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Having my SS MDX w/Tour+Nav on the way, no complaints about the car except for one thing. WHERE ARE THE HID'S? I've looked at several sites on the net and found some reasonable prices on HID kits. http://www.hidkits.com prices are from $499-700. I've already decided that i am going to get HID's whenever i get my car. (hopefully in a couple of weeks!!) Any info on the type of bulb for the low beam headlights? Anyway, give me some feedback.
~B |
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hey, thanx for that thread. it looks good, but i want the real deal....
price isn't really an issue to me, but just wanted to let you guys/gals (Claire) know where to get HID's if you needed them. |
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| avirex...looks like you might have found a winner here. please keep us posted on how your expeirence is purchasing and installing your HID kit in an MDX application |
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Kits are intended for show cars or off road use only.
Keep in mind that HID is NOT street legal, they are not DOT approved. What this really means I have no idea, but could cause one to fail a vehicle inspection if the inspector was in a surley mood. Anyone have any experience with this?
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Hi everyone!
I just checked out a site where you can get true Xenon HID lights. (www.xenonshop.com)
They seem to be legit because they have some for sale on eBay and have received 3 positive feedbacks on the lights. I'm emailing a previous buyer now to get the details and specifics. The eBay URL is: (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=555511523&r=0&t=0)
If the previous buyer says they are just like the ones on MB, BMW and Audi's, I'm gonna get a set too! |
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jenson,
hey, keep us posted on the previous buyer. i went on the site, and they only sell them in singles. and they go for $310 apiece. thanx for the link.
~B |
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I will keep you guys posted on how the installation, and purchasing goes. but first i have to get the ride (lol).
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Hi HID viewers:
This is the first response from a Xenon HID buyer
from eBay.
"yes they are the real deal they are very very bright i put them in my 97 4runner . you will be very pleased bling bling."
I have emailed the other 2 buyers and hopefully, they will give us some useful info on these Xenon HID's. I'll post as soon as I get responses.
Junson-
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| You probably have thought about this already, but when anyone of you get one installed, Please post some pictures. Keeps us updated. Where the hell is my MDX?!? So tried of waiting......... |
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From xenon.com
Are these XENON HID light systems street legal?
Every jurisdiction has its own rules and regulations governing the use of automotive lighting. XENON HID lighting systems that are supplied with the vehicles from the factory are DOT approved. Our kits are also made by the same OEM manufacturers that supply all the major car companies of the world. NO XENON HID lighting system available from any source is DOT approved if installed outside of the factory. Moreover, in the U.S, this is not street legal for use on public roads. As a result, we officially endorse the kit for exhibition and off-road use and will only sell the kit to be used for these purposes. We are not responsible for buyers who violate the terms of sale while in which they will assume all responsibilities for any unauthorized or unintended use other than exhibition or off-road use.
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JPG,
so what if it's not DOT approved. it's not like when your on the highway, and the cops will go "hey that car with HID's is not DOT approved, let's pull him over. i mean there are a ton of cars out there that have illegal things on their cars.......i have 5% tint all around my LS and i pulled up right next to a cop at a red light, and nothing happened. so what makes you think that having lights that aren't approved will make any difference. |
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Thanks for the pics Junson...
Do you think that they can also send you pics on where they mounted the ballasts/ignitors, etc? |
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Wow! Those HIDs are really bright! I wonder if they would distract oncoming drivers being that the MDX headlights are positioned unusually high.
They look great!
I'm definitely considering this kit...(whenever my MDX arrives :( |
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Hey everyone:
I emailed Xenon Shop to ask if they would discount the Xenon HID's to us acuramdx.org members. I'll let you guys know what's going on.
Just wanted to let you know...these headlamps are not DOT approved if they are not originally installed by the manufacturer. BUT...many cars in the DC area have super bright PIAAs, RayBrigs and Krytons. I have yet to see one get pulled over. Thats in the Washington DC area. I can't say if you can get away with it in other jurisdictions.
Junson- |
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anyway, thanx for the pics Junson.
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quote:
Originally posted by Avirex34
JPG,
so what if it's not DOT approved. it's not like when your on the highway, and the cops will go "hey that car with HID's is not DOT approved, let's pull him over. i mean there are a ton of cars out there that have illegal things on their cars.......i have 5% tint all around my LS and i pulled up right next to a cop at a red light, and nothing happened. so what makes you think that having lights that aren't approved will make any difference.
