ouch! hope you weren't offended at MY post... although i was trying to inject a bit of humor to lighten the mood I certainly was NOT trying to offend. that being said...

I don't have a model number but I don't think it matters, as far as I know, Hoen only has the one "series" of lights for the C6... the "xenonmatch" highbeam and foglight bulbs. so I'm pretty sure we have the same thing.

if you're really that unhappy with them you are *honestly* the first person I've seen here on the forum that didn't love them. we bought them after seeing a whole series of "I love the hoen" posts and we made our obligatory "love ours too" after the install.

my only suggestion at this point would be, offer them up for sale in the parts forum. they're brand new and you should still have the packaging right? they really are very popular upgrade for the C6 so you shouldn't lose more than a few dollars by reselling them. then try something else and let us know what you find that you DO like... Good Luck!

 

It looks as though they may have sent you the all weather lights..... they state they have an inyense amber color. I would call them and see what they can do . Good Luck

 

So which is it - are they matching or off amber? The site indicates there is an all weather one and the xenonmatch.

 

The Xenonmatch are supposedly 4,000K, which is a whiter (actually blue-er) lite than the 3,200K lite, which tends more towards the yellow-ish (OEM) color. The HID headlights are probably 4,100K or higher (GM's spec is not published), so even the Xeonmatch lamps will be a little "yellower" (versus Halogen systems, where they should match exactly), but closer than the factory fog lamps.

Don't get a whole lot of fog down here in Ft. Lauderale, so my choice for the 4,000K bulb helps illuminate the area immediately in front, and to the sides of my car. The whiter lite tends to reflect off the water vapor that fog is composed of - with the attendant "blinding" effect, though it should be less with lower-mounted fog lamps, than with the higher-aimed brights, even with the 4,000K lamp.

So, if you're going for an upgrade for foggy conditions - go with the "yellow" All Weather.

My Xenonmatches for the driving lites are due in on the 26th. I'll post back when I get them installed.

Rick

 

Mine are certainly bluer than the 4000 K Silverstars on my Camero. Xenon is about 6300 K, most metal arcs are about 5600 K. Almost any sort of glass or plastic will warm that a little bit, but 5000 - 6000 K would be about right unless they have deliberately filtered it. It doesn't have to be exact, within about 500 K should do, but 5000 K from an incandescent bulb is going to require some serious compromise in output.

 

It is like a novelty people always have them on when not needed. I wonder why?

 

Thats right, most simulated Xenons use some kind of tinting to filter out the yellow light. Tint = loss of lumens/output. How does the Hoens achieve the higher wavelength light color? Can anyone attest to the light output of the Hoen Xenonmatch? Any noticeable reduction?

 

Went with the all weather yellow, due to arrive 9/30. We get a little more fog in the evenings (especially late fall, early spring) here in Orlando than you all do down there. Also went with the H9 high beams. Curiosity got the better of me as to brightness.

 

Installed the Hoen Xenonmatch lamps today.

Stopped during the install, to shoot a one in/one OEM photo...

Can you tell which is which?



Definately match the main lamps alot more closely...

Regards,

Rick

 

The Hoen look very nice....On order.....

 

Anyone have pics of the all weather bulbs by hoen?

 

Interesting comments on the Hoen website, regarding the all weather bulbs.

I take this to mean that the bulbs do no allow YOU to see better, but for you to BE SEEN better...

Hmmmmmm....

Gonna order the high beams this week myself. I've got to re-check the bulb mounts, as they felt kinda funny - but I was in a rush to get out to a meeting so I jammed them in and ran...

Rick

 

Could someone post the detailed process of how to change out the fog lights and put in the new ones? Just got my new C6 on Saturday and wanted to make this one of the first things I did but don't quite know how to get to them. Thanks!

Chuck

 

If you look around the wheel well, you'll see things that look like "plastic rivets. These are actually push-pin-style fasteners. Doing one side at a time, turn the wheels to lock so you can get to the panel.

1 - Remove the pins along the wheel well (5 including lower spoiler) and the 2 top pins inside the wheel well. At this point, you can pull the panel back and see the fog lamp in the front fascia.

2 - Remove the connector, by pulling back the clip and removing it from the bulb assembly.

3 - Turn the bulb in the mount, and remove it.

4 - Mount the new bulb the same way you removed the old. Do not use excessive force or you'll break the bulb/mount. (CAUTION: DO NOT TOUCH the glass portion of the bulb, or the oils from your skin will transfer to the glass and cause a "burnt spot", possibly reducing bulb life. If you do touch the bulb, clean it thoroughly with rubbing alcohol & a paper towel).

5 - Reinstall the connector, making sure it's fully seated.

6 - Reinstall the push-pin-fasteners on the cover piece.

I noticed the bulb mounts were much tighter than the OEM bulbs, and did not turn to full lock. I was in a hurry last nite when I put mine in, so I jammed them in & re-assembled. I need to take it apart again, and check the mounting of the bulb assembly.

Hope you find this helpful. The bulbs (at first blush) do not appear that much brighter than the OEM yellow-ish bulbs, or perhaps they're less noticable because the colors are closer. As alluded to earlier, the manufacturer seems to state that the purpose of these bulbs (fog lamps) are not so that the driver can see better, but to that the car itself can be more visible to other cars. Due to the setup of the lamps, and the fact that they do not project as far as one would expect from typical "driving lamps", this may well be the case. They do however appear to enhance the light in the area immediately IN FRONT and to the immediate sides of the vehicle.

YMMV. They are alot cooler looking than the yellowish OEM lights.

Rick

 

Awesome step by step instructions Rick, I appreciate it. They will come in handy when I do mine.

One question I do have though is what did you use to pull out the push pins? Will a simple screwdriver under the edges work or are they harder to pull out? Also do they just push right back in easily or do they require a little finesse?

Chuck

 

Yer entirely welcome (see mods, I do have some redeeming qualities).

All of the above (screwdriver, harder work, finesse). You pry the center pin up, then if it comes out far enough you can just pull the pin & surround out. In my case, they've been in & out a couple of times, so I had to work them loose, and pull out with a needle nose (note to self: pick up a couple dozen @ stealership next visit). BE CAREFUL when you're prying these loose, that you dont ding the paint on the fender (finger or rag will suffice for leverage/protection). Putting them in, just make sure the pin is all the way out, push the fastener all the way in, then push pin in.

Rick

 

I assume since I'd already be in there that it would be a good time to replace the high beams as well? Or is there a different way to get to those?

Chuck

 

I found that interesting as well - I run PIA's on the C5 and I can assure you they are brighter than OEM highbeams. Had to do more mods to make the headlights at least as bright as the PIA's - went with European lights and upgraded from there. Nice thing with the C6 is at least that is a mod I don't have to undertake to get a good set of low beams. Now, this weekend I will find out if the Hoen's make any difference on the highbeam side.

 

There's a cover on top of the cover for the fog lamp, that is used to access the high beam & turn/DRL lamps. Owners manual covers bulb replacement (page 5-45/46 for the '05, page 5-52/53 for the '06).

Rick

 

Here are some pics for a DIY I did about 7 months ago>>>







To compliment SickRick's text...
Michael