[detours]

Headlamp Summary

• The 55W silverstar halogen is an excellent lamp all around, but its heat will damage the upper part of the reflector.
• The CREE is superior to the silverstar and will not melt the housing. But it has no low beam cutoff and may blind or distract other drivers.
• The GENNSI is nearly as good as the CREE in the fullness of its light pattern on high and low beam, but just as good at distance on high beam. Its low beam cutoff makes it far superior at distance on low beam and will probably be an advantage if you're caught in rain or fog. Low beam also illuminates the roadside very well.

Reflector Housing Summary

• The 2015 reflector with 35W halogen is adequate for city streets and highways with at least some lighting.
• On the 2015 reflector, the LED strips on each side of the housing block light to the sides, making it difficult to see curves and roadsides.
• The 2015 also has a hump around the lower running light that creates a shadow in the center of the low beam.
• The 2015.5 reflector removes the side LEDs and lower hump, filling in shadows and projecting more light to the roadside. However, this only dissipates the stock 35W halogen light, making it less effective, in my opinion.
• The 2015.5 reflector is far superior to the 2015 for rural roads at night where it's important to see what's on the side of the road ... signs, animals, overhanging trees, unmarked shoulders, sand, etc.
• The 2015.5 reflector vastly benefits from a more powerful light source, like a 55W halogen (at the risk of melting the housing) or a cooler LED with the same or better light output.