Halogen vs 6000k example

[astraelraen]

I just installed my hid lights tonight, I've never had a car with HIDs before and I have to say, it makes a HUGE difference in terms of the clarity of the light. I can't even tell if my fog lights are doing anything now.

Here is an example of halogen vs hid in the dark, just looking at the headlight bulbs. I didn't get any good pictures of the light difference while driving, the exposure on my digital camera just wouldn't capture enough light without making it really washed out. But I think the picture is pretty accurate in terms of real-life color reproduction.

The install is easy for anyone with ANY mechanical knowledge. I would definately recommend this, especially since you can get the aftermarket kits for like 120-150 bucks. For anyone questioning color, these 6000k bulbs have a good bit of blue to them, more than I was expecting, but they look really nice.

 

[AlbanianDude]

I just installed my hid lights tonight, I've never had a car with HIDs before and I have to say, it makes a HUGE difference in terms of the clarity of the light. I can't even tell if my fog lights are doing anything now.

Here is an example of halogen vs hid in the dark, just looking at the headlight bulbs. I didn't get any good pictures of the light difference while driving, the exposure on my digital camera just wouldn't capture enough light without making it really washed out. But I think the picture is pretty accurate in terms of real-life color reproduction.

The install is easy for anyone with ANY mechanical knowledge. I would definately recommend this, especially since you can get the aftermarket kits for like 120-150 bucks. For anyone questioning color, these 6000k bulbs have a good bit of blue to them, more than I was expecting, but they look really nice.

Welcome to the HID world and you will never drive without them again, looks awesome did you take the front bumper off or no.

 

[bond007taz]

can you modify how far up and down they go? that is my only concern if I were to get HID's

 

[Hikaru9]

can you modify how far up and down they go? that is my only concern if I were to get HID's

I highly doubt that. That's why the aftermarket HIDs are illegal, not to mention the glare which makes it dangerous for the oncoming traffic.

 

[astraelraen]

I did it by taking the wheel off, as shown in the How-to section of this forum.

You can't modify up/down like you can with the switch on the dash when the HIDs come factory in the GT model. You could still adjust the headlights manually if you wanted to. I suppose this could be a problem if you are towing/hauling heavy things in the back, but I don't haul things and hell, if you have halogens and are towing something its going to aim the beams up anyway blinding people.

As for glare/beam pattern. After driving for about 15 minutes last night through straight roads/ subdivisions / curves, etc. I can say that as long as you have done it right, the the spring/clip whatever to hold the bulb in place the light pattern is 95% the exact same as the stock halogens. I got out and ran ~50 feet in front of the car, its not significantly different than the halogen beams, aside from being a different color of light and "appearing" brighter to my naked eye.

Honestly though, I think the stock cx-7 lamps are aimed too high, the halogens appeared too high to me when I was first driving the car... although I was used to driving sportier cars that sat maybe 5" off the ground, rather than the 8" clearance of the cx-7, so maybe its just me not being used to the vehicle height.

Maybe if they weren't projector lamps it would be different, but the beam pattern is close to exactly the same as halogen. Projector lamps seem to "cut-off" the light better than reflectors, which seem to just throw light out onto the road.

 

[HIBUHIBU]

Yes, you can definitely readjust the height and width of the light.
Every car comes with the ability for adjust your light manually if you needed to. It is very easy and most of the time it is simple gear knob that you turn with a screw driver(you are not modifying anything here)

The problem with old generation HID was that light pattern or a dispersion changed due to the fact that they did not fit correctly. They just glared too much due to the misplacement of the HID bulbs.
However, that is not a concern anymore. Quality HID kits these days come in perfect length and an adapter so your light pattern does not change. No glare.
I have an aftermarket HID kit as well, but the light pattern did not change a single bit. It stayed the same.

In terms of installing, You could install them the same way one of the members did it in DIY section. It is perfectly fine.
If you want to go further, and make the installation as stock as possible(which I did). You want to take out the bumpers(Easy. Few clips, few screws and your arms) and headlights(3 bolts) as well.
The reason is because you want to securely mount the Ballast below the headlights housing.(This is the way most stock HID systems are installed) You got to be careful here because you could potentially drill through housing itself if you drill too far in. However, there is an plenty of empty space between the outer housing and the actual inner housing of the head lights. Just be careful and observe the headlight housing carefully to determine where to drill in.

In terms of wiring, it is pretty much plug and play. Just be as neat as possible. Route the wires well and clean, and zip tie as much as possible. Also, make sure to tape around the connection for an insulation purposes.

Once it is done, you will find that your HID System is fully visibly and functionally integrated onto your stock headlight housing.

Took me about and Hour and half to two hours. Is it worth it? That depends on you and how far you want to take it to. However you install them, you absolutely want to make sure that you mount the ballast as securely as possible so it does not go bad. (Car is a moving environment, unless securely mounted, ballasts will shake, rattle and go bad in near future)

Hope this helped.

 

[bond007taz]

so if HIDs are illegal, if they are installed will they also void the electrical systems warranty on my CX7?

 

[astraelraen]

The dealer "can" try void the warranty on your "insert system here" for any modification they find. The key is that they have to prove the modification caused the failure.

Although I don't know the exact numbers, I'm fairly sure HID kits actually pull less amps than factory halogen headlights - so I think the dealer would have a pretty hard time saying that aftermarket headlights would cause any failure in your electrical system.

Although, if your new HID kit blew up and shorted out your entire car... then of course the dealer obviously isn't going to cover the damage.

 

[kudakev615]

most aftermarket hid kits run at 35w and stock halogens run 55w

 

[HIBUHIBU]

They may try to. But know your rights!
There is no way they can just void your warranty just because you got something aftermarket installed in your car.
For example, just because you have your HID system, they cannot possibly void the warranty on your whole electrical system.
However, if they can PROVE that your HID has caused an issue with a specific part(let's say for ex. Lighting Module etc) then they can void your warranty on that specific part only(which is your lighting module).
Bottom line is that they have to be able to provide a proof that the after market equipment that you installed has caused a specific problem at the time.

 

[kyle's protege5]

just take them out before you take it in. If they arent there they cant say they caused the problem!

 

[carbonkid]

^^ my thoughts too! LOL