Xenon Lights

Clean Dean · 01-08-02, 10:34

I do a considerable amount of night driving, and I was considering purchasing xenon lights. I am looking for some advise as to:

What type of lights would you recommend?
How are they rated?
Where would I purchase these?
Are they as easy to install as think they must be?

These lights are for my 2001 Mustang GT.

I thank you for your valued opinions in advance!

By the way congratulation to:

Brad B.
DETAILKING
PrinzII
Guess My Name
Redcar Guy
Jngrbrdman
Short Cut
TortoiseAWD

May you serve us autopians proudly!

iforcev8 · 01-09-02, 05:08

If you are talking about PIAA type bulbs, ( Halogen bulbs covered with Blue tints ) then I feel you are wasting your time. The blue tint blocks out a lot of light and I feel its a ricey accesory to your vehicle.
Now if you are talking about Real H.I.D. conversions, like the kind I have on my truck...then thats a real improvement in lighting. My lights draw 35watts, and put out 150 watts of pure white lighting. Cost me 700 2 years ago. Now these HID kits are availble for 400-500 bucks. This is the best way to improve night vision.
1. I recommend real HID conversion kits, from Phillips, or OSRAM.
2. Rated as in power output? Rated as in service life? 35watt draw, 150 watt output, Pure white light, A Cool as hell ballast warm up, and last 3x longer than halogen. The color temperature of HID light is close to sunlight, and it gives paint on the road a weird effect, the paint glows as if it was painted with reflective paint.
3. Place of purchase...Try yahoo ''HID conversions''
4. Installation is easy, if your engine compartment has room to mount the ballasts.

You guys are the detailing experts, lighting is my expertise ( flashlights, HID, photo strobes )

Jngrbrdman · 01-09-02, 05:19

I agree on the HIDs. I had HIDs on my teg for awhile and then I sold them to a friend. I miss them... <sniff>

A good alternative to HIDs is Catz Zeta systems. They can increase light output significantly. You can do a search on that too. They are a couple hundred dollars cheaper than HIDs usually. http://www.autogeek.net/zetheadligen.html

Sylvania just released some really great bulbs called Silverstar. I am lucky with my car because my high beams and low beams are seperate. My low beams are projector lenses so it allows for some slight modifications.

I did some work on some high beam bulbs and plugged them into my low beam sockets. The light is unbelievable. Not HID but still the best light I have ever gotten out of bulbs. Here is a chart from the Sylvania site for comparison..

Silverstars run about $50 bucks a set at AutoZone but they are the best bang for your buck if you are looking for good non blue bulbs.

iforcev8 · 01-09-02, 05:23

Yeah..but the HID warm up is too cool dude.

Jngrbrdman · 01-09-02, 05:34

Quote:

Originally posted by iforcev8
Yeah..but the HID warm up is too cool dude.

Totally! I agree 100% on that one. The thing that made me get them was watching a neighbors car light up his HIDs. It was like watching a Coleman lantern light up. Super cool!

Guess My Name · 01-09-02, 05:50

Are HID Mercury Vapor or XENON????

I was thinking of doing it to my truck but Isaw prices of 2k and I said no way now Iforce you say it is cheaper I will re-investigate!

Jngrbrdman · 01-09-02, 05:55

They are Xenon gas filled.

You can get an HID kit for most cars for around $500. Cheaper if you can find a group buy on em or if you find a kit on ebay. Here is a little reading info for ya on HIDs. I wouldn't reccomend the Vision kit over the Phillips kit but whatever floats your boat. click the VX HID LIGHTS at the top

Guess My Name · 01-09-02, 07:32

OK I want some now how about posting some sites that sell them for my truck!!!!

I have looked and I get squat since I am crappy at searches!

TIA

Clean Dean · 01-09-02, 07:35

Thanks !

Great info ! I will print this post and start my research immediately.

iforcev8 ... I almost bought some cheap PIAA's off ebay, and I sure am glad that I posted this question here !

Jngrbrdman: Great links ! The conversion kit seems pricey, but whatever I decide I'll post some pics!

Thanks again gents !

iforcev8 · 01-09-02, 07:36

I do believe the Vision kit is superior, as the color temperature is higher. Guess My Name, what kind of truck do you have? Mine is lifted, so it gets kinda blinding at night. But hey, I gotta see them to avoid them right!

Guess My Name · 01-09-02, 07:39

The big the bad and to some the ugly AVALANCHE!

iforcev8 · 01-09-02, 07:39

You will love HID dude, you get what you pay for. I think Blue bulbs are cheesy, especially on a nice car like a Mustang GT. I do have something against GTs though, especially black ones. This guy that my ex GF cheated with had a Black GT, Instead of keying his car, one of the many don'ts of an autopian, I kicked his ***, I shouldn't be bragging though, this guy was 5 '10'' 130...