Headlights not so simple..

[AFbunnie]

Hey~

I just ordered my car a week ago and I\'m sooo excited to \"add\" and \"change\" stuff on it already. I want to change the headlights to that awesome pure white that some cars have. I\'ll be honest.. I don\'t know anything about lights. I thought it was a simple \"pop a lightbulb out and stick a new one in\" kinda deal. Apparently not as reading all these posts. :P Can anyone give me some info of what I need to be looking for or what my options are for that nice bright white effect?? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[majic]

Originally posted by AFbunnie


Hey~

I just ordered my car a week ago and I\'m sooo excited to \"add\" and \"change\" stuff on it already. I want to change the headlights to that awesome pure white that some cars have. I\'ll be honest.. I don\'t know anything about lights. I thought it was a simple \"pop a lightbulb out and stick a new one in\" kinda deal. Apparently not as reading all these posts. :P Can anyone give me some info of what I need to be looking for or what my options are for that nice bright white effect?? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

2 routes:

1) cheap - HID \'look\' bulbs (sylvania superstars and others) 50bux
2) expensive - HID bulb kits (xtec, polarion, prolumen.. etc) 400-700bux

the first on will give you teh look and performance better than stock.. but nothing compares to HID (high intensity discharge) lights..

anyway.. there\'s too much for me to type out so i\'ll point you here (http://www.danielsternlighting.com/nhtsa/NHTSA.html)

click on automotive lighting FAQ (right now it\'s unavailable.. i dunno why)

[chaser]

Originally posted by majic
2) expensive - HID bulb kits (xtec, polarion, prolumen.. etc) 400-700bux


but worth, no regrets ever :D

[majic]

Originally posted by chaser



Originally posted by majic
2) expensive - HID bulb kits (xtec, polarion, prolumen.. etc) 400-700bux


but worth, no regrets ever :D

lol.. sorry forgot to mention that ;)

i don\'t have HIDS but i am deamn envious.. and now that i got some m00lah from taxes.. HIDs here I come :)

i was hoping dave stern would explain it to him but the FAQ is offline.. :(

[chaser]

The best way to see the difference of HID-look bulbs and real HID is to see it in person. Not just looking at the light output from outside of the car, but drive the car. You\'ll realize the DIFFERENCE right away!!! I think somebody already said that \"Once you got HIDed, you can\'t go back\" :p

BTW, I think Daniel Stern Lighting (http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/bulbs.html) is back online now.

[AFbunnie]

Thanks~ You guys rock!!

I really attempted to understand that link that was put up but it was a litle hard to understand. I really tried to grasp what it said though. Thanks! So HID\'s.. It keeps being mentioned that they are \"kits\". What does that mean? I\'m sorry. I hope I\'m not seen as being ignorant. I just don\'t know anything about lights.. but eager to learn~ :P I wasn\'t planning to spend $800 on lights seeing as I know nothing about them as of yet... I also see bulbs being sold at Pacific Mall for like $200. Are those \"HID-Like\" lights that you\'re referring to?

[al01]

Originally posted by AFbunnie


Thanks~ You guys rock!!

I really attempted to understand that link that was put up but it was a litle hard to understand. I really tried to grasp what it said though. Thanks! So HID\'s.. It keeps being mentioned that they are \"kits\". What does that mean? I\'m sorry. I hope I\'m not seen as being ignorant. I just don\'t know anything about lights.. but eager to learn~ :P I wasn\'t planning to spend $800 on lights seeing as I know nothing about them as of yet... I also see bulbs being sold at Pacific Mall for like $200. Are those \"HID-Like\" lights that you\'re referring to?


yess those 200 at pmall are just the bulb, and will give u a HID look.. but go for real HIDS they are much better, and \"kit\" means it comes with bulbs and ballast.... so u get better light output and the real HID look :) i believe the ballast is like an amplifier for your bulbs, makes it brighter

[majic]

Originally posted by AFbunnie


Thanks~ You guys rock!!

I really attempted to understand that link that was put up but it was a litle hard to understand. I really tried to grasp what it said though. Thanks! So HID\'s.. It keeps being mentioned that they are \"kits\". What does that mean? I\'m sorry. I hope I\'m not seen as being ignorant. I just don\'t know anything about lights.. but eager to learn~ :P I wasn\'t planning to spend $800 on lights seeing as I know nothing about them as of yet... I also see bulbs being sold at Pacific Mall for like $200. Are those \"HID-Like\" lights that you\'re referring to?

ok seriosuly.. please do yourself a favour and do NOT spend 200 bux on HID \'look\' lights.. those bulbs u can get at crappy tire for about 30-40 a pop.. you\'re better off \'wasting\' ;) $400 on HIDs :p

now check out a Polarion kit that RedRaptor bought (http://torontomazda3.com/forum/read.php?TID=1104)

the kit is simply all u need to get the HIDs functioning in your car (almost.. plus a few relays and stuff but most likely u\'ll get someone to install it for you and they\'ll take care of that)
2 bulbs in their sockets (pic3) - self explanatory.. those thingies that give you light ;)
2 ballasts (pic5) - in simple terms ballasts are what drive the bulbs. they usually contain an igniter (to turn the bulb on), and they need to amplify the 12V signal into ~20kilovolts (20,000V) that much is needed to sustain the arc in the bulb.
2 wiring harnesses (pic4) - wires

anyway hope it helps.. read through other threads that have this and similar info in them. at least you\'re in the right section :p


EDIT: i knew all this was familiar ;) check out this thread (http://torontomazda3.com/forum/read.php?TID=1091#14227) and please us the search (http://torontomazda3.com/forum/search.php) next time. :)

[AFbunnie]

Thanks.

I\'ll definately look into getting HID\'s when I get the car! 5 weeks and counting!!