HID & Headlights newbie questions
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 71
From: Canada, QC
HID & Headlights newbie questions
Hey guys,
I was considering getting an HID kit from DDMtuning or HIDextra but then stumbled on some information online. I've many questions about them.
1. These HID kits they sell, I heard aren't 'real' in a sense that the bulbs are actually halogen and not xenon. True or False?
2. Apparently, setting up xenon bulbs in a housing designed for halogen is not a good idea. What are the dangers?
3. Real kits are supposed to have projectors as well. Should I really look into that? How bad is the light-bleeding otherwise? (I saw pics of low-end HID kits like DDMs and high end ones some 250-500$ and the lighting is clearly different: http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/show...b-Crash-Course, second post)
4. Are there other options, like aftermarket bright halogen bulbs that would give me a more uniform lighting? How much better or worse are they from those 30-60$ HID kits? how much better are they from stock lights?
5. The tC seems to have a projector-like part within the headlight. What's that about/for?
Basically, I am not very satisfied with the stock tC lights. I find they don't give me satisfactory night vision. I'd like to find an alternative without having to shell 500$ for projector and HID kits.
Thanks! And hopefully this post will help others find answers to their questions too!
I was considering getting an HID kit from DDMtuning or HIDextra but then stumbled on some information online. I've many questions about them.
1. These HID kits they sell, I heard aren't 'real' in a sense that the bulbs are actually halogen and not xenon. True or False?
2. Apparently, setting up xenon bulbs in a housing designed for halogen is not a good idea. What are the dangers?
3. Real kits are supposed to have projectors as well. Should I really look into that? How bad is the light-bleeding otherwise? (I saw pics of low-end HID kits like DDMs and high end ones some 250-500$ and the lighting is clearly different: http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/show...b-Crash-Course, second post)
4. Are there other options, like aftermarket bright halogen bulbs that would give me a more uniform lighting? How much better or worse are they from those 30-60$ HID kits? how much better are they from stock lights?
5. The tC seems to have a projector-like part within the headlight. What's that about/for?
Basically, I am not very satisfied with the stock tC lights. I find they don't give me satisfactory night vision. I'd like to find an alternative without having to shell 500$ for projector and HID kits.
Thanks! And hopefully this post will help others find answers to their questions too!
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14
From: Columbus, OH
1. I am not sure about this one, as far as I know they are real.
2. Yes, xenon bulbs in a halogen housing can be dangerous because it spreads the light too much and can blind other drivers....but our tC's have projector headlights.
3. Projectors are part of the headlight housing on the car and will almost never come with an hid kit because it is something that is unique on every car...which our tC's have.
4. Yes but they suck
5. Yes it has projector low beams and halogen high beams which is quite common. All the projector does is use a lens to focus the light from the headlights onto the surface of the roads in front of you so it does not get spread out and dissipate. When equipped with a halogen bulb it is not really necessary because they are not as bright which is why your headlights kinda suck from the factory...when you equip your hid lights though, the projector is necessary to focus the extra light output. High beams are meant to spread light out and allow you to see the side of the road as well as further so they are almost never equipped with projectors.
2. Yes, xenon bulbs in a halogen housing can be dangerous because it spreads the light too much and can blind other drivers....but our tC's have projector headlights.
3. Projectors are part of the headlight housing on the car and will almost never come with an hid kit because it is something that is unique on every car...which our tC's have.
4. Yes but they suck
5. Yes it has projector low beams and halogen high beams which is quite common. All the projector does is use a lens to focus the light from the headlights onto the surface of the roads in front of you so it does not get spread out and dissipate. When equipped with a halogen bulb it is not really necessary because they are not as bright which is why your headlights kinda suck from the factory...when you equip your hid lights though, the projector is necessary to focus the extra light output. High beams are meant to spread light out and allow you to see the side of the road as well as further so they are almost never equipped with projectors.
Thread Starter
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SL Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 71
From: Canada, QC
Thanks Jeff!
So basically the car is fully HID compatible but comes stock with crap bulbs?
I would need the kit (bulbs.. normal or D2S?, ballasts) and that's it?
Is a harness necessary too?
So basically the car is fully HID compatible but comes stock with crap bulbs?
I would need the kit (bulbs.. normal or D2S?, ballasts) and that's it?
Is a harness necessary too?
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 104
From: San Diego, CA
I have a quick question about HIDs too. Hope this helps the OP too.
What is the difference in 35w and 55w kits? Would I need anything more or less going with the 55w compared to the 35w? Better brightness and color? More heat and bad for projector lens? I have searched but only have found vague answers.
What is the difference in 35w and 55w kits? Would I need anything more or less going with the 55w compared to the 35w? Better brightness and color? More heat and bad for projector lens? I have searched but only have found vague answers.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 71
From: Canada, QC
So have I.. from what I understand, 35w consume less energy but are much more prone to heating up than the 55w, and give out a little less light. The 55w apparently last longer too
I was considering 35w myself, unless there's the danger of overheating the headlight housing.
