| TheWorm |
quote:
Originally posted by donsev
Just checked out a couple of AutoZone stores in the Boston area and they are absolutely clueless to the new Sylvania bulb. The *only* bulbs they carry are Warner replacement bulbs. ("Well, we only receive our shipments on Monday's, so if it ain't here it ain't here").
TheWorm, let us know how you make out there.
No luck out here...My local Autozones don't have them yet. Unfortunately, their online store doesn't have 'em listed either, so we have to do it the old-fashioned way! |
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| Alvin |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
No luck out here...My local Autozones don't have them yet. Unfortunately, their online store doesn't have 'em listed either, so we have to do it the old-fashioned way!
Alright, Here is the word. I just got off the phone with the Autozone national buyer at corporate headquarters (nice guy), right here in Memphis. He says the national rollout for the lights will be 12/9/01, so stores should be getting them as early as this Sunday.
I think both The Worm and I are going to have an opportunity to test the Slyvania bulbs soon, so stay tuned. Of course Worm sooner than me, as I'm still driving my Tahoe with the 2002 MDX brochure on the passenger seat! |
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| Fireblade6 |
Gerry-
I posted a new Thread on a REAL Xenon lighting system for Acura. Please let me know if you are interested.
TRENT |
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| Fireblade6 |
| I get the feeling that ALL of you guys want the HID XENON. Why dont you all just upgrade the lights to have REAL XENON lighting systems and not worry about messing around with Mickey Mouse FAKE light bulbs. E-mail me if you are interested. The REAL lightsystems will have Phillips Ballasts and Non-Filament Xenon Bulbs |
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| Fireblade6 |
quote:
Originally posted by manus1980
Other then the RS, I think the MD is the only other current Acura without xenon. The factory MD halogens are powerful but could use some style. I don't know all that much about after market bulbs, but would want to purchase a bulb that appears to be xenon and still remain powerful. The light given off I would like to appear super white, with some blue(like real xenon). Does such a bulb exist. Most of the after market bulbs I've seen appear weak and obviously fake.:cool:
You can actually upgrade your MDX to have REAL Xenon lighting systems similar to Mercedes abd BMWs. E-mail me if you are interested.
Trent |
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| TheWorm |
Fireblade,
I, for one, can tell you that I just don't want to spend several hundred dollars right now on a real HID kit. I do wish the MDX came w/one as an option, esp since I'm used to it on our other car, which has HID with autoleveling.
However, I also find the stock halogens a bit yellow, so a different bulb with a higher temp (and preferably not over-wattage) -- anywhere from $30-$60 -- is a reasonable alternative for many people. |
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| mystMDX |
As I posted earlier, my passenger Razo low beam bulb burnt out after 5 months of use. I then purchased a pair of 9006 Plasma Xenon bulbs at an eBay auction from PlatinumPrices.net. Most of the feedback on this site had favorable experience with these bulbs.
I received the bulbs in 1 week from the end of the auction. I installed both of them yesterday. I was very careful not to touch the bulbs or bang it. Immediately after installing it looked GREAT and boith bulbs worked fine. A few hours later upon leaving my office I used my remote to open the MDX and initially both low beams came on and then the passenger bulb faded out!
I was very disappointed and called Platinum Prices. They assured me that this was a very uncommon occurrence and they agreed to send me a new bulb and I in turn returned the defective one.
In the meantime I figured I'd try an experiment and inserted the solo remaining functioning "Razo" bulb in the passenger side headlamp. Well it worked.
I now have a Left sided plasma xenon 9006 bulb at 80w and a Right sided 9006 Razo at 55W. Remarkably, I find it hard to distinguish between the lights.
It almost appears as if the Razo @55W looks slightly brighter. They are almost indistinguishable overall.
Go Figure! |
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| octavian |
myst, bummer on those Platinum bulbs...I have had mine for about 4 months with no probs......tho I did get a set of PIAA Yellow Fogs and replace the Platinum fogs, just for fun and effect.
Maybe its just me but I am seeing a lot of burned out headlamps/running lights/fog lights on the roads these days. I especially note GM Burbs and Hoes and Sierras with one running light burned out. Anybody else notice this?
