Micro D2S Projector: Morimoto 5.0 Bi-Xenon, 2.5in Lens

You have a small headlight housing, you want a real bi-xenon projector inside it, and you would rather run a proper D2S bulb than an H1. Until recently that left you choosing between a compact projector built around an H1 bulb and a 3 inch D2S unit that simply would not fit. We installed and tested the Morimoto Micro D2S 5.0 to see if this micro D2S projector really closes that gap. Short answer: it does, as long as you are willing to drill a slightly bigger hole.

The Micro D2S 5.0 is a bi-xenon retrofit projector with a 2.5 inch lens, and it is widely regarded as the grand finale of new bi-xenon introductions from Morimoto. The lineup was already well covered. The Mini H1 8.0 handles super compact H1 builds, and the D2S 5.0 handles bigger housings with its 3 inch lens. The Micro D2S sits right in the middle and borrows the best traits from each, which is why we think it deserves a close look for anyone planning a compact retrofit.

Close-up of a projector lens with black bezel and silver mounting bracket — A close view of the projector’s 2.5 inch lens and mounting bracket with its bolt holes.

Mistakes to Avoid With a Micro D2S Projector

We see the same handful of errors come up whenever a new compact projector lands. Most of them are avoidable with five minutes of planning.

Assuming it drops in exactly like a Mini H1

This is the big one. The Micro D2S shares the Mini H1 bolt pattern, lens size and depth, so it is tempting to think it is a perfect swap. It is not quite. The threaded shaft on the back is larger in diameter, identical to the shaft on the D2S. That means the hole in the back of your headlight reflector (where the original halogen bulb passes through) has to be bored out bigger. Skip that step and the projector simply will not seat.

Ordering the wrong traffic side

The Micro D2S 5.0 is only available in left-hand drive, at least for now. If you drive on the left side of the road and need a right-hand drive cutoff, this is not the projector for your build yet.

Forgetting the finishing pieces

A bare projector sitting in a chrome reflector rarely looks finished. Plan your trim ahead of time. We usually pick out projector shrouds for a finished look at the same time we pick the projector, so we can check the geometry inside the housing before anything gets glued.

Short version: measure, plan the reflector work, and confirm your drive side.

Micro D2S 5.0 vs the Mini H1: The Common Alternative

For years the Mini H1 has been the default answer for small headlights. Its small footprint and compact size let it fit almost anywhere while still packing a lot of performance. So the honest question is why you would pick the Micro D2S instead.

Three projectors lined up on a table with a presenter's hands gesturing behind them — Three projectors of different sizes sit side by side on the bench for a size comparison of the lineup.

Dimensionally, the two are nearly twins. Same exact bolt pattern. Same 2.5 inch lens. Same depth from front to back. The only physical difference is that larger D2S style threaded shaft on the back.

Two compact projectors on a reflective surface showing body depth and bracket — Two compact projectors lie side by side so their body length and bracket footprint can be compared.

The real difference shows up on the performance side. Because the Micro D2S is designed around industry standard D2S bulbs, it behaves much more like the D2S 5.0 than like an H1 based projector. You get a wide selection of bulbs, a hot spot with good reach, and that crisp ECE cutoff the 5.0 family is known for. If you are happy to stay with an H1 bulb and want to avoid any extra reflector boring, our Morimoto Mini H1 9.0 projectors are worth comparing side by side before you commit.

But if a D2S bulb is what you want, the Micro D2S gives you that in a package the size of a Mini H1.

How to Choose Between the Micro D2S, Mini H1 and D2S 5.0

We think about this choice in three questions. First, how much room is inside your headlight? Second, which bulb do you want to run? Third, how much reflector modification are you comfortable doing?

Tight housing, H1 bulb, minimal modification: the Mini H1 family makes the most sense.
Tight housing, D2S bulb, willing to bore the reflector hole: this is exactly what the Micro D2S 5.0 was built for.
Plenty of room, D2S bulb: step up to the Mini D2S 5.0 with its larger 3-inch lens.

Worth noting, the bulb question matters more than people expect. D2S is an industry standard, so you can choose from options such as Morimoto XBS, Osram and Philips. That flexibility is a big reason many retrofitters asked for this projector in the first place.

The backstory is fun, too. The original prototype was CNC machined from a solid chunk of aluminum back in 2017, with the reflector bolt pattern and the geometry of the reflector bowl machined right into it, plus a lens, lens holder, cutoff shield and a D2S holder in the back. Nobody was quite sure where a 2.5 inch D2S projector fit, since it was neither a 3 inch D2S 5.0 nor a Mini H1, so it sat on the shelf. Then the community raised its hand and asked for a Mini H1 size projector with a D2S bulb. That request is what brought it to production.

Fitment and Compatibility

The Micro D2S is a universal retrofit projector, aimed at small headlight housings rather than one specific vehicle. If you already know a Mini H1 fits your headlight, the Micro D2S will match it for bolt pattern, lens diameter and front to back depth. The one thing you must account for is the larger threaded mounting shaft.

