Aftermarket HID? Results?

[invertalon]

Hey guys,

Dad just bought a new 2008 Prius today and was interested in having me install a HID kit. He wanted the HID package, but did not want to spend all the extra money for what he was getting for the package that had it.

I currently own a 2008 Scion xB in which I have placed in a MobileHID kit into (amazing dealer, kits are top notch), however, mine has projector housings and the prius does not. Has any of you done a conversion using the stock reflector housings and how has the glare been? I expect some yes, but just want to hear first hand how it is.

Thanks for the help!

[Rich96c4ce]

Originally Posted by invertalon

Hey guys,

Dad just bought a new 2008 Prius today and was interested in having me install a HID kit. He wanted the HID package, but did not want to spend all the extra money for what he was getting for the package that had it.

I currently own a 2008 Scion xB in which I have placed in a MobileHID kit into (amazing dealer, kits are top notch), however, mine has projector housings and the prius does not. Has any of you done a conversion using the stock reflector housings and how has the glare been? I expect some yes, but just want to hear first hand how it is.

Thanks for the help!

Headlamps that have optics designed for halogen filament bulbs can not be fitted with HID bulbs and be expected to comply with federal and state motor vehicle beam pattern and intensity requirements. Anyone who says otherwise is a snake oil salesman. What your are getting yourself into is a headlamp system that has way too much intensity in the wrong places on the highway. That not only is bad for you, but also for other highway users. Also, if your headlamp emits both the lower and upper beams from the same reflector/bulb, then you are most likely to loose having an upper beam. Some aftermarket kluges use solenoids or motors to move the HID bulb around in the headlamp socket to make up for that deficiency, but most are unreliable, all compromise headlamp performance, and all achieve undue glare.

Bottom line: if you want real HID headlamps, get OEM HID headlamps when you buy your car.

[kenmce]

If you just put in a new bulb, it'll be lousy. You have to swap the housing too. There are usually Pri on eBay that have been in a rollover or something. You could probably find someone to sell you the housings, bulbs, and starter (starters?) as a package. The HIDs are nice.

[Rich96c4ce]

Originally Posted by kenmce

If you just put in a new bulb, it'll be lousy. You have to swap the housing too. There are usually Pri on eBay that have been in a rollover or something. You could probably find someone to sell you the housings, bulbs, and starter (starters?) as a package. The HIDs are nice.

You are so right! But for most prospective Prius purchasers, the best advice is to test drive both kinds of headlamps at night! The buy the kind that you want when you order or pick out you new Prius. It will save lots of headaches and guilty feelings.

[statultra]

the cutoff on the halogen lamps are just as good as the HID housing, im not promoting it, but the HID housing and the normal halogen housing are almost the same, the bulbs are located in the same area, except the HID has a auto leveling system.

i would buy a kit if i had the money, the stock halogens are great though, i would just stick with it.

[Rich96c4ce]

Originally Posted by statultra

the cutoff on the halogen lamps are just as good as the HID housing, im not promoting it, but the HID housing and the normal halogen housing are almost the same, the bulbs are located in the same area, except the HID has a auto leveling system.

i would buy a kit if i had the money, the stock halogens are great though, i would just stick with it.

Regardless of what anyone may tell you, I reiterate: "Headlamps that have optics designed for halogen filament bulbs can not be fitted with HID bulbs and be expected to comply with federal and state motor vehicle beam pattern and intensity requirements. Anyone who says otherwise is a snake oil salesman. What your are getting yourself into is a headlamp system that has way too much intensity in the wrong places on the highway. That not only is bad for you, but also for other highway users. Also, if your headlamp emits both the lower and upper beams from the same reflector/bulb, then you are most likely to loose having an upper beam. Some aftermarket kluges use solenoids or motors to move the HID bulb around in the headlamp socket to make up for that deficiency, but most are unreliable, all compromise headlamp performance, and all achieve undue glare.

Bottom line: if you want real HID headlamps, get OEM HID headlamps when you buy your car."

If you do not trust me, click on my name and read about me.