27 replies to this topic

[TrialsLife]

how exactly does a 50w bulb going through a decent wiring harness blind other drivers? A few other hundred types of car have it? And i'm not even talking dodgy Xenon equipped Audis (that always seem to do it for me!) But hey, I just won't bother then.

As for "legal" headlights, you'll be hard pushed (with the exception of poncy ones like crystal angel eyes) to find any non-E-coded ones. As I said, Cibies or Hellas are best, but Wipacs are cheaper (and not "that" far away in terms of performance, so youd probably be best going for them. Don't want to blind anyone by being able to see in the dark.....)

I'm sorry. I keep confusing myself. Excuse my poor knowledge

I wish I never bought those stupid bulbs. Harsh.

[rob mini]

new cars with bluey/white light are HID's!

a hid kit is in the region of £200 and worth every penny. They run at a stupidly low wattage but emit a stupidly bright light

[Steamo]

HID is supposedly 4 times brighter than halogen for the same wattage (well thats how it works for mountain bike lights using the same technologies)

[pikey7]

Supposedly yes, but is that comparing HID H4 bulbs or real HID? The bulbs are completely different, as is the way the power is delivered to the bulb. The H4 HIDs just move the colour spectrum from a "yellow" light to a "blue" light, which in theory is better for vision (but as I said, it depends on *your* eyes). They are however no brighter, and depending on the manufacturer (some actually put a blue coating on the bulb which reduces the light output) can be worse than halogen.

(on a slightly parallel note, aren't the bike "HIDs" using LEDs? I haven't kept up with what the two-wheeled brigade use!)

HIDs are worth it, but only if used in the correct lens. Most of the HID conversion kits use a standard lens, which doesn't a huge improvement given the cost. A proper HID kit including lenses which reflect the light in a pattern (rather than a standard lens which refracts the light pattern) is most definately better. They aren't £200 though. More like £4-500, at which point it's starting to get into silly money, and for the sake of a good set of lenses and bulbs, plus an efficient wiring system (total cost of less than £100) isn't *that* much better.

But what do I know? I haven't had extensive Halfords training. Just 20-odd years of doing it, researching it and working at car manufacturers.......

I guess i'll just leave the technical questions to the clever people in future.

[Jordie]

Halfords Super Brilliance 50% brighter ones are pants in my opinion. I replaced my mondeo H1 bulbs with em and noticed no difference.

In my 306, i fitted illegal 100/55w rally bulbs. But it made all the difference in dark lanes etc. Even when i left them on by mistake, other drivers dint flash or anything anymore then my old bulbs.

It also went through a MOT with the rally bulbs.

[Jammy]

In my 306, i fitted illegal 100/55w rally bulbs. But it made all the difference in dark lanes etc. Even when i left them on by mistake, other drivers dint flash or anything anymore then my old bulbs.

Probably because you blinded them so much they couldn't find the light switch!!

[Steamo]

Supposedly yes, but is that comparing HID H4 bulbs or real HID? The bulbs are completely different, as is the way the power is delivered to the bulb. The H4 HIDs just move the colour spectrum from a "yellow" light to a "blue" light, which in theory is better for vision (but as I said, it depends on *your* eyes). They are however no brighter, and depending on the manufacturer (some actually put a blue coating on the bulb which reduces the light output) can be worse than halogen.

(on a slightly parallel note, aren't the bike "HIDs" using LEDs? I haven't kept up with what the two-wheeled brigade use!)

HIDs are worth it, but only if used in the correct lens. Most of the HID conversion kits use a standard lens, which doesn't a huge improvement given the cost. A proper HID kit including lenses which reflect the light in a pattern (rather than a standard lens which refracts the light pattern) is most definately better. They aren't £200 though. More like £4-500, at which point it's starting to get into silly money, and for the sake of a good set of lenses and bulbs, plus an efficient wiring system (total cost of less than £100) isn't *that* much better.

But what do I know? I haven't had extensive Halfords training. Just 20-odd years of doing it, researching it and working at car manufacturers.......

I guess i'll just leave the technical questions to the clever people in future.

The bike HIDs are not LEDs, although there are some really bright LEDs coming out now. As far as mountain bikes are concerned the HIDs are defiately 4 times brighter - I've got 20W Halogen bulbs on mine and if someone with 10W HIDs is following me I'm just riding into a shadow (quite difficult off road at night - got a busted shoulder to prove it).

The bike versions are a rip off as well - £300 and up (if a bulb goes it'll cost you £70 odd)

Thanks for the tip on the car lights because after seeing the difference on bikes I would probably been tempted by the HID name and wasted some cash.

[Pavel]

Pikey got it pretty much spot on!

HID lights are High Intensity Discharge. It's a different technology. To convert, they cost a few hundred quid (less lenses).