What I want to know is the role of the harness. Apparently it 'replaces' some of the thin wiring so that better amp&voltage can be drawn properly toward the bulb and ballast (then again, i might have it all backwards).
Is it necessary in the 2011 tC?
I was considering 35w myself, unless there's the danger of overheating the headlight housing.
What I want to know is the role of the harness. Apparently it 'replaces' some of the thin wiring so that better amp&voltage can be drawn properly toward the bulb and ballast (then again, i might have it all backwards).
Is it necessary in the 2011 tC?
ive been running 5000k from HIDextra in my lowbeams for 2 years now...no problems.
ive been running 5000k from 3b Spec in my projector-style highbeams for two years now...no problems.
Both are 35w.
ive been running 5000k from 3b Spec in my projector-style highbeams for two years now...no problems.
Both are 35w.
Hey guys,
I was considering getting an HID kit from DDMtuning or HIDextra but then stumbled on some information online. I've many questions about them.
1. These HID kits they sell, I heard aren't 'real' in a sense that the bulbs are actually halogen and not xenon. True or False?
2. Apparently, setting up xenon bulbs in a housing designed for halogen is not a good idea. What are the dangers?
3. Real kits are supposed to have projectors as well. Should I really look into that? How bad is the light-bleeding otherwise? (I saw pics of low-end HID kits like DDMs and high end ones some 250-500$ and the lighting is clearly different: http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/show...b-Crash-Course, second post)
4. Are there other options, like aftermarket bright halogen bulbs that would give me a more uniform lighting? How much better or worse are they from those 30-60$ HID kits? how much better are they from stock lights?
5. The tC seems to have a projector-like part within the headlight. What's that about/for?
Basically, I am not very satisfied with the stock tC lights. I find they don't give me satisfactory night vision. I'd like to find an alternative without having to shell 500$ for projector and HID kits.
Thanks! And hopefully this post will help others find answers to their questions too!
I was considering getting an HID kit from DDMtuning or HIDextra but then stumbled on some information online. I've many questions about them.
1. These HID kits they sell, I heard aren't 'real' in a sense that the bulbs are actually halogen and not xenon. True or False?
2. Apparently, setting up xenon bulbs in a housing designed for halogen is not a good idea. What are the dangers?
3. Real kits are supposed to have projectors as well. Should I really look into that? How bad is the light-bleeding otherwise? (I saw pics of low-end HID kits like DDMs and high end ones some 250-500$ and the lighting is clearly different: http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/show...b-Crash-Course, second post)
4. Are there other options, like aftermarket bright halogen bulbs that would give me a more uniform lighting? How much better or worse are they from those 30-60$ HID kits? how much better are they from stock lights?
5. The tC seems to have a projector-like part within the headlight. What's that about/for?
Basically, I am not very satisfied with the stock tC lights. I find they don't give me satisfactory night vision. I'd like to find an alternative without having to shell 500$ for projector and HID kits.
Thanks! And hopefully this post will help others find answers to their questions too!
1. I have no way of knowing the actual gasses used in thier bulbs, or even other companies, so I can't give you info there
2. The xenon bulb will be hotter, but ive had my ddm tuning 55w 6k bulbs in my low beams with zero issues. The housing never gets hot to the touch either.
3. Most of the high end kits are based off of real Acura tsx or tl projector/xenon headlights. Of course there are other types but the whole idea is to take proven hid's and perform a retrofit to a headlight without projectors/hid's.
4. I had non hid bulbs in my tC1 for a while, 2 sets actually, high and low beam. Needless to say all the aftermarket bulbs burn out in a matter of 3 years :/ I can almost guarantee you won't have that problem with hid's.
5. It uses a different method for dispersing light, instead of a reflector housing it just focuses the light down the road. It also creates a cutoff to keep your really bright lights out of oncoming drivers eyes. ( there's actually little metal reflectors inside the projector "sphere" to direct light output)
I also found that the headlights are aimed from the factory pretty low. You could probably adjust them slightly and get away with it(without people bright lighting you).
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 371
From: OC, CA
Hey guys,
I was considering getting an HID kit from DDMtuning or HIDextra but then stumbled on some information online. I've many questions about them.
1. These HID kits they sell, I heard aren't 'real' in a sense that the bulbs are actually halogen and not xenon. True or False?
The base of the bulbs are made to fit halogen housings, but the glass itself are real HIDs.
2. Apparently, setting up xenon bulbs in a housing designed for halogen is not a good idea. What are the dangers?
The light is unevenly distributed, causing glare for oncoming cars.
Sometimes you don't even get brighter lighting because the light is so poorly distributed over the road.
The lights will be "bright" if you are looking at the car, but the point of brighter lights is to have more light being shone on the road.
3. Real kits are supposed to have projectors as well. Should I really look into that? How bad is the light-bleeding otherwise? (I saw pics of low-end HID kits like DDMs and high end ones some 250-500$ and the lighting is clearly different: http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/show...b-Crash-Course, second post)
Because HIDs are illegal, you'll never be able to purchase "real" HID kits (kit meaning ballast and bulbs) from PIAA, Raybrig, or Phillips in the US unless you are willing to shell out a ton of money.
