HID's: What you should know before you buy!
02-24-2009, 10:37 PM
#77
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Turn off the DRL's, but leave on the auto-on feature by simply pulling the DRL fuse under the hood.
03-13-2009, 09:25 PM
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You cannot use daytime running lights because they are high beams at half power. You only use one bulb for high and low now on the cobalt. Ud have to get a high/low beam HID setup. Theyre not that much more expensive than a regular setup anymore. Most people just get the low beam HID setups if they put them in factory housings, im not sure what the projector housing guys do as I dont own a set to see what they offer.
You don't even need a DRL module... If your hids are activated by a relay tapped to the low beam wire, the Relay will activate with the DRL and since the ballasts are fed directly by the battery in the relay harness setup, you will not get the flicker problem. My DRL works fine with this setup before I removed the DRL fuse for appearance reasons.
Last edited by Nighthawk243; 03-13-2009 at 09:27 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
03-16-2009, 09:04 AM
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You don't even need a DRL module... If your hids are activated by a relay tapped to the low beam wire, the Relay will activate with the DRL and since the ballasts are fed directly by the battery in the relay harness setup, you will not get the flicker problem. My DRL works fine with this setup before I removed the DRL fuse for appearance reasons.
03-17-2009, 12:13 AM
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05-21-2009, 09:31 AM
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Well, I'm not into the 'this looks coo' part of it. I'm into the 'wow I can see great at night when I'm doing 120 on a deserted road'.
For me I just want the brightest, farthest reaching 'LEGAL' setup I can get. This thread helps a lot. Great info!
For me I just want the brightest, farthest reaching 'LEGAL' setup I can get. This thread helps a lot. Great info!
05-21-2009, 10:14 AM
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05-21-2009, 02:53 PM
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People have driven drunk too... doesn't make it right.
Read the original post in this thread, and you'll see why it doesn't work to just 'aim your lights down'.
Glare isn't part of the main beam... it's uncontrolled lighting that is a result of an improperly designed reflector bowl.
Glare isn't part of the main beam... it's uncontrolled lighting that is a result of an improperly designed reflector bowl.
06-09-2009, 05:27 PM
#95
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So, is Omega's initial break-down (with the $300+ dollar amount) the/one of the best ways to get HIDs significantly similar to the factory HID lights on the volvos/lexus'/bmws/benz'/acuras/new-look vettes, etc?
Or within that, is there just a general brightness amount (5-8K?) to do the aformentioned? Which is what I'd like to do.
Regardless, to sum it up, I want to eventually get my lights like the higher-end luxury/sports cars - but more white-like than blue-like.
That includes fog-lights, btw.
Or within that, is there just a general brightness amount (5-8K?) to do the aformentioned? Which is what I'd like to do.
Regardless, to sum it up, I want to eventually get my lights like the higher-end luxury/sports cars - but more white-like than blue-like.
That includes fog-lights, btw.
Last edited by 06CSS; 06-09-2009 at 05:31 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
06-09-2009, 08:29 PM
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Yep, a custom retrofit is the best quality/look/ lighting you can get, but it does cost.
For less, you can get projectors, and modify them for HIDs. Less quality (for some) /less look (for some)/ cheaper price.
If you're a cheapass that doesn't care, you put HIDs in the stock housings and **** everyone off you drive towards/follow.
More white like? You can't get any more white then 5000K. 6000K are whitish/bluish, and above 6000K you get heavier blue until you start getting into purples and reds.
For less, you can get projectors, and modify them for HIDs. Less quality (for some) /less look (for some)/ cheaper price.
If you're a cheapass that doesn't care, you put HIDs in the stock housings and **** everyone off you drive towards/follow.
More white like? You can't get any more white then 5000K. 6000K are whitish/bluish, and above 6000K you get heavier blue until you start getting into purples and reds.
06-10-2009, 06:33 PM
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06CSS, you are correct, it is the best way to have HID's equal to high end luxury / sports cars.
If you do a retrofit, you will be using actual projectors from a luxury car, in your lights.... so you will have the same light output.
As far as bulbs, like TheCaptain mentioned, 6000k is about the best, with that hint of blue that everyone loves. I personally use 4300k HID's, as I like the pure white look... 5000k seems to be a decent balance. Keep in mind that the bulbs will blue a bit with age.
When it comes down to fog lights, you can either do a retrofit there as well, or just go with direct bulb replacements. I just used the stock projectors, as the have a very generous cut off, that suits HID's quite well.
If you do a retrofit, you will be using actual projectors from a luxury car, in your lights.... so you will have the same light output.
As far as bulbs, like TheCaptain mentioned, 6000k is about the best, with that hint of blue that everyone loves. I personally use 4300k HID's, as I like the pure white look... 5000k seems to be a decent balance. Keep in mind that the bulbs will blue a bit with age.
When it comes down to fog lights, you can either do a retrofit there as well, or just go with direct bulb replacements. I just used the stock projectors, as the have a very generous cut off, that suits HID's quite well.
08-20-2009, 08:57 PM
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So are you guys are saying projector headlights with HID kits installed in them are no good?? I love the HID look but I'm new to the HID world really and been reading stuff for the past couple days but it's so much info. I just wanna do it right and not be the cause of death.
08-20-2009, 10:57 PM
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So are you guys are saying projector headlights with HID kits installed in them are no good?? I love the HID look but I'm new to the HID world really and been reading stuff for the past couple days but it's so much info. I just wanna do it right and not be the cause of death.
HID's in reflectors is no good. The stock Cobalt headlights are reflectors. They will cause inferior light output, and scattered glare spots.
HID's in projectors are ok. They get the job done via the proper cut off, however, they are made for halogens, so you don't get the full advantage of the HID.
An HID retrofit is best! You get high end lighting, similar to that of BMW, Acura, Mercedes, Porsche, etc. With proper HID projectors, you can full advantage of the HID lighting.