In practice, that means enlarging the opening in the back of the reflector where the factory halogen bulb used to pass through. It is not difficult work with the right bit, but it is permanent. If you have never done it, read our guide on how to modify a headlight reflector for a projector before you start cutting.

Other fitment points to confirm:

Left-hand drive only, for now.
Uses standard D2S bulbs.
Same bolt pattern as the Mini H1, so mounting provisions planned for that footprint carry over.

For a broader look at what else you may need for a complete build, our selection of universal projector retrofit kits on theretrofitsource.com is a good place to start planning.

Real-World Testing Notes

We put the Micro D2S on the wall and paid attention to three things: the hot spot, the spread, and the cutoff. All three impressed us.

Low beam pattern

The output is very good. There is a nice hot spot, a smooth gradient that carries light down into the foreground, and a very wide beam that lights up the shoulders. Then there is the cutoff. It is about as crisp as projector cutoffs get, with an ECE slope that rises up and to the right, matching the D2S 5.0, the Mini H1 8.0 and the M-LED family.

Beam pattern projected on a wall chart with a sharp horizontal cutoff line — The low beam pattern on the test wall shows a flat, crisp cutoff with a wide spread of light.

That sharp line is a big deal for oncoming drivers. A clean cutoff keeps glare out of their eyes while still letting you place a lot of light down the road.

High beam and the bi-xenon shield

This is a bi-xenon projector. If you are new to the term, it simply means there is a mechanical shield inside that drops out of the way to expose more light for your high beam. One bulb, two beam patterns.

Projector interior showing solenoid and shield mechanism under the lens — The open lens holder exposes the internal solenoid and mechanical shield that makes the projector bi-xenon.

The high beam pattern is taken from the Evo XR. It is shaped like a table top, a classic Hella style pattern, and it is a favorite on our team. Out on an empty back road in the middle of the night, it is very powerful and very effective, which means you get real usable reach when there is nobody around to dazzle.

Overall, the Micro D2S feels like a D2S 5.0 that was shrunk down to fit where only a Mini H1 used to go.

Step-by-Step Install

Every headlight is different, so treat this as the general flow we follow for a compact bi-xenon retrofit. Take your time on the reflector step, because that is where this projector differs from a Mini H1.

Step 1: Open the headlight housing

Remove the headlight from the vehicle, then open the housing so you have clear access to the reflector and the original bulb opening.

Step 2: Test fit and plan the projector position

Set the Micro D2S in place to confirm lens position and depth. Because it shares the Mini H1 footprint, any layout you would use for that projector is a good starting point.

Step 3: Bore out the reflector opening

Enlarge the hole in the back of the reflector where the halogen bulb came through, so the larger D2S style threaded shaft can pass through cleanly. Go slowly and check the fit often.

Step 4: Mount the projector

Pass the threaded shaft through the reflector and secure the projector. Make sure it sits level so the ECE cutoff will be oriented correctly.

Step 5: Install the D2S bulb and shroud

Fit your chosen D2S bulb, whether that is Morimoto XBS, Osram or Philips, then add a shroud to trim out the reflector opening around the lens.

Step 6: Reseal, reinstall and aim

Close and reseal the housing, reinstall the headlight, then aim the beam against a wall so the cutoff sits at the proper height for oncoming traffic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Morimoto Micro D2S 5.0?

It is a compact bi-xenon retrofit projector with a 2.5 inch lens, built around the industry standard D2S bulb. It sits between the Mini H1 8.0 and the 3 inch D2S 5.0 and shares features from both.

How does the Micro D2S 5.0 compare in size to the Mini H1?

It has almost the exact same footprint as the Mini H1, with the same bolt pattern, a 2.5 inch lens and the same depth from front to back. The only dimensional difference is the threaded shaft on the back, which is larger in diameter and identical to the D2S shaft.

What do I need to know before fitting it in a small headlight?

Because the threaded shaft matches the D2S, you need to bore a bigger hole in the back of the headlight reflector where the original halogen bulb comes through. If you are fine with that, the Micro D2S is a solid option for small housings.

Which D2S bulbs can I use with the Micro D2S 5.0?

It is designed around standard D2S bulbs, so there are several options, including Morimoto XBS as well as Osram and Philips bulbs.

What does bi-xenon mean, and what does the high beam look like?

A bi-xenon projector has a mechanical shield inside that drops out of the way to expose more light for the high beam. The Micro D2S 5.0 high beam pattern is taken from the Evo XR, a classic Hella style pattern with a table top shape that is very powerful for dark roads.

Meet the Experts Behind The Retrofit Source

Tyler Jordan – Technical Writer
Tyler works directly with the TRS product R&D team, bringing over a decade of automotive aftermarket lighting experience to every article. An avid enthusiast with hundreds of personal installations under his belt, his content is built on hands-on knowledge from the workbench, not spec sheets.

Caleb Morgan – Marketing Manager
Caleb brings over a decade of automotive lighting industry experience and works with TRS customers daily on the front lines. With hundreds of personal lighting installations and a direct feedback loop from real buyers, his content addresses the questions and problems that actually matter.