I have issues with my nighttime vision so bright, properly patterned headlights are a must. I don't have a Rogue yet, and if I get one, it will be either an S or SV as the SL is out of my price range. I'd be happy with an S but I would need the brightest, best patterned lighting that is available.
I put a projector setup with HID in my '02 WRX and it worked perfectly for me for 9 years without issue (other than trying to find places to mount the starters and ballasts).
I'm curious if anyone has swapped out the stock halogen headlight bulbs and replaced them with either HIDs, LEDs, or higher wattage halogens.
If you went for any of the above, did it mess with the patterning, or cutoff?
Did you have issues with other drivers flashing their lights at you, and if so ,were you able to adjust the lights to eliminate blinding oncoming drivers?
I've installed high wattage halogens in my cars over the past 30+ years, and either it's been great or I've had issues. It depended on the vehicle. Some car's wiring and bulb sockets could handle the heat of the higher wattage draw, and others couldn't, and melted sockets or wiring, or both. So, if you installed higher wattage halogens, what wattage did you get (80/100, or 90/130 for example), and how did the wiring hold up?
If you installed HID, any issues with mounting points for ballasts & starters, and did it affect the beam pattern in a positive or negative way? HID bulbs I've used are typically longer than the halogens and since there is no filament and the whole bulb arcs/glows it can direct the reflected light onto parts of the reflector that normally would not get that intense of a hit.
If you used LED bulbs, did the heat-sink get in the way? Any issues with reinstalling the rubber waterproofing gaskets (I'm assuming the Rogue has rubber gaskets behind the bulbs). Any issues with beam pattern or dazzle? Any heat issues (I've seen kits that have pancake fans that you are supposed to aim at the heatsinks)
So, basically any info on replacement bulbs for your OEM halogen headlights to get more light onto the ground without blinding oncoming drivers, and your results would be appreciated!!!