LENSUltra-Short Projector Lens for Shallow Headlamps: Guide
When a 3.0-inch lens won't fit a shallow headlamp, use an ultra-short bi-LED lens. Plug-and-play vs cut-in builds, chips, sizes and wholesale terms.
Short answer: some headlamps have too little depth behind the reflector for a standard 3.0-inch bi-LED projector lens. For those housings, an ultra-short 3.0-inch lens keeps the full 3.0-inch lens face but uses a shorter body. ShinVea makes nine ultra-short builds: four detachable plug-and-play versions (105 × 79 × 156 mm) that can be taken apart to pass through the bulb hole, and five cut-in versions (105 × 71 × 140 mm) with up to four direct-beam high-beam chips. All have a built-in driver and LHD, RHD or flat cut-off.
The problem: lenses that do not fit
Every retrofit shop has seen it. The customer wants a 3.0-inch bi-LED lens, the shop opens the headlamp, and the lens hits the back of the housing or the dust cap will not close. The usual workarounds are to drop to a smaller lens, cut the housing deeper, or turn the job away.
An ultra-short lens is a fourth option. The lens face stays 3.0 inch, so the customer still gets a full-size look and beam, but the module is built to fit housings with limited depth behind the reflector.
For distributors, this matters because every turned-away job is a lost sale. If your installers keep losing jobs to shallow housings, an ultra-short lens fills that gap in your range.
The ShinVea ultra-short lineup
All values below come from the ShinVea 2027 catalog for ultra-short 3.0-inch lenses. Power is per lamp. See every model on the ultra-short 3.0-inch lens page.
| Build | Installation | Low / high beam per lamp | LED chips (low + high) | Dimensions (L × W × H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dual-reflector | Detachable plug-and-play | 53 W / 62 W | 6 + 3 | 105 × 79 × 156 mm |
| Single direct-beam | Detachable plug-and-play | 45 W / 72 W | 6 + 1 | 105 × 79 × 156 mm |
| Dual direct-beam | Detachable plug-and-play | 45 W / 72 W | 6 + 2 | 105 × 79 × 156 mm |
| Triple direct-beam | Detachable plug-and-play | 45 W / 72 W | 6 + 3 | 105 × 79 × 156 mm |
| Dual-reflector | Cut-in | 53 W / 62 W | 6 + 3 | 105 × 71 × 140 mm |
| Single direct-beam | Cut-in | 45 W / 72 W | 6 + 1 | 105 × 71 × 140 mm |
| Dual direct-beam | Cut-in | 45 W / 72 W | 6 + 2 | 105 × 71 × 140 mm |
| Triple direct-beam | Cut-in | 45 W / 72 W | 6 + 3 | 105 × 71 × 140 mm |
| Quad direct-beam | Cut-in | 45 W / 72 W | 6 + 4 | 105 × 71 × 140 mm |
Shared specifications for all nine builds:
- Shape: round, 3.0-inch lens.
- Driver: built-in.
- Colour temperature: 6000–6500K by default; 4300K, 5000K or 5500K on request.
- Cut-off: LHD, RHD or flat.
- Voltage: 12 V, with 24 V on request.
- Lens glass: HD clear, blue film, or custom logo marking.
Plug-and-play or cut-in?
Detachable plug-and-play
The plug-and-play builds use an H7, H4 or 9006 interface and install without destroying the headlamp. Because they are detachable, the lens can be taken apart and passed through the bulb hole, then put back together inside the housing. That makes them the choice for reversible upgrades and for shops that do not open headlamps.
Cut-in
The cut-in builds are installed by modifying the headlamp. They are slightly more compact (105 × 71 × 140 mm) and include the only quad direct-beam option, with four high-beam chips. Choose cut-in for custom builds where the shop already opens and reseals headlamps. Our guide to plug-and-play vs cut-in projector lenses explains the trade-offs in more detail.
Reflector or direct-beam high beam?
The dual-reflector builds have the highest low-beam power in the range (53 W per lamp) with 62 W on high beam. The direct-beam builds run 45 W on low beam and 72 W on high beam, with one to four high-beam chips. Shops in markets where customers ask for a strong high beam on dark roads usually prefer direct-beam builds; shops that focus on the low beam can start with the dual-reflector.
How to check whether a headlamp needs an ultra-short lens
Give your installers this simple routine:
- Measure the depth from the reflector opening to the back of the housing and the dust cap.
- Compare it with the module length. Use the published dimensions above for the ultra-short builds.
- Check the bulb hole. For a plug-and-play install, confirm the detachable lens can pass through it.
- Check the dust cover. The cap must close and seal after installation.
- Record the vehicle. Add the model and year to your fitment list so the next order is faster.
If the housing is too small even for a 3.0-inch face, see our lens size guide for 2.5-inch and 1.5-inch options.
Stocking advice for distributors
You do not need all nine builds on day one. A balanced starting point is one plug-and-play build and one cut-in build, for example the plug-and-play dual-reflector for reversible upgrades and the cut-in triple or quad direct-beam for custom shops. Add the other builds as fitment data from your installers comes in.
Pair the lenses with vehicle-specific brackets and adapter frames. ShinVea's group site lists headlight adapter frames by car brand, along with decoders, shrouds and dust covers.
Wholesale terms are on the OEM / ODM page: MOQ of 100 sets per order, free samples (buyer pays shipping), about 2 weeks lead time for stock models and about 1 month when production has to be arranged, and a 12-month warranty on every lens. ShinVea has made projector lenses in Guangzhou since 2015.
Need a fitment check? Send the vehicle and housing photos on WhatsApp or email [email protected]. Quotations are sent after your inquiry.
FAQ
When should I use an ultra-short lens?
When the headlamp is too shallow for a standard 3.0-inch lens. The detachable plug-and-play version can be taken apart to pass through the bulb hole.
Is the light output lower than a standard 3.0-inch lens?
Each build lists its own power: 53 W low / 62 W high per lamp for dual-reflector builds and 45 W low / 72 W high for direct-beam builds. Compare these values with the standard lens you would otherwise use.
Which bulb interfaces do the plug-and-play builds use?
The detachable plug-and-play builds use an H7, H4 or 9006 interface and install without destroying the headlamp.
Can I get a 24 V version for trucks?
Yes. The ultra-short builds run on 12 V as standard, and 24 V is available on request.
Can the lens carry our logo?
Yes. The lens glass can be HD clear, blue film, or marked with a custom logo.
What is the minimum order?
The MOQ is 100 sets per order. Free samples are available; the buyer pays shipping.
Request specs and a quotation
Tell us the lens size, model, quantity and target market. Quotations are sent after your inquiry.