No so intense HIDs on the Evo X?
on cars that didn't have HIDs from factory, of course it looks brighter - the light scatters everywhere in the housing. it produces a lot of useless light and also a lot of glare as well. if you look at it directly standing up or just out the seats from the inside, it looks brighter because it scatters over a huge area, when in fact you get less focused light in areas that are truly important - that is, where you're driving.
optimal lighting is actually 5400k - where the light matches a "bright white" tone, whereas 4500k matches indoor lighting "soft white" tone. while softer tones will put less strain on your eyes, 5400k is really the best balance between visibility and eye strain. at 6000k you're already pushing it by increasing the blue, and beyond that i just don't understand why they're even produced.
quality of the bulbs make a difference as well. although OEM ballasts does a really good job, it's the bulbs you really have to look out for. cheap bulbs will not produce as bright a light, and also burn out as well, when HIDs are supposed to last at least several years. don't go for some no-name ebay brand when you get something as critical as seeing where you're driving at night. fork down the cash for the good stuff.
optimal lighting is actually 5400k - where the light matches a "bright white" tone, whereas 4500k matches indoor lighting "soft white" tone. while softer tones will put less strain on your eyes, 5400k is really the best balance between visibility and eye strain. at 6000k you're already pushing it by increasing the blue, and beyond that i just don't understand why they're even produced.
quality of the bulbs make a difference as well. although OEM ballasts does a really good job, it's the bulbs you really have to look out for. cheap bulbs will not produce as bright a light, and also burn out as well, when HIDs are supposed to last at least several years. don't go for some no-name ebay brand when you get something as critical as seeing where you're driving at night. fork down the cash for the good stuff.
I agree good post. Whoever put 8000 k bulbs in, they are definetly not brighter than the stock ones.
As for the HID's, they seem to be fine for me. I did find it strange that the only highbeams are the bi-xenons. Most other cars I've seen had bi-xenon's, with an additional halogen high beam. But I guess a lot of the newer cars are going stricly bi-xenon, No halogen. I guess technology has inproved.
Funny note, I drive a lot of cars at work and I've noticed a few cars that have bi-halogens. It's a halogen projector with a movable sheild. I just thought that was kind of a wierd concept.
As for the HID's, they seem to be fine for me. I did find it strange that the only highbeams are the bi-xenons. Most other cars I've seen had bi-xenon's, with an additional halogen high beam. But I guess a lot of the newer cars are going stricly bi-xenon, No halogen. I guess technology has inproved.
Funny note, I drive a lot of cars at work and I've noticed a few cars that have bi-halogens. It's a halogen projector with a movable sheild. I just thought that was kind of a wierd concept.
Change the bulbs out like I did. Philips 6700k. Also you know there is a knob behind the projector unit where you can manually set the sitting point of the beam's height when you lower your car. You need a 6mm socket to adjust it a believe.
Beam set at lvl 4 pointing at the lowest point on the floor.
Now set at lvl 0 furthest away.
Random pics
Wall shots
Beam set at lvl 4 pointing at the lowest point on the floor.
Now set at lvl 0 furthest away.
Random pics
Wall shots
Last edited by raytrix; Feb 19, 2009 at 10:15 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Why are you young guys so obsessed with blinding incoming traffic? People wanting the brightest lights, HID foglights which defeat the purpose of foglights, cool blue beams. I like HID's but that's because it's a clearer light from behing the wheel not because I wan't my car to light up the block when I get home. I get so tired of having to adjust my rear view mirror every time some kid in a riced out import with his aftermarket HID's is behind me or having to turn away from incoming traffic because the glare is too much. This is definately one of the most annoying trends in automobile right now.
Why are you young guys so obsessed with blinding incoming traffic? People wanting the brightest lights, HID foglights which defeat the purpose of foglights, cool blue beams. I like HID's but that's because it's a clearer light from behing the wheel not because I wan't my car to light up the block when I get home. I get so tired of having to adjust my rear view mirror every time some kid in a riced out import with his aftermarket HID's is behind me or having to turn away from incoming traffic because the glare is too much. This is definately one of the most annoying trends in automobile right now.
And I think more specifically what you're annoyed by is HID's in a reflector housing.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,264
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From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Of course HID's in reflector housings are the worst but the EVO X HID's are pretty good and we have people complaining that they aren't bright enough. To them I have to ask what is your goal? Have we not progressed enough from the old sealed beam days already? There is only so bright you can go until it starts to be a detriment to other drivers.
Last edited by heavyD; Feb 19, 2009 at 11:57 AM.
OEM HID bulbs for the X
when projected on a close wall.