:confused: |
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| Alvin |
| I have the Sylvania Silverstar bulbs and am supposed to have an MDX to put them in this weekend (Hurray for me!). Anything I should about installing them, given that I am much more confident in my techical abilities than I am actually technically competent? |
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| Edub-MDX |
Alvin,
Where did you purchase those SilverStar bulbs?? I have been looking all over for those but no one carries them yet..
did you find them in a retail store or online?? If online, that would be great.. |
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| octavian |
alvin, I am glad you got your priorities straight....bulbs first, then find an MDX to put them in:D
you should have no problem putting them in...should take about 45 seconds a bulb except for the drivers side fog...what a pain in the tutu getting my arm down there!:mad:
anyway, i use latex gloves to handle the bulbs....both hands, btw, just in case....simply twist and pull out, then push a bit to release the pin holder on the assemply and remove the lamp.
put the new bulb in, you will hear a snap then put in hold and twist to close. that's it....
enjoy your bulbs.
and your MDX!;) |
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| Alvin |
quote:
Originally posted by Edub-MDX
Alvin,
Where did you purchase those SilverStar bulbs?? I have been looking all over for those but no one carries them yet..
did you find them in a retail store or online?? If online, that would be great..
Your local Autozone should have them soon, provided you have Autozone out there. Autozone began delivery of the bulbs to store on 12/9, but it's taken a little longer to get them to some stores. Memphis, where I live, is Autozone's headquarters. I'll report back my experience with the bulbs.
Octavian - Thanks for the install info. I'm sure it won't be too big a breech of national security if I liberate a pair of latex gloves from out mailroom.:p |
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| octavian |
| Alvin, just don't get caught with a pair of latex gloves on at work, especially in the bathroom.....:D |
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| mikedan |
quote:
Originally posted by octavian
Alvin, just don't get caught with a pair of latex gloves on at work, especially in the bathroom.....:D
Leave it to Oct to drag a lightbulb discussion into the gutter. ;) |
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| tdnone |
| I have been using the Platinum bulbs for the last three months and no problems at all. Use quite alot during two LA trips and a ski trip last weekend (light was on continuously for close to 5 hours in each occasion). I keep on knocking on wood. So far I am very happy (so does my friend). I have also installed the Platinum bulbs on my wife Toyota Avalon for a month. |
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| octavian |
| Gutter??? And here I thought I was shedding some "light" on the subject......sheeeesh! such abuse! :( I think I will visit Yahoo's M-Class Forum for a while and pretend I am a dissatisifed M-class owner....heh heh heh.... ;) |
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| Steve |
I have been trying to get information on Sylvania Silverstar bulbs and came across this http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/info/bulbs/blue/good/ . This article says the color of the head lights have no bearing on the amount of light output.
Comments?
I have a 2002 and find the lights almost as good as those on my old bimmer! |
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| TheWorm |
quote:
Originally posted by Steve
I have been trying to get information on Sylvania Silverstar bulbs and came across this http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/info/bulbs/blue/good/ . This article says the color of the head lights have no bearing on the amount of light output...
That is correct. *If* the lamps/bulbs are DOT approved, then their light output (lumens) will be within a relatively narrow band. Some bulbs (like the PlatinumPrices a fair number of the folks seem happy with) use higher-than-stock wattage to produce more lumens (presumably...no one has measured it).
That said, the *perceived* light output *is* probably related to the color temp. I find the output of the MDX stock headlights adequate (I think the brights are excellent), but I *hate* the yellow color. They're no worse than any other halogen bulbs, but our other car has HIDs and the difference is bothersome.
I'm installing some Silverstars on Tuesday. I imagine I'll get the same intensity but with a "whiter", higher temp light, which would be nice. Alvin might beat me to it -- he's installing this weekend if he comes out from behind the wheel long enough :) |
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| mystMDX |
quote:
Originally posted by tjwid
There is a continous ebay aution for one pair of 9005 and one pair of 9006 for $20.99 plus $6.95 S&H.
I came across this auction and bid on a pair. There are 100 pairs up for auction and the price is right so I thought I'd share the site. About 4 hours left for this auction but clearly it will be up again.
XENON HYPERWHITE HID 4BULBS 9005 / 9006
DUTCH AUCTION on ebay Item # 599044582 by
paytel@ixpres.com (4018)
Started
Dec-09-01 20:26:21 PST
_
Ends
Dec-16-01 20:26:21 PST
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-c...9044582&r=0&t=0
Overall profile makeup
4512 positives. 4045 are from unique users and count
toward the final rating.
