Xenon Headlights and HID kits

[MSObsession]

Can someone please reveal the mystery of this type of headlight configuration? Some are 5000k illumination, some are 6000k, some are 7000k (what the heck does that mean)? Can I just buy the bulbs? If so, which is a good quality brand?

I'm interested in this because I like the way they look and would like to install them but I an very confused as to what intensity, brand, and whether or not I should by the HID kit or not.

Thanks for all your help

[JAY97]

Check out this page, faq.auto.light.tripod.com/hl-hid-bulbs.htm, it has a lot of information about aftermarket lighting.

And here is the link for the main page.
faq.auto.light.tripod.com/.



Jay

[aliikane8]

The higher the number usually means that the lights are more blue. However, I have read that the higher the number the doesn't neccessarily mean they are brighter. I have read that for them to be legal they have to have "DOT" certification on the packaging and bulbs. So, if you want them to be legal look for the "DOT" symbol. Personally, I could care less if they were legal or not, but the whole issue is if you get pulled over a lot by cops. I just bought some on Ebay that were 7000 F and were not legal, so I am probably going to try out the Sylvania Silverstars at 5000 F.

[Joel_CA]

The number you are seeing is referring to it's "color temperature"- it has nothing to do with how hot the bulb is going to get or how well it's going to illuminate the road. Typically, anything brighter than natural sunlight (5250K) will end up looking more blue than anything else. Each individual bulb will have a wattage rating within that particular color temperature- this will affect it's overall lighting abilility over color.



Factory HID lamps have optic lenses and reflectors that aim this light in a manner to best take advantage of the increased lighting ability while NOT being offensive to other drivers. Installing an HID retofit kit into the stock headlamp housing will produce ALOT of stray lighting that can be potentially dangerous to oncoming traffic. Follow this link to read about the 1st of what I'm sure will be MANY RECALLS ON HID RETRO KITS.

HID Retrofit Kit Recall

Joel, CA