HID kit being offered by our host

[bugstrider]

Has any fellow Pelicans install this kit or have any intel on product quality? Not looking at re-kindling the legalities of headlight alignment issues debate.

Just looking at feedback on this kit since it is actually a bit more affordable than the H-4 upgrades(lens and housing). More interested in visibility and output since I drive a dark two-lane highway most of the time and have had WAY too many close calls with animals.



Cheers,

[darrin]

why not just drop in a pair of 7" h4 bulbs? I run cibie round h4s in my 86 targa's sugar scoops (picked the pair up used for $50) and realized a fundamental difference in light output and aiming compared to the standard sealed beams.

Our host carries these Hellas at $57 apiece -- 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa - Lights and Lenses - Page 3

be sure to install headlight relays while you're at it to provide some relief to your turn signal stalk's hi/low beam switch

[Arne2]

Personal opinion here, but those are some seriously ugly lights.

[bugstrider]

Wwwhhhattttt? Just because they look, uhmm, extremely attentive? Like your being stared at.... LOL





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CCM911]

These lights are not too bad. I was the one that did the install and wrote up the instructions. It wasn't the worst project ever. Just a lot of moving wires around. I am happy with the result. My original lights sucked big time, LOL. These put out much more light.

[Mr Project]

I've been very happy with my set. The price was reasonable, the quality is good, and the guys at dapperlighting were very responsive when I needed help troubleshooting a backwards connection during the install. I purchased mine before they were offered through our host.

I think the light output is an incredible improvement over the dangerously (IMO) poor output of the original sealed beams.



So far I have not noticed any women crying or children retching in the street when I drive by due to the ugliness of these headlights. As a side benefit, I can now SEE those women and children if I'm driving at night.

[Joe Bob]

Relays and H4s.....stop there.

[jorian]

I second the H4's with relays. Better in every respect.
- Looks
- Performance
- Safety (relay taking the load off your switch)

Before I left the garage with my new H4's I knew it was THE fix.

[darrin]

interesting, seems that the responses either indicate that a) the HID kit is better than the stock US Spec sealed beams or b) drop-in H4 bulbs are better than the stock US Spec. sealed beams.

Can anybody with first-hand knowledge comment on the difference, output-wise, between the HID kit and drop in 7" h4 bulbs?

[jorian]

To expand on my previous post:

The H4 upgrade is better than stock in every way. As a data point, the lights in my 997 are modern, beautiful, bright, almost pure white lights that are hard to outrun. The H4's in my 87' are equally as bright but in an 80's analog way. I don't put HID's on this car for the same reason I don't put 19" no-profile wheels and tires on it: Wouldn't be right.

[Trackrash]

Yes, H4s with relays are the way to go.

The trick is to use HI WATTAGE bulbs. I'm running 80 100s and there is no problem seeing at night.

[McLaren-TAG]

Nice by-product of the Euro H4s is that they give you a lot better lighting of overhead signs with the diffused pattern on top "eyebrow" of the lens.

I got rid of my sugarscoops and can say I prefer the light and pattern of the H4's with relays and 80/70 Hella bulbs as compared to the HID lights on my Audi A4.

[CCM911]

So other than some assorted whining about looks, can anyone please furnish some hard facts? What is the light output of an H4 compared to the HID setup?

And someone actually compared these to putting on 19' rims? Nice try. Lighting is a safety issue, 19" rims are fashion.

But based on a lot of these comments, it looks like some of you guys are really into fashion. No problem, but just be sure not to confuse fashion with performance.

[javadog]

None of us have the technical facilities to measure light output and distribution, so don't expect any hard facts soon. It's not just about output; distribution is probably more important. An H4 is a known solution, engineered by lighting companies, and you can't really screw up the installation. It goes in one way and one way only. HID kits are not engineered, in the sense that they are coupled with lenses that are designed for other lighting sources and installed in whetever fashion the end user decides upon, so any engineering of the actual kit doesn't take these other factors into account. Few people that make a change will think it's anything other than "better", that's just human nature.

