Xenon HID kit

[nabs]

I want bi xenon HID lights for my car, someone selling on bidorbuy from r1000.
Does anyone using those lights? are they any good.. easy to install,what colour and temp etc.

[Frankie]

A friend installed a set on his car and it sure is a superior light.

I don't know the detail of type colour and 'K', but I expect that it's quite easy to install knowing that my friend is not very technical.

[bdt]

Going by the kit (http://www.autostyle.co.za/prodview.php?prod_id=12588&pid=lighting&cid=&pg=1&showall=&brandstr=&str=) Autostyle have at ~R1700, it looks easy enough to do:


- Dipped beam allows brights & dims.

Xenon light is based on the gas discharge principle , where an arc of light is created between two electrodes in a glass tube filled with metal salts and inert gases.(This is not to be confused with many manufacturers who call their halogen lamps Xenon

An HID lamp will last four to five times as long as a halogen lamp. The lamp will have a life of at least 2,000 Hrs. For most people, this translates into the life of the vehicle and probably the life of the next vehicle as well.

One kit contains:
2 High-Quality Xenon HID Capsules
2 MAXLUX ballasts / Ignitors
2 Wiring Looms
Cable Ties
2 polarity converters
2 Spare Fuses (30 A)
Installation Instructions (English)

The Cool Power lamps are the only genuine 6000 Kelvin NEO WHITE lamps which are directly interchangeable with any kind of halogen lamp. Fully compatible with ANY ballast.
Special UV Cut construction to eliminate plastic headlamp damage.
Specially designed for the aftermarket where legal for the road.
Cool Power kits offer Optimum light centre length, focal point and horizontal plane for 100% correct optical performance .
Complete custom made harnesses for YOUR vehicle. Simply plug it in and everything works . Nothing else required. Includes Relays,Fuses,Waterproofing etc. for safety and security.
This is not just a wire from the ballast to the halogen connector.

- Kits to convert H1, H4/HB2, H7, 9005, 9006, 9007, H11, H9
- No deeper in your headlamp than the halogen lamp
- Existing clips and sealing plates fully retained
- Return to halogen lamps in a matter of minutes (my emphasis)
- Full function between 9-16 volts
- Typical life 2000 hours+ ..and compared to that, maybe a grand isn't too bad - at least if they're in good nick.

[Dolby]

Just a question - when you order these as an option in cars, you're looking at R5000+ from the factory.

Surely a R1000 set won't do the same as standard?

[bdt]

It's an aftermarket bolt-on thing ..that comes without the premium of factory [-]daylight robbery price gouging[/-] cost calculations on labour and parts. OK, they will almost certainly do a better (looking) job on account of having full access to the wiring loom but going lo-fi a la DIY has its benefits too: the factory commits you to HID and that's that - with this you can revert to halogen in a pinch ...say a light pops and you have no access to a replacement HID lamp but do have your old halogens sitting in the cubbyhole (don't laugh, this IS the kind of thing I'd do!)

[CaTcH21]

K = Kelvin = how many colours in the discharge.
The higher the K = more colour = less visibility on the road.

Ideal/perfect K = 4300 = whitish blue ( MKV's )

[nabs]

How about 6000 k ?

[efitol]

K = Kelvin = how many colours in the discharge.
The higher the K = more colour = less visibility on the road.

Ideal/perfect K = 4300 = whitish blue ( MKV's )


How about 6000 k ?

from what i've read 6000k seems to be pure white light so hence its the brightest, and its the most recommended. also wanna get xenons on me car ;)

[CaTcH21]

from what i've read 6000k seems to be pure white light so hence its the brightest, and its the most recommended. also wanna get xenons on me car ;)

Remember what Aftermarket companies tell you is different to what the facts are. I know most companies rate 6000k as super white and icy blue etc.
Try em out, give us feedback.

OEM manufacturers never go over 5000k, because the more colours, less output

EDIT: im looking at some references, i think Aftermarket xenon and OEM xenon are very different. Taking my GTi for eg. it is oem 4300k and it is blue'ish white wheres the aftermarket kits rate 4300k as yellow'ish.

[nabs]

Remember what Aftermarket companies tell you is different to what the facts are. I know most companies rate 6000k as super white and icy blue etc.
Try em out, give us feedback.

OEM manufacturers never go over 5000k, because the more colours, less output

EDIT: im looking at some references, i think Aftermarket xenon and OEM xenon are very different. Taking my GTi for eg. it is oem 4300k and it is blue'ish white wheres the aftermarket kits rate 4300k as yellow'ish.


Yeah you right mostly sellers recommend 6000k.

[grubsner]

The OEM bi-Xenon lights are very different from the after market retrofit kits. On my GTI and all the bi-Xenon lights sold by VW and Audi there is no Low beam and high beam function on the bulb itself. The light that is emitted is always at high beam settings with a re-stricter gate (a type of a plate at a certain height) that controls the height of the beam. When you select high beam the gate lifts up to expose the complete light.

You will also not find low beam height adjustment on OEM bi-Xenon because the vehicle will set the low beam height according the nose angle as sensed by four Hall Effect sensors on the suspension. This maintains optimum low beam height without user interventions.

When you start the vehicle the restrictor gate will drop and lift as the low beam high is calibrated based on the nose angle of the car.

These functions make the OEM bi-Xenon's more expensive than the after market bulb replacements.

[CaTcH21]

The OEM bi-Xenon lights are very different from the after market retrofit kits. On my GTI and all the bi-Xenon lights sold by VW and Audi there is no Low beam and high beam function on the bulb itself. The light that is emitted is always at high beam settings with a re-stricter gate (a type of a plate at a certain height) that controls the height of the beam. When you select high beam the gate lifts up to expose the complete light.

You will also not find low beam height adjustment on OEM bi-Xenon because the vehicle will set the low beam height according the nose angle as sensed by four Hall Effect sensors on the suspension. This maintains optimum low beam height without user interventions.

When you start the vehicle the restrictor gate will drop and lift as the low beam high is calibrated based on the nose angle of the car.

These functions make the OEM bi-Xenon's more expensive than the after market bulb replacements.

100% , thats why it costs around R6k for this extra. which imo isnt bad at all. The night vision,light output (specifically from the GTi) is just awesome. I never need to even put my high beams on.

[grubsner]

100% , thats why it costs around R6k for this extra. which imo isnt bad at all. The night vision,light output (specifically from the GTi) is just awesome. I never need to even put my high beams on.

I feel guilty to use the high beam at night:D

An inherent problem with bi-Xenon is that many drivers approaching from the front will "bright" you because of the intensity of the lights, although the low beams settings are within AA limits. I once returned the favour and the guy lost control of his vehicle and went of the road! I don't "bright" oncoming cars anymore.

CatcH21, I must agree! The GTI bi_Xenon lights are just awesome at night. They are better than the BMW bi-Xenon, IMHO, not wanting to start a flame war here!;)

It;s really worth the extra R6 000.

[greg_SA]

I have heard that the after market systems don't work very well, and don't adjust angle properly, so they easily blind oncoming traffic. I don't even think most after market systems are even legal?

[Tedpaure]

I have heard that the after market systems don't work very well, and don't adjust angle properly, so they easily blind oncoming traffic. I don't even think most after market systems are even legal?

Ok guys, i need some advice here as i'm i'm no car geek at all. I want to install these lights on my corolla as i do a lot of night driving and want genuine value for my hard earned cash. Is there an outlet where i can have them fitted or even ask for advice?

[Viper25]

www.hidlights.co.za - not sure where u based, but these guys are in jhb