plug and play hid kit questionaire (a noobs guide to pnp kits)
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plug and play hid kit questionaire (a noobs guide to pnp kits)
I know I know people say get a retrofit done and dont bother with plug and play HID kits...if your gonna say that dont bother posting here but if you have some useful information please provide your opinion if you have bought a kit before or have used/installed etc...
this will help people learn more about pnp kits if they dont know and dont wanna retrofit
1) have you purchased a plug and play HID kit before? if yes what brand and color temp? and what bulb size?
2) was it good? bad? explain
3) what brands do u think are the best
4) was the kit a true plug and play without any modifications required? if no what modifications did you have to do
5) was it hard to install?
6) did you have to do any warranty claims to get faulty products replaced?
7) if it broke was it your fault (ie: touching the bulb, not securing the balast, bad connection)?
8) if it was a faulty kit how many problems did you have with it?
9) how much did you pay? and is it cheaper or more expensive now?
10) lets say you have another car without hid's, would you get the kit for that one too?
11) of course anyone would recommend a retrofit but would you after the kit or just go back to halogen?
any other questions/comments can be left
this will help people learn more about pnp kits if they dont know and dont wanna retrofit
1) have you purchased a plug and play HID kit before? if yes what brand and color temp? and what bulb size?
2) was it good? bad? explain
3) what brands do u think are the best
4) was the kit a true plug and play without any modifications required? if no what modifications did you have to do
5) was it hard to install?
6) did you have to do any warranty claims to get faulty products replaced?
7) if it broke was it your fault (ie: touching the bulb, not securing the balast, bad connection)?
8) if it was a faulty kit how many problems did you have with it?
9) how much did you pay? and is it cheaper or more expensive now?
10) lets say you have another car without hid's, would you get the kit for that one too?
11) of course anyone would recommend a retrofit but would you after the kit or just go back to halogen?
any other questions/comments can be left
Last edited by ragingSPAM; Feb 11, 2006 at 12:45 PM.
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Rep Power: 317 1) have you purchased a plug and play HID kit before? if yes what brand and color temp? and what bulb size? YES, MCCOULGHS 8000K, AND 2 OTHER BRANDS I FORGOT BUT IT WAS JAPAN MADE AND BOTH WERE 8000K
2) was it good? bad? explain IT WAS BAD, MCCOULGHS(WATEVER U SPELL IT LIKE) FIRST THE BALLAST WENT OUT..THEN GOT THAT REPLACE(SPENT $125 ON BALLAST) AND THEN THE BULB WENT OUT AFTER 5 MONTHS. THE OTHERS IT LASTED ABOUT 7-9 MONTHS
3) what brands do u think are the best. OEM ALL THE WAY...I.E. HELLA OR PHILIPS OR BRANDS THAT COME OFF CARS THAT COME WIHT HID.
4) was the kit a true plug and play without any modifications required? if no what modifications did you have to do. THEY WERE ALL PLUG AND PLAY...I THINK ANY PLUG AND PLAY KITS ARE CRAPPY.
5) was it hard to install? EASY BUT NOT WORTH THE MONEY ON BUYING PLUG AND PLAY KITS UNLESS IT COMES WIHT OEM BALLAST
6) did you have to do any warranty claims to get faulty products replaced? NO CAUSE BY THE TIME I WAS IN NEED OF A CLAIM THE PEOPLE PACKED UP THERE SHIET AND LEFT. THIS WAS THE TIME WHERE THE NHTSA PEOPLE WERE CRACKING DOWN ON HID.
7) if it broke was it your fault (ie: touching the bulb, not securing the balast, bad connection)? DID NOT TOUCH ANTYING....I KNOW BETTER THAN THAT.
8) if it was a faulty kit how many problems did you have with it? 3 PROBLEMS ALL JUNK KITS
9) how much did you pay? and is it cheaper or more expensive now? I PAID ABOUT 8 BILLS FOR ALL KITS...WHERE I COULD OF DONE THEN WAS JUST USE ABOUT 5-7 BILLS AND GET A RETROFIT DONE WHICH IS LASTING LONGER THAN ANY OTHER PLUG AND PLAY HID KIT I HAD. SO GLAD I HAVE IT AND WORTH THE MONEY.
10) lets say you have another car without hid's, would you get the kit for that one too? YES I WOULD DO ANOTHER RETROFIT
11) of course anyone would recommend a retrofit but would you after the kit or just go back to halogen? SAY NO TO HALOGEN!