For a significant percentage of the car enthusiast group, lighting is fashion. Angel eyes, superblue bulbs, yellow lenses, LED's in every receptacle... it's all out there and more of it is crap than anything useful.

There are two camps here and everybody is in one or the other.

JR

[CCM911]

You have stated your point very well, Java.

Good job.

[bugstrider]

Thanks guys for your "spirited" responses.

It was not my intent to "re-fire" the debate on HIDs. I know that there are "many" different options for 911 owners, especially new owners like myself. I truly love the lines of the 911 and SWB912, but I also like the fact that the following of these great cars have allowed updated technology to evolve as time goes on. For me, I do a fair amount of "night" driving in both lit roadways and roads that resemble the darkest pits from hell. I will admit that at night, I like a lot of light out in front of me and the more the better without having to install a Mr. Fusion to run the Flux Capasitor. I don't want to see my fellow drivers retinas catch fire either and I am very aware of nighttime edict.

Because I am still recovering financially from the recent seal refresh and general TLC our car needed, I am upgrading the 911's systems as I go along. Step one was for me to place an order for a headlight relay kit to assist the load on the switch and bring direct current to the bulbs. The next step is to decide on what lights to use. Plug-n-play H4's, Euro H4's($$$$), or the newly discovered hids($$$). I do like the fact our host offers all of these options, including the modern HID option. I have had some in-depth email correspondence with Daniel Stern Consultant regarding the "proper" HID set-up for our cars. Basically, the high-end set up is the proper way to go similar to the Singer 911. However,$1500.00 is a bit spendy at this time for headlights and I need to figure a better route for me without having to redo the same job a couple of times before getting it right. It really didn't help my issue when I lowered the front a little bit effectively directing my pathetic light beam directly into the asphalt 10' in front of the car.

Thanks again to CCM911 and Mr. Project for sharing your HID install views and thanks to everyone else for you input and experience relating to your set-ups. Unfortunately, the jury is still out on what path to follow.

Cheers Trevor
Keeping the shiny up and the rubber side down. Unless your into aerobatic flying, then all bets are off.

http://vimeo.com/m/70966693

http://youtu.be/Ew9IH0JZzb8

[javadog]

Just buy the drop-in H4 lights. The output is about as good as the Euro H4 lights and they are cheap. 15 minutes work and you'll have them installed. No screwing around with mounting them, etc.

Did I mention that they are cheap?

JR

[darrin]

FWIW, given the minimal installation steps involved in installing drop-in h4 bulbs, the minimal investment necessary to purchase a pair of drop-on h4 bulbs, and their good resale value, you should consider seeing whether a drop-in h4 solution satisfies your lighting needs -- if they don't, you can always sell them, get back much of your investment, and go the HID route. Bottom line, going with either of these options will enable you to realize a "night and day" (pardon the pun) difference over your current setup.

edited to add -- what Javadog said

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by javadog

Just buy the drop-in H4 lights. The output is about as good as the Euro H4 lights and they are cheap. 15 minutes work and you'll have them installed. No screwing around with mounting them, etc.

Did I mention that they are cheap?

JR

+1 on this. Absolutely the best bang for the buck. Proper aiming is critical, of course, but that's true for any headlight. Fact is that the light output of even a really good HID is only marginally better than a good H4. And the Hella drop-ins are among the very best.

Disclaimer - My car had Hella drop-ins in it when I bought it. I replaced them with the Bosch/AL euro H4s. Not for improved lighting, but because while I do like to have good lights, I too tend to treat lighting as fashion.

I will readily admit that, though. The Hellas were fine as far as function goes, but I wanted the look. I noticed virtually no difference in output, and wasn't really expecting any.

[TheSt|G]

Not all HIDs are created equal either. What is the source for the projectors on these?