You know, if I knew the answer to that question I wouldn't have posted it seeking an answer. I'm curious to know IF anyone has had an issue with this in the past, e.g., "I failed an inspection because of ...., if I were you I wouldn't get...." |
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I'm curious to know IF anyone
has had an issue with this in the past, e.g., "I failed an inspection because of ...., if I were you I wouldn't get...."
well first of all, you didnt' state that in your previous post. you just quoted from xenonshop.
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Posted by JPG.......
I'm curious to know IF anyone
has had an issue with this in the past, e.g., "I failed an inspection because of ...., if I were you I wouldn't get...."
well first of all, you didnt' state that in your previous post. you just quoted from xenonshop.
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Avirex34,
Pls look at Post #5 on this thread. A thousand pardons for my failing to refer back to that post. In the future, will do my best to keep my responses upbeat and intuitively obvious. This is a great site and I do not wish any bad karma.
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Rafael from Xenon shop is offering us same rate as members on http://www.bimmer.org:
Hello Junson,
Thank you for your reply. We do offer group rates. We are holding a group rate for Bimmer.org members at:
http://www.xenonshop.com/BimmerOrg.html
and can do the same for you. The group price would be $540.00 USD for the pair and that includes the delivery to your door.
Unfortunately I do not have any pictures of the ballast mounting as this was a customers car and he sent us the pictures after he installed the lights. The ballasts are only 1 x 4 x 4 inches in dimensions and can be secured with tie straps (supplied) up to 14 inches away from the headlight.
Also, the fog lights are 9006 and the same kit will work there as well.
I hope that this helps you.
Best regards,
Rafael
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JPG,
yea, this is an awesome site, my bad for the previous posts........ |
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hey, just wanted to say thanx for all the help and info. i'm going to order a pair of the lights from bimmer.org
thanx a bunch |
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Hello Junson,
Here is the link for the Acura MDX Org page:
http://www.xenonshop.com/AcuraMDXOrg.html
Members can order through that page to receive the discount. Please note
that our light systems are sold individually and you will have to place two
separate orders for a complete kit.
Thank you for your interest.
Best regards,
Rafael
RM Lighting
http://www.xenonshop.com
Toll Free 1.888.353.8790 |
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Avirex34:
No problem. We are all here to help one another. I'm getting a set too on Monday.
Junson-
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Obviously, the rest of the HID envious (like me) are anxiously awaiting your report on installation and performance, inculding aiming and light pattern.
If you don't mind taking some pics of the install process (esp the location and mounting of the ballast, and any wire splicing you need to do) along w/the finished product and performance report, I'm sure a bunch of us would appreciate it!
Wonder whether the xenonshop guys would give us a PDF of the install instructions so we can decide if we're up to it ourselves!
BTW, are there any issues/concerns w/current draw or heat? |
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| I don't get it. Is it darker where you guys live or something? My lights seem fine. What is the fascination with HIDS? What are the advantages? ..or is it just a "cool" factor..? |
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Dancall:
I think it's both a "cool" factor and a dramatic improvement in visibility. If you have checked out the website, these lights also uses less power. You are also benefiting from differentiating your MDX from other MDX's owners with true Xenon headlights. I also think it gives the MDX an extra luxury appeal to it. Maybe that answers your inquiry.
Junson- |
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Originally posted by Junson
I think it's both a "cool" factor and a dramatic improvement in visibility. If you have checked out the website, these lights also uses less power. You are also benefiting from differentiating your MDX from other MDX's owners with true Xenon headlights. I also think it gives the MDX an extra luxury appeal to it. Maybe that answers your inquiry.
I AGREE! |
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Well, call me a wet blanket...
but I've got a problem with HID conversions "at any cost", just to be "cool" and to have that "luxury" look and "distinguish" one's MDX.
Especially when there are significant problems with these retrofit kits:
http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/info/bulbs/HID/conversion/
(There is alot of info at this site) Lots of other sites talk about these problems, just not any site which hypes HID kits.
Sure, "blue" bulbs look cool, but are they really brighter? Has ANYONE done a true comparison? (Other that throwing the kit in and someone saying "wow, much better".)
I'd love to see some data. Honest-to-god photometric data. My opinion: Put higher wattage bulbs in, maybe a relay for higher current. Better output and better bulb-to-reflector alignment. Throw in a set of Hella FF100 or 300 driving lamps. Still have $400 left over. Oh, and still have hi and low beams...