30 neutrals. 2 were converted from users no longer
registered .
28 negatives. 27 are from unique users and count toward the
final rating.
Take advantage of this super low price on a set of two high wattage 80W 9006 low beam
bulbs, and two high wattage 100W 9005 High beam bulbs for your vehicle. Only $21.99 for
the 2 pairs! Plus $7.00 S/H. |
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| Alvin |
Got the Silverstar bulbs installed this weekend, (Oct- of course that was after marching around the house in my latex gloves making lots of jokes that neither my wife nor dog found particularly amusing). I drove a total of one evening with the originals, just so I'd have a comparison. Also, I've been driving a '95 chevy tahoe for the last 6 years with the same bulbs since new (they seem to produce about 4-5 candle power:p ).
Wow! what a difference. As Worm said, I'm one of those that thought the light output of the existing bulbs wasn't bad, just yellow. The Silvania Silverstar absolutely solve the problem. I replaced one side, then compared it to the other - much whiter. I replaced both sides and compared it to my wife's honda - yellow be gone!
With that, I'm done with the headlights and on to BSM. As long as these bulbs don't crap out like the Razo, I've found my solution.
BTW, after my first 40 miles in the MDX - Nice Ride! |
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| Steve |
Alvin, Do the Silverstars give you much greater range or are they just "whiter"?? Where did you get them? I tried Autozone and they "do not sell Sylvania".
What do you think about the bulbs available re the post directly above yours?
Enjoy your new X. We have 400 miles on ours and it is going back for a vibration:( |
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| Alvin |
Steve- The Silverstar is the only Sylvania bulb that Autozone carries and they are new, so the guy you talked to is just confused and they may not have them on the shelves yet. They are in the stores here in Memphis and I talked to the Autozone national buyer agian today, he said all stores should have them by now, but some may not have put them on the shelves. Make sure you actually go over and look on the shelve at all the bulbs - the sylvania are in a blue/gray package.
The Silverstar seem to have a little better range, although I didn't do any kind of test. I can't imagine the "need" for HID after driving with these - they are so much better than my old truck and the Acura OEM. I mean, how much light do we really need to drive safely and not provide oncoming drivers with too much glare? |
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| donsev |
After a number of fruitless calls, I can now confirm that the Autozones in the Boston area now do have the Silverstars in stock. They may not even know it yet, they may not have them out for display (seriously, they don't know where to put them b/c of all the Wagner bulbs), and they may not have very many of them (one store received only TWO 9006s - and one of the employees snatched those the first day), but they ARE out there.
Or at least they were, since I purchased two 9006s at another store, that means that at least two stores are cleared out for another week ;)
I will try to do a comparison to our Lexus HIDs when I get them installed in the MDX - hopefully this week sometime. |
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| toby267 |
quote:
Originally posted by need4spd
OK, I was all set to order some bulbs from platinumprices.net, but saw that they have 9005 and 9005XS (and 9006 and 9006XS). Which do I get? Which ones do you have? Did any of you use a 9005 as a low beam light (cut a notch in the base so it would fit)? I read somewhere (maybe on this board) that the diff. between 9005 (high beam) and 9006 (low beam) isn't so much the wattage (the stock ones are both around 51w-55w, I think), but that the 9005s are rated (stock) at something like 1700 lumens, and the 9006s are at 1000 lumens, almost half as bright for about the same wattage. Could someone "shed some light" on this? :rolleyes:
I just found the answer to this question of the "xs" suffix on a site called midnightmoose.com:
- What is the difference between the XS bulbs and regular bulbs?
A - The 9005XS and 9006XS bulbs are no better than any other Eaglite bulb. They are just different models for specific new model Chrysler vehicles. They are NOT interchangeable with standard 9005 or 9006 bulbs.
FWIW:They carry some "imposter" amber fog lamp bulbs much cheaper than PIAA
Toby267 |
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| MDXtrous |
Toby267,
Are they the same as Platinumprices? I guess if you get one 9005 and two 9006s the price comes out to be about $46 instead of $59. |
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| mikedan |
quote:
Originally posted by MDXtrous
Are they the same as Platinumprices? I guess if you get one 9005 and two 9006s the price comes out to be about $46 instead of $59.
