High-intesity discharge, or HID, headlights have an output and longer life than traditional headlights.
Suitable for 12v/24v
Supplied in a twin pack - 2 Bulbs
Here are some of the key differences between D2S vs. D2R vs. D2C.
Housing compatibility
The number one factor that adds to the key differences between the three designs is housing compatibility.
D2S is intended to be used for projectors or shielded housings. Whereas, D2R is made for reflector applications with an extra black stripe around the bulb, such as in Lexus IS300’s or Toyota Prius. The extra stripe reduces the glare of the bulb when used in HID reflector applications.
As far as D2C is concerned, it is an aftermarket bulb that has notches, cut out to fit both housings, D2R and D2S.
In essence, D2C is the universal replacement for D2R and D2S. However, you cannot use D2R and D2S interchangeably.
Brightness
Another noticeable difference between the three bulb designs is the brightness, which adds to your driving experience.
The brightness of D2S and D2C is approximately 3,200 lumens, while D2R gives off 2,800 lumens.
The reason D2S emits brighter light is they don’t have shields as D2R. In fact, the cut-off shield in D2S is on the projector housing, which results in clearer and crispier light.
Paint
Like I mentioned before, D2R has a U-shaped painted shield with black stripes around the bulb that blocks out any unpredictable light in certain directions.
The fact that D2R uses a painted section on the glass reduces the chances of too much glare in a reflector housing.
The shield acts as a deflector that only allows the HID lights to outshine in some directions. Also, D2R painted shields cut off the yellow hues in the light output.
As far as D2S and D2C are concerned, they lack cut-off shields. Nonetheless, D2C and D2C have glare shields on the projector housing.
Fitment
The answer to whether you can use the three bulbs interchangeably lies here!
The fitment of each D2 HID bulb (D2S, D2R, D2C) differs in the sense that it has certain notches.
The manufacturers have designed notches on the D2S that are spaced nearly twice as far apart to fit into a projector.
Meanwhile, the D2R notches are designed more closely to fit into reflector headlamps.
Simultaneously, the keyways only accept a proper bulb dedicated to the base.
Hence, the D2R and D2S bulbs cannot be used correspondingly since the fitment differs at the base.
Apart from the base fitment, the capsule in D2S does not carry ceramic paint on the sides as D2R.
If you’re confused about which one to choose for your car, there’s an answer.
Fortunately, the D2C bulb possesses a universally designed base in which the notches are cut out to replace either with D2R or D2S bulbs.