Just one opinion... and willing to change if there is some DATA comparing a 100watt/80watt xenon to a HID kit, not pictures of cars with their lights on...
Ard |
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There is a site with excellent numbers from a HID conversion kit. They used a lightmeter and clearly the HID's show tremendous output.
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Overboost has a couple other good stories/comparos on the site, in addit to the "superwhite bulb" one Dan posted...
http://www.overboost.com/story.asp?id=328 (HID conversion comparison)
http://www.overboost.com/images/328/comparison.asp (ditto; one of the best before/after comparos I've seen, with a mouseover).
To which I added:
quote:
Originally posted by renov8r
While the increase of 245% sounds great, and the look of HID lights is certainly terriffic it leaves unanswered somethings:
1) Will that much more light, distributed in a reflector system designed for halogens be usable? Or will it create a giant central "burn zone" where the light is so bright that your ability to see the edges of the roadway are wiped out?
2) What about highbeam and "flash to pass"? Don't factory HID systems install a secondary "normal" bulb to take up these functions???
3) Snow. Driving in snow can be menacing with "high beams", if we installed 245% light wouldn't the "flake dazzle" make driving in snow a horrible hypnotic tunnel drive???
4) Oncoming traffic. If I increase my light output by 245% (and the MDX has it's lights mounted fairly far from the raod way) wouldn't oncoming drivers be driving into a supernove??
5) Plug & go or install & stuck with it. It this modification makes it impossible to go back to regular headlights, what kind of "warranty violation" is the dealer's service dept going to try and claim? Will anything having to do with the electrical system now be "my responsibility?
In short, I like HID lights,wish Acura woulb have spent the $500-1000 dollars to put them on and have questions/reservation about doing it myself...
But pure "lumens" are not the whole story...
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Nice "mouseover"
Buy why not compare a 100/80 Xenon bulb, or even a 130/100 xenon bulb, to the HIDs?
Sure, almost ANYTHING is better than stock. The best bang for the buck could just be more lumens from a higher wattage bulb. A relay and you're safe on the wiring. Plus, it's nice to have high and low beams....
Here's the worst part: If an HID upgrade runs $550, then Acura's cost on a factory installed/designed/engineered system would be around $200. That's a real shame.
Ard |
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I am a proud owner of a granite green touring navi MDX. I have installed the HID conversion last week. The difference is night and day. I had the shop install a set of the Xenon filled light bulbs by Raybrig which is the whitest you can get to HID, at the same time they also installed the HID conversion on one side. The difference is like night and day. The HID was just brighter and whiter, and by the way HID if you are not aware consumes less wattage than the stock light bulbs and last longer than the oem sets. My Phillips brand conversions has a lifetime warranty and they will replace the unit if it breaks, and as an added bonus the ballast and all wiring harnesses plugged in assuming you order a custom set for the MDX. My set cost 785 w/ tax and installation included. Your foglights by the way becomes useless because the HID will just overpower them rendering them obsolete even with the Xenon filled upgrades I have installed for the fog lights. By the way the fog lights uses the same bulb as the headlights. I did not have any problems with other drivers in front of me getting blinded by the glare form the HID lights including cops which I must have encountered more than a dozen times since I got the HIDs. The headlight beam design on the MDX seems to favor HIDs , maybe a possiblity that the future models might have this option. If any of you are interested, maybe you guys can get a groupbuy together and I can work out a deal with the shop for them to order and deliver for you. If you are in the San Francisco Bay area we can meet and I can work out the same deal for you. These HIDs cost at least $ 1000 uninstalled. A word of caution, if you are thinking of getting this from E-bay, you better make sure that these are plug in units for your application that will not need any modification. My HIDs were custom made for the MDX light pattern and plug in wire harness applications. If you get a universal set it might not work properly. I will post some pictures of the installation and where to install the ballast for a total factory look, as soon as it stops raining here. These conversions are worth the money you will be paying for, the light intensity when I drive at night is close to daylight it is just amazing that a luxo-suv will not have this as an option, I will end up doing more upgrades for my vehicle including exterior, interior, security and audio video options in the future.
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This is based on my particular conversiion kit. I can not speak for the other ones flooding the market.
< The MDX headlight design on my particular conversion set did not have problems with glare with oncoming vehicles or vehicles I am driving directly in front of. The beam rest up to the trunk of most cars and do not extend up to the inside of their cabins.
< There was no noticeable spotlight effect or concentrated light beam in a particular area or spot. The beam pattern was evenly distributed.
