Thinking to upgrade the HID bulb....
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 621
Likes: 64
From: San Jose, CA
Thinking to upgrade the HID bulb....
I believe the stock one for my 05 TL is 4000K which i personally think is somewhat "good enough" for me compare to halogen bulb....but i kinda wanna upgrade it 8000K so it looks sicker from outside and suppose give me a better vision at night....i was on ebay and saw couple pairs of HID bulbs for actually under $10???? are the bulbs suppose to be this cheap or they are just crappy bulbs?? I need something that will last at least 3 to 5 years but just 3 to 5 months......any recommendation??
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-AC-35W-...item1c213ba24f
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-AC-35W-...item1c213ba24f
Shamelessly copied AJ's post:
Most LED's are around 7000K color temperature (kelvin color scale) while the stock bulbs are 4300K.
As far as changing the bulbs, it's not that hard on the MDX but some folks have problems because they don't have the right screw-driver for the little cover. If I remember correctly the cover is held on with a security torx screw.
If you go with a set of HID's the HIGHEST color temp that I would go with is around 6000K. The higher the temperature, the less light you will get with automotive HID's. Once you get to the purple ones in the 10K range you have the same amount of light as with a regular halogen bulb!
As far as brand and quality, it is VERY true that you get what you pay for. Cheaper HID bulbs will fail prematurely, run hotter (risk melting things and starting fires) and will have a low light output vs. better bulbs. As well some cheap bulbs can rattle around and move slightly while driving causing other issues.
I personally would get the OSRAM CBI 5000K HID lights. They are some of the brightest bulbs on the market and as well are 5000K with no loss of light output over 4300K bulbs. The second bulb I would suggest is the Philips 81522+ bulbs. They are 4300K but they are a bit brighter than the stock bulbs.
As far as changing the bulbs, it's not that hard on the MDX but some folks have problems because they don't have the right screw-driver for the little cover. If I remember correctly the cover is held on with a security torx screw.
If you go with a set of HID's the HIGHEST color temp that I would go with is around 6000K. The higher the temperature, the less light you will get with automotive HID's. Once you get to the purple ones in the 10K range you have the same amount of light as with a regular halogen bulb!
As far as brand and quality, it is VERY true that you get what you pay for. Cheaper HID bulbs will fail prematurely, run hotter (risk melting things and starting fires) and will have a low light output vs. better bulbs. As well some cheap bulbs can rattle around and move slightly while driving causing other issues.
I personally would get the OSRAM CBI 5000K HID lights. They are some of the brightest bulbs on the market and as well are 5000K with no loss of light output over 4300K bulbs. The second bulb I would suggest is the Philips 81522+ bulbs. They are 4300K but they are a bit brighter than the stock bulbs.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 621
Likes: 64
From: San Jose, CA
i see...i think i will stick with what i have now...like i said the stock one is good enough for me...the reason i want 8000K is it looks sicker and i thought it will give me better vision because it's brighter....guess i was wrong..
i will prob mod the front sidemarker first to white LED as my next project......
i will prob mod the front sidemarker first to white LED as my next project......
This will give you better vision, one of the best bulbs on the market for a great price. Otherwise you can get the best of the best and get a pair of Osram 66240 CBI's but they're pretty spendy.
85122+
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=148
Osram 66240 CBI's
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?42579-GB-OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-D1S-(-235-shipped)-and-D2S-D2R-(-190-shipped)&p=436898#post436898
http://www.motivemods.com/OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-p/osr-cbi-d2s.htm
85122+
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=148
Osram 66240 CBI's
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?42579-GB-OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-D1S-(-235-shipped)-and-D2S-D2R-(-190-shipped)&p=436898#post436898
http://www.motivemods.com/OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-p/osr-cbi-d2s.htm
Your stock headlights are XENONS already. Not halogens. (If you didn't know)
OEM Stock Xenons are 4300K.
4300K = 3000-3400 Lumens (Depends on bulb manufacturer)
5000K = 3000-3200 Lumens
6000K = 2500-3000 Lumens
anything over 6000K is ALOT lower in Lumens.
Lumens = Brightness.
The more Lumens, the brighter the light output
If you want to upgrade, stick to 4300 or 5000. If you want it to look "sick" (-_-) than you can opt for 6000K. It will look whitish/blue but will offer you less visibility than 4300-5000K bulbs.
People that get 8000K+ are idiots who don't know anything and assume the higher the "k" the brighter and better. I can't tell you how many morons i've come across who say "You should get the highest K, it's the best". Idiots I tell you..
OEM Stock Xenons are 4300K.
4300K = 3000-3400 Lumens (Depends on bulb manufacturer)
5000K = 3000-3200 Lumens
6000K = 2500-3000 Lumens
anything over 6000K is ALOT lower in Lumens.
Lumens = Brightness.
The more Lumens, the brighter the light output
If you want to upgrade, stick to 4300 or 5000. If you want it to look "sick" (-_-) than you can opt for 6000K. It will look whitish/blue but will offer you less visibility than 4300-5000K bulbs.
People that get 8000K+ are idiots who don't know anything and assume the higher the "k" the brighter and better. I can't tell you how many morons i've come across who say "You should get the highest K, it's the best". Idiots I tell you..
Last edited by vietxquangstah; Nov 30, 2011 at 01:12 PM.
Trending Topics
Also, a lot of people confuse the color of OEM projectors with the color band. When you see most cars driving around that give off that awesome blue/purple effect, it's coming from the color band, not the color of the bulb. Our stock headlights are okay as far as giving a color effect, but if you want a sick color flicker, look into getting ZKW-r clear lenses from The Retrofit Source, the clear lenses will give you a lot crisper cut off line, with more pure color to it.
Stock fresnel lenses:
ZKW-r clear lenses:
Stock fresnel lenses:
ZKW-r clear lenses:
A6 and TL
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 145
From: New York/Brampton Canada/SoCal
While those are all good points I just got my 8000k bulbs in the mail. Where I live lighting is not an issue for me. 8000k while a bit worse then stock will still be better then halogen.
Whats the difference between D2S/DSC? I got D2S bulbs. Did I get the right bulbs?
Whats the difference between D2S/DSC? I got D2S bulbs. Did I get the right bulbs?
Well it's not a problem if you live in the city. Living in the country it definitely suck driving in the sticks with anything more than 6k. I've tried numerous bulbs and i'm sticking with 4300-5000k
I think the difference is that the D2C come with a capsule over the glass part, it might even be the notches at the base of the bulb may be different. Our cars take D2S, D2R's can be used but they're mainly for HID reflective housings such as the 2G TL's
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?22096-D2S-vs.-D2C
I think the difference is that the D2C come with a capsule over the glass part, it might even be the notches at the base of the bulb may be different. Our cars take D2S, D2R's can be used but they're mainly for HID reflective housings such as the 2G TL's
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?22096-D2S-vs.-D2C
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,878
Likes: 38
From: New York,NY
This will give you better vision, one of the best bulbs on the market for a great price. Otherwise you can get the best of the best and get a pair of Osram 66240 CBI's but they're pretty spendy.
85122+
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=148
Osram 66240 CBI's
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?42579-GB-OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-D1S-(-235-shipped)-and-D2S-D2R-(-190-shipped)&p=436898#post436898
http://www.motivemods.com/OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-p/osr-cbi-d2s.htm
85122+
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=148
Osram 66240 CBI's
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?42579-GB-OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-D1S-(-235-shipped)-and-D2S-D2R-(-190-shipped)&p=436898#post436898
http://www.motivemods.com/OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-p/osr-cbi-d2s.htm
Are those pricing for a pair or just a single bulb?
Get in on the HIDplanet group buy, you'll save $60 at least doing it that way. The second pic I posted up top is with the CBI's the first pic is with the 85122+
The CBI's are by far my favorite bulb 5000K (pure white after 100 hour break in) 3400 lumens, can't go wrong, also it's an OEM bulb in the Mercedes line up.
The CBI's are by far my favorite bulb 5000K (pure white after 100 hour break in) 3400 lumens, can't go wrong, also it's an OEM bulb in the Mercedes line up.
This will give you better vision, one of the best bulbs on the market for a great price. Otherwise you can get the best of the best and get a pair of Osram 66240 CBI's but they're pretty spendy.
85122+
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=148
Osram 66240 CBI's
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?42579-GB-OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-D1S-(-235-shipped)-and-D2S-D2R-(-190-shipped)&p=436898#post436898
http://www.motivemods.com/OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-p/osr-cbi-d2s.htm
85122+
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=148
Osram 66240 CBI's
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?42579-GB-OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-D1S-(-235-shipped)-and-D2S-D2R-(-190-shipped)&p=436898#post436898
http://www.motivemods.com/OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-p/osr-cbi-d2s.htm
Get in on the HIDplanet group buy, you'll save $60 at least doing it that way. The second pic I posted up top is with the CBI's the first pic is with the 85122+
The CBI's are by far my favorite bulb 5000K (pure white after 100 hour break in) 3400 lumens, can't go wrong, also it's an OEM bulb in the Mercedes line up.
The CBI's are by far my favorite bulb 5000K (pure white after 100 hour break in) 3400 lumens, can't go wrong, also it's an OEM bulb in the Mercedes line up.
My gosh this is sooooo tempting.
Thanks for the link, Nate. Maybe this will be my early xmas gift...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 621
Likes: 64
From: San Jose, CA
Registered Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,342
Likes: 163
From: Suburb of Manassas, VA
That's when you know those bulbs are expensive as fuck, when someone has to ask "is that the price for a pair or just 1 bulb?"
To answer your question, that insane price is for a single bulb.... So a pair (2 bulbs) will cost ~$200. Maybe a little more.
To answer your question, that insane price is for a single bulb.... So a pair (2 bulbs) will cost ~$200. Maybe a little more.
The Osram CBIs are priced as a single bulb $125. That's why I mentioned the GB on Hid planet, for a price of $190 a pair. If you buy OEM bulbs through Honda you're going to be paying the same price if not more per bulb.
takin care of Business in
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 30,994
Likes: 4,733
From: Kansas City, MO
I am running 6000K headlight (blue-ish tint) and 8000K lower fogs...love them....
while 6000K gives me plenty of light output to see the road, 8000K is just for looks....for the main driving light, i would NOT recommend anything more than 6000K....
while 6000K gives me plenty of light output to see the road, 8000K is just for looks....for the main driving light, i would NOT recommend anything more than 6000K....
This will give you better vision, one of the best bulbs on the market for a great price. Otherwise you can get the best of the best and get a pair of Osram 66240 CBI's but they're pretty spendy.
85122+
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=148
Osram 66240 CBI's
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?42579-GB-OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-D1S-(-235-shipped)-and-D2S-D2R-(-190-shipped)&p=436898#post436898
http://www.motivemods.com/OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-p/osr-cbi-d2s.htm
85122+
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=148
Osram 66240 CBI's
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?42579-GB-OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-D1S-(-235-shipped)-and-D2S-D2R-(-190-shipped)&p=436898#post436898
http://www.motivemods.com/OSRAM-Cool-Blue-Intense-Xenarc-p/osr-cbi-d2s.htm
ARGH! What a great deal, just placed my order. Looks like no one is getting presents from me this year.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,878
Likes: 38
From: New York,NY
Yeah its pretty crazy....the OEM's on my 06 are still going strong, hopefully they don't go anytime soon. If they do I'll be forking $200 for the Philips or CBI...Heard its the same or better quality as the OEM Osram.
śïιέит вµт đέαđιý
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 411
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, Ontario
Didnt mean to start up this old thread again, but is there a better option for new HID bulbs?
One of my bulbs started to flicker and actually went out, till I turned the headlights off and back on. Seems like it might be going out soon.
Is this my best option in terms for price/quality
D2S: Philips 85122XV C1 Xtreme Vision - $185.00 or is it the $95.00 (these prices are for pairs correct?)
The Retrofit Source | Innovative Headlight Upgrades
Also, is there a possibility that my ballast may be defective and not the bulb from what describing?
One of my bulbs started to flicker and actually went out, till I turned the headlights off and back on. Seems like it might be going out soon.
Is this my best option in terms for price/quality
D2S: Philips 85122XV C1 Xtreme Vision - $185.00 or is it the $95.00 (these prices are for pairs correct?)
The Retrofit Source | Innovative Headlight Upgrades
Also, is there a possibility that my ballast may be defective and not the bulb from what describing?
Generally your bulb will give off a pinkish color before going out. That is your warning to buy new ones. Lights going out may possibly be the ballast, but most of the time it's the igniter.
Didnt mean to start up this old thread again, but is there a better option for new HID bulbs?
One of my bulbs started to flicker and actually went out, till I turned the headlights off and back on. Seems like it might be going out soon.
Is this my best option in terms for price/quality
D2S: Philips 85122XV C1 Xtreme Vision - $185.00 or is it the $95.00 (these prices are for pairs correct?)
The Retrofit Source | Innovative Headlight Upgrades
Also, is there a possibility that my ballast may be defective and not the bulb from what describing?
One of my bulbs started to flicker and actually went out, till I turned the headlights off and back on. Seems like it might be going out soon.
Is this my best option in terms for price/quality
D2S: Philips 85122XV C1 Xtreme Vision - $185.00 or is it the $95.00 (these prices are for pairs correct?)
The Retrofit Source | Innovative Headlight Upgrades
Also, is there a possibility that my ballast may be defective and not the bulb from what describing?
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 6
My bulb turned pink before it died a few days later. I replaced them with a pair of CBIs. Excellent color and brightness. When I replaced the bulb, I also noticed that apparently my headlights were aimed horribly. So once I got them adjusted, it was even better!
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 319
From: Bay Area, CA
Did you adjust them yourself?
All that is required to properly aim your headlights is a long philips head screwdriver, a flat wall and a leveled ground to park the car on
śïιέит вµт đέαđιý
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 411
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, Ontario
Yea I know the Osram CBI are the best ones. Is the $185 price point for the pair?
What's a little cheaper alternative I can go with?
How would I go about first checking if my ballast or ignitor or bulbs has a problem?
Only symptom I saw so far was that the bulb flickered once or twice and it went out once till switched it on/off.
I got 6000k bulbs in there right now and the look pretty white to me even I feel like mine are aimed wrong too.
What's a little cheaper alternative I can go with?
How would I go about first checking if my ballast or ignitor or bulbs has a problem?
Only symptom I saw so far was that the bulb flickered once or twice and it went out once till switched it on/off.
I got 6000k bulbs in there right now and the look pretty white to me even I feel like mine are aimed wrong too.
10th Gear
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I was thinking of upgrading my fog lights to HID's and had 2 questions is there anyway to tell if my headlights are 4300k OEM or if they've been upgraded and if they are 4300k would the match up be the best if i just bought a 4300k HID kit.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48,280
Likes: 9,163
From: SoCal, CA
Mr. Detail
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 200
From: Arlington, TX
5500k is about as high as you can go and still get really good white light but the bulbs will have a slight touch of purple if that's the look you want. The retrofits I got for my car came with the 5500k bulbs, really wasn't too sure about it at first but the light output is really good. Whenever I need to replace them, probably going with 4300-5000k though.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 88
Likes: 3
I got 08 tl type s, im gettin my headlight cleared tomorrow and wanna get a set of new hids, make it looks really clean
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.VtzxiEU8KnM
Im thinking these, r these the best, top of the line?
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.VtzxiEU8KnM
Im thinking these, r these the best, top of the line?
Senior Moderator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48,280
Likes: 9,163
From: SoCal, CA
Originally Posted by Weezy2390
I got 08 tl type s, im gettin my headlight cleared tomorrow and wanna get a set of new hids, make it looks really clean
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.VtzxiEU8KnM
Im thinking these, r these the best, top of the line?
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.VtzxiEU8KnM
Im thinking these, r these the best, top of the line?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,521
Likes: 1,824
From: MAGA country
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 2