The high beam removes this cut off.
Factory original D2S bulbs are about 4100K to 4300K depending on brand and color shift up to 4800-5000K after 50 to 100 hours of operation. There are only 3 makers of quality D2S bulbs as used in the X, Philips, Osram / Sylvania (stock) and GE. All of them provide similar quality bulbs. D2C or other Asian made D2S style bulbs are junk.
GE offers a 5100K bulb color and Philips a 5,000K bulb (Philips Crystal Vision), Osram once made a 5400K bulb but I believe that was removed from production a few years ago.
These 5,000K to 5400K bulbs are the highest DOT legal color temps than can be installed in USA cars. The DOT illegal 6000K Philips Ultinon loose 20% of the lumens output, higher colors loose even more light, lumens output. 95% of all cars, domestic and import with factory HID come ONLY with 4100-4200K bulbs, mostly Osram or Philips.
The stock bulbs will color shift to about 4800-5000K after you use them for about 100 hours so why pay a premium for the ~5000K types.
Last edited by n789db; Feb 19, 2009 at 01:22 PM. Reason: additional clarifications.
The cut off in low beam should have a step(s) like this ____/__/
when projected on a close wall.
The high beam removes this cut off.
Factory original D2S bulbs are about 4100K to 4300K depending on brand and color shift up to 4800-5000K after 50 to 100 hours of operation. There are only 3 makers of quality D2S bulbs as used in the X, Philips, Osram / Sylvania (stock) and GE. All of them provide similar quality bulbs. D2C or other Asian made D2S style bulbs are junk.
GE offers a 5100K bulb color and Philips a 5,000K bulb (Philips Crystal Vision), Osram once made a 5400K bulb but I believe that was removed from production a few years ago.
These 5,000K to 5400K bulbs are the highest DOT legal color temps than can be installed in USA cars. The DOT illegal 6000K Philips Ultinon loose 20% of the lumens output, higher colors loose even more light, lumens output. 95% of all cars, domestic and import with factory HID come ONLY with 4100-4200K bulbs, mostly Osram or Philips.
The stock bulbs will color shift to about 4800-5000K after you use them for about 100 hours so why pay a premium for the ~5000K types.
when projected on a close wall.
The high beam removes this cut off.
Factory original D2S bulbs are about 4100K to 4300K depending on brand and color shift up to 4800-5000K after 50 to 100 hours of operation. There are only 3 makers of quality D2S bulbs as used in the X, Philips, Osram / Sylvania (stock) and GE. All of them provide similar quality bulbs. D2C or other Asian made D2S style bulbs are junk.
GE offers a 5100K bulb color and Philips a 5,000K bulb (Philips Crystal Vision), Osram once made a 5400K bulb but I believe that was removed from production a few years ago.
These 5,000K to 5400K bulbs are the highest DOT legal color temps than can be installed in USA cars. The DOT illegal 6000K Philips Ultinon loose 20% of the lumens output, higher colors loose even more light, lumens output. 95% of all cars, domestic and import with factory HID come ONLY with 4100-4200K bulbs, mostly Osram or Philips.
The stock bulbs will color shift to about 4800-5000K after you use them for about 100 hours so why pay a premium for the ~5000K types.
while 6000k HIDs are not DOT legal, i think it's acceptable for those looking for that blue hue without compromising utility...too much.
Indeed. There are a lot of Si owners on these forums. I went from an 06 Si Coupe to an 07 Si Sedan to an 08 Mugen Si. The only reason I traded in the Mugen was the 0% for 60 months Mitsu was having. Honestly, as fast as the X is compared to the Mugen, I still feel like nothing drives like a K20. If you can get a 300HP K20 in an X that would be perfect. Well, that is if the K20 had some torque as well.
bulbs don't affect cutoff pattern - that's determined by the shield in the projector housing. again, where you bought the bulbs have an effect on what quality light you're getting. just remember that.
while 6000k HIDs are not DOT legal, i think it's acceptable for those looking for that blue hue without compromising utility...too much.
while 6000k HIDs are not DOT legal, i think it's acceptable for those looking for that blue hue without compromising utility...too much.
Indeed. There are a lot of Si owners on these forums. I went from an 06 Si Coupe to an 07 Si Sedan to an 08 Mugen Si. The only reason I traded in the Mugen was the 0% for 60 months Mitsu was having. Honestly, as fast as the X is compared to the Mugen, I still feel like nothing drives like a K20. If you can get a 300HP K20 in an X that would be perfect. Well, that is if the K20 had some torque as well.
the arc would only at best blur the cutoff so it's not as sharp, shouldn't affect its shape or form.