carbonxe

I'm not looking to start another AP1 vs AP2 war, I'm just trying to find a technical answer. I'm going to be buying an AP2 (04-06) S2K in the near future and I was wondering about the headlights. I actually prefer the AP1 headlights over the AP2, but I wanted to know if the internals (projector optics) were the same/better/worse.

slates74

I've been told that the the projector lenses themselves were best on the early ap1's as the were completely smooth where as the newer ones when you look at them very closely almost have "ribs"that circle around the diameter of the lens. Apparently this doesn't give quite as clean of an output. There's also a mod for s2000 projectors known as "color shift" check out www.lightwerkz.net and talk to caesar. He's very knowledgable and helpful.

s2kftw

the projectors in the ap1 are better than the projectors in the ap2. Some even say the 00-01 projectors are better than the 02-03, but i've found no real differences.
What SLATES74 is trying to say is the ap1 projectors have a clear lens, and the ap2 projectors were changed to a fresnal lens, which gives it a "ribbed" effect. I heard that DOT gave honda sh*t for how bright, colorful and sharp the cut off line was. The ap1 projectors are similar (but better) to the earlier tsx's, which also were changed to a fresnal lens. The projectors are the same size, so you should be able to swap the lens' over to the ap2 projector. Make sure you get the clear lens and not the fresnal lens.. search around on ebay and hidplanet.
any more questions just ask awaaaayyyy

S2kAndTheAnt

I know for a fact that some of the early model ap2s do have clear lenses.

Izn Trbl

Yes, I believe 04-05 AP2 headlights had clear lenses as well like the AP1 headlights.
06+ all have fresnel lenses.

Vi37573r

When you pick up your S, you wanna do a trade on headlights?

clarkster009

i just think the AP1s look a lot worse, so id always pick AP2

JDMQuip

The AP1 headlights project nicely. I get people 'flashing' their headlights at me when I drive towards them cause they think I am 'flashing' them when in reality its just HID flicker. LOL even driving at night on the freeway the person in front of me will sometimes change lanes cause they think I am 'flashing' them to get over.

carbonxe

Thanks, I appreciate the help. I guess I'm best off finding an 04 model then lol. I just like the look of the AP1 lights better, the AP2 look like eBay lights. It's the exact same thing with Scion tCs (current car), 05-07 had better looking lights, then for 08+ they added projectors (obviously making them better for functional purposes) but they're all round and just look cheap.

I know a lot of people use S2K and TSX projectors for retrofits, I guess they're using the earlier clear lens models.

slates74

ap1's with smoked diffusers ftw