HID kits vs HID bulbs

[bluntman]

HID LIghting Tutorial (http://www.intellexual.net/hid.html)

[jdanielsg]

having read the tutorial, I am left with the conclusion that the best is to do a retrofit with proper HID kits as well as projector/reflectors. Considering the kits alone cost anywhere from $300 USD upwards, I am assuming getting the whole conversion would cost more. Has anyone here converted fully? Not just the kit but the reflectors/projectors as well ? Thanks.

[bluntman]

This guy did...

M3F discussion (http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=27081.0)

What is the law of diminished returns?

[SABIO]

It\'s all great to want perfect lights.... but not at that cost! I read it as well. Just way to much.
The Mazda 3 has a great lense/headlight already and an aftermarket kit works great.
Unfortunatley we do drive an economy car....maybe when I get my Porche or BMW I would expect true Xenon lighting

[jdanielsg]

Originally posted by SABIO


It\'s all great to want perfect lights.... but not at that cost! I read it as well. Just way to much.
The Mazda 3 has a great lense/headlight already and an aftermarket kit works great.
Unfortunatley we do drive an economy car....maybe when I get my Porche or BMW I would expect true Xenon lighting

true so wat kits should i get ?

[Devin98]

Shameless plug :P

http://torontomazda3.com/forum/read.php?TID=3295

I am local here in Toronto

[bluntman]

I can vouch for Devin98, I bought my lights from him (Xtec 5000K) last October or November. Installation was another matter, but go to Lockdown for that.

[jdanielsg]

ok so how do the kits compre with whats said on the tutorial about 4100K being the best and whats used the most and the leaking lights and stuff and what bulbs does it come with... one last thing..... how long do the bulbs last and how much r they to replace

thanks lots

[bluntman]

4000K (-ish) bulbs will throw the most usable light on the road, anything higher will look whiter, but throw less usable light.

[jdanielsg]

Originally posted by bluntman


4000K (-ish) bulbs will throw the most usable light on the road, anything higher will look whiter, but throw less usable light.
yeah thats what i read it glares all over the place. so is the 5000 ok ?

[cebo0650]

I would definitely recommend getting a set of OEM HID headlights or doing a retro with proper HID projectors. I had a kit installed for a while (H7 rebased Philips 5100K bulbs with DENSO ballasts) but was not very happy with the output and cutoff. Have a look for yourself.

H7 rebased Philips 5100K bulbs in halogen projectors. Crappy light pattern and lots of glare:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/paulcebo/small/CIMG0025.jpg

OEM HID headlights with OEM bulbs and ballasts. Nice wide and even beam with no glare:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/paulcebo/small/CIMG1075.jpg

Again, OEM HID headlights with OEM bulbs and ballasts. The car on the right is a Lexus RX330, and I was taking some pics to do a comparison. The OEM projector cutoff and color are very good, even when compared a much more expensive car such as the Lexus in this picture:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/paulcebo/small/CIMG1067.jpg

[jdanielsg]

Originally posted by cebo0650


I would definitely recommend getting a set of OEM HID headlights or doing a retro with proper HID projectors. I had a kit installed for a while (H7 rebased Philips 5100K bulbs with DENSO ballasts) but was not very happy with the output and cutoff. Have a look for yourself.

H7 rebased Philips 5100K bulbs in halogen projectors. Crappy light pattern and lots of glare:

OEM HID headlights with OEM bulbs and ballasts. Nice wide and even beam with no glare:


Again, OEM HID headlights with OEM bulbs and ballasts. The car on the right is a Lexus RX330, and I was taking some pics to do a comparison. The OEM projector cutoff and color are very good, even when compared a much more expensive car such as the Lexus in this picture:



thanks for the info. I am assuming you have a Mazda 3. When you say OEM HIDs what r u exactly refering to and where you get these headlights and HID projectors? And what parts are involved in this? Would appreciate more info. Thanks also can you take pictures of your modified headlights w/o the lights on ? lose up front view? Thanks

[cebo0650]

thanks for the info. I am assuming you have a Mazda 3. When you say OEM HIDs what r u exactly refering to and where you get these headlights and HID projectors? And what parts are involved in this? Would appreciate more info. Thanks also can you take pictures of your modified headlights w/o the lights on ? lose up front view? Thanks

Yes, I have a \'04 Mazda 3 GT hatchback. I\'m sure you know that in the US you can order HIDs as an option on the Mazda 3, so when I say OEM HIDs what I mean is the headlights, bulbs and ballasts that would come on a US Mazda 3 with the HID option.

