All,

Plagued by the ugly yellow light on high beam OEM, i have a desire to replace them. The following are the three choices which i have been contemplating. Your guidance would be highly appreciated

* Hoen XenonMatch Plus 9005 http://www.hoen-usa.com/plus.htm 4000K 60w $37+SH
* PIAA XtremeWhite Plus TwinPack#19615 http://www.cardomain.com/item/PIA19615 4000K 60w $74.95+SH
* mtec 4300k super whites (no idea where to buy these from)

The criteria for selection are
* should visually match stock HIDs
* light output should be closer to stock HIDs
* good throw range
* bright illumation of objects under throw range
* relatively longer lasting

If there are other bulb suggestions which you could make, then it would also be highly appreciated

Thanks,
calvin

 

I changed them with HID.
However you must put in place a relay system b/c the DRL 2V will burn out the ballasts.
So, the relay system will not energize while 2V is coming from the DRL circuit, but on flash to pass or high beams, 12V will trigger the relay, and 12 will go to the ballasts.

 

I thought the reason HIDs were not high beams was because they are slow to turn on and reach max brightness, a problem that regular halogens do not have because they are not flashtubes like HIDs. Have they improved HIDs so you can use them like high beams. I note that the lowbeams take about a second to reach full brightness.

 

Thanks for the guidance sotiri. I am not looking to upgrade high beam via HID kit, just looking to replace stock 9005 bulbs for something more whiter and brighter.

 

I changed mine to Sylvania Siverstar Ultra. Not HID but much better than stock. I heard a lot of issues with the regular Silverstars burning out quickly but understand the Ultras are significantly improved.

LL

 

yeap, and I did the same thing as you did.
What I found was that b/c of the DRL, anything but stock burns out in less than a year.
So I figured if that was the case, to bypass the DRL, which then allowed me to run HID's or other non-stock bulbs.
My suggestion is whether you go with conventional or hid, to bypass the DRL with a relay harness, usually costing about $25 and takes 15 minutes to install.

 

Mine PIAA ExtremeWhites burnt within 2 months . Probably because it's used as a DRLs. PIAA fogs are still holding after few years.

 

Didn't stop Acura from putting them on the TL's. Always bothered me that their top line car didn't have headlights as good as the next one down.

 

The TLs are bi-xenons (one bulb for both high and low) so the concerns about putting HIDs in the RLs high beams are still valid. Not to mention you're putting HIDs in a Halogen based reflector system.

 

sotiri, can you post up which relay you used ?. I was thinking just the relay would be enough to defeat the drl feature, which still letting us use the high beams as intended.

 

The fact that they're bi-xenons (or perhaps, just bi-curious?) doesn't affect the issue of turn-on delay. Xenons still have a delay, and that wasn't reason enough for Acura to not use them as high beams on the TL's.

 

I believe that the way the TL Bi-xenons works is all done with a "shutter" if you will. Since the bulb is always on and the shutter changes the light pattern, there is no issue of turn on delay.

 

It's been said that handling these types of bulbs with bare hands tends to lessen their life caused by the oils in ones skin. Could that have been the reason for the short life on the PIAA's?

 

http://www.365motorwerks.com/index.a...ROD&ProdID=190

 

Yes but with bi-xenons it is assumed the lows are already on, therefore no delay when using the highs. The shield simply moves. The only delay with bi-xenons is when they are first turned on. With separate HID high beams you would still have this delay every time you turn them on. AFAIK, no manufacturer uses a separate HID high beam in their setup and one of the reasons is this delay.

 

As I use HID on the HB, yes there is a delay, about 1-2 seconds to get FULL brightness.
you do get light instantly when you flash to pass or use the HB, but it takes 1-2 seconds to full brightness.
When you think about it, you dont need full lighting in a flash to pass or just a flash, I mean do you want to blind the other guy... But if you want maximum light for those dark conditions, then HID HB's are the way to go.
Also I just plain hated DRL's.
so I got rid of them, and it was just an impulse to get the HID's, as I drive cross country twice a year, and I love having those on when I am driving at 11PM on the interstate without any overhead lights.
Really has a neat effect when you can illuminate that far and that wide.

 

Which HID kit did you use and where did you get it from?

 

lland, could it be because the Sylvania Silverstar Ultras were not matching OEM wattage/volate specs?

 

Calvin, I used the digitals... http://www.xtralights.com/index.asp?...S&Category=390
with the 4300 color, crystal white.
The ballasts are very thin, and I was able to place them under the hood next to the fenders bolted using existing hardware from the car.
If you need, I can take pics to show.
The ballasts were less than 1/2 inch thick, and they came with a mounting kit that allowed easy placement.
I have ordered 4 kits from them, and they seem to be reputable.

 

thanks sotiri... :-)

after having spoken with couple of hoen owners, i think i am feeling inclined to go with them to try it out.... (all have stated that they have 15+miles over 1.5 yrs and still going strong)... if they blow up on me soon, then i am going to take the same route as you and order HID kit + relay :-) (btw, wasn't there a group-buy deal on kaixen HIDs a while back... anyone tried them out?)