HID Conversion Kits - Thoughts?

Post by **SteveP** » 20 Nov 2007 08:18 pm

Just wondered what peoples thoughts are on these.... there are alot out there but have recently seen a thread on Turbobricks (http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=112082) where the product actually looks pretty damn impressive. Has anyone else tried them before?

Along these lines...

Xenon HID H4(Hi-Lo) 6000K Conversion Kit!

H4 True Xenon Hi/Lo HID Conversion Kit 8000K

Post by **Chris_C** » 20 Nov 2007 08:43 pm

I also keep getting interested, but aftermarket kits are now illegal I believe. However, if they were fitted before x of the x they are legit etc so who knows. Just remember H4 are a pain in the backside, as they are twin filament, so either needs to be sliding (moving parts) or twin whatsit, which are usually in the wrong place

Post by **sven360** » 20 Nov 2007 10:17 pm

Hmmmmmmmmm........ for that sort of money I'd be bolting some sealed beam KC's up front

One of the old boys from the motor club navs in a WRC Scooby-he reckons HID's are mint-mind you the lamp pod kitted up is 4K+.
Ya get what ya pay for

Post by **Ronnie** » 25 Nov 2007 12:25 am

Johnny's fitted these and seems to like them:

http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... hlight=hid

Post by **pettaw** » 25 Nov 2007 04:43 pm

IMO too much hassle. Just get the latest generation of 80% brighter bulbs. I've got the Philips Extreme and they're fantastic. Osram have just brought out one that's supposed to be even brighter. OK they won't last as long but they put so much extra light on the road I'm not that worried.

Post by **SteveP** » 25 Nov 2007 06:40 pm

Yeah, I was looking into the new Osram bulbs. I currently have Osram Silverstar's fitted with new reflectors and clean glass - and it made a nice difference. They're still only ever going to be 80's design headlights though... and I wondered if there was further way to improve matters.

Post by **Chris_C** » 26 Nov 2007 01:20 pm

Both you too have shiney silver reflectors too, I need to find somewhere that will chrome plastic

Post by **classicswede** » 28 Nov 2007 02:08 pm

HID are cack. I personaly see them as big no no. First off you blind everyone coming towards you. The other problem is the dip beam is rubbish is poor and you cant see much in fornt of you.

Post by **foggyjames** » 09 Dec 2007 06:38 pm

Bump! Assuming the HID capsule is correctly designed, you only stand to benefit. Gas discharge lamps usually give at least 2.5x the lumen count per watt which you'll get from an incandescent lamp. Having been in a number of cars with HIDs, they work brilliantly...when designed properly!

The difficulty is that if you do get all that light in someone's eyes, it's bloody bright! That's down to designing and aiming the optics correctly, though.

cheers

James

Post by **Ronnie** » 24 Jan 2008 11:48 pm

pettaw wrote:Osram have just brought out one that's supposed to be even brighter.

After reading this I bought a set of Osram nightbreaker H4's, and they're excellent. They claim 90% more light than standard bulbs. I reckon that double the lumens is a fair estimate, especially after looking at the state of the old bulbs I pulled. They definitely make it much easier to see where I'm going, I was using my fogs before to illuminate dark junctions etc, but don't need to do this anymore. Another effect is that I have more road presence, slow coaches tend to get out of the fast lane quicker when I barrel up fast behind them

Thanks for the tip

Post by **filthyjohn** » 25 Jan 2008 02:51 am

Where'd you get them osrams at? My halfords ones just aren't cutting it.

Post by **SteveP** » 25 Jan 2008 10:22 am

I've got Osram Silverstar's in my 360, combined with the new reflectors is a fairly nice result, but more would be nice - comparing them to the 343 headlights on dipped and full beam as is, there's a fair big difference

Post by **classicswede** » 25 Jan 2008 02:34 pm

I'm dead against HID lights for a number of reasons

1) you bling almost every poor sod coming towards you (not a bad with city driving but on real roads it makes night driving a nightmare.

2) the dip beam is bright but has a very sharp cut off so does not give any light further on ahead.

3) main beam then becomes crap because you have very bright light in front of you then only dim light up ahead.

If you are a city dweler then you will be fine but for thos of us who live in a place where you can drive there are only disadvantages with little advantage.

If you want brighter light fit brighter halogen bulbs at least with them you can see where you are going

Post by **WooDooUK** » 25 Jan 2008 04:30 pm

get yours self some uber bulbs.

standard ones are 50/55watts (i think (Legal Limit)
90/130w Watts work very nicley down private lanes.

or just more lights! there is no substitute for long range spot lamps with 130w bulbs.

Motorsport use only

Post by **SteveP** » 25 Jan 2008 04:53 pm

Wiring and relays would need uprating for higher wattage bulbs....

Don't need more lights as I'm perfectly happy with full beam, its just dipped that's the problem.