Platinumprices runs auctions on ebay all the time. I picked up a full set of lights for the MDX, a pair of 9006 and a pair of 9005, for $30. One of their current auctions is here, or search for items by seller platinumprices.
-Mike |
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| TheWorm |
| Posted a couple of pics and review of the SilverStars here. |
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| toby267 |
quote:
Originally posted by MDXtrous
Toby267,
Are they the same as Platinumprices? I guess if you get one 9005 and two 9006s the price comes out to be about $46 instead of $59.
I'm not sure they're the same, the website says they are Eaglite brand.
This website also says they will give car clubs a discount, if the club registers with them via a form on their site. . I posted this in the "group discount suggestion" forum. I feel that one of the moderators or senior members should be the one to sign us up as a group.
I have never ordered from this site and have no connection to it so I know nothing else about them. It does seem that their prices are reasonable, though... |
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| mystMDX |
quote:
Originally posted by mystMDX
I came across this auction and bid on a pair. There are 100 pairs up for auction and the price is right so I thought I'd share the site. About 4 hours left for this auction but clearly it will be up again.
XENON HYPERWHITE HID 4BULBS 9005 / 9006
DUTCH AUCTION on ebay Item # 599044582 by
paytel@ixpres.com (4018)
Started
Dec-09-01 20:26:21 PST
_
Ends
Dec-16-01 20:26:21 PST
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-c...9044582&r=0&t=0
Overall profile makeup
4512 positives. 4045 are from unique users and count
toward the final rating.
30 neutrals. 2 were converted from users no longer
registered .
28 negatives. 27 are from unique users and count toward the
final rating.
Take advantage of this super low price on a set of two high wattage 80W 9006 low beam
bulbs, and two high wattage 100W 9005 High beam bulbs for your vehicle. Only $21.99 for
the 2 pairs! Plus $7.00 S/H.
Received my bulbs today. The same ones sold by PlatinumPlus "EAGLITE Plasma Xenon bulbs".
I installed the 9005 High Beams. They look great. Super Deal 9005 +9006 both sets for $21.99. I already have the 9006 low beams and PIAA fogs installed. |
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| Fireblade6 |
I REALLY Hope that aftermarket auto light bulb makers out there would NOT use the word Xenon as a technical terminology to describe the method of lighting and also the types of bulbs they are trying to sell.
9006, 9005 are strictly Halogens. Halogens are light bulbs that has two prong connected by a coil encapsulated in a glass crystal tube that is lighted by a current of 35 volt electricity from a car.
LIGHT BULBS with a blue dye on the crystal causes the coil when ignited to similate a color of Xenon bulbs by filtering out the yellow that halogen puts out in Kelvin. Kelvin is the measure of heat dissipated by a lighted energy. This energy is measured in a way that rates the brightness of the light in a light spectrum.
XENON on the other hand is a different lighting technology. a Xenon bulb is created by a pair of prong encapsulated in a crystal tube filled with an EXPENSIVE particle gas called XENON. This light bulb is ignited to life by a lighting ballasts. This ballasts contains two ignition system- an inverter and an ignitor. The ballasts receives an electrical charge to the ECU(Electrical Control Unit) a.k.a. ballasts then the ballasts sends a integrated charge to the bulbs. when the charge reaches the two prongs...A negative and positive...this ignites an actual SPARK between the two prongs. As this pair of prong ignites...this agitates the Xenon gas in the vacuum tube and creates a bright blueish white light -basically Xenon particles on "fire" to create that unique light we call Xenon beams. This lighting system takes lower draws from your auto electrical system. Hence this type of lighting is much more expensive and lasts much longer than a stereotypical HALOGEN technology with the dyed bulb out there.
Anyways...Just putting in my 2 cents worth. Just that I have seen a lot of posting on here where members and vendors use the word "XENON" incorrectly.
Firelade6
"Life Begins at 180MPH" |
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| need4spd |
quote:
We have 400 miles on ours and it is going back for a vibration
Oooh. Is that a new type of suspension treatment? :D Just kidding of course. Probably just lost a wheel weight. |
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| octavian |
| Good data points, fireblade. Thanks for the clarification. Maybe we should call the bulbs.....Halogen High Wattage Xenon-Wannabes. :D |
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| Steve |
Need4Speed -
I have 500 miles on mine and have a vibration too. I'm waiting until after the New Year for the dealer to come and get it. I have what I discribe as a high frequency vibration that is felt in the steering wheel - starts around 68 MPH and stays - I haven't gone over 80 yet. Up to 68 MPH it is smooth as silk.
