Just wondering why an aftermarket set of replacement hid bulbs costs as much as or more than the entire kit with ballasts? Do the bulbs really wear out that quickly?

um, good bulbs are around 100 bucks a pair, and good ballasts with bulbs are around 350 or so. so, bulbs are cheaper then ballasts. :D

Shane

Ummm.. I should have known a vendor would chime in with the first answer. I wasn't talking about retrofitting crap from other vehicles into ours. I was referring to the average everday kits you can buy for just over $100. The kits are just over $100/the replacement bulbs for the same kits are just over $100. Everyone is just going to have to get used to the fact that the cost of these kits are getting lower and eventually a "proper" retrofit will be a thing of the past. Go ahead and get the business while the "gittin's good" because these cheap aftermarket companies are improving their product everyday, while some people are just recycling "OEM" (not SUBARU OEM) equipment. Some will preach from their high horse till the cows come home, but considering how many people are already riding around with their oem halogen bulbs improperly adjusted because they've already swapped their oem bulbs several times, and we are already dealing with glare from stock setups, I really could care less what they think about my "cheap" setup. I adjusted mine to a level I felt comfortable with and haven't had anyone flash me since.



Signed: another satisfied "cheap" hid kit user:D

What the heck are you talking about?? He doesn't even sell HIDs...

What the heck are you talking about?? He doesn't even sell HIDs...

I said Vendor, not hid vendor. And if he/she doesn't know what I'm talking about "Um" shouldn't be the first word in the response (and yet still no answer as to the strategy behind the weird pricing..)

He's not the butthurt one.

This is what makes Nasioc so special. So many replies that have nothing to do with the original post, clouding the primary purpose of the thread: to ask and learn. I did a search to find the answer and nothing, so now I have to see every other useless reply in the hopes that someone will actually see the original post and honestly be helpful.

The answer is: because you bought cheap ****. What do you expect us to say? You bought a kit with a cheap ballast, cheap optics, and lamps. You were sold this knowing that you would have to buy lamps again and again and again. See the Gillette model of doing business.

The answer is: because you bought cheap ****. What do you expect us to say? You bought a kit with a cheap ballast, cheap optics, and lamps. You were sold this knowing that you would have to buy lamps again and again and again. See the Gillette model of doing business.


What the H E L L are you talking about? I am not shopping for bulbs! I never said I was :lol: I was asking because a friend at work and I were screwing around on ebay and he is thinking of buying some projector headlamps that come with the hid upgrade for his truck. Why is it so many people have to ASSume things and blurt out nonsense? Is it Nasioc PMS time or something? HOly CaRp!!! My bulbs are fine, I am just trying to find out why the same sellers that sell the entire kits price the pair of replacement bulbs the same as the entire kits with ballasts. :confused: WTF

I am just trying to find out why the same sellers that sell the entire kits price the pair of replacement bulbs the same as the entire kits with ballasts.See the Gillette model of doing business.:confused:

:confused:


I don't use a gillete, I use a Norelco. And the blades definately don't cost as much as the unit.:D

The answer is: because you bought cheap ****. What do you expect us to say? You bought a kit with a cheap ballast, cheap optics, and lamps. You were sold this knowing that you would have to buy lamps again and again and again. See the Gillette model of doing business.

the gillette model of doing business is they sell you a handle + blade for very cheap, and you have to continue buying proprietary blades for $$$. ebay HID kits do not operate this way.

1. based on internet reviews, NASIOC reviews, etc... on these cheap HID kits, the ballasts fail before the bulbs do. this would be the equivalent of your gillette handle failing before the blade.

2. the bulbs from different ebay sellers are pretty much interchangeable. the ebay sellers do not "brand" their kits, so you just have to look at pictures to see what will probably fit. the connectors are starting to all look the same. if it doesn't fit, you just wire it in yourself. this would be the equivalent of multiple companies making blades that fit in gillette's handle.

my point is that the price is not high because they are trying to imitate gillette's very successful business strategy. i have no idea why it is so high, my guess is...

guys who don't know what they're doing mess up a bulb or two on installation. as soon as the bulb is out of the protective housing, it is no longer under warranty. so, these guys cry to the seller, and the seller says, "sorry, it's no longer under warranty, but i have these bulbs for sale that came with your kit. check this auction number." these guys then buy these overpriced bulbs. honestly, who knows? eventually, i think it'll go down because of competition just like how the price of hid kits has gone down.

