Mazda3 Offered in both a sedan and wagon, this sporty model offers a great car for the family, as well a fun track car.

How do I tell if I have Projectors?

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Old 02-17-2013, 08:54 PM
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Default How do I tell if I have Projectors?

I have an 05' Mazda 3i..odd question, how do I tel if I have projector headlights installed? Looking at my headlights and it looks like a camera lens inside the clear cover and not a bulb.

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Old 02-18-2013, 08:33 AM
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You have projector low beams and reflector high beams. A reflector is simply a shiny faceted bowl with an exposed lamp inside. Sometimes there will be a little metal shield directly in front of the exposed lamp.

A projector has a lamp inside a bowl reflector. In front of the reflector there is a opaque cut off shield to block light above a certain level. In front of the shield is a convex lens which focuses the light.
 
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Old 02-18-2013, 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by icspots
You have projector low beams and reflector high beams. A reflector is simply a shiny faceted bowl with an exposed lamp inside. Sometimes there will be a little metal shield directly in front of the exposed lamp.

A projector has a lamp inside a bowl reflector. In front of the reflector there is a opaque cut off shield to block light above a certain level. In front of the shield is a convex lens which focuses the light.
Thanks!
 
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Old 02-18-2013, 06:50 PM
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Do all mazda 3's have projectors? Is it worth it to change to HIDs?
 
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Old 02-19-2013, 09:14 AM
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Yes, all 3's have projector low beams.

It is good to switch to HIDs, much better light. That said the halogen projector will not perform as well as a HID projector.... the optics are different. So a HID kit in your halogen housings will be better than halogen, but not as good as HID's in HID projectors.
 
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