Soarer Central: HID's

Soarer Central General Soarer Chat HID's

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Damian Ware
TryHard
Victoria
Soarer TT

Posts: 329
Reg: 10-2005

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 05:09 pm, by: Damian Ware (Frozenpod)

I am looking into getting some HID's.

I have seen a lot of different brands and prices. They seem to range from about $150 to $500 is there a difference in light output and durability.

As for the colour I am planning on getting some 4300k as they appear to have the best visibility from what I have read.

Is there anyone that would be prepared to show me there HID setup so I can get some idea of the improvement.

Damian Ware
TryHard
Victoria
Soarer TT

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 05:50 pm, by: Damian Ware (Frozenpod)

I naturally did a search. I found lots of little bits of information that really didn't add up to much.

Many people who had purchased them or about to but they hand't installed them yet. I am looking for responses from member that have used them for an extensive period of time.

IE are they still working well in 6 months or do the go dull, which brands do they have and are they happy with them.

I did find one comment about being happy with there purchase but I was hoping for a wider perspective than one member.

David Vaughan
Goo Roo
ACT
V8 Ltd manual

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 06:26 pm, by: David Vaughan (Davidv)

There were photographs published of installations. I think Tim was referring to that. They do not go dull. They break. Your plastic lens go dull. My globes and ballasts have not broken so I am happy but that is one example so it is chance. The usual brand issues probably apply. Sorry I can not be more helpful on that side.

Anthony Matthews
Tinkerer
Western Australia
Soarer GT Limited V8

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 06:28 pm, by: Anthony Matthews (Gajet)

Damian, I've just put mine on. (Been on about a week). I got 4300K from a member who had an unwanted set. Before I got them I was worried that the 4300's would be very yellow (as everyone else seemed to want 5 or 6000K ones) but they are a really surprising clean, white light. Only unusual notes so far is they very occasionally give a single flicker (like a millisecond, but you do notice it). Very happy with them so far, but have yet to take them on a long night time trip.

Jose-Antonio Castillo
DieHard
NSW
Soarer VVTi

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 06:43 pm, by: Jose-Antonio Castillo (Ahh_soarer)

I've driven with HIDs in Soarer lights for nearly 2 years (2 different brands). All I'm going to say is shop around and do your homework on them. What seems to be a bargain (in my experience) have always had their consequences.

Damian Ware
TryHard
Victoria
Soarer TT

Posts: 331
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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 06:55 pm, by: Damian Ware (Frozenpod)

OK well here is what I am concerned about. A mate of mine put some in about 3 years ago, 3 months later they stopped. They where replaced under warranty. They blew both globes about 6 months after that (globes were over 200 for cheap ones back then) then just out of warranty the ballast failed. At which point he threw them out and put regular globes in.

At the time the set cost him $600, for a brand name of some sort.

I'm sure they have advanced since then and the are probably better but as it was my car running 130W regular globes was bright and they cost only $25 bucks a pair.

I cant go down the rout of more powerful globes but I do want better lighting. Yes my lenses are very clean and the second they get dirty ie after a few days I notice that they don't work as well and I naturally clean them again.

I was thinking about giving HID's a go as the pics always look great.

I just wonder if good clean lights with good condition globes will see a huge improvement. If they are not reliable then I'm interested.

They might be perfect for a show car which doesn't do many kms and they are purely for looks purposes but I am looking for lighting quality as I do a lot of driving at night.

David Vaughan
Goo Roo
ACT
V8 Ltd manual

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 07:16 pm, by: David Vaughan (Davidv)

Damian, I have had my HIDs for 18 months now, without a problem. I have two sets (high and low beams). I know one other member who bought one set (same time, same type) and had one globe failure.

I always leave my lights on Auto so they frequently switch on an off under Canberra overpasses and a small tunnel, about three each on/off switches each way on a very common trip, plus covered parking. I also drive at night at least weekly.

Under these circumstances I have had no problems and am, as I have said before, more than happy with the lighting available. Years ago I made a habit of driving at night between Sydney and Canberra, with specialised halogen driving lights added to the cars I owned. These lights are far superior at higher speeds.

Damian Ware
TryHard
Victoria
UZZ32

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 07:27 pm, by: Damian Ware (Frozenpod)

Thanks David, very helpful which brand do you have.

Maurice Diggler
DieHard
Victoria
Twin Turbo

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 07:28 pm, by: Maurice Diggler (Mau_rice)

Damian Ware wrote on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 05:09 pm:
Is there anyone that would be prepared to show me there HID setup so I can get some idea of the improvement.

Where are you in Victoria, I'm in the SE Suburbs of Melbourne, if you want you can come look at mine.

I have a $400 JSM 6000k kit (white light) You are welcome to come see them for yourself. they look great IMO.

David Vaughan
Goo Roo
ACT
V8 Ltd manual

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 07:51 pm, by: David Vaughan (Davidv)

JSM. It was a group buy from JA Racing who appear now to be defunct.

Daniel Lee
DieHard
Victoria
Soarer GT Limited UZZ31 V8

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 08:09 pm, by: Daniel Lee (Son_gokou)

I also have JSM 4300k HID kit for about 18 months too.