What is your vibration like?
Steve |
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| teamTMS |
I've been looking around for the PIAA yellow fog light bulbs for my MDX. Any pointers.
I did find http://www.bellof.com/piaa.htm but not too sure about dealing with them because they only take money orders. Has anyone dealt with them?
Or does anyone have any other sites to get these yellow bulbs.
BTW, we got 9006/9005 set of super white bulbs from eBay. So far they are working great ... 1 week now. Got them for $28 including s/h. |
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| mystMDX |
quote:
Originally posted by teamTMS
I've been looking around for the PIAA yellow fog light bulbs for my MDX. Any pointers.
I did find http://www.bellof.com/piaa.htm but not too sure about dealing with them because they only take money orders. Has anyone dealt with them?
Or does anyone have any other sites to get these yellow bulbs.
BTW, we got 9006/9005 set of super white bulbs from eBay. So far they are working great ... 1 week now. Got them for $28 including s/h.
PIAA #H-131 Yellow Plasma ion fog bulbs are difficult to come by.
Ron from Motorsports in California has supplied them to members of this site for a discounted price of $80.00 + $3.50 Shipping.
He's very easy to work with
phone#510-783-8383
fax#510-783-8181
item# PIAA9006ION
Good Luck.
I've had my PIAA Fog lights since July 2001.They're GREAT! |
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| octavian |
thanks myst....yes this in the Ron I was referring to in a previous post. I didn't have his phone number handy at the time. Good service. No hassles.
And my Yellow Ions are doing great as well.....very distinctive, coupled with my Platinum 80w lows and 100w highs...... |
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| mikedan |
| I'll third that - go with Ron! He got me my yellow ions very quickly. I haven't had a chance to put them in yet though. :( |
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| teamTMS |
| Just spoke with Ron ... he has no more and not getting anymore PIAA H-131 ion-crystal yellow bulbs. :( :( :( :( :( |
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| teamTMS |
Argghhh.... I've been searching everywhere ... does anyone know of any place that has 2 sets (I'm also looking for my cousin) of 9006/HB4 ion-yellow (2500K) bulbs?
Thank you. |
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| teamTMS |
Anyone else interested in getting these ion-yellow 2500K bulbs for the MDX fog lights?
I am looking to see if my contacts in Asia can get them for me in a case of something. I will only pursue this if I get a bunch of us who wants them. They are impossible to find here in America. Everyone tells you they don't have them but still advertise them on their websites. Argghh .... very frustrating.
So if you are interested in a group buy on these bulbs, please let me know. Thanks.
Happy MDX'ng. |
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| mgmdx |
teamTMS,
How much would they cost? |
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| teamTMS |
Cost? Well ... I don't know yet. I'm contacting my friends in Asia to see how much they will cost (including shipping etc.)
I just want to see if there are enough people interested before I venture the capital to do this. Before they are willing to ship stuff from Japan, they have to get paid first (letter of credit directly from the bank).
If you are interested, please let me know via email to: teamTMS@jchin.com. Also, my company is will to take credit card payments and/or PayPal payments. Of course, I will have to see if I can get these bulbs from Asia or not first :)
BTW, my name is Johnny Chin ... the Honda/Acura car enthusiast group is teamTMS (started by brother Benny).
PS -- I contacted http://www.bellof.com/piaa.htm and asked if they will do COD paid with a money order ... the resounding answer "NO". They will only do business if I send them money first. I am going with my gutt ... I don't trust them. |
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| Fireblade6 |
OKay...Each of us here forked out 40K plus to buy an MDX...Nice vehicle...yet..I notice in all the threads that you give your X third party and yet sometimes not so worthy lights and lighting accessories. I feel that if you are investing that much money you mine as well buy reliable products.
Example..I notice all of us here wants HID lighting because ACURA did not have the HID lighting as an option.
I have installed HID lighting system on mine...and I have to tell you...NOTHING comes close to how it makes the Acura look...Its undescribable. I just have to take pictures and let you see for yourselves.
