Any negatives to HID?
Im reaaaallllyyyyy considering about getting rid of my projectors, slapping on my cleared OEM headlights, and putting on a 6000k hi/lo hid kit. I might be getting them on my next check, depending on if i still want'em or not. Anyway, just wondering, any of you guys that have HID's, any downsides to them? Or were they def worth the money? Plus, theres someone I know selling them brand new, in box, and warrantied (sp?) for around 325 for a hi/lo kit, thats a good price right? Let me know fellas.
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 0
From: 20916, CA
Rep Power: 304 



i was about to go with a kit and use them in my stock housing...but then i read around on www.hidforum.com and that persuaded me to go with a retro
Registered!!
iTrader: (20)
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,111
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland, OH
Rep Power: 329 




bulbs won't blow unless they get water on them really. if installed properly they'll last a loooooong time.
some people get pissed that you have bright lights and flash you their highs. aimming them can be important.
that whole illegal thing.
hiding all the crud in your engine bay.
i wouldn't be persuaded to go retrofit based on what i read on a HID forum alone. if i go to an audio forum, they'll tell me to buy components because they can't imagine those crummy 3-ways. suspension people will say go with coilovers. etc, etc, etc. sure retrofit will be the best, but consider how in depth you want to get too.
some people get pissed that you have bright lights and flash you their highs. aimming them can be important.
that whole illegal thing.
hiding all the crud in your engine bay.
i wouldn't be persuaded to go retrofit based on what i read on a HID forum alone. if i go to an audio forum, they'll tell me to buy components because they can't imagine those crummy 3-ways. suspension people will say go with coilovers. etc, etc, etc. sure retrofit will be the best, but consider how in depth you want to get too.
Banned
iTrader: (32)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,407
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
Rep Power: 0 










Aftermarket Negatives:
1) Glare
2) Color (5000k, 6000k, 8000k, 10000k)
3) If Above 4300k, the light output will be dimmer
4) Illegal
5) Expensive - Bulbs
6) Hard to find good quality kits
7) If not Hi/Low Kit, you will have no Hi-Beams
8) Should wait 30-60 seconds before turning lights back on
Aftermarket Positives:
1) Brighter than halogen
2) More color to the headlight (but, the more color the dimmer the light-output)
OEM Negatives:
1) Sharp Cut off - On a dark road, Hi-Beams can be a must
2) Should wait 30-60 seconds before turning lights back on
OEM Positives:
1) Everything That aftermarket provides and more
1) Glare
2) Color (5000k, 6000k, 8000k, 10000k)
3) If Above 4300k, the light output will be dimmer
4) Illegal
5) Expensive - Bulbs
6) Hard to find good quality kits
7) If not Hi/Low Kit, you will have no Hi-Beams
8) Should wait 30-60 seconds before turning lights back on
Aftermarket Positives:
1) Brighter than halogen
2) More color to the headlight (but, the more color the dimmer the light-output)
OEM Negatives:
1) Sharp Cut off - On a dark road, Hi-Beams can be a must
2) Should wait 30-60 seconds before turning lights back on
OEM Positives:
1) Everything That aftermarket provides and more
Banned
iTrader: (32)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,407
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
Rep Power: 0 










Originally Posted by JayFReaZy
wouldnt glare problems be fixed if you had a glare shield on your bulbs?
Every kit is different. Registered!!
iTrader: (20)
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,111
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland, OH
Rep Power: 329 




when you turn lights off, you should wait before turning them back on. stressful on the components. flashing lights to warn of cops could kill your lights 
i finally saw some aftermarket HID's on an older accord last night and jeez that blue color says pull me over. they had to be 8000k, so friggin blue it looked bad IMO

i finally saw some aftermarket HID's on an older accord last night and jeez that blue color says pull me over. they had to be 8000k, so friggin blue it looked bad IMO
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 0
From: 20916, CA
Rep Power: 304 



you can't flip them on and off rapidly (because it starts up blue and then warms up to white)...i did that a couple times to my dad's car just to see it change colors
...haha
i read about someone flipping their HIDs on and off and then it put out a red light on the road, but then changed back to normal after a few seconds
...hahai read about someone flipping their HIDs on and off and then it put out a red light on the road, but then changed back to normal after a few seconds
Yes, it's an Acura EL
iTrader: (23)
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 8,248
Likes: 0
From: 416-905, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 368 