< I drove the MDX to Tahoe this past weekend, the blinding snowflakes was less a problem to me compared to my prior experience with regular halogens because the light intensity is such that the reflection in front of you is close to like daylight scattering the beam not just directly in front of you but way ahead of you. The beam is so powerful it cuts through the snowflakes.
< If you can afford this vehicle then you are the type of person that is not concerned on how much these sets cost, the benefits of HID outweighs the price.
< There are so little cons if any compared to the pros of having these HID conversions done, on my particular application set it carries a lifetime warranty on the bulb and ballast unit, and is also plug in to the existing wire harness, thus it is reversible if needed to be. |
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xtreme
Are you selling these?
If so, please take your span and put it where it belongs....in the classified section.
There are so manu questions I have related to the technical aspects of light output, color temperature, and spectrum, beam axis and photometry, light source alignment with the original bulb, etc. Given the disjointed explanation you provided, I won't bother.
Also, if you are selling these, you are in violation of department of transportation prohibitions against non-approved headlamps.
Smelling $1000 snake oil,
Ard
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| sorry about the confussion I was not trying to sell these units. I was just telling you what my experiences are with these units. When I said a thousand that was the average of the multiple prices I got looking around at my local shops here in SF. The going price is still at 750 plus tax. I was just saying that maybe if people wanted to do a groupbuy they might be able to get it for cheaper, by the way I do not get a cut from this. I was just sharing this info with you guys out there because I am really happy with this conversion kit, if you can find it for less which you probably can it might just be that you might not get the same results or ease of installation from a different kit. Mind you that Phillips and Sylvania makes most of these units so hopefully you can get the same result as I did. I also had the same reservations with purchasing them I also researched these sites addressing problems with HID conversions. Since the headlight design on the MDX is a good design the HID conversion worked really well. For San Francisco Bay Area MDX owners I will be very happy to tell you what shops I have gone to ,just e-mail me your inquiries or questions. You can shop these places yourself, I got a good pricing for mine because I have been a good customer of their's for quite awhile when I still had my 98 Accord v6 that I was customizing. So hence the good pricing. I am aware that you can get these units for cheaper but beware of the universal kits or worst older kits, first generations that had quite a few problems which might yield undesirable results. Not all kits are equal. |
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| Since you find my explanations unjointed, then it would be obvious I am not a snake oil salesman, but I liked the humor in that, I thought that was really funny. As you can tell I am just an excited MDX owner and just proud of my upgrades that I am in process of doing or have finalized. I do not know and really not concerned about photometry or color temperature, that is what the HID pros and cons website is for, and I did read it. If Acura gave us the option of getting this I'm pretty sure most of us would have gotten it. All I can relate to is the difference between the stock, upgraded Xenon-filled HB4 replacements and HID conversions that I went through in 1 week. I am also aware that these kits are not DOT legal and I am in no way advocating the use of these lights, but to each his own, if others can not justify the conversion of their light units then more power to them, I am just giving people who are interested in doing this modification an insider's insight to what I experienced with my modification since this is what I thought this forum is for. I am also aware that there is no base for comparison since the MDX does have HID as option and it would also be useless to compare a retrofitted HID vehicle with another vehicle that came with HID as OEM. But retrofitting can be an option. I am not in the process of selling and will never sell anything on this forum, just like most of you I wanted to use this site as a knowledge base and learn from all of you just like I did when I was a member of the other Honda/Acura web forums. As I said before I can only base my opinions with my own experiences so if this conversion is not for you please do not feel that I am pushing you to do so, there are other alternatives, they too had their downsides, post inquires if you need to , I also had experience with Xenon filled bulbs or super white bulbs, I've gone through a lot of them almost every make and brand. |
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XTreme --
2 words: pic tures
post some!
I'd be interested in the name of the SFBay shop, along with a URL for the kit and shop if those exist. None of us have seen an MDX-specific HID kit; only the universals. |
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SF Bay Area Shops
ASP( Daly City, CA.) quoted price $ 1000.00 installation
$ 100.00 per headlight (ripoff)
Autoplus Sportzentrium(Daly City CA) quoted price between $ 2000.00 - 2500.00 special order from Japan (I investigated this product--it might be from Japan but the ballast and the bulb is still made by Phillips, the price is due to shipping and special wiring upgrades and a special control module to supplement the ballast (dunno what this black box does)installation $ 50.00 per headlight.