Attached is the pic. Please notice the real HID lighting system with Xenon gas discharge ballast versus the 9006 fogs halogen from Acura. Please note that the 9006 bulbs were once installed for the head lights. Please note the rainbow blueish color it casts on the headlight lens. The picture is an injustice to the light...At night on certain angles...you can see a flourescent blue glow around the edge of the headlight cover...it is really cool. |
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| Fireblade6 |
| Look at the white beam. dyed Halogen bulbs to simulate CANNOT match the whiteness of HID and the brightness of HID. |
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| Stargazer |
quote:
Originally posted by Fireblade6
Halogen bulbs ... CANNOT match the whiteness of HID and the brightness of HID.
I currently have HID on my other car and would rather not give that up when I get the MDX. Where did you get your HIDs? |
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| Fireblade6 |
quote:
Originally posted by Stargazer
I currently have HID on my other car and would rather not give that up when I get the MDX. Where did you get your HIDs?
Stargazer-
I purchase my lighting system from HIDS4less.com you can check them out at www.hids4less.com
There are two reliable vendors out there, www.hidkits.com or www.hids4less.com
The kit I purchased is a STAGE II lighting system this consists of a pair of lighting ballast(Igniter and inverter) from a German company called HELLA. The bulb is a pair of HID that is manufactured with a 9006 base to fit in your Acura MDX headlight assembly. This kit is a plug and play unit...No gluing, no beam adjusting, no drilling or modification of your vehicle. The ballasts comes with velcro and you can place the ballasts right underneath the headlight housing. It is a really clean installation.
STAGE I from HIDS4less.com is basically the lighting that is installed in all german cars like the BMWs, Mercedes, Porsches...Stage II cast a much whiter and more of a rainbowish tint.
Check them out. |
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| bapisz |
Fireblade, great pictures of the HID's.
I just received my Phase II kit from Hid4less.com this week and
I have a question regarding the black/red wire adapter that
came with the kit. Was this required for the MDX install?
I don't think it will be, but was just curious.
My 02' Mohog/touring is due in a few weeks (build jan 23rd)
You also noted there was no re-aligning needed...was the
beam pattern pretty close to the original halogen setup?
Thanks for the post :cool: |
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| Fireblade6 |
quote:
Originally posted by bapisz
Fireblade, great pictures of the HID's.
I just received my Phase II kit from Hid4less.com this week and
I have a question regarding the black/red wire adapter that
came with the kit. Was this required for the MDX install?
I don't think it will be, but was just curious.
My 02' Mohog/touring is due in a few weeks (build jan 23rd)
You also noted there was no re-aligning needed...was the
beam pattern pretty close to the original halogen setup?
Thanks for the post :cool:
The red/black adapters are for headlight enclosure where the light buld base is too deep. For the MDX installation...the DS2S HID lightbuld with the 9006 base fits PERFECTLY. No adapter required.
Yes that is correct..Because MTC lighting..the parent company that makes the lighting system for HIDS4less already fabricate the base to be exactly of the 9006 bulbs...You need not worried about adjustment. The lighting pattern on the HID is AWESOME! You will love it. To compare just put one HID on first and leave the OEM 9006 on and turn on the lights...you will be amazed!
One word of caution however...If you are planning to raise your MDX or add aftermarket wheels and tires...Make sure to have the dealer look at the light pattern of your HID. Other than that...you are all set to go. |
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| Oracle |
Hi Fireblade,
Did you lose the high beam after installing the kit? Can I still use the highbeam with the HID Kit installed?
Thanks for your info!
Cheers! |
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| Fireblade6 |
quote:
Originally posted by Oracle
Hi Fireblade,
Did you lose the high beam after installing the kit? Can I still use the highbeam with the HID Kit installed?
Thanks for your info!
Cheers!
Oracle-
Yes you can use the High beam when you install the HID kits. MDX has dual head light systems. A pair of 9006 for lows and a pair of 9005 for HIGH. You are upgrading ONLY the 9006 and not the 9005. You can still use the HIGH. But trust me...After you install the HID for the low beams...YOU WONT EVER need to use the high beams unless you are blind...
:D :D :D |
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| Oracle |
quote:
Originally posted by Fireblade6
Oracle-
Yes you can use the High beam when you install the HID kits. MDX has dual head light systems. A pair of 9006 for lows and a pair of 9005 for HIGH. You are upgrading ONLY the 9006 and not the 9005. You can still use the HIGH. But trust me...After you install the HID for the low beams...YOU WONT EVER need to use the high beams unless you are blind...