What he's saying is if you turn off your headlights for any reason, you should wait at least a minute before turning them back on. Otherwise you're shortening the bulb life. There are even stories of people blowing bulbs like this, but I've never seen evidence of it.
I've got Brightstar H4 6500K's (hi/o) in my ride right now, and I love the output. Not the BEST brand out there, but they have a better rep and track record than McCullochs. Still have to aim them, which is a bizznotch, but they're fantastic. I got them for less than $400 Canadian, which is the only reason I jumped on the deal.
I've got Brightstar H4 6500K's (hi/o) in my ride right now, and I love the output. Not the BEST brand out there, but they have a better rep and track record than McCullochs. Still have to aim them, which is a bizznotch, but they're fantastic. I got them for less than $400 Canadian, which is the only reason I jumped on the deal.
Originally Posted by TeLLy
What he's saying is if you turn off your headlights for any reason, you should wait at least a minute before turning them back on. Otherwise you're shortening the bulb life. There are even stories of people blowing bulbs like this, but I've never seen evidence of it.
I've got Brightstar H4 6500K's (hi/o) in my ride right now, and I love the output. Not the BEST brand out there, but they have a better rep and track record than McCullochs. Still have to aim them, which is a bizznotch, but they're fantastic. I got them for less than $400 Canadian, which is the only reason I jumped on the deal.
I've got Brightstar H4 6500K's (hi/o) in my ride right now, and I love the output. Not the BEST brand out there, but they have a better rep and track record than McCullochs. Still have to aim them, which is a bizznotch, but they're fantastic. I got them for less than $400 Canadian, which is the only reason I jumped on the deal.
Banned
iTrader: (32)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,407
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
Rep Power: 0 










Originally Posted by gh0st
i read about someone flipping their HIDs on and off and then it put out a red light on the road, but then changed back to normal after a few seconds
Sometimes If you leave the lights on too long they will get really hot, really hot... lol.
Idk... I was just driving and I think i hit a bump then all of a sudden looked like hell took over the road. I turned them off waited, and turned em back on, when i got to the light everyone was staring at me like "wtf?"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,773
Likes: 0
From: IL
Rep Power: 320 
I've seen an RSX-S w/ purple HIDs, made the whole road purple, looked kinda cool from inside my car, but then again I wouldn't wanna drive with everything in front of me being purple, plus it's an easy ticket, I'm happy with getting my Silverstars, good enough for me. Even tho I know HID would be MUCH better.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 812 










No cons from me, although impulse covered most of them. Make sure the kit is good, bulbs are aimed, light output is 4-5k, and use common sense. No turning on/off quickly, and you'll be good. Oh and get a high quality kit. Cops won't pull you over unless they're blue or not aimed.
Originally Posted by gearbox
No cons from me, although impulse covered most of them. Make sure the kit is good, bulbs are aimed, light output is 4-5k, and use common sense. No turning on/off quickly, and you'll be good. Oh and get a high quality kit. Cops won't pull you over unless they're blue or not aimed.
Registered!!
iTrader: (13)
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,176
Likes: 3
From: Miami (Pembroke Pines), Florida
Rep Power: 453 






Originally Posted by TeLLy
If you read up on HIDforums, they seem to have a rep for dying prematurely.
Banned
iTrader: (32)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,407
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
Rep Power: 0 










Originally Posted by vietfob714
I think a big negative is... once u get em... you cant live without them. Every car you drive will have to have HIDs or you cant see the road. Just my opinion.
Seriously, I cant get into a car at night that doesnt have HIDs, I just cannot see ****, and i will non-stop complain
Second Place is the First Loser
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,469
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas, US
Rep Power: 343 


Originally Posted by gearbox
It might be, but I've never seen em. Most likely they will be a little blue like some bmw I've noticed.
But those are some nice Projectors on the BMW's
Registered!!
iTrader: (13)
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,176
Likes: 3
From: Miami (Pembroke Pines), Florida
Rep Power: 453 






Originally Posted by Hefe
6K is the highest you wanna go. And no they aren't blue. They are a purple/white color...
But those are some nice Projectors on the BMW's
But those are some nice Projectors on the BMW's
I F(uck Sheep Naked With My Rubber Boots And _Viper_ At My Side
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: H-Town, Texas
Rep Power: 0 
I got my 6000k Xtec HID lights just now for $325 shipped. I should be gettin em in the mail in less than a week and i will post pics of before and after.
Originally Posted by duffy2004
I got my 6000k Xtec HID lights just now for $325 shipped. I should be gettin em in the mail in less than a week and i will post pics of before and after.
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 0
From: 20916, CA
Rep Power: 304 



Originally Posted by Pn0ybOiLiKehOy
hrm...how much does an HID kit go for?? i am interested now =). and also on our cars i dont think u can adjust the aim on the the headlights
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 812 










Yeah coupes have up/down adjustments, and sedans have up/down AND left/right. There is just a cover around the sedan left/right adjustment so you don't play with it. Supposed to be set from the factory.