These kits are just ballasts and bulbs and will produce the same glare as mentioned above.
You just get to pay extra for the brand name.
Your only options are to buy the many Chinese made generic HID kits available or purchase ballasts that have been removed from cars that come factory with HIDs.
Both options do the same job.
The factory HIDs cost more because of better reliability and because they are made by name brand companies.
HID do not have to be projector based.
There are basically 4 kinds of headlight housings.
1. Halogen reflectors (ie 05-07 tcs)
2. HID reflectors (ie IS300)
3. Halogen projectors (current Camrys)
4. HID projectors (S2000 and TSX)
4. Are there other options, like aftermarket bright halogen bulbs that would give me a more uniform lighting? How much better or worse are they from those 30-60$ HID kits? how much better are they from stock lights?
There are legal options like the Sylvania Silverstars, but from personal opinion they aren't that great over the stock lights.
There are halogen bulbs that consume more power (watts) for brighter lights but the trade offs are shorter bulb light and possibly melting wiring.
5. The tC seems to have a projector-like part within the headlight. What's that about/for?
That projector like part are your low beams.
Basically, I am not very satisfied with the stock tC lights. I find they don't give me satisfactory night vision. I'd like to find an alternative without having to shell 500$ for projector and HID kits.
Thanks! And hopefully this post will help others find answers to their questions too!
I was considering getting an HID kit from DDMtuning or HIDextra but then stumbled on some information online. I've many questions about them.
1. These HID kits they sell, I heard aren't 'real' in a sense that the bulbs are actually halogen and not xenon. True or False?
The base of the bulbs are made to fit halogen housings, but the glass itself are real HIDs.
2. Apparently, setting up xenon bulbs in a housing designed for halogen is not a good idea. What are the dangers?
The light is unevenly distributed, causing glare for oncoming cars.
Sometimes you don't even get brighter lighting because the light is so poorly distributed over the road.
The lights will be "bright" if you are looking at the car, but the point of brighter lights is to have more light being shone on the road.
3. Real kits are supposed to have projectors as well. Should I really look into that? How bad is the light-bleeding otherwise? (I saw pics of low-end HID kits like DDMs and high end ones some 250-500$ and the lighting is clearly different: http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/show...b-Crash-Course, second post)
Because HIDs are illegal, you'll never be able to purchase "real" HID kits (kit meaning ballast and bulbs) from PIAA, Raybrig, or Phillips in the US unless you are willing to shell out a ton of money.
These kits are just ballasts and bulbs and will produce the same glare as mentioned above.
You just get to pay extra for the brand name.
Your only options are to buy the many Chinese made generic HID kits available or purchase ballasts that have been removed from cars that come factory with HIDs.
Both options do the same job.
The factory HIDs cost more because of better reliability and because they are made by name brand companies.
HID do not have to be projector based.
There are basically 4 kinds of headlight housings.
1. Halogen reflectors (ie 05-07 tcs)
2. HID reflectors (ie IS300)
3. Halogen projectors (current Camrys)
4. HID projectors (S2000 and TSX)
4. Are there other options, like aftermarket bright halogen bulbs that would give me a more uniform lighting? How much better or worse are they from those 30-60$ HID kits? how much better are they from stock lights?
There are legal options like the Sylvania Silverstars, but from personal opinion they aren't that great over the stock lights.
There are halogen bulbs that consume more power (watts) for brighter lights but the trade offs are shorter bulb light and possibly melting wiring.
5. The tC seems to have a projector-like part within the headlight. What's that about/for?
That projector like part are your low beams.
Basically, I am not very satisfied with the stock tC lights. I find they don't give me satisfactory night vision. I'd like to find an alternative without having to shell 500$ for projector and HID kits.
Thanks! And hopefully this post will help others find answers to their questions too!
Nothing else will come close.
If you have patience a HID retrofit can be done for way less than $500.
Wait for a great deal to come around on HIDPlanet.
Good luck!
Last edited by 07specTC; Jan 21, 2011 at 06:17 PM.
I have a quick question about HIDs too. Hope this helps the OP too.
What is the difference in 35w and 55w kits? Would I need anything more or less going with the 55w compared to the 35w? Better brightness and color? More heat and bad for projector lens? I have searched but only have found vague answers.
What is the difference in 35w and 55w kits? Would I need anything more or less going with the 55w compared to the 35w? Better brightness and color? More heat and bad for projector lens? I have searched but only have found vague answers.
A 55w 6000k setup is going to be whiter and less blue than its 35w counterpart.
Member
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 76
From: Virginia, USA
Go with DDM Tuning HIDs, I have them for my headlights and fogs. I got 6k, 35w headlights. For my aftermarket fogs I have 3k, 55w. I suggest go with 35w, cause in the long run 55w will mess it up. I had to get mine fixed when I installed my 55w, 3k HID bulbs. DDM Tuning is a great brand to get, I have them on 3 cars right now.
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