ok i am going to buy either the JDM or EDM headlights today but before i do anyone that has the JDM ones have you noticed if the beam pattern is drastic enough to go and buy the EDM's? i am alos planning on getting an HID set to go along with them so please share some info. Thanks.

The patterns of the two are exact opposites-
JDM/RHD pattern-

\__ \__

EDM/LHD pattern-

__/ __/

You can aim the JDMs lower and more to the right, but they will always be projecting light in the wrong direction for use on LHD roads. Also aiming them down low enough to protect oncoming traffic will make less light available for you.
The beam pattern can be modified by opening the lights and grinding the internal plate, but it isn't an easy job.
EDMs are the way to go, especially if you plan to install HIDs which would only make the problem worse. The EDMs also have the leveling motors which the standard JDMs don't, although to make those operative you'll need the switch and harness (unless you make your own).

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=511012

Of course, we are pretty close to the garage, so the cut offs don't look that different. If we were farther away, you'd notice a bigger difference between the two cut offs as the jdms shoot off higher to the left, while my edms shoot off higher to the right.

I would get the EDM. At least in the future, you can toy with the idea of making a pnp levelling switch for your lights. Whereas in the JDM non HID projector lights, there is no levelling motor in there at all. The fact that you have the correct beam pattern is cool too.

Jin

ok so i drive on the right side of the road

wtf should i buy

and what are all these abbreviakgstions LED HID JDM EDM

what what is

__/ and
\__

Holy old thread.
In the US and other countries that drive on the right side of the road, we use lights with an LHD beam pattern. LHD stands for Left Hand Drive as in the side of the car where the driver is. RHD is the opposite and is for cars in countries that drive on the left side of the road.

__/ and \__ are approximations of the beam patterns for LHD and RHD E-code lights respectively. E-code lights have a pattern with a sharp vertical cutoff directly ahead and a rising portion that illuminates the curb side of the road. As you can see, using E-code lights with the incorrect beam pattern for where you live/drive will cause the rising part of the beam to be directed into oncoming traffic.

jdm on left, edm on right

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i4/taerron/jdmedm.jpg

finally a comparison pic.. i dont see that much of a difference..i have brand new JDM's and after many ppl saying DO NOT put hid's in them...some say ill be alright..i might do it for the hell of it, im not opening my brand new lights(unless someone local will do it) and im not selling because i wont get my 900 bones back

I wouldn't go by that pic alone. The beam pattern does project upward to the left, and it will present a problem to oncoming traffic.

that pic shows the general idea of what they will look like. but trust me, back up and try that pic again and it will look much worse.

Sorry to high jack, but is there anyway one can get the EDM projectors for less than $700? Is it possible to order the EDM's from local subaru dealer?

Sorry to high jack, but is there anyway one can get the EDM projectors for less than $700? Is it possible to order the EDM's from local subaru dealer?

nope, you cant get them at the dealer.

jdm....

I wouldn't go by that pic alone. The beam pattern does project upward to the left, and it will present a problem to oncoming traffic.


i agree, but if the car was a little further away, it would be very obvious. plus, you can already see the glare on both of them. the edm isn't as bad as the jdm one, but if you want to do it right, the projectors are not the best ones to use.