Basically, anything under 100 quid are NOT HID lights, they are simply different coloured regular halogens. They've got different temp ratings, different wattage etc. but they still all work by the same principles as your stock 55w yellow H4s!

HID's won't make much of an improvement as has already been said since they are designed together with the lense/enclosure to make use of them. Sticking them in regular lights will make them perhaps a bit brighter, and definietely will look cool, but don't expect to have to wear sunglasses at night. HID bulbs however WILL reduce your current consumption, since as far as I'm aware they take something like 30 watts instead of the regular 55 ish.

Incidentally it has been done on minis a few times before (almost sure they were minis from abroad), and I plan on installing a set of xenons (not bixenons, will use foglights for main beam), once my mini is more or less complete.

[cooper_shaz]

Your talking about HID xenon kits
yip you can get them for the H4 lamp but pricey..
355 quid

Clicky

the details..
H4 H.I.D. Interpower X5 Conversion Kit

The Ultimate Lighting Upgrade Brightest Light, Longest Life, Highest Quality!

We are offering what we believe to be the ultimate H.I.D. headlamp conversion kit. We have tested this kit against many HID kits including the leading branded systems. It offers a massive 300% improved vision over a standard halogen bulb.
Our H4 kits are HI/LOW kits that convert BOTH the main and dipped beam to HID. Unlike others they do not use a precariously mounted halogen bulb for the main beam, they use a high quality solenoid to shift the HID bulb from main and dipped beam position. This means you do not lose any functionality of your headlights.
The kit consists of 2 bulbs, 2 ballasts, 2 wiring harnesses and everything needed to fit the kit including full fitting instructions. The bulbs are converted D2S bulbs designed to directly replace your existing halogen bulb. They fit straight into your existing headlight unit.

We feel it is the best, quickest, simplest and most cost effective solution to convert your car to an H.I.D. Xenon headlamp system.

This system (unlike all others we have tested) does not require relays or seperate wiring harnesses to the battery. They are also designed to only connect one way which makes them entirely fool proof. The wires are also colour coded which makes installing this kit very straight forward.

Through testing we have found these HID kits take on average, 30 mins to an hour to install, and can be installed as a DIY fit. However, if you have any doubts we recommend using an auto electrician.

The 8000K kit has a distict blue tint for the ultimate styling upgrade for your vehicle.

[pikey7]

It offers a massive 300% improved vision over a standard halogen bulb.

ROFLMAO

Cr p!

How exactly is that 300% measured? Does it illuminate 3 times further (badly aligned!)? Is it 3 times brighter (equivalent to 165w)? Is it aimed at people with a better degree of colour-blindness (selective market!)? I don't think so!

30% maybe (But I doubt that even! more like 10%). 300%, they're having a laugh! It's all marketing BS! Read PIAA's site, and they'll tell you theirs is a ton better too.!

Marketing I tell you! Put a bunch of numbers in front of a consumer, and they'll believe it 95% of the time, whereas 95% of the time it's a figure made up of as many other figures as possible, probably something not even related to the actual perofrmance of the product (Something like you'll kill 300% less reindeer driving with these HIDs, so they must be 300% better!)

My Dad's Renaults Xenons are rubbish. I'm almost convinced I could see better by strapping a couple of maglights on the bonnet. Pucker HIDs tend to have a more dispersed beam. However, with a conversion that is just ballasts & bulbs, I'd love to know how they get that effect when the light spread is created by the lens.......

I think I've said more than enough on this subject. If you still aren't convinced, then try them. Or just burn £350. It'll be more fun!

[Jammy]

Just to inject some more info into this thread. Found the following page on HIDs, found it extremely informative, have picked out a particularly interesting paragraph for everyone.

HID Lighting tutorial

So allow me to explain the real truth of the matter... Philips is the number one manufacturer of HID bulbs. The Philips OEM D2S bulb is rated at 4100K at 12.8 volts and produces 3200 lumens of light. The Philips Ultinon D2S is 5800K at 12.8 volts and produces 2400 lumens of light. As you can see, with all other factors remaining constant, the brightness of an HID bulb declines the higher up the color index you go. Vision, a Korean bulb manufacturer, makes an 8000K bulb, which they used to advertise on Acura-Forums as 2000 lumens bright. This is barely a marked improvement over halogens, and will produce more glare and eye fatigue than it is beneficial. 4100K has been proven through tireless independent research by the Germans, Japanese, and Americans to be the most functional, truest white and thus the brightest possible color temperature (ceteris paribus).

[Mini Mad James]

My Dad's Renaults Xenons are rubbish

So are the ones on my mums renault, the lucas ones on my mini are much better

Don't think the french know how to make headlights

[pikey7]

Nope! They just buy them off the Belgians or Dutch!