So far no problem and is a huge improvement over the stock globes.

Damian Ware
TryHard
Victoria
UZZ32

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 08:27 pm, by: Damian Ware (Frozenpod)

I'm in the western suburbs but I spend time in the eastern depending on work commitments. I will be that side Wednesday I think.

Maurice Diggler
DieHard
Victoria
Twin Turbo

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 09:01 pm, by: Maurice Diggler (Mau_rice)

Well, Wednesday I will be home from 4pm onwards so it sounds like a go-er.

PM me and we can arrange something mate.

Greg Nikitiuk
DieHard
Vic
Celsior

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 09:04 pm, by: Greg Nikitiuk (Jestr)

Damian
Should try to make it here http://soarercentral.com/sc-forum/messages/287/89921.html?1163412976

There will be a few members with HID attending.

Damian Ware
TryHard
Victoria
UZZ32

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 09:10 pm, by: Damian Ware (Frozenpod)

Sounds like not a bad idea but wasn't that changed to on this weekend instead of last.

I am going away this weekend unfortunately.

Maurice Diggler
DieHard
Victoria
Twin Turbo

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 09:38 pm, by: Maurice Diggler (Mau_rice)

Damian, the later you come the better, if you see them in the dark, I promise you will mess yourself lol.

Dan McColl
Goo Roo
Victoria
Bog Standard Active

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Monday, November 13, 2006 - 10:35 pm, by: Dan McColl (Hoon)

I got some cheap $150 ones off ebay and fitted them a couple of weeks ago.

Not over the moon with their brightness, but my car and my lights are filthy and needing a good clean and polish, my lights also need adjusting.

They were 4300K and I'm happy with the colour, very crisp, clean light.

Only problem I've found is (I leave mine on auto, too) is when you turn the car on at night and start, occasionally one of the lights won't start up.

I'll be in Melbourne this Sat-Sun-Mon if you wanna catch up.

One day I will clean and re-align them, (they are too low) and report back.

Callum Finch
Goo Roo
WA
Soarer TT & Corolla

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Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 09:26 am, by: Callum Finch (Sigeneat)

I have an alternative to wanting more light if halogens dont provide enough (assuming your headlights are clean) and its to open your eyes at night =P

Nick Finn
Tinkerer
NSW
Soarer TT

Posts: 15
Reg: 01-2006

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Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 10:55 am, by: Nick Finn (Mervin)

I've had JSM 4300k HID's for almost 2 years. One changed colour within months but is still going..

- the one on the left is stuffed. The colour difference is quite noticeable at night.

Daniel Lee
DieHard
Victoria
Soarer GT Limited UZZ31 V8

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Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 11:29 am, by: Daniel Lee (Son_gokou)

Since I have the JSM 4300k HID kit installed, I never use the auto light.

Been told that you should manually turn on and off your HIDs!!

They are high powered devices, if you let the car decide when to turn it on and off while you drive around among building shadows, tunnels, starting the car up with them on etc, the life of the HID bulbs and the ballasts will be significantly shortened.

The HID system is not designed for frequent on and off usage, you either turn them on for a long time or turn them off for good, not flicking them on/off, such as flashing other cars...(as you know, soarers flash all lights if pull the light stalk towards you, not just the high beams)

Please don't be lazy and then end up going through the hassles of frequently sourcing for HID bulbs or ballasts that match your system.

David Vaughan
Goo Roo
ACT
V8 Ltd manual

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Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 01:27 pm, by: David Vaughan (Davidv)

If that is correct then why do cars sold with HID Xenons have an auto light feature and no advice not to use it? Especially given that manufacturers would not want to be wasting money replacing globes inside a four year warranty?

Flashing HIDs does not work because their light-up time is too slow, rather than because they will kark it on the spot.

Depends on the quality of the HIDs of course.

Damian Ware
TryHard
Victoria
UZZ32

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Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 01:49 pm, by: Damian Ware (Frozenpod)

Cheers guys much appreciated.

Sam Ferguson
Tinkerer
South Australia
Celsior

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Friday, November 17, 2006 - 08:40 pm, by: Sam Ferguson (Lexrsk)

for country driving go for the 4300k globes.
That is what I'm running (Bi-Xenon) and I am extremely happy with the light output. beats the S*^t out of standard halogen H4's, its like you have put a set of rally eye 2000's on the front of the car.
I got mine off of E-bay from a Melbourne seller.

Ben Socratous
Goo Roo
SA
I am the fibreglass/kevlar/carbonfibre king!

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Friday, November 17, 2006 - 10:56 pm, by: Ben Socratous (Socrates)

Anthony Matthews wrote on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 06:28 pm:
Before I got them I was worried that the 4300's would be very yellow (as everyone else seemed to want 5 or 6000K ones) but they are a really surprising clean, white light

Yes, finally someone has it right!!!

As a photographer, I can tell you that 4600k globes are about as close to daylight as you will get (use them in my lighting rig). 6000k is quite blue, anything higher than that starts turning purple!

Basically, anything above 5000k is just entering wank factor territory and will actually provide LESS visabillity than their mid 4000k counterparts.