even with the Silverstar Ultras).
Any options out there at all?
I am well aware of the horrible knock-offs that exist on fleaBay, and the wonderfully bizzare cut-off patterns they can throw.
My biggest issue is that I hate Halo's and don't want them on my xB. I know you can just not wire them up, I just don't want them on there. Flat out.
I'm strictly looking for a projector setup so I can load up a low beam HID kit, have one on my Honda Pilot and the xB just feels like a wet fart in comparison (even with the Silverstar Ultras).
Any options out there at all?
02-15-2011, 05:18 PM
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The way I understand this retrofit is you end up keeping your stock housing and cutting/modifying them with 9005/9006 HID bulbs from say a BMW or such... this way you end up with a cutoff (from the glare shields) and not having to replace the OEM housings.
Myself, I don't want to go this route. I simply want to find projectors with a good cutoff and I'll load up a kit from DDMTuning. I'm hoping someone on the board has had luck with another brand, I'd just hate to have to go with Sonars and pay for something I won't use (Halo).
....unless I can wire the halo into the turn signal for blinky fun tiems.
Myself, I don't want to go this route. I simply want to find projectors with a good cutoff and I'll load up a kit from DDMTuning. I'm hoping someone on the board has had luck with another brand, I'd just hate to have to go with Sonars and pay for something I won't use (Halo).
....unless I can wire the halo into the turn signal for blinky fun tiems.
02-16-2011, 04:13 AM
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You can wire the halos to whatever you want, if you wanted to wire them to the turn signal, you can.
A true projector swap isn't cheap. The Sonars and other projectors that float around aren't OEM quality, but they do the trick.
I personally run a bi-xenon HID setup in my stock headlamps and I really like it. I had the Sonars with HID and they were fine, but after a while, one of the rubber caps on the back of the projector disintegrated and the projector started bouncing around.
Some vendors are selling drop-in projectors that will mount directly in your stock bulb... they look pretty cool, but I can't vouch for the quality.
A true projector swap isn't cheap. The Sonars and other projectors that float around aren't OEM quality, but they do the trick.
I personally run a bi-xenon HID setup in my stock headlamps and I really like it. I had the Sonars with HID and they were fine, but after a while, one of the rubber caps on the back of the projector disintegrated and the projector started bouncing around.
Some vendors are selling drop-in projectors that will mount directly in your stock bulb... they look pretty cool, but I can't vouch for the quality.
02-17-2011, 01:29 PM
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Guess I'm just spoiled, ever since I started rockin the '06 Pilot with stock projectors and the HID kit, I'm dying for one in the xB. I personally just don't like the pattern with the stocks there. Grats on the install and glad it's working out for ya, but myself... I still need to go find some projectors.
Just wish there was ONE option out there without the halos...
Just wish there was ONE option out there without the halos...
02-17-2011, 02:32 PM
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OEM - original equipment manufacturer
The only OEM would be something made by Toyota or a Toyota/Scion authorized company. All of the projectors are afteremarket, but they throw OEM into it to make people think it will fit like an original.
The only OEM would be something made by Toyota or a Toyota/Scion authorized company. All of the projectors are afteremarket, but they throw OEM into it to make people think it will fit like an original.
02-17-2011, 07:33 PM
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This is the real way to do it, but you're gonna pay the big bucks to do it.
http://www.lightwerkz.net/gallery/index.php/Scion/xb
http://www.lightwerkz.net/gallery/index.php/Scion/xb
02-17-2011, 09:15 PM
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Those products from Lightwerks do look like some nice quality items, they could probably even retrofit some projectors into the OEM fog lights if you have the cash.
Problem is, I don't want to blow the wallet on those.
It seems the only real answer is to go after some legit Sonars, or gamble on the ebay ones that 'look' like sonars, leave the halos disconnected and hope for the best.
Problem is, I don't want to blow the wallet on those.
It seems the only real answer is to go after some legit Sonars, or gamble on the ebay ones that 'look' like sonars, leave the halos disconnected and hope for the best.
02-18-2011, 02:20 AM
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Legit Sonars are hard to find these days. Stateside. If your looking legit headlights. Try upgarage.com. Japan is probably best bet for quality and true oem. Or last but not least retrofit. But you will pay a pretty penny for it.
Unless your willing to do some leg work. Im currently retrofitting mine, I bought some oem headlights, projectors from a mini cooper, blacked out the heads myself and bought a shrowd for the projector.
I have been quoted by http://www.lightwerkz.net. That it will cost only $250 labor to put it together. But that means you do your own work first and ship it to them. Its up to you.
Unless your willing to do some leg work. Im currently retrofitting mine, I bought some oem headlights, projectors from a mini cooper, blacked out the heads myself and bought a shrowd for the projector.
I have been quoted by http://www.lightwerkz.net. That it will cost only $250 labor to put it together. But that means you do your own work first and ship it to them. Its up to you.
02-18-2011, 04:11 AM
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Oh I know. I want them so bad. But if I'm gonna drop 200+, I'd rather have the JDM heads.
02-18-2011, 03:26 PM
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From looking around, it seems 'Sonar' and 'Spyder' are the same company/maker? I'm looking at the ones from NOPI and they look about the same as the Sonars I've seen. At least a company like that, you can return/complain/etc... I would hope.
02-19-2011, 01:58 PM
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The only thing is that I will not paint the housing I will leave it as is.
I will post pictures because you know we all love to see new MOD,s lol
02-23-2011, 05:31 AM
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I love my Sonars, they give a meaner look to the front end.
I have the Hids wired to the battery and activated by relay to parking lights.
One of the rubber pieces is starting to fall apart, I hope it doesn't quit on me!
High and low beams can work simultaneously.
Light output is great, and with yellow high beams on its easy to see in the rain.
I have the Hids wired to the battery and activated by relay to parking lights.
One of the rubber pieces is starting to fall apart, I hope it doesn't quit on me!
High and low beams can work simultaneously.
Light output is great, and with yellow high beams on its easy to see in the rain.
02-25-2011, 02:41 PM
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Be careful with the Nokya's, many places selling them don't put the correct output levels in their ads. I ended up with the basic 55w ones for OEM foglight bulbs, they look weak as anything. Compared to my PIAA 110w output bulbs on my Pilot fog lights... those look so much better.
I also need to check, but are there any issues with the Sonar halo's being wired into the parking lights, I've seen some that are probably miswired into turn signals and blink off when someone has their signals on.
Zman, maybe you can clarify this for me... what is the benefit or the reasoning behind wiring your HID low beams to the battery, vs using the stock headlight connector? Does it have anything to do with running the Sonar's? Wondering...don't the Sonar's also connect to the stock headlight connector then split to the low/high bulbs?
I also need to check, but are there any issues with the Sonar halo's being wired into the parking lights, I've seen some that are probably miswired into turn signals and blink off when someone has their signals on.
Zman, maybe you can clarify this for me... what is the benefit or the reasoning behind wiring your HID low beams to the battery, vs using the stock headlight connector? Does it have anything to do with running the Sonar's? Wondering...don't the Sonar's also connect to the stock headlight connector then split to the low/high bulbs?