:D :D :D
Hi Fireblade,
Haha I can imagine... but if I am blind, can I see again with 2 sets of HID kits? :p (just kidding) :D
Can you take some photos on where you place the ballast and how you run the lines? I would like to do it myself but I would like some more details on how to install it. If possible. Thanks very much!
Cheers! :) :) :) |
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| Fireblade6 |
quote:
Originally posted by Oracle
Hi Fireblade,
Haha I can imagine... but if I am blind, can I see again with 2 sets of HID kits? :p (just kidding) :D
Can you take some photos on where you place the ballast and how you run the lines? I would like to do it myself but I would like some more details on how to install it. If possible. Thanks very much!
Cheers! :) :) :)
Oracle-
I will be glad to and post pictures for you. FYI- The lighting systems I use is "plug and play" The DS/2 XENON bulbs come with a 9006 foundation that has be manufactured by the company that sell the upgraded kit. You can find out about them by going to www.hids4less.com As for the wiring...and stuff it took me like 15 minutes to install. The instructions is like MUCH easier than those DAMN HONDA/ACURA instructions for their accessories. |
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| bapisz |
Fireblade, check out my post on rspitzs' thread.
I also installed this Stage II Hids4less.com kit and had a question
about the install. Did the factory headlight connector fit correctly
on the Hella ballast? My connector did fit, however the "nub" on
the ballast did not snap into place like the OEM harness would.
I actually had to use the red/black wire adapter that came with the kit (we spoke about this on an earlier post). I plugged these
two black/red wires into the factory bulb connector.
Although this setup does work fine, it's not as clean an installation as I wanted. Did your factory harness "click" into place (on the ballast)? I might just plug the connector onto the ballast and figure
out another way to secure it, since it doesn't "click" securely.
You also mentioned that you attached the ballasts under the
headlight housing. Do you mean literally upside down, underneath the headlight housing? I don't recall any trays
or flat areas underneath. There isn't too much slack in the factory
wiring to mount the ballasts.
thanks for your comments and suggestions
:cool: |
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| Fireblade6 |
quote:
Originally posted by bapisz
Fireblade, check out my post on rspitzs' thread.
I also installed this Stage II Hids4less.com kit and had a question
about the install. Did the factory headlight connector fit correctly
on the Hella ballast? My connector did fit, however the "nub" on
the ballast did not snap into place like the OEM harness would.
I actually had to use the red/black wire adapter that came with the kit (we spoke about this on an earlier post). I plugged these
two black/red wires into the factory bulb connector.
Although this setup does work fine, it's not as clean an installation as I wanted. Did your factory harness "click" into place (on the ballast)? I might just plug the connector onto the ballast and figure
out another way to secure it, since it doesn't "click" securely.
You also mentioned that you attached the ballasts under the
headlight housing. Do you mean literally upside down, underneath the headlight housing? I don't recall any trays
or flat areas underneath. There isn't too much slack in the factory
wiring to mount the ballasts.
thanks for your comments and suggestions
:cool:
Hey Bap-
Yeah...get a pretty bright mechanic light and hang it under the MDX hood...Feel the area under the headlight enclosure...there should be a relatively flat area where you can place the velcro/ballasts. Makes the installation looks a lot more clean.
As for the base of the DS2 XENON bulb...HIDS4LESS fabricate the base with a 9006 base to fit in the existing MDX lighting foundation. It is a black ABS plastick that has three small flat fins on the sides. Care is taken to install this bulb into the base of the headlight enclosure foundation. But it fits perfectly I think. I did not have to use the Black/red adapter. |
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| Oracle |
| Thanks Fireblade! I will see how you place your ballast :) |
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| paul123 |
| I'm considering the upgrade myself, and taking a while to decide which way to go. Don't jump in you may want to consider real HID Xenon headlamps. They are costly about $500-$600 for a set of two. You have to see them to appreciate, they are so bright. I am considering two sets for my lowbeams and my fog lights full Xenon lights - $1000-#1200, and a bulb for my high beam That is a spin off just to match. I will not even need the high beam, but just incase I decide to put on I won't have a yellow high halogen. It is costly but you have to see it to believe the look! Take a moment and just don't jump into bulb replacement. |
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| bapisz |
Fireblade, thanks for the reply.