I bought both the right and left headlights (complete with all bulbs and ballasts) from an auto wrecker (http://www.triplettasap.com) in the US. The Mazda 3 they come off had been hit in the back, but the front was not touched hence the headlights were in perfect condition. All that was needed once I got them in the mail all I had to do was to replace my halogen headlights with the HID ones. You need to take the bumper off, so it took about 1.5h.

The lights look exactly the same as the halogen ones form the outside, but they are quite different on the inside. Optically the HID projector is different (designed for a HID bulb) which is why it performs so much better then a halogen projector with a HID bulb in it.

I\'ll try to take some front pics tonight.

[Devin98]

The only problem with that is the huge price that goes along with it, I am assuming if you want to order/install OEM Xenon\'s it will be well over $2000? but that is the best solution, however if you do not want to spend that much then an aftermarket HID is for you, you will have a very sharp cut off using the stock Mazda3 Headlamps.

-Devin


Originally posted by cebo0650



thanks for the info. I am assuming you have a Mazda 3. When you say OEM HIDs what r u exactly refering to and where you get these headlights and HID projectors? And what parts are involved in this? Would appreciate more info. Thanks also can you take pictures of your modified headlights w/o the lights on ? lose up front view? Thanks

Yes, I have a \'04 Mazda 3 GT hatchback. I\'m sure you know that in the US you can order HIDs as an option on the Mazda 3, so when I say OEM HIDs what I mean is the headlights, bulbs and ballasts that would come on a US Mazda 3 with the HID option.

I bought both the right and left headlights (complete with all bulbs and ballasts) from an auto wrecker (http://www.triplettasap.com) in the US. The Mazda 3 they come off had been hit in the back, but the front was not touched hence the headlights were in perfect condition. All that was needed once I got them in the mail all I had to do was to replace my halogen headlights with the HID ones. You need to take the bumper off, so it took about 1.5h.

The lights look exactly the same as the halogen ones form the outside, but they are quite different on the inside. Optically the HID projector is different (designed for a HID bulb) which is why it performs so much better then a halogen projector with a HID bulb in it.

I\'ll try to take some front pics tonight.

[cebo0650]

I really have to disagree with the statement that you get a very sharp cutoff with a kit. I had a kit and although the cutoff was OK, it was no where near as good as with the proper HID projectors.
Yes, it would be way over $2000 US if you were to by the parts from a dealer in the US.
Here is what the costs are for the hatchback:

LEFT HEADLIGHT- $815.20
BN8G5104C

RIGHT HEADLIGHT- $815.20
BN8G5103C

HEADLIGHT MODULES-$462.05 EACH SIDE (Ballasts)
D391510H3

BULBS- $215.55 EACH
000011D2S

HEADLAMP ADJUSTER- $76.60 EACH SIDE
BN8R6612

I got everything you see above for around $1200, which is a good deal anyway you look at it.

[Devin98]

I will see if I can get a shot of my cut off tonight, there is no stay light at all. But you are right OEM will provide a better HID solution the only downside is the price

[majic]

The less expensive 5000K Prolumen bulbs/Xtec ballasts - circa $260-300USD.. no glare, sharp cutoff, excellent brightness (can\'t compare to your pix - different cameras and light settings and my garage door is creamy in colour)

http://xs37.xs.to/pics/05286/IMG_0910.jpg

and this is how they light up the road

http://xs37.xs.to/pics/05286/IMG_0926.jpg

for more.. look here (http://torontomazda3.com/forum/read.php?TID=2305#31011)

[SABIO]

I think cebo0650 got a bum kit. I haven\'t seen a poor cut-off like that before. All the HID kits i have seen look like Majics.

[Broli]

ditto

got my kit from devin, and the cut off is looks more like Majic\'s

[Scooter]

Edit - please delete post

[Kevin@nextmod]

Ok i\'m planning to buy and install a set of hids for my car during this winter. Some of my frds told me that the brand does not matter too much because they are mostly the same. And today one of the guy in my class said he wants to sell me his hids for $500 used for a year. They are hella\'s 6000k, is it worth it?

Also another question. Anyone with hids here have problem with it over heating? will it melt anything if it\'s too hot?

[Xenon]

$500 for a used HID kit seems pricey.

Brand new ones are cheaper or at the same price. No?

[FLIPDADY]

I think Hella kits go for that price new.

Get a kit from Devin Kevin.:p

[Maz3dom]

D

[cwp_sedan]

Try emailing him. He seems to respond quicker to that then VIA PM.

[Nextmod]

$500 for a used HID kit seems pricey.

Brand new ones are cheaper or at the same price. No?


Well I do have XX for $235 with warranty

and Prolumins with same day warranty usually for $300

[KenYork]

hide bump

[majic]

hide bump

huh? it's a sticky already.. no need to bump it..