2) was it good? bad? explain IT WAS BAD, MCCOULGHS(WATEVER U SPELL IT LIKE) FIRST THE BALLAST WENT OUT..THEN GOT THAT REPLACE(SPENT $125 ON BALLAST) AND THEN THE BULB WENT OUT AFTER 5 MONTHS. THE OTHERS IT LASTED ABOUT 7-9 MONTHS
3) what brands do u think are the best. OEM ALL THE WAY...I.E. HELLA OR PHILIPS OR BRANDS THAT COME OFF CARS THAT COME WIHT HID.
4) was the kit a true plug and play without any modifications required? if no what modifications did you have to do. THEY WERE ALL PLUG AND PLAY...I THINK ANY PLUG AND PLAY KITS ARE CRAPPY.
5) was it hard to install? EASY BUT NOT WORTH THE MONEY ON BUYING PLUG AND PLAY KITS UNLESS IT COMES WIHT OEM BALLAST
6) did you have to do any warranty claims to get faulty products replaced? NO CAUSE BY THE TIME I WAS IN NEED OF A CLAIM THE PEOPLE PACKED UP THERE SHIET AND LEFT. THIS WAS THE TIME WHERE THE NHTSA PEOPLE WERE CRACKING DOWN ON HID.
7) if it broke was it your fault (ie: touching the bulb, not securing the balast, bad connection)? DID NOT TOUCH ANTYING....I KNOW BETTER THAN THAT.
8) if it was a faulty kit how many problems did you have with it? 3 PROBLEMS ALL JUNK KITS
9) how much did you pay? and is it cheaper or more expensive now? I PAID ABOUT 8 BILLS FOR ALL KITS...WHERE I COULD OF DONE THEN WAS JUST USE ABOUT 5-7 BILLS AND GET A RETROFIT DONE WHICH IS LASTING LONGER THAN ANY OTHER PLUG AND PLAY HID KIT I HAD. SO GLAD I HAVE IT AND WORTH THE MONEY.
10) lets say you have another car without hid's, would you get the kit for that one too? YES I WOULD DO ANOTHER RETROFIT
11) of course anyone would recommend a retrofit but would you after the kit or just go back to halogen? SAY NO TO HALOGEN!
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Rep Power: 0 I installed my HID kit last week. 05 Civic Special Edition (DX) Sedan
1) have you purchased a plug and play HID kit before? if yes what brand and color temp? and what bulb size?
Yes,kit from Xenon Depot, Philips Gen 4 Slim Ballasts and ignitors, 4300K, 9006
2) was it good? bad? explain
I love it, so far no problems.
3) what brands do u think are the best
I would always stick with OEM ballasts.
4) was the kit a true plug and play without any modifications required? if no what modifications did you have to do
Complete plug and play, no modifications.
5) was it hard to install?
Install took about an hour. The most difficult part was deciding where to put the ballasts and ignitors. The wiring harness wires are quite long so you have to figure out where to put all the extra as well.
6) did you have to do any warranty claims to get faulty products replaced?
Not yet
7) if it broke was it your fault (ie: touching the bulb, not securing the balast, bad connection)?
8) if it was a faulty kit how many problems did you have with it?
9) how much did you pay? and is it cheaper or more expensive now?
$399. Its probably still the same cause I only got it last week
10) lets say you have another car without hid's, would you get the kit for that one too?
Definatly
11) of course anyone would recommend a retrofit but would you after the kit or just go back to halogen
I wouldnt go back to halogen, the improvement in lighting was too great.
I may still do a retrofit, but not for a while. Because the 05 has seperate bulbs for high and low beams I dont get very much glare. I also lowered my lights a bit to help combat the glare.
1) have you purchased a plug and play HID kit before? if yes what brand and color temp? and what bulb size?
Yes,kit from Xenon Depot, Philips Gen 4 Slim Ballasts and ignitors, 4300K, 9006
2) was it good? bad? explain
I love it, so far no problems.
3) what brands do u think are the best
I would always stick with OEM ballasts.
4) was the kit a true plug and play without any modifications required? if no what modifications did you have to do
Complete plug and play, no modifications.
5) was it hard to install?
Install took about an hour. The most difficult part was deciding where to put the ballasts and ignitors. The wiring harness wires are quite long so you have to figure out where to put all the extra as well.
