I was reading on another forum...

and someone asked why the TSX doesn't have a blue tint like other vehicles with HIDs. That person stated that the bulbs used in the TSX is only 4300K, whereas in the BMW and other high-end models uses bulbs ranging in the 6000K. Is this true? Is the difference reflective as to how bright the TSX compares to others?

Can the bulbs be replaced with the higher end without damaging or replacing the current unit? Is it as simple as replacing a regular halogen bulb? How much does a HID bulb cost?

-S

 

the tsx lights are just as blue as any other hid ive seen on the road

 

I have been driving at night alot. The HID lights that the TSX has are some of the best I have ever used.

The BMW has 6000 bulbs but they do not light up any better that the TSX. My brother's BMW lights work the same as mine only he may have a slightly more blueish tint than TSX but unless you put the cars next to each other and really look you can not tell.

 

kewl...thanks for the feedback. I thought that perhaps the lower the number, the less bright...good to know.

-S

 

I forgot how bright they were until I drove my father's CRV last night.
Umm...are the lights on, dad?

Halogen is whack!!:shakehd:

 

not too sure about this buc i think all stock hids are 4300K or at least under 5000K. the color difference is based on the projector or light housing itself.

 

One thing that I a little "guilty" about buying a TSX is HID. I certainly have my share of cursing the HID of the "luxury car" from the opposite side of the road when I drive my old car. Now I suspect that a I am doing the harm to the other drivers.

 

The color temperature (4000K, 6000K, etc.) is just that. It's a number describing the hue of the color. It has no bearing on "brightness".

The only measurements for brightness are "candles" or "lumens".

 

as the temp changes the color also changes. 6000k is blue and 800k+ is purple. to get those colors you sacrifice visibility.

 

I hate to burst your bubbles, but ALL OEM HIDs are 4100 - 4300k. The reason some looks bluer is because of the projectors.

 

w00t i was right

 

Just as long as you're not in an SUV. You're fine with me with the HIDs. . SUV's with HID's are double trouble. They blind everyone!

I've seen some retrofited lifted F-150s and 1500s in the area with HIDs. Sad story for the other drivers that can't see.

 

Just for clarification, color temperature is just a number. It's not like the things are burning at that temp.

Let's put it this way....my computer monitor is currently set at 7800K. There's no way it's actually at 8073 Celsius or 14563.4 Farenheit!

 

The HIDs on the TSX are awesome, but there are many other cars out there w/ HIDs that "look" much better.

The best OEM HIDs Ive seen are on a S2000. It doesnt have a distinctive cut-off like the TSX's. S2000's just blends in. Same w/ the BMWs, esp the M series ones.

I wish we got the S2000 projectors. Unlike the TSXs and many other OEM HIDs, the S2000 looks like different colors depending on what angle youre looking at it.

 

It's not quite "just a number".

Color temperature is measured on the Kelvin temperature scale (0 K == -273C), and describes the color or a light source by comparison with a theoretical "complete radiator" or "blackbody." A candle flame has the color like a black body radiating at about 1800 Kelvin, and thus its color temp is 1800K. It's not the temperature of the source, but a reference to the temperature of a black object radiating light at that temperature. And of course objects only radiate light up to a certain range (about 4000K), so everything else that's bluer than that (HIDs, fluorescent lights, metal halides) is approximated.

Not that it really matters...

 

I saw an older compact pickup (Chevy S-10?) last night retrofitted with some bright blue HIDs.

 

i feel guilty when i'm driving uphill or into parking lots with sloped entrances and there's another car coming the other way...usually my HIDs beam directly into the other car's windshield and you can see the person squinting coz i just blinded them

 

Mojo - this is OT, but do u know if Kaiser Silver is the color of the Silver Star rims? I know it was for the gunmetal ITR rims, and the color looks the same.

Thanks.

 

us HID users provide others with OOOOOH and AHHHHHS as we pass them

and i think the TSX HIDS are pretty recognizable. have seen 2 from a distance and i can just tell its a tsx. dunno how but it works

 

Are you sure they weren't just Pep Boys blue "hid look" bulbs? A hid kit includes ballasts and generally runs about $500-1000. Hardly worth putting in an old cheby S10.

C.

 

HID kits cost $200-500. I got a Phillips 4300k kit for $350 2 yrs ago for the Type R.

 

Same thing with the S2000. Is it just me or do they seem a lot more blue from further away?

 

Stock Factory HID CAN ONLY BE 4300k by law. The reason the lights look blue in other cars (hell they look blue to me in yours) is the light dispersing from the projector lamp. 6000k up is for looks not to LOOK with.

BMWS DO NOT HAVE 6000K, that is garbage.

This is a members site from CLubLexus, it has THE BEST pics and write-ups on HID. Check it out
http://www.intellexual.net/hid.html

 

our lights are the same blue as the rest. No hids look blue from the driver seat unless they are the blubs that are rated too high to be of any use.

 

Fair enough, whatever. Still way too much to put on an old Chevy S10, which probably can't even go fast enough to outrun its crappy DOT sealed beams.



C.

 

I love it... the "K" in output doesn't equate to how much light there is. It the color temperature.... so don't think that a 4300K light is less bright then a 6000K light. This number does more to confuse people because those people tend not to understand or care to understand what the number means.

 

Thanks for the great and informative link 1SICKLEX.

-S

 

Agree, all OEM HID (either japanese or euro or even domestic) are 4300Ks, it just a matter of projector housing...

 

Yes, excellent link with very solid information and argumentation. Thanks, this is the kind of information that we gain a lot at reading.

 

Great link! That guy really took his time and did the writeup right.