I said Vendor, not hid vendor. And if he/she doesn't know what I'm talking about "Um" shouldn't be the first word in the response (and yet still no answer as to the strategy behind the weird pricing..)

Ha. ok, I will give you the quick answer. People buy cheap eBay crap lights. bulbs burn out. Now person has to buy new bulbs so they charge a lot. That’s the strategy. Not real complicated :D

Cliff notes, buy good **** and don’t worry about it :D


Shane

This is what makes Nasioc so special. So many replies that have nothing to do with the original post, clouding the primary purpose of the thread: to ask and learn. I did a search to find the answer and nothing, so now I have to see every other useless reply in the hopes that someone will actually see the original post and honestly be helpful.

They are actually HID capsules, not bulbs. Bulbs have a filament (which causes them to burn out) HIDs do not. HIDs have approximatly 6x the lifespan as normal halogen bulbs.

And I guess you must have gotten your HID kit for a great price, cause typically capsules may cost $100+ but ballasts are usually $300 or so.

no, he didn't get his kit for a great price. he got ****ty a ****ty kit at a bad price. bad hardware isn't worth 120 dollars.



this is like asking why a wheel for a racing bicycle costs the same as a ****ty "next" brand bike at walmart.

or why the engine of a bmw M3 costs as much as a KIA.

or why a fine cut of meat for use in a dinner that will feed three costs as much as three taco bell meals.

or why medication for recovering from surgery costs as much here as the whole surgery costs in mexico.

or why a good pickup for an electric guitar will cost more than the cheap crap guitars they sell at target.

the gillette model of doing business is they sell you a handle + blade for very cheap, and you have to continue buying proprietary blades for $$$. ebay HID kits do not operate this way.

1. based on internet reviews, NASIOC reviews, etc... on these cheap HID kits, the ballasts fail before the bulbs do. this would be the equivalent of your gillette handle failing before the blade.

2. the bulbs from different ebay sellers are pretty much interchangeable. the ebay sellers do not "brand" their kits, so you just have to look at pictures to see what will probably fit. the connectors are starting to all look the same. if it doesn't fit, you just wire it in yourself. this would be the equivalent of multiple companies making blades that fit in gillette's handle.

my point is that the price is not high because they are trying to imitate gillette's very successful business strategy. i have no idea why it is so high, my guess is...

guys who don't know what they're doing mess up a bulb or two on installation. as soon as the bulb is out of the protective housing, it is no longer under warranty. so, these guys cry to the seller, and the seller says, "sorry, it's no longer under warranty, but i have these bulbs for sale that came with your kit. check this auction number." these guys then buy these overpriced bulbs. honestly, who knows? eventually, i think it'll go down because of competition just like how the price of hid kits has gone down.


Thanks for the non judgemental/non douchebag answer. I actually bought the kit that was 190 shipped. It is single bulb (CAPSULE!:lol: ) type that moves it back to imitate the positions of the original bulb filaments. I didn't have any problems with aiming and the only annoyance is that both sides flicker one time about two to three minutes after startup. And it is NOT a *****y kit, it does exactly what I want it to do, and I didn't have to RIG some other car's projectors into my headlamps. I didn't want to ruin my 98 oem crystal headlamps.. took me too long to find them. :D

I love my retrofit, even though my light housings had to to modded. It's the best 'rig' job i've ever seen:) .....Zero glare, bright as heck plus the cutoff is sweet:D

I love my retrofit, even though my light housings had to to modded. It's the best 'rig' job i've ever seen:) .....Zero glare, bright as heck plus the cutoff is sweet:D


How about this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/XENON-95-01-IMPREZA-WRX-LED-HALO-PROJECTOR-HEADLIGHTS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33710QQitemZ 190091236758QQrdZ1
They don't look too cheezy, better than the black type IMO.

