Did a couple quick searches & came up with lint...thought for sure someone else would've asked this, but not finding a thread.

Design 1 vs. Design 2 - Just curious if anyone can give me some insight on the differences? From my research, the only difference I can find is that one has a bulb reflector & one doesn't. Can anyone tell me if there were any other changes?

I would think the ones with the bulb reflector would be better in the eyes of oncoming traffic, but this (as far as I can tell) is design 1...which seems to be on the 06's. So, this leads me to believe the redesign - design 2, must be superior...hence the revision (and why it stuck around through the remaining years), right?!?
...but there is no reflector, is this a plus? Are they brighter? More focused?

I don't want to just go with what should be on it, I would like to know if there are any advantages to one over the other & pick the best option. So any input on the differences would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Which version do you have?

 

I did not know there was a 1st and 2nd design until this thread.

I have done some research and found the early 2006 ( built on or before 11/06/05 ) has the 1st design.

Any hhr's built after 11/06/05 has the 2nd design.

The only difference between the two is that the 1st design has a small shield over the bulb and the 2nd design does not have the shield.

Why? Maybe the shield made a shadow? Maybe it was cheaper to make it with out the shield?

I found some pictures of the two to help everyone understand and maybe someone out there will know why the fog light was redesigned

This is the 1st design.

 

This is the 2nd design. Late 2006 to 2011

 

Just guessing. One is a "fog" light, the other a "driving" light.

 

Great info, thanks for the time spent doing the reseach Lucky!
Now I noticed a cool LED set of fog/ driving lights on LeathalTendencies ride in his pictures of his new to him running boards installed thread, maybe these could be an option Slide Rite?

 

Never noticed a difference. I have #1's and installed them after purchase. The cap is a glare shield.

 

Ok, thanks! So that confirms my research, now just curious if the second design was an improvement. Still seems weird to me that the bulb reflector was removed upon redesign...

 

A penny here, a nickel there, it all adds up! Or maybe GM just changed suppliers and the second one didn't notice the bulb cap in the specs or who knows! I have fogs on the '03 Sunfire GT they seem to be the same size to fit the HHR and these lights have the bulb cap.
I'm thinking no difference in candle power or light output.

 

Hmm...I would think the pattern would be affected, and maybe light output. Anyone have a few shots with fogs on they can post? Also, please advise which design you have. Hopefully we can get pics of both to compare.

 

Are the connectors to wiring harness the same on gen 1 and 2?