Cheap HID kits.

[atomic punk]

I know that not all HID kits are created equal.

That being said, would any/every cheap HID kit beat a halogen or HIR pair of bulbs? I'm asking because I need to replace 1 HIR bulb right now, but I would buy a pair HERE . That's $60 with no warranty.

Now look at THIS HID KIT
with a 2 year warranty for only $40+shipping more than I'd pay for the HIR pair.

Thoughts?

 

[T?@\7]

sounds no good to me, its not even a reputable company like xenondepot or whoever....

too cheap is too good to be true.

 

[atomic punk]

Is it though???

I just paid $30 for a supposed high-quality Toshiba HIR bulb that lasted 1 year. Same thing for all of the Silverstars for which I probably paid over $100 total since I bought my 05 4R.

Now if a $100 HID kit lasts a couple of years...

?

 

[simple]

Google-fu

http://mustangforums.com/m_4584415/tm.htm

Seems like at least one happy buyer. Not sure if I'd take the plunge though.

 

[banker1]

Are you planning on retrofitting a pair of HID projectors in with the HID install?

I wouldn't spend the money on HID's unless you're going to do it correctly (or at minimum have halogen projectors). Those cheap kits usually don't last long and are a big no no in a halogen reflector housing. You'll end up blinding oncoming traffic and having little usable light since the housings aren't created for those lights.

Go here for more info www.hidplanet.com, click on forums to the right and readup before putting others and yourself in danger.

I thought about a plug and play kit, after read a lot about HID's and speaking to people who retro fit I decided against it until I can do it correctly.

Here is another website which will retrofit for you www.retro-solutions.com.

 

[Even Steven]

Take it from me (because I've already been down this road) when I say that you will probably NOT be happy with a simple HID conversion. The HID capsules do not focus their light output in the same spot as a halogen bulb, so the headlight housing reflectors will not put the light where it should be....and you'll end up with less useful light on the road.

You will have a nice bluish tint to you headlights though.... but I'd rather had good lighting for driving down those lonely, dark roads.

 

[josh220]

It's not just a matter of if it will last over 1 year like you stated. You have to consider all of the other risks from those cheaper kits, such as they can fry your harness, mess up your electrical components, etc.

 

[AlphaQup]

Since you have the 05 reflector housings, I wouldn't suggest any HID kit at all. Stick to Halogens till you decide you want to invest in a real HID retrofit, or another alternative route is to convert to 06 projectors mated with a quality HID kit. But then this route would probably end up more expensive for you since the OEM projector housings probably cost an arm n leg. This discussion is a dead horse btw.

 

[atomic punk]

Since you have the 05 reflector housings, I wouldn't suggest any HID kit at all. Stick to Halogens till you decide you want to invest in a real HID retrofit, or another alternative route is to convert to 06 projectors mated with a quality HID kit. But then this route would probably end up more expensive for you since the OEM projector housings probably cost an arm n leg. This discussion is a dead horse btw.

True, what you just stated is a dead horse. It also didn't directly address my question.

1) Some folks in here with pre-06 models have successfully installed HIDs in their reflector housings with good results - not blinding drivers while getting good light output.

2) The HIRs that I have also are a different bulb shape and the filament is in a different position than the OEM halogens - thereby giving a different light pattern just like the HID bulbs would do, so I'm not concerned about that or blinding oncoming drivers (see 1)

Good point Josh220... it might be a strain on the OEM harness - I'd have to find out if the cheap kit gets its power straight from the battery (doubt it though).

Thanks for the responses....I guess noone in here would risk at least trying the HIDs for only $40 more than the HIRs... I'm still on the fence. I don't have hundreds to spend right now.

 

[Even Steven]

2) The HIRs that I have also are a different bulb shape and the filament is in a different position than the OEM halogens - thereby giving a different light pattern just like the HID bulbs would do, so I'm not concerned about that or blinding oncoming drivers (see 1)

I have HIRs and they are EXACTLY the same as the OEM bulbs in terms of size, shape, and filament location. The light output off the reflector housings is in exactly the same point. Have you ever compared your HIRs side-by-side with the OEM bulbs? If yours are different, you might have gotten the wrong bulbs.

 

[magnumfan]

Silver Bullet SE

Dude, I would suggest you buy a Valentine 1 Radar Detector (over buying a HID kit) if you are calling your T4R a bullet!

I have HIRs in my 06, I love them, I have factory standard HID in my 06 SAAB 93

HID is clearly better, but at the price? wow. Having said that, I love the HIRs in my T4R

Joe

 

[atomic punk]

Valentine?! Maybe I call it the Silver Bullet because it VIBRATES so much....????!!!!!

The Toshiba HIRs are definately shaped differently. And in my aftermarket housing from Burtman, the beam pattern is noticeably different. That post is a dead horse, from about 3 years ago.

My SS's lasted only 9-12 months, and this one 12 mon, so I'm ready to try something new, even though I do love the light output of the HIRs.

Maybe some 100w 7" round IPF offroad lights, I dunno...

 

[magnumfan]

Valentine 1

Valentine?! Maybe I call it the Silver Bullet because it VIBRATES so much....????!!!!!

The Toshiba HIRs are definately shaped differently. And in my aftermarket housing from Burtman, the beam pattern is noticeably different. That post is a dead horse, from about 3 years ago.

My SS's lasted only 9-12 months, and this one 12 mon, so I'm ready to try something new, even though I do love the light output of the HIRs.

Maybe some 100w 7" round IPF offroad lights, I dunno...

Is a high end radar detector. I thought you meant you speed all the time - with the line about Silver Bullet.

sorry I mis understood

j

 

[Even Steven]

The Toshiba HIRs are definately shaped differently. And in my aftermarket housing from Burtman, the beam pattern is noticeably different. That post is a dead horse, from about 3 years ago.

...

Yes, there is a very slight bulge in glass portion of the bulb, but the orientation and position of the filament is exactly the same, which means that the light hits the reflector at exactly the same place. That's what I meant when I said they were exactly the same. It's not the glass that matters....it's where the filament is located.

If you compare an HID capsule and the stock halogen bulbs (or even the HIR bulbs, for that matter), you'll see that they are much different. That's the reason why HIDs don't work well with reflector lens housings. This is nothing ground breaking or new that I'm talking about.... everyone pretty much understand this simple concept, but some guys choose to put HIDs in their reflector lens housings anyway. I tried it and the light output was much worse than with the OEM bulbs, due to the HID capsule not being in the right position for the reflector.

But do what you want, it's your vehicle and your choice. You'll probably end up blinding people with your scattered light pattern and you'll end up with less useful light, but hey, what the hell, right? LOL:bash:

 

[atomic punk]

Re: Valentine 1

Is a high end radar detector. I thought you meant you speed all the time - with the line about Silver Bullet.

sorry I mis understood

j

Nah, you didn't misunderstand.... just a joke.... I'm familiar with the V1.

"I tried it and the light output was much worse than with the OEM bulbs,"

I guess it depends on what bulb brand you get. The reason I brought it up was because I remembered reading previous posts that favored the use of HIDs over OEM bulbs in reflector housings. Now, I know there are opinions to the contrary like yours is also, but that doesn't mean they're ALL bad.

Just some examples ...
HERE

AND HERE

BTW.... I have the Burtman blacked out housings...

HERE