Mach 3 (San Francisco) final price $ 750.00 plus tax, price given to me includes installation. The kit was specifically ordered for the MDX and all wiring harness was pretty much plug in, I watched the installation it only took 30 minutes and looks pretty much like oem. I went home and relocated the ballast to a more hidden area right below the headlights. I also added some more split looming and used black electrical tape generously to make it look more like stock. I would have posted pics today but my wife took the MDX today, I bought the car for her but she made a deal with me that I can customize it as long as I don't go crazy like I did with our other cars.
Check out this website also, you can get a lot of parts from NOPI.com this is car and truck parts heaven!!! |
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Hey Xtreme-
Thanks for the clarification. I'll retract any aspersions I've cast on your reputation,
but I'm still of the opinion that the HID business is snake oil. The business about custom MDX bulbs, straight from Japan (even though the MDX is built in Canada) is part of the mystique to justify outrageous pricing.
I suppose I can admit that almost all HIDs are brighter than stock. But that is so easy, it is not worth consideration.
Do you have high and low beams?
What happens when you get a fix-it ticket?
Have you compared $750, 1000 or 2500 HIDs to a PIAA Superwhite 130W/100W bulb with a JEG harness upgrade (total cost $125). (Nobody does this comparison...WHY?)
Aren't there better things to do with $1k for the MDX??? (Like half a new stereo or half an Alpine DVD Nav system!!)
Always the skeptic,
Ard |
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| I had the PIAA setup in my 98 Accord V6. Guess what I kept on buying replacements that cost between $ 90 - $ 110.00 every 3-5 months. I saw another Accord in an Import Car Show with HID, huge difference. The upgraded harnesses are almost necessary because the bulb's extra need for more juice, which by the way was the cause of it's reliability to also suffer. The technology between HID bulbs and halogens are just totally two different takes. The repeated heating of the lumen element is what causes it to eventually break down, with the HID I just get a new one if it breaks. Fix it tickets, I'm not worried about that, how many cops do you think will pullover somebody with HID lights anyways, then they would have to pull over all the Audis, BMWs, Benzs, Lexus, Infinitis and almost every other luxury vehicle out there. As I said I have not had a problem with any glare to incoming drivers or vehicles in front of me including police wagons!!!!!!!! If I added up all the replacement bulbs I must have spent in the last year in a half when I put it in the Accord I would have well surpassed what I paid for my HIDs and that was for less performance. If I do get a ticket that's fine I could just unplug the HIDs and plug in the stock ones which I carry with me all the time just in case I need to replace it in a jiffy, that's if the HIDs fail on me all of a sudden. By the way a 1k for a stereo sytem that was just 1 amplifier on my last system that I had. I've done several through the years and it was not unusual for me to fork out ten thousand dollars for a set up that I had once. I still have all of the original functions of my headlights including seperate hi and low beams. I also have the auto shut off function intact in the installation. |
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Then why drive an MDX?
Anyway, I'm done on HIDs....
Ard |
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| I DRIVE THE MDX BECAUSE I THINK THAT DOLLAR PER DOLLAR IT IS THE BEST SUV FOR THE MONEY EVEN MAYBE THE BEST SUV PERIOD, WHICH I THINK MOST OF YOU WOULD AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THE MDX ALBEIT IT'S BOSE OEM SYSTEM AND THE DELETION OF THE HID AS AN OPTION. BUT AS I SAID BEFORE, WHY STOP THERE AND BE SATISFIED WHEN YOU CAN CERTAINLY GET WHAT YOU WANT; THAT IS WHAT THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR AFTER MARKET INDUSTRY IS FOR. IF THERE ARE OPTIONS OUT THERE WHY NOT UTILIZE IT? UPGRADING AND CUSTOMIZING IS A PERSONAL PREFERENCE. PERSONALIZING YOUR RIDE