Xenon Depot HID kit is here
- Thread starter philsey
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Install should be fairly straightforward on most cars. I've installed HID kits on several vehicles. Are you going to be retro-fitting projectors too? Reason I ask is because you're gonna blind other drivers if you don't. It gets kinda messy to fit projectors into the halogen housings, but it can be done (and really should be done if you're going to go with HID....especially in a vehicle that sits high).
4Funnr
New member
I was disappointed too see TMC move away from projectors with this model because at least an aftermarket HID kit wasn't too blinding when installed into TMC projectors. With the reflectors, you really need to replace the internal light housings now, which makes things a royal PITA.
Would it be safe to say that if you were going to install HID's, that the TE edition headlamps with the black out housings would be the best choice over the SR5 and Limited headlamps.
Shouldn't the black housing cut down on the glare? Still not recommended, but a little less glare.
Shouldn't the black housing cut down on the glare? Still not recommended, but a little less glare.
4Funnr
New member
My guess would be that the blackout part of the TE lights don't interfere with the beam pattern of the reflectors at all and so there wouldn't be much benefit to using TE lights with an aftermarket HID kit.
The problem is the reflector on the bulb housing itself and not the rest of the headlight assembly.
Reflectors with aftermarket HIDs are dangerous for other drivers, are a magnet for very expensive tickets in most states, and actually give you a less effective beam pattern than doing it right and using a custom xenon projector lens retrofitted into the headlight housing. Even with a proper projector HID retrofit, they are still technically illegal and can receive an expensive ticket, but the beam is less likely to get noticed by 5-ohs because it isn't blinding oncoming traffic and police officers.
Putting HID bulbs in a reflector not designed for those bulbs is dangerous to oncoming traffic. If you want HID, then please do it the proper way or not at all.
That is a horrible and dangerous attitude. I have "a truck" and also sports cars. I get alot of irrisposible truck owners with their lights in my eyes and it makes me want to run them into a ditch. What if everyone driving towards you had their brights on?
This is what is being put out by HID in reflectors...
Here is a proper projector HID cutoff...
I love HIDs. I have 6 35w on the front of my 200.
Personally I like reflectors much more than projectors. If other drivers have a problem with them, then buy a truck!
Also, stick with Philips bulbs in those kits. 4700K is perfect
That is a horrible and dangerous attitude. I have "a truck" and also sports cars. I get alot of irrisposible truck owners with their lights in my eyes and it makes me want to run them into a ditch. What if everyone driving towards you had their brights on?
This is what is being put out by HID in reflectors...
Here is a proper projector HID cutoff...
kingpin748
New member
Regardless of the safety issues the projectors just work better. Whats the point of spraying that light all over the place? If you want blue lights just a different bulb. If you want a better set of headlights do it right and get projectors.
T4Fun
Banned
you'll see...
anyway, i will put them up for sale here as soon as swap is made. each side goes for retail $249.19
This a much safer and more mature way of thinking. Not sure what kind of car those HIDs are in but mine look nothing like that. I've had my HIDs in my '99 4Runner for a little over 4 months and have had no problems what so ever. There is NO need to do a retrofit just to have them. I agree the cut off looks better, but unless you have some old, cracked, wore out glass, you won't have a problem. Here is what mine looks like:
(35w 4300K Hi/Low DDM Tuning)
JBHorne
New member
Why can you not put HIDs in reflectors? Of course you can...
First of all, I have many vehicles with HIDs, some projectors some reflectors. Projectors suck offroading. I run my 200 with 6 HIDs, 2 low-beams, 2 high-beams, and 2 lightforce blitz 240's. When driving fast offroad at night, being able to illuminate the entire area is for safety. Projectors could not do this. Keep in mind HID retrofit kits are not DOT approved and are thus for offroad use only.
I have an RX330 and an SRX with projector HIDs and when in a sports car is in front of them, the lights are still blinding. Yes, they are adjusted properly.
My 200's low-beams are much higher so I have them adjusted very low. There is enough overflow light to see distances and no they are not blinding to other drivers.
No mater whether you have HID projectors or reflectors, you will still blind a low sports car.
My decision to use the factory reflectors on my 200 was not based on cost -- it was a performance decision. Look at rally cars -- they all use HIDs and not a single projector setup.
Oh, and as for temperature. Anything above 6000K is stupid. Why in the hell would you want purple headlights with diminished lumen output? Also, s of use.anything below 4000K looks stupid too. The perfect bulb is the 4700K Philips. They warm up to around to a measured 5200K after about 50-100 hour.
T4Fun
Banned
lets not get into spat here. sports cars sit lower to ground, of course you blind them, hid or non hid...thats the sports car issue.
so would you put a 100 watt bulb into a 15 watt socket? there are reflectors for hids, and reflectors for halogens. do what you want. they are illegal in most states and any shop that lets your car pass without proper set up for hid should be put outta business imho...here in pa, they are strict about that
as far as offroading goes, isnt that why they have specific lights for offroad purpose other than using your main headlight?
The issue is not can you install HID in reflectors, it is should you and the asnwer is no. By the way, replacing halogen bulbs with HID bulbs is also illegal. If we are both going to be illegal, at least I will do it responsibly.
At the OEM where I work, we use halogens in reflectors and projectors, and we use HID in reflectors and projectors. The lights that are intended as flood lights are used with reflectors. The lights that are used for on-road use and spot lights are projectors. There is a marked improvement migrating our reflectors to projectors (for road and spot lights).
If you want reflector flood lights for off roading, thats fine; but keep your headlights out of people's eyes.
In my sports cars, I sometimes run into OEM projectors that catch my eye, but its not often. Even a '04-'05 subaru STI uses reflectors designed for their HID bulbs and do not bother me. I can spot the difference and annoyance between OEM and proper retrofits vs HID stuffed into reflectors very easy.
XenonDepot
New member
While projectors do offer a cleaner cut off you will find that newer reflective headlights do a very nice job providing a very sharp cut off as well.
We have had many newer style Honda Accord customers install our kit with very positive results:
Please visit this page for the full review:
Honda Accord Sedan (2008) - 9006 5000k Xtreme HID Conversion
Steve
We have had many newer style Honda Accord customers install our kit with very positive results:
Please visit this page for the full review:
Honda Accord Sedan (2008) - 9006 5000k Xtreme HID Conversion
Steve
