TRS Tech
Technology: Clear Lenses Explained
Most OEM projectors out there come standard with what is known as "fresnel" lenses. These projector lenses have circular lines molded into their surface, and are often produced with less than optically clear glass. So what? Well the fresnel lines and frosted/ translucent glass dim the output and soften the beam pattern so the projectors are not performing to their full performance and aesthetic capabilities. A true clear lens will help unleash the true potential of the projector compared to the "detuned" stock lenses. As mentioned above- think of a projector just like any other original part on your car, of course there will always be an aftermarket performance/aesthetic upgrade available.
As an upgrade to enhance the real and aesthetic performance of headlight projectors, optically clear projector lenses are becoming more popular than ever. Marginal benefit compared to cost, a clear lens swap is worth every penny compared to some other component upgrades.
The Honda S2000 and Acura TSX projectors come with clear lenses from the start. It's no wonder why these sought-after projectors have become so popular for retrofitting. Lets take a look at some of the benefits that optically clear projector lenses have to offer:
Performance
- Light intensity
- it's pretty simple here. The lens is what projects the light from the projector onto the ground. The more clear it is, the more light that can pass through it onto the road in front of you.
- Beam width
- A projector's beam pattern will dim towards its outer edges naturally. Because a clear lens enhances intensity throughout the entire beam, the very edges of the output will be better lit - giving the effect of increased width.
- Beam uniformity
- Clear lenses help smooth out the beam by brightening up dark spots to help overall lighting.
Aesthetics
- Cutoff sharpness
- Beam pattern definition will be greatly enhanced with a razor sharp light cutoff line to separate the light from darkness.
- Color flicker
- A band of colorful (blue/aqua/purple) light will appear along the top of the cutoff line. As this band of light bounces in and out of the field of vision of onlookers your headlights produce that exotic color flicker effect that many desire. (and think they can imitate with high kelvin bulbs, ha!)
Select a clear lens for your projectors using Diameter and Focus Height
Picking the right diameter will ensure a proper fit, and picking the correct focus height will ensure you can obtain a beam pattern that's nice and defined. Getting as close as possible to the stock focus height is a good idea, but if you're off by 1-2 mm it is possible to re-focus the output with lens or cutoff shield spacing.
- Diameter
- Do your projectors use a 2.5 inch or a 3 inch diameter lens?
- Focus height
- How tall is your stock lens from the flat surface to the top of the rounded crest?
- The most common focus heights are 22mm, 27mm, and 30mm.
Our recommendation for retrofitters
Unless your projectors come pre-optimized with clear lenses like the FX-R or S2K-R, you'll definitely want to spend the extra money on these. The benefits are worth the additional cost. If you are unsure what lens is right for your projectors, send us an inquiry and we'll be glad to recommend the correct model for your projectors. Want clear lenses but can't justify the cost? Check out the discounted version (available under each listing in the drop down box) - they're in close to perfect condition, and offer the same level of increased performance as the full price version.