TO SET IT APART FROM OTHERS IS WHAT IT REALLY IS, PERSONALIZING IT TO REFLECT YOUR PERSONALITY. CUSTOMIZING IS JUST A TOOL FOR US TO COMPLEMENT AND INCORPORATE WHAT WE NEED AND WANT IN OUR RIDES. LIKE IT OR NOT, WHAT WE DRIVE DOES REFLECT WHO WE ARE. WHO WE ARE, MDX OWNERS ARE PEOPLE THAT DOES NOT COMPROMISE QUALITY, LUXURY AND UTILITY AT THE EXPENSE OF PERFORMANCE. THAT'S WHY WE DRIVE THE MDX BECAUSE IT EMBODIES ALL OF THAT WITHOUT COMPROMISE. THERE IS NO WRONG OR RIGHT WHEN IT COMES TO CUSTOMIZING OR ADDING ACCESORIES TO YOUR RIDE, THIS IS A MATTER OF PERSONAL TASTE AND CHOICE. I KNOW THE HID FORUM IS GETTING TIRED BUT THIS IS AN INFORMATIONAL FORUM AND MORE INFORMATION ONE CAN GIVE SUBJECTIVE OR NOT IS STILL INFORMATIVE. IF IT IS RIGHT FOR YOU THEN BY ALL MEANS DO IT!!!!! SORRY THAT IT SEEMS LIKE FOR SOME REASON THIS ENDED UP TO BE MORE LIKE A PERSONAL ATTACK ON EACH OTHER, BUT I'M SURE THE BOTH OF US DID NOT INTEND TO DO THAT, AND WE BOTH JUST WANTED THE BEST FOR EVERYBODY WE JUST HAPPEN TO BE IN THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE SUBJECT, BUT THAT'S GOOD AT LEAST EVERYBODY WILL BE MORE INFORMED OF THE PROS AND CONS. I WILL BE POSTING PICS OF MY HID LIGHT CONVERSION BUT I NEED TO FIND OUT THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT SINCE THIS WILL BE MY FIRST TIME DOING SO. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT THE BEST FORMAT IS. I HAVE MULTIPLE SOFTWARES TO DO SO, BUT WHAT IS THE BEST MEDIA TO DO IT BY? |
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| MDXtreme...please quit shouting! :) |
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HI DANCALL,
POINT WELL TAKEN!!!! DON'T WORRY I JUST NEED TO KEEP MY PROMISE AND POST THE PICS BUT NO MORE POSTING OF COMMENTS, BY NOW HOPEFULLY ANYONE THAT WANTED TO DO THE CONVERSIONS ALREADY DECIDED IF IT'S REALLY FOR THEM OR NOT. BUT JUST TO ADD ANOTHER TIDBIT OF INFO. CHECK OUT http://www.SHMOTORSPORT.COM THEY ALSO CARRY PHILLIPS HID ADVERTISED FOR $ 599.00 AND THEY ALSO CARRY XENON GAS FILLED BULBS IN HID REPLICAS AND SHOW COLORS.
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| I POSTED UP THE PICS OF MY HID KIT. WHOEVER IS INTERESTED PLEASE SEE THE GALLERY FORUM UNDER HID PICS. CHECK IT OUT IF YOU LIKE. I INCLUDED BALLAST LOCATION AND PICS FOR DAYLIGHT AND TOTAL DARKNESS. SORRY IF SOME OF THE PICS DID NOT COME OUT AS FOCUSED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE. PICS TAKEN WITH A DIGITAL CAM. |
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Thanks for taking the time to post all the pics.
FYI, you can actually reply to your own post(s) in the gallery to upload a number of pics under a single thread rather than taking the time to do multiple threads -- although the seperate threads will reduce download time compared to one with 10 pics -- but the risk is that it'll also result in a disjointed conversation over there.
Also, if you don't mind, can you recap the place, cost and *part #* for your HID kit.
Thanks.
p.s. BTW, I believe dancall's request "not to shout" was directed at your use of ALLCAPS in your posts -- it's considered poor "netiquette" to type using ALLCAPS since that's considered SHOUTING online.
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Did not mean to shout! I was at work today and I was using somebody else's computer and I did not want to change their settings on their keyboard so I left it as is. Per your request recap on prices and places in the local SF Bay Area.
ASP (Daly City, Ca.) $ 1000.00 + tax for entire kit
$ 100.00 per headlight for install.
Autoplus Sportzentrium (Daly City) $ 2000.00 - 2500.00
Japanese made to order with included
upgrade wiring harness and special
control module.
$ 50.00 per headlight for install.
Mach 3 (San Francisco) $ 750.00 + tax price included
installation. Lifetime warranty on
replacement bulbs or defective
ballast.
other places to consider:
SH Motorsport: website; http://www.shmotorsport.com
$ 599.00 advertised in magazine.
NOPI : website; http://www.nopi.com
$ same price I think as SH
Motorsport.
**** Make sure you specify the make and model year of the car. The correct kit should go with a 9006 or HB4 fitment. Make sure that you ask about the warranty info.
