Just bought a 2013 RDX base for my wife. Shame on me for not researching a little more, but I had no idea that Acura did not include HIDs on the base RDX. I just assumed, being how my non-tech TSX SE has HIDs and the fact that I cant remember ever seeing halogens on an RDX before.

Anyways, can anyone recommend a good and reliable HID kit for the RDX? I was looking at the Morimoto HID kits from TRS as I'm loving my Morimoto bulbs in my TSX. My main concern is I just want to install the HID kit once and never have to worry about the ballast going out or flickering, ect for as long as I own the car.

 

There are no legal retrofits and for good reason. The only halfway correct retrofit is to install the complete housings, bulbs and ballasts from the HID model.

You'll be better off trading it for a tech model.

 

I came across this thread awhile ago doing research on LEDs... but haven't tried any of the suggestions myself. Looks interesting though!

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...s-hids-915743/

 

This is my life. Let me explain it in layman's terms.

Each lighting source has a different bulb design. In general, conventional bulbs like halogens has a filament or arc that goes from right to left. HID bulbs generally arc from front to back while LEDs are directional from relatively small light sources.

Accordingly, it is obvious that each different light source requires a a different housing design in order to properly focus the light. You cannot put a HID light source in a housing designed for halogens and expect proper lighting. The same applies to LED sources.

Now, let's talk about the eye and brain interpret light. The brain doesn't process blue light efficiently - but - the brain fools us into thinking that blue light is brighter so blue light (that actually increases glare) is thought to be brighter when in actuality night vision is negatively impacted.

Now let's look at that LED lighting source in your link.

Even though the OP claims "no glare", the provide pictures show plenty of glare. In addition, there are obvious hotspots in the "garage door pictures" and cut-off is non-existent.

Just to summarize, the Acura non HID housing is about $1000. The RL HID housing costs $1600 and the LED unit for the RLX is north of $2300. If throwing a handmade LED into a non-HID housing would work then why design a separate housing.

 

Anyone using HIDs in their halogen projectors have a picture of the cutoff line? I'd be interested in seeing if any glare or hotspots have been introduced or if the beam pattern has changed.

I would imagine if using good quality HID bulbs, the beam pattern should be exactly the same as the halogen beam pattern. It would just be brighter with the color/kelvin difference. Of course this can vary between different manufactures, but being a 2013 Acura, I would think it should at least be adequate enough not to blind oncoming traffic and provide a much better light output than the halogens, aside from the warranty and legality aspects.

 

And you would imagine incorrectly. Cut-off is not a good indicator of light quality - bad cut-off is an indicator of very lousy lighting, but you can get good cut-off with a candle.

Here is a article you might be interested in. Wait, here is another.

Happy reading.

 

actually since the HID version of the RDX is certified by DOT, it is legal to install it into the non HID model of the CUV. You will need the following:

Harness for HID if applicable
Headlamp assemblies for left and right
Bulbs
Ballasts
Igniters

It is only illegal to install NON DOT certified HID kits.

 

If you want to be precise, then it must be noted that DOT certifies nothing. The manufacturer certifies that the installed equipment meets the requirement set forth in the FMVSS (in this case FMVSS 108).

Part of that standard requires that a lighting unit can only be replaced with a unit identical to what was originally installed, so a retrofit with OE HID parts is still technically illegal - but - I suspect that it would pass inspection in every state if done correctly.

I think that is what you were trying to say.

 

TRS is where you should get your HID kit.

anywhere else will be unreliable with service and with product.
TRS has great service and great products!!!

use coupon code ACURAZINE for a discount

 

You didn't read the thread, did you?

If the OP wants to ghetto-rig his car, fail inspection and get tickets then TRS is a fine choice.