Projector-beam halogen headlamps vs HIDS

[sicsol]

What is the difference between projector-beam halogen headlamps vs HIDS - I'm in the market to buy a new 2013 Ford Edge - HID Upgrade is $600.00 Is it even worth it .

[knowell]

I'm thinking brighter lights and better visibility in the night compared to conventional Halogens.

[sp3GT]

It might be the difference between a reflective housing and projector lens?

My buddy that just got a mustang was faced with something similar. $600 for the HID Option.

If both options come with projectors then I guess it's the difference in the lens.

[gabbygenier]

projector beam halogen headlamps are what the mazda 3 has. so it would be the same. you can install HID's in them but they wont be as good as an OEM kit.

reflectors are what the honda civics with HID's that blind everyone has. but acura does make hid reflectors. they have a flap that moves up and down so you dont blind everyone on the road.

edit: also what Sp3GT said. didnt think of that. the projector might be of a diff quality then the OEM HID ones

[RedRaptor]

Big difference between putting in a rebased aftermarket HID kit into halogen projectors vs. a OEM HID kit with HID projectors. You will notice a difference in light output as well as cutoff.

Not to mention that the factory HID option comes with quality HID (Philips, Hella, etc) components and not cheap aftermarket HID kits.

On the Mazda3 and other cars, the factory HID option comes with levelling motors that you can control from inside the car.

For my next car, I would buy the factory HID option for the OEM quality which means spending less time on swapping HID bulbs every year. OEM fitment means, you can also use speciality HID bulbs like the 6000K Philips Ultinon.

[Default User]

For my next car, I would buy the factory HID option for the OEM quality which means spending less time on swapping HID bulbs every year. OEM fitment means, you can also use speciality HID bulbs like the 6000K Philips Ultinon.

+1
I'm not effing around with my next car. Maybe rims at most...but no more tinkering around

plus I've heard that Ford (or is it GMC) has a crazy wicked extended warranty that even covers bulbs

[RedRaptor]

+1
I'm not effing around with my next car. Maybe rims at most...but no more tinkering around

plus I've heard that Ford (or is it GMC) has a crazy wicked extended warranty that even covers bulbs

Its a sign that you're getting old... :)

Don't worry bro, I'm in the same boat. I want my next car fully loaded from factory with warranty please.

Don't get me wrong, I've enjoy modding my 3, but my current thought on modding is

I wouldn't trade the experience for a million dollars but I wouldn't buy it back for 2 cents.

[Lockdown]

Spend the money. OEM HID are awesome and if you want to get OEM after purchase, you're forking out a $1500-3000 depending on car

[sp3GT]

Unfortunately, everyone is looking for price these days.

We still have tones of Phillips Ballast with no one buying =(

[sube]

Its a sign that you're getting old... :)

Don't worry bro, I'm in the same boat. I want my next car fully loaded from factory with warranty please.

Don't get me wrong, I've enjoy modding my 3, but my current thought on modding is

I wouldn't trade the experience for a million dollars but I wouldn't buy it back for 2 cents.

That's why I bought a GT out of the box, the OEM HIDs were a big factor, as well as all the other goodies that were standard, that you cannot add as options to a lower model.
Modding is okay but trying to add all the stuff willy nilly is starting to get tiresome. Hense buy it all up front get a warranty and be done.

Pat.

[DarkKilla]

I would say go for the HIDs, I was faced with the same situation buying the 2012 Ford Edge. Didn't get the HID package, and while the stock halogen light are bright, I knew after I purchased I should have gotten the HIDs. My mazda 3 has aftermarket HIDs and I love them. It is possible to put aftermarket HIDs in the Ford Edge, but the bulb type is not common so the kits cost more than the Mazda 3 Aftermarket Kits.

[doughboyr6]

for $600 i would. i didn't opt for my tech pckg because it was either $1300 or $1800 more. that seemed a bit steep for me for HIDs (didnt care about nav or sirus which was included in pckg).

to get a good HID kit, it is $150. For a really really good kit, you're taking $300+, so for $600 to get all OEM high quality stuff and all put in and not mess with warranty, makes sense.

Do it garry

[cwp_sedan]

If I had to do it over again I would have paid the extra $1000 for the luxury package just to get the OEM HIDs on my 3.

Do yourself a favour Gary and get them. Definitely worth the money.

[huyzel]

My 2008 mz3 HIDs are much brighter and provide a lot better visibility than the wife's 2006 mz3 Projector-beam halogen headlamps.
I would assume the difference on the ford would be similar. Well worth the money to buy the option.

[knowell]

Would it do any damage to my halogen projectors if I updated the bulb being used to HIDs? Sorry for the thread hijack, OP.

[cwp_sedan]

Would it do any damage to my halogen projectors if I updated the bulb being used to HIDs? Sorry for the thread hijack, OP.

Damage? No. Will there be a little more glare and less of a clean cut-off than OEM.

[sicsol]

Thanks for the imput - It will be one of the options I order.

[sube]

Compared to the factory HIDs driving with the factory halogens is like driving with candles, my next door neighbour has a 2010 GS with the halogens and there is no comparison between his and mine, I can see way more on low beam than he can on high beam. Once you experience HIDs you will never go back to halogen,

Pat.

[BMWWW]

I'd go against the grain and say, save your money, and spend that $600 on a professional retrofit.

Unless you're purchasing a Infinity FX (or better), or one of the high end Lexus's, the projectors aren't going to be the greatest. Sure, it's better than the halogen counterpart for the same platform, and better than the OEM projector's from the likes of Hyundai, but for $600, your money could be better spent with a set of FX-R's or LS460's.

Basically, for $600, you can get OEM equipment (from another car), into whatever car you buy.
Old?--Yes, I retroed the Civic for my parents, because it's hard for them to see at night. (And I'm only using budget Morimotto H1's)

[knowell]

Can I use any brand of HID bulbs and not stick with the HID code for our Mazda 3 (D2S)?