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| I'm assuming you went with Mach3 @ $750 installed, then? You implied in an earlier post that it was an MDX-specific kit, which we haven't heard of before. Did you mean it's a 9006 kit with beam pattern correctors (or whatever they're called)? |
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| You were half right in assuming that my kit was a 9006 beam corrected application. The manufacturer needs to make sure that the beam is corrected specifically for the application to reduce the amount of glare directed to oncoming cars and traffic ahead of the vehicle. This kit was prewired to accomodate the oem wire harness, therefore this kit is application specific for the MDX. I did get the kit at Mach 3 since it was the cheapest I can find installed. |
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I actually have the Xenonshop.com HIDs in my 99.5 Audi A4 and all I can say is that I swear by them. The HID upgrade for my MDX is actually next on my list however with my wanting to have a nav, I may wait a bit and sell my 01 MDX.
I have to talk to the wifey first... |
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| alisa chou |
Guangzhou OLLO Electronic Technology Co.,Ltd. is a hi-tech enterprise that is specialized in the development, production and sales of HID. We pays much attention to knowledge property protection; and holds a full set technology of producing HID Ballasts. Our company has applied several patent technologies; and has passed many strict tests and certifications. Its products have been approved by incalculable consumers. It has become one of the most famous brands in China.
Our company has profound technology accumulation in HID,our products are of high lightness long lifetime and save electricity.
MSN:zhoudenge2005@hotmail.com
www.ollohid.com |
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| alisa chou |
Guangzhou OLLO Electronic Technology Co.,Ltd. is a hi-tech enterprise that is specialized in the development, production and sales of HID. We pays much attention to knowledge property protection; and holds a full set technology of producing HID Ballasts. Our company has applied several patent technologies; and has passed many strict tests and certifications. Its products have been approved by incalculable consumers. It has become one of the most famous brands in China.
Our company has profound technology accumulation in HID,our products are of high lightness long lifetime and save electricity.
MSN:zhoudenge2005@hotmail.com
www.ollohid.com
mobile:13729867467 |
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| need4spd |
I didn't read the entire thread, but just wanted to post this info on HID's. I recently got an HID conversion done and the cost total was only $300 including labor (though I think I got a break on that because I bought another system for my other car). The difference is literally night and day. The OEM lights are so pathetic that it's hard to know they're on by the amount of light they provide on the road. The HID's are great. Less strain and less eye fatigue. I have them aimed properly and have yet to be flashed by someone thinking I have my high beams on or that they are misaimed.
I got mine at Umnitza.com. It's a ProLumen 9006 conversion kit. It comes with 4000k bulbs, ballasts, igniter, everything you need. Installation is an easy DIY, but since I don't live far from Umnitza (Pleasanton, CA), I had them installed by them. The MDX is an easy install because there is a lot of room under the hood and there are frame rails right under the headlights to mount the ballast boxes. This is a universal kit in that it's for any car that uses 9006 bulbs but we encountered no installation problems at all; it took less than an hour and they were taking their time. I've tried all sorts of aftermarket bulbs w/o success, even 9005 bulbs modified to fit the 9006 housing. These HID's put out far more light than any of them.
Do it! Once you have them, you'll wonder why you put up with the stock headlights for so long. |
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| alisa chou |
hi ,we can offer HID Xenon Kits ,and now we produce the newest product-h4 flexible lamp ,which have been tested by 100000 times by turning on and then turning off continuously in 4 days through computer,so if you have any interest you can contact me ,we can offer the favorable price and the best quality for you.
msn:zhoudenge2005@hotmail.com
skype:alisachou
ollohid@ollohid.com:) |
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| ardvarkus |
quote:
Originally posted by alisa chou
hi ,we can offer HID Xenon Kits ,and now we produce the newest product-h4 flexible lamp ,which have been tested by 100000 times by turning on and then turning off continuously in 4 days through computer,so if you have any interest you can contact me ,we can offer the favorable price and the best quality for you.
msn:zhoudenge2005@hotmail.com
skype:alisachou
ollohid@ollohid.com:)
WHat is the lifetime rating? WHAT IS THE TEST METHODOLOGY TO DETERMINE THE LIFETIME (in hours)??
WHat is the statistical basis for this lifetime rating? (What percentage of, say 1000 bulbs will meet this lifetime?) What is the guaranteed minimum lifetime for 99.99% of the production lot? How was this determined?
How is it possible to have a color temp of 12000K, as your website states???????????????