6) did you have to do any warranty claims to get faulty products replaced?
Not yet
7) if it broke was it your fault (ie: touching the bulb, not securing the balast, bad connection)?
8) if it was a faulty kit how many problems did you have with it?
9) how much did you pay? and is it cheaper or more expensive now?
$399. Its probably still the same cause I only got it last week
10) lets say you have another car without hid's, would you get the kit for that one too?
Definatly
11) of course anyone would recommend a retrofit but would you after the kit or just go back to halogen
I wouldnt go back to halogen, the improvement in lighting was too great.
I may still do a retrofit, but not for a while. Because the 05 has seperate bulbs for high and low beams I dont get very much glare. I also lowered my lights a bit to help combat the glare.
1) have you purchased a plug and play HID kit before? if yes what brand and color temp? and what bulb size?
Brand: Xtec
Color Temp: 5000k
Bulb Size: 9006
2) was it good? bad? explain
Both -- The light output I got with this kit was really good compared to halogen. I could still see a cutoff line but there was still some glare. In the rain though, the glare was horrible... I could see spots of light going on trees and walls, etc... i dont know if this still happens with a retrofit.
3) what brands do u think are the best
I've only tried the Xtec kit.
4) was the kit a true plug and play without any modifications required? if no what modifications did you have to do
It's a true plug and play kit but I removed my bumper to mount my ballasts behind it to hide them for a cleaner look under the hood.
5) was it hard to install?
Not at all... would take me less than 10 minutes if I had decided not to put my ballasts behind the bumper.
6) did you have to do any warranty claims to get faulty products replaced?
Yup.. 1 year warranty.
7) if it broke was it your fault (ie: touching the bulb, not securing the balast, bad connection)?
One of my ballasts and bulbs burned out on one side but I got it replaced with a brand new one for free under warranty.
8) if it was a faulty kit how many problems did you have with it?
Just that one burn out... after that, it lasted more than half a year before I sold them.
9) how much did you pay? and is it cheaper or more expensive now?
I paid about $290 shipped from Impulse's group buy from a while ago. I dont know how much this brand costs now but other kits are around the same price.
10) lets say you have another car without hid's, would you get the kit for that one too?
I'd probably stick with halogen or do a retrofit because I know how annoying the glare can be to oncoming drivers.
11) of course anyone would recommend a retrofit but would you after the kit or just go back to halogen?
I would do a retrofit if I had the time for it because I like the sharp cutoff and color spectrum in the cutoff line. Looks real classy
Pics of when the kit was first installed:
Brand: Xtec
Color Temp: 5000k
Bulb Size: 9006
2) was it good? bad? explain
Both -- The light output I got with this kit was really good compared to halogen. I could still see a cutoff line but there was still some glare. In the rain though, the glare was horrible... I could see spots of light going on trees and walls, etc... i dont know if this still happens with a retrofit.
3) what brands do u think are the best
I've only tried the Xtec kit.
4) was the kit a true plug and play without any modifications required? if no what modifications did you have to do
It's a true plug and play kit but I removed my bumper to mount my ballasts behind it to hide them for a cleaner look under the hood.
5) was it hard to install?
Not at all... would take me less than 10 minutes if I had decided not to put my ballasts behind the bumper.
6) did you have to do any warranty claims to get faulty products replaced?
Yup.. 1 year warranty.
7) if it broke was it your fault (ie: touching the bulb, not securing the balast, bad connection)?
One of my ballasts and bulbs burned out on one side but I got it replaced with a brand new one for free under warranty.
8) if it was a faulty kit how many problems did you have with it?
Just that one burn out... after that, it lasted more than half a year before I sold them.
9) how much did you pay? and is it cheaper or more expensive now?
I paid about $290 shipped from Impulse's group buy from a while ago. I dont know how much this brand costs now but other kits are around the same price.
10) lets say you have another car without hid's, would you get the kit for that one too?
I'd probably stick with halogen or do a retrofit because I know how annoying the glare can be to oncoming drivers.
11) of course anyone would recommend a retrofit but would you after the kit or just go back to halogen?
