[Z06] anyone got HIDs???
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Springdale AR
Yes they draw less power than regular halogens or any other incandescent lamp for that matter.
I've tried this HID lamp kit, and as much as I tried to convince myself that I was happy with it, I just couldn't reach being 100% happy. I guess most people using the bulb kit live in areas with streets that are already lit. I live in Arkansas (which is mostly rural), and there are plenty of pitch black country roads around here. Everyone that rode in my car with me agreed that, though the amount of light was significantly higher (especially to the sides of the road), the distance vision was no greater... and in fact, it was a bit less due to the overly bright "hot spot" right out in front of the car. My car had factory settings for how the lights are aimed. I adjusted them several times, but couldn't get rid of the hot spot. The hot spot was just quite uncomfortable on my eyes when driving down the dark roads. As soon as I'd switch to high beams, I could feel my eyes relax (not to mention see a LOT further down the road).
I work for a TV station and we have great cameras here that can video in very low light settings. I should have taken one with me one night while driving just to see how all this would have translated on video. I think all but a few people think I'm nuts for the "issues" I had with these lights. Yes they were an improvement in some ways, but on a long trip or dark roads, I think they would become very tiresome on the eyes. And I would constantly be having to use high beams because of the need to see more than 70-100 feet in front of me, and we know that switching these HID lamps on and off is not good for them.
I think there's something to be said for the true projector-style HID kits. Any car I've been in with factor HID projectors was just downright nice. No hot spots, good side to side lighting, and the lowbeams stayed on when switching to highs. I just wish the projector kits weren't so expensive for the C5!! As you all say... Corvette tax. Anyway... my $.02 from someone that has tried the bulb/ballast kit.
I've tried this HID lamp kit, and as much as I tried to convince myself that I was happy with it, I just couldn't reach being 100% happy. I guess most people using the bulb kit live in areas with streets that are already lit. I live in Arkansas (which is mostly rural), and there are plenty of pitch black country roads around here. Everyone that rode in my car with me agreed that, though the amount of light was significantly higher (especially to the sides of the road), the distance vision was no greater... and in fact, it was a bit less due to the overly bright "hot spot" right out in front of the car. My car had factory settings for how the lights are aimed. I adjusted them several times, but couldn't get rid of the hot spot. The hot spot was just quite uncomfortable on my eyes when driving down the dark roads. As soon as I'd switch to high beams, I could feel my eyes relax (not to mention see a LOT further down the road).
I work for a TV station and we have great cameras here that can video in very low light settings. I should have taken one with me one night while driving just to see how all this would have translated on video. I think all but a few people think I'm nuts for the "issues" I had with these lights. Yes they were an improvement in some ways, but on a long trip or dark roads, I think they would become very tiresome on the eyes. And I would constantly be having to use high beams because of the need to see more than 70-100 feet in front of me, and we know that switching these HID lamps on and off is not good for them.
I think there's something to be said for the true projector-style HID kits. Any car I've been in with factor HID projectors was just downright nice. No hot spots, good side to side lighting, and the lowbeams stayed on when switching to highs. I just wish the projector kits weren't so expensive for the C5!! As you all say... Corvette tax. Anyway... my $.02 from someone that has tried the bulb/ballast kit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 57
From: Mt Pleasant, TN
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
And why is that, when there are tons of people ecstatic with the kits on ebay and the ones sold in the for sale section for $299? (forget the vendor name)
It seems like people just wanted to justify spending $1200-$1500 on headlights, lol. They do look cool though, no doubt, but how bright and surgically accurate do you really need your headlights to be
From all the pictures and reviews I have heard, it seems the cheaper kits do a more than sufficient job in the lighting dept. of course if you have money to burn thats a different thing...
It seems like people just wanted to justify spending $1200-$1500 on headlights, lol. They do look cool though, no doubt, but how bright and surgically accurate do you really need your headlights to be
From all the pictures and reviews I have heard, it seems the cheaper kits do a more than sufficient job in the lighting dept. of course if you have money to burn thats a different thing...Just personal opinion, but I would only upgrade to HID lights from a safety standpoint, and to me, it's worth my safety to spend a little more and get the projector housings.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
No money to burn, I just think it's a safety mod that should be done right... And I feel the right way, is with projector housings. HID's just don't work right in normal housings, the light is scattered and although it's an improvement in brightness, I would prefer more focused light. Hell I wouldn't even need HID's if I had some projectors. I upgraded the lights on my old 94 Z28 to Hella projectors and the difference was astounding, it makes the light output more usable by aiming it where you need it.
Just personal opinion, but I would only upgrade to HID lights from a safety standpoint, and to me, it's worth my safety to spend a little more and get the projector housings.
Just personal opinion, but I would only upgrade to HID lights from a safety standpoint, and to me, it's worth my safety to spend a little more and get the projector housings.
