Cheap HID's - Any good?

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 1:49 pm

Found this HID kit for £20 odd quid: HIDs

Anyone done this conversion? Was it worth it, were there any problems etc?
...just seems a bit too cheap to me.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 2:05 pm

That is cheap.

121 sold can't be too wrong?!

EDIT: As in they must fit ok and not die within 5 minutes. No comment made on causing possible dazzling etc as per confused's post below.

Confused · Post by **Confused** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 2:07 pm

Please, please, please DO NOT put HIDs into standard reflector headlights.

The way that the light is generated differs between halogen and HID bulbs, which causes the light to not be focussed in the same way that a halogen bulb does. I'll copy/paste another of my posts I made on PUK a while back below to explain why.

Confused · Post by **Confused** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 2:11 pm

Confused wrote:Physically, you can just buy a set of H4 HIDs, swap them in, and go on your merry way.

However, the way a HID bulb is designed, and the way a Halogen bulb is designed is COMPLETELY different, and the actual point-of-origin for the light is different.

When you have a set of headlights designed for Halogen bulbs, the focal point and beam pattern are designed to strict tolerances based on how a halogen bulb works.

When putting HID bulbs into a headlight designed for a halogen bulb, the output from the HID bulb is not focussed correctly, and the "downfalls" of the reflector headlight technology are exaggerated more.

Lots more details here

Here is a picture of a standard Prelude headlight with a Halogen bulb:

And here is the output from a projector unit:

The standard headlight throws loads of light where it shouldn't go - upwards, this is due to the way the reflector is designed - there's nothing physical in place to direct/prevent light throw - it's the best they could do based on a standard halogen bulb! Adding HIDs to this will make this upwards throw of light even worse - yes it'll illuminate better in front of you compared to a standard halogen bulb - but at the cost of potentially dazzling oncoming drivers due to excessive light being thrown upwards - something the standard headlights are designed to, as much as possible, prevent.

With a projector unit, there is a physical barrier to make the light go where it's supposed to! This is why 99% of cars with HIDs from the factory have projector lights (exceptions that I know of are some Laguna's and some Mini's), as the HID bulbs ARE brighter - it's much much easier to direct the light properly with a projector than a reflector.

Yes - many people do just fit a set of HID bulbs to their cars and happily drive down the road, and go through MOT tests - however it's not recommended, and if they decide to clamp down on it properly, then it'll be a waste of your money.

The best way to improve your headlights is to follow this information, and add in additional relays to the headlight bulbs straight from the battery - cutting out the voltage drop through the standard wiring. This will GREATLY improve your headlights!! And all for the cost of a couple of relays If you then want to add some +50% or +80% bulbs, such as Osram Nightbreakers, then the difference will be even more staggering!!!

Supermarine Blues · Post by **Supermarine Blues** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 3:26 pm

What he say.

They work well with projectors - if you can still find RHD ones.

Also, a £20 kit sounds jobby. Get a Blesk one.

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 3:51 pm

Great info guys, thanks very much. I will avoid cheap HIDs then as I am quite happy with my lights anyway, I just thought an upgrade may be good, but it seems not

taz8520 · Post by **taz8520** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 4:10 pm

I bought them months ago still working fine

I have some sort of projector lights though so bleam pattern is ok.

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 4:10 pm

You have projector lights tho, right?

taz8520 · Post by **taz8520** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 4:13 pm

I have halo lights, beem pattern is fine from what I can tell though.

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 4:20 pm

I have murky faded plastic JDM lights on mine so no clarity of beam at all