I would do a retrofit if I had the time for it because I like the sharp cutoff and color spectrum in the cutoff line. Looks real classy
Pics of when the kit was first installed:
Second Place is the First Loser
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Originally Posted by herroherror
2) was it good? bad? explain
Both -- The light output I got with this kit was really good compared to halogen. I could still see a cutoff line but there was still some glare. In the rain though, the glare was horrible... I could see spots of light going on trees and walls, etc... i dont know if this still happens with a retrofit.
[/B]
Both -- The light output I got with this kit was really good compared to halogen. I could still see a cutoff line but there was still some glare. In the rain though, the glare was horrible... I could see spots of light going on trees and walls, etc... i dont know if this still happens with a retrofit.
[/B]
1) have you purchased a plug and play HID kit before? if yes what brand and color temp? and what bulb size?
Mcculloch
8000k
9006
2) was it good? bad? explain
So far, I love them. No problems whatsoever. Ive had them for well over 6 months now.
3) what brands do u think are the best
Not sure, only had these. Im sure OEM is up there.
4) was the kit a true plug and play without any modifications required? if no what modifications did you have to do
Plug and Play...no modifications.
5) was it hard to install?
Definitely not. About 20 mins.
6) did you have to do any warranty claims to get faulty products replaced?
Nope.
7) if it broke was it your fault (ie: touching the bulb, not securing the balast, bad connection)?
8) if it was a faulty kit how many problems did you have with it?
9) how much did you pay? and is it cheaper or more expensive now?
I payed 280. still the same price.
10) lets say you have another car without hid's, would you get the kit for that one too?
definitely....no more halogen for me.
11) of course anyone would recommend a retrofit but would you after the kit or just go back to halogen?
probably do a retrofit. or just stick to plug and play.
HID>halogen.
Mcculloch
8000k
9006
2) was it good? bad? explain
So far, I love them. No problems whatsoever. Ive had them for well over 6 months now.
3) what brands do u think are the best
Not sure, only had these. Im sure OEM is up there.
4) was the kit a true plug and play without any modifications required? if no what modifications did you have to do
Plug and Play...no modifications.
5) was it hard to install?
Definitely not. About 20 mins.
6) did you have to do any warranty claims to get faulty products replaced?
Nope.
7) if it broke was it your fault (ie: touching the bulb, not securing the balast, bad connection)?
8) if it was a faulty kit how many problems did you have with it?
9) how much did you pay? and is it cheaper or more expensive now?
I payed 280. still the same price.
10) lets say you have another car without hid's, would you get the kit for that one too?
definitely....no more halogen for me.
11) of course anyone would recommend a retrofit but would you after the kit or just go back to halogen?
probably do a retrofit. or just stick to plug and play.
HID>halogen.
1) have you purchased a plug and play HID kit before? if yes what brand and color temp? and what bulb size?
Brand: Xtec
Color Temp: 6000k
Bulb Size: 9006
2) was it good? bad? explain
It's great, I can see much better. I drive a lot at night and I found that I am not as tired when driving. I think the white light of the HID doesn't get me tired, like the yellow light of the halogens. Little glare, about same amount as halogens.
3) what brands do u think are the best
OEM
4) was the kit a true plug and play without any modifications required? if no what modifications did you have to do
True plug ad play, all the connectors plugged right in
5) was it hard to install?
Not at all, The hardest part was finding a place to put the ballast. I put them under the lip where the hood and the fender meets. Can't see the ballast and protected.
6) did you have to do any warranty claims to get faulty products replaced?
Nope
7) if it broke was it your fault (ie: touching the bulb, not securing the balast, bad connection)?
8) if it was a faulty kit how many problems did you have with it?
9) how much did you pay? and is it cheaper or more expensive now?
I payed about 150. The guy need them gone and needed the cash. So i got a good deal.
10) lets say you have another car without hid's, would you get the kit for that one too?
Yea, when a drive a car with halogens I feel that I can't see the road well and I have to get used to the halogens
11) of course anyone would recommend a retrofit but would you after the kit or just go back to halogen?
If I had the time and money Retrofit, but I would stick with a HID Kit. No more halogen for me
Pictures comming soon......
Brand: Xtec
Color Temp: 6000k
Bulb Size: 9006
2) was it good? bad? explain
It's great, I can see much better. I drive a lot at night and I found that I am not as tired when driving. I think the white light of the HID doesn't get me tired, like the yellow light of the halogens. Little glare, about same amount as halogens.
