So, after tracking them down through the mail, I have installed them (two days ago), and used them for 1000 miles of my drive to New Jersey.

For a quick run down:

McCulloch 5000k HID kit
Stock 04 Reflectors/housings
Disabled DRL's

Installed them with little issue. I did have to modify two things: the power plugs from the car and the ballasts and the dust cover for the lights. Easy mods, used butt connectors for the power connections and cut the smallest possible holes in the dust caps I could, then sealed w/ silicone to keep things good and sealed.

The kit was supposed to be plug and play, but it didn't come that way and I didn't have time to dick around and send it back, hence the small modifications. Most kits I believe will fit PnP style however.

Impressions:

I have been driving with them for 1100 miles now, from Everett, WA to Gillette, WY, through the Rockies, at night, in the fog, on ice, in the evening, etc. and I love them :D. The light refraction with the stock reflectors if fine. To tell you the truth, I was scared after reading the FAQ but am pleased to say that the FAQ, if not overly-safe, is a little off. The beam pattern is very sharp, and is aimed fine. As per reactions of other drivers, there is no excessive glare and the light is much brighter than the stock hallogens.

Now, not to downplay the science of the issue, I am sure the beam pattern would be completely different with a "proper" setup and I do believe that certian stock reflectors are more prone to glare and refraction issues than the 04's. I did, however, PM many people seen throughout various HID threads found in searches and none of the 04-05 owners have had any issues with the stock housings.

So, naysayers, say what you will, but IMO - a good HID kit is one of the best upgrades available for those who want a very useful mod. Its not a performance mod, but it has made my cross country journey that much safer and less stressful.

Feel free to discuss.

Aaron

and none of the 04-05 owners have had any issues with the stock housings.

Not so, there have been a number of them who posted that they were sufficiently unhappy with the results that they uninstalled the HIDs, and some eventually went ahead and bought the STi lights.
There are probably hot-spots in the beam that you aren't yet aware of, although it's entirely possible that the amount of glare is worse with some setups than with others. It's fine that your experience so far appears to be mostly positive, but just be aware that this is not typical.

i had your same set up and they sucked. mccullochs and the beam.

Its not a performance mod, but it has made my cross country journey that much safer and less stressful.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/disadvantages/disadvantages.html

But what about all the rave reviews you read in magazines and on Usenet about how marvelous HID headlamps are? Well, here's the double whammy of high levels of foreground light: When you can see every last pebble in the road, all the way across, it's very comforting. You don't have to strain to see what's immediately in front of the vehicle. And the most recent research seems to be suggesting that this, to an extent, improves driver performance at night, possibly because with the foreground adequately illuminated, we tend to trust our peripheral vision to handle the foreground, and keep focussed out in the distance where we should be looking. (See above comments regarding too-low levels of foreground light in many US headlamps...). BUT, foreground illumination is *only one* performance aspect of a headlamp, and it's very, very easy to judge a headlamp "good" because of very strong foreground light, when in fact the distance vision isn't so grand. In short (finally!) an HID headlamp has a strong tendency to create a false sense of security.

Shrug. I liked mine (before they died), but for bling reasons... a good halogen bulb in my Morettes/EDMs makes me feel just as warm and fuzzy.

john

Not so, there have been a number of them who posted that they were sufficiently unhappy with the results that they uninstalled the HIDs, and some eventually went ahead and bought the STi lights.
There are probