Are Acura HIDs different from each model? I don't know if it's just me but when I see the MDX or the RDX (whichever one, I get confused), the HIDs seem more white with a sharp purplish cutoff. As for the ILX the HIDs are white but with a more hint of yellow and the cutoff doesn't seem to be as sharp. I haven't seen my car from far away so I could be wrong.

 

Here are the infos on the headlight units

ILX:
http://estore.honda.com/acura/parts/...n=&b=B++08&dl=

RDX:
http://estore.honda.com/acura/parts/...n=&b=B++08&dl=

MDX:
http://estore.honda.com/acura/parts/...n=&b=B++08&dl=

Same HID bulb for all three units. Other bulbs are slightly different...

 

it can have the same bulb but different projectors.

the first gen tsx projectors are the most coveted.
Because it uses a 2.5inch diamter unfrosted glass.
which means; it will fit in most cars as a direct replacement and is really really clear(unfrosted)

for the 3rd gen TL; we use a 3 inch projector and I believe its frosted.
but we upgrade to a ZKW(a brand) lens which provides a better cutoff and more color.

Since the ILX is so new, I doubt any one has opened up the head lights to inspect the projector lens.

 

You think that's the reason for the big difference in price?

 

I'm not familiar with the current pricing on the newer vehicles.
but could be.

if Tuna is saying that his light out put doesnt look like the MDX, I would suspect that the higher end models received better projector lenses

 

I looked closer to the last time I saw an MDX HID pass by, and it actually looked pretty much the same. But if there's a reason the cutoff might be sharper is probably because SUVs headlights are located higher.

 

The reason we don't get a charp cutoff is simply because the lens in our projectors is either a fresnel lens (you can visibly see rings on the surface of the lens) or a frosted lens. I haven't looked at it close enough to determine which kind but you can swap it out to something prefectly clear and you will get a sharp cutoff (though which lens you need I do not know). I've done it on the last 2 cars I've owned (mazda 3 got the projectors out of an '04 TL with the zkw clear lens + 50w ballasts and the 350z got clear replica lenses out of an STi). I'm not going to do it to this car because I think it gets annoying to other drivers on the road since they flicker as you go over bumps . . . I also find it easier on the eyes while driving to not have a sharp cutoff . . .

Really the only cars that came with clear lenses from the factory are fairly old by this point (2005 and older). The being said, the old gen RDX did have quite a sharp cutoff . . .

 

The TSX also has this sharp cut-off.. I prefer the smooth fade of the ILX lights. And, so far.. less frequently getting people flashing their brights at me..

 

I let my friend drive my car while I drove his in front of him. Looking through the rearview mirror and side mirrors at my car, the cutoff is actually shaper than I thought.