I don't know, the chrome look is not cool IMHO and 8000k is definitely not good. The light output at that color temp sucks. You'd be better off with VisionPlus bulbs in the OEM reflector housings, again that's my opinion.

Yeah, I've messaged them about getting 6000k but they haven't responded. I used to think the chromy stuff was ghey, but since I have the crystal RS lights and crystal corner lamps, I don't know if it will be much different.

I think what you're referring to in regards to pricing are "rebased bulbs" since those usually come with those cheaper hid kits that'll fit into any housing. Basically taking OEM HID bulbs (d2s/d2r) bulbs and changing the base to any halogen bulb base. I'm sure after making 100+ of those, whoever is selling them probably thinks they are worth more since they had to go through all that time and effort to get them rebased. There are not very many vendors out there who sell just rebased bulbs....while there are a lot of vendors out there who sell rebased kits.

Just my .02.

The last thing you want to do are buy those lamps and drop a 6000k plug and play kit in there.

I also agree that you are better off getting brighter halgoen bulbs, thats actually an upgrade.

Your attitude isnt going to get you very far either.

Its gotten me where I want to be so far, so don't knock it. Maybe its not my attitude that bothers you, but my ability to think for myself and not follow the trendy wannabes. Frankly, I really don't care what you or your sheep think about my attitude. And if you're going to come into a thread I started with an earnest question for knowledge and get snippy with me, I will thank you to keep your cocky comments to yourself.

no, he didn't get his kit for a great price. he got ****ty a ****ty kit at a bad price. bad hardware isn't worth 120 dollars.



this is like asking why a wheel for a racing bicycle costs the same as a ****ty "next" brand bike at walmart.

or why the engine of a bmw M3 costs as much as a KIA.

or why a fine cut of meat for use in a dinner that will feed three costs as much as three taco bell meals.

or why medication for recovering from surgery costs as much here as the whole surgery costs in mexico.

or why a good pickup for an electric guitar will cost more than the cheap crap guitars they sell at target.

Ya, I was just trying being to be nice and had a slight bit of sarcasm there. Its obvious that he wasted his money. *shrug* oh well. sucks for him

your ****ty comments are pretty much what turned this thread off. Someone tried to help you, and you were a dick.

Yeah right. If cocky statements like "Um.. etc.." and calling my equipment "*****Y" are your idea of help, then damn, my logic is all wrong. :confused: No actually, my logic isn't all wrong. It happens all of the time on THIS site, mostly to the newer members because some of the older ones get tired of being helpful and decide to become cocky smartasses. Many don't even try to help and try to force people to have to search elsewhere for it. I have a good grasp on grammar and understand fully how people use their punctuation and smilies on here everyday to aggravate and alienate many members to the point that they go to other sites. I also believe that many come here to release the stress they may have accumulated from their spouses or jobs/businesses and they inadvertently or purposely take it out on people who are just trying to learn. Sure, some members maintain a level of respect and/or courtesy with the people they meet in person or do business with regularly, (Vendors, moderators, people they see at meets, etc..) but what about the people they will never meet.. NO it still isn't right. Giving "responses" like this face to face would surely lead to so many fist fights, so why not treat people on here like you would in a face to face situation. There are probably several people who would have replied to my question with an honest answer if they weren't in fear of being e attacked by a pack of e nerds. But no, instead I get people who already assume they know WHY I'm asking a question and WHAT I want to know. Instead of giving an honest non-judgemental comment, they feel the need to release their stress in my thread. I am a member on several other sites subaru and non-subaru related, and NONE of them contain as much disrespectful, punkasshattery as this site does. Fortunately there is enough information in the stickies that is worth reading, plenty of good deals in the classifieds, and several members I have already found to be respectful and helpful towards me and others on this site.

Just wondering why an aftermarket set of replacement hid bulbs costs as much as or more than the entire kit with ballasts? Do the bulbs really wear out that quickly?

Because youre comparing apples to oranges.

Phillips OEM Replacement bulbs are about $100 a pair. High quality **** right here.

eBay kits, for betwen $80 and $300, are made in China, with piss poor quality control, and theyll last a few months.

why do printer ink cartridges cost 1/5 the cost of a new printer?