The bulb actually fit perfect into the headlamp housing, no problem there. My problem was the female factory plug that
plugs into the bulb, didn't plug/click into the male connector
on the ballast. let me be more specific, it did fit, but
did not click into place (if that makes any sense).
anyway, these 6000K bulbs are unbelievable.
They must be seen to be appreciated. Oracle, you will
not be dissapointed. I was along side a BMW 5 series the other
night with Xenon's and his lights looked yellow/white in comparison.
Fireblade, I look forward to your pics. |
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| Fireblade6 |
Yeah...I pulled up to a BMW X5 and he looked over and yelled,"What in the hell kinda lighting system do you have?"
HAHAHAHA he thinks he was cool with his BEEMER XENONs. He probably paid like 1500.00 for the upgrade. |
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| paul123 |
| What type and make of the true HID's did you guys get and where did you buy? If on the internet do you have a link? I'm thinks of getting 2 sets one for my low beams and one for the fog lights. I will probably just use a high powered bulb for my high beam. BTW how did you guys set up yours? Just low beams? High and low? or high, low and fog Lights? Which would cost alot but look great!!!! |
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| Fireblade6 |
Paul
We bought our stage II lighting system from a company called HIDS4less. It is a division of MTC lighting that specializing in manufacturing of the Xenon light bulbs for Cars with Halogen headlight housings.
You can visit them at www.hids4less.com and read up all about them. |
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| paul123 |
| how did you set them up using 1 set of 2 lights for the low beams only? or did you guys get 2 sets for the low beams and the fog lights? or the ultimate 3 sets which is probably a waste of money for the high/low beams and the fogs? |
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| bapisz |
paul123
My setup is the low's only. I haven't considered doing the fogs
or the highbeams because my wife would probably divorce me :D
I am considering some type of halogen bulb upgrade for the
fogs and high's however, probably Silverstars.
Whats funny is when I turn on my fogs now (OEM 9006's)
they look like ion yellows when mixed with the 6000K HIDS.
I have the Silverstars now in my 98' Explorer, and they're OK.
I think the color temp of the SilverStars is 4000K (per the
Sylvania website). I also like the SilverStars compared to some
of these no-name blue bulbs because they are standard wattage
with a higher color temp, my X won't become a bonefire while my
wife and child are out grocery shopping.
check out www.hids4less.com
:cool: |
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| paul123 |
| I saw the difference myself and couldn't believe how yellow the fogs and high beams looked compared to the 6000k hid beam. It shows you how much a difference there is between the real HID and the standard halogen lightening from the dealer. I'm still debating putting a set like you guys did on my lows and an addtional set for my fog lights which should be overkill but wht not. For the high beams probably a sylvania replace dake bulb that looks like the real HID's. It should be an awsome conbination. Like you said if I wenr for all three my wife would throw me out!!!!:D |
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| Drew |
Not a good idea to do a conversion for the high beams. HID Xenon systems require about 30 seconds to 1 minute to fully charge up (think of stadium lamps) and to reach full intensity. Since high beams are used only for short periods of time, i.e. flash-to-pass, it is not a good idea to use them for the high beams. Constant/brief switching on and off of a HID system will wear out the bulbs prematurely. This is why cars with Bi-Xenon headlamps (only German makes to this date, as far as I know) have secondary halogen based high beams. If the headlamps are not on and the flash-to-pass feature is used, the halogen bulbs will turn on instead.
Oh by the way, Stage II 6K HID bulbs put out up to 35% less lumens than the Stage I 4-4.5K HID bulbs. Stage II bulbs technically are not legal because of the glare from the higher colour temperature. |
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| Fireblade6 |
I would only consider installing HID bulbs for high beam only if my intention is the kill deers at night. That is enough to melt any nocturnal animals eyes out!!!:eek:
Check out the stage II lights on my MDX. Look how yellow the 9006 halogen bulbs in the fogs are..SAD isn't it? |
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| randym44 |
| Last March, I installed the RAZO headlights that have been discussed here many times available from autofreak.com. This week one of them blew. I have no idea how widespread this is, but barely getting a year of use out of fairly expensive bulbs is a bit disappointing. I'm awaiting a response from autofreak. We'll see. |
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