3) what brands do u think are the best
OEM
4) was the kit a true plug and play without any modifications required? if no what modifications did you have to do
True plug ad play, all the connectors plugged right in
5) was it hard to install?
Not at all, The hardest part was finding a place to put the ballast. I put them under the lip where the hood and the fender meets. Can't see the ballast and protected.
6) did you have to do any warranty claims to get faulty products replaced?
Nope
7) if it broke was it your fault (ie: touching the bulb, not securing the balast, bad connection)?
8) if it was a faulty kit how many problems did you have with it?
9) how much did you pay? and is it cheaper or more expensive now?
I payed about 150. The guy need them gone and needed the cash. So i got a good deal.
10) lets say you have another car without hid's, would you get the kit for that one too?
Yea, when a drive a car with halogens I feel that I can't see the road well and I have to get used to the halogens
11) of course anyone would recommend a retrofit but would you after the kit or just go back to halogen?
If I had the time and money Retrofit, but I would stick with a HID Kit. No more halogen for me
Pictures comming soon......
Last edited by italy273; Mar 1, 2006 at 09:53 AM.
1) have you purchased a plug and play HID kit before? if yes what brand and color temp? and what bulb size?
-yes, mcculloch 6000k, h4, came with built in glare shield.
2) was it good? bad? explain
-the results were bad because i put them in reflector housings whereas this kit was meant for projectors. the HID kit itself was quality but my results were just bad.
3) what brands do u think are the best
i only owned one but i heard of phillips, xenon depot, mcculloch, orasm, catz all being good.
4) was the kit a true plug and play without any modifications required? if no what modifications did you have to do
no mods needed on an em2
5) was it hard to install?
not at all, just needed to mount the ballast somewhere and zip tie the loose wires.
6) did you have to do any warranty claims to get faulty products replaced?
i bought mine from a private seller, so no.
7) if it broke was it your fault (ie: touching the bulb, not securing the balast, bad connection)?
nothing *knocks on wood*
8) if it was a faulty kit how many problems did you have with it?
n/a
10) lets say you have another car without hid's, would you get the kit for that one too?
no, i would definately consider projectors at some point.
11) of course anyone would recommend a retrofit but would you after the kit or just go back to halogen?
with all the glare i got, i would not recommend pnp kits. if you already got one like me, then might as well keep it on and aim the lights lower. if not bought yet, then stick with halogens for reflector housings. (search for my "HIDs gone bad" thread)
-yes, mcculloch 6000k, h4, came with built in glare shield.
2) was it good? bad? explain
-the results were bad because i put them in reflector housings whereas this kit was meant for projectors. the HID kit itself was quality but my results were just bad.
3) what brands do u think are the best
i only owned one but i heard of phillips, xenon depot, mcculloch, orasm, catz all being good.
4) was the kit a true plug and play without any modifications required? if no what modifications did you have to do
no mods needed on an em2
5) was it hard to install?
not at all, just needed to mount the ballast somewhere and zip tie the loose wires.
6) did you have to do any warranty claims to get faulty products replaced?
i bought mine from a private seller, so no.
7) if it broke was it your fault (ie: touching the bulb, not securing the balast, bad connection)?
nothing *knocks on wood*
8) if it was a faulty kit how many problems did you have with it?
n/a
10) lets say you have another car without hid's, would you get the kit for that one too?
no, i would definately consider projectors at some point.
11) of course anyone would recommend a retrofit but would you after the kit or just go back to halogen?
with all the glare i got, i would not recommend pnp kits. if you already got one like me, then might as well keep it on and aim the lights lower. if not bought yet, then stick with halogens for reflector housings. (search for my "HIDs gone bad" thread)
I wil fix vBPlaza today
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Registered!!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,055
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From: New York
Rep Power: 283 Re: plug and play hid kit questionaire (a noobs guide to pnp kits)
Listen guys I don't mean to bring this thread back from the dead its just that I've been doing research lately on HID kits, I would like to see more people post up what type of HID kits and their experience with them. I plan on ordering them soon just need a little bit more information. Thanks!
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Rep Power: 812 Re: plug and play hid kit questionaire (a noobs guide to pnp kits)
quality kits are pretty much gone since they banned their sales. just about every kit out there is the same thing coming from overseas in a different package, so get whatever is cheaper. if you want something that lasts, go with any d2s oem ballast set, any oem d2s bulbs, and the H4 to D2S adapters if you have 01-03 civic
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