Do you now see why many consumers feel it is foolish to buy any bulb other than Phillips or Osram? |
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| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by ardvarkus
Do you now see why many consumers feel it is foolish to buy any bulb other than Phillips or Osram?
Arvarkus,
Unfortunately too many people buy based on price alone. With a kit, you get what you pay for. |
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| ardvarkus |
quote:
Originally posted by phins2rt
Arvarkus,
Unfortunately too many people buy based on price alone. With a [NO NAME] kit, you get what you pay for.
Actually, many times much less than you pay for... |
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| chris1385 |
I just installed some 8000K TRUE HID's on my 01 MDX. I bought the kit from xtralights.com for about 400.00.
They tell you online that the install is simple and a monkey can do it, however; if you install them yourself it voids your warranty??? Oh well, with that aside I went ahead and installed it myself :p
It's not hard to do at all, a few zip ties, a soldering gun, and a small amount of inginuity and you can do it too!!! They are BRIGHT, brighter than my parents 03 TL HID's. The kit comes with two bulbs, two igniters, two ballasts, and a retrofit system to hook up to the OEM 9006 plug in so you don't have to modify anything on the car's current electrical system and you can switch it back to OEM specs in about 2 minutes.
One trick to HID's is this, the higher the Kelvin rating (K) the less lumins it produces. For example; my 8000K's produce less usuable light than a 6000K HID. However; the K rating does depict the color the bulb produces. 6000K are typically a bright white with a hint of blue, where as 8000K is true blue, like dark blue!!!
In the rain and on dry pavement my lights light up the road better than any PIAA, Silverstar, or whatever other brand you can think of standard halogen. Now for a lil nerding....many halogens including the renowned PIAA fills their halogens with Xenon gas and call it the closest street legal substitute to an HID, that's BS. Sure the xenon gas creates a brighter and hotter light but, it's the ARCH lighting technology in HID's that gives that next to daylight look at night. Also, they produce way more heat than HID's or even standard halogens thusly; they burn out quicker and can even lead to a bit of a hazy look on the lens of your housing. Yes, that is most commonly UV light from the sun, excess heat does not help the problem any!!!
Ok with all of that said, on my cardomain site I do have installation pics with details and a picture of the final product. Go ahead and check it out!
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2058702/2
Good luck!!!! Hope this helps all the potential HID wants out there.
MDX Info for HID's:
http://www.xtralights.com
MDX OEM: 9006 Low Beam/9005 High Beam/9006 Fogs
The rest is self explanatory!
-Chris |
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| phins2rt |
Chris,
Good luck with your kit. Those look like the old McCulloch kits. I hope you have better luck with them than most people. Bluer bulbs tend to fatigue the eyes more so you might be cursing these on longer trips. Glad to hear you like them. If you can post some pics of the beam against a garage that would be cool.
A couple of other things. The MDX has never had stock HIDs. Also, if you're going to do black, you should black out those headlights!!:D |
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| highcountrymdx |
The reason lighting that tends toward the blue end of the frequency spectrum is so fatiguing involves the focusing mechanism of the eye. The eye focuses better on the red end of the spectrum. That's why pilot's night vision acuity is enhanced by red instrument lighting. Red lighting also preserves night vision in general.
Bling, Bling! |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by phins2rt
Chris,
Good luck with your kit. Those look like the old McCulloch kits. I hope you have better luck with them than most people.
Mine (5000K) are still going strong after 3+ years. I can only recall one poster having a problem (bad ballast). |
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| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
Mine (5000K) are still going strong after 3+ years. I can only recall one poster having a problem (bad ballast).
Yep, most of the problems are a bad ballast. The bulbs seem to be fine. I think the newer ballasts are a bit better quality. |
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| rthai |
| If anyone of ya'll are still interested in a HID kit. I'm selling my H11's 6000k. I used it for about a week and decided to get 8000k for the VERY blue look. |
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| manus1980 |
Here is a photo of a 4300K setup:
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| IT_Guy |
| That pic that Manus put up is one of my 4300k setup. Very nice kit. As you can see, plenty of light output and with the projectors in my 2005, a nice blue hue. Very satisfied with my purchase from Blinglights and the support was awesome. |
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| FANm1626 |
Does the 2005 MDX have any "on-board warning message" that needs to be disabled? I saw that Chris1385 paid $400 for his kit and on the xtralights website it says that you have to pay $80 to get the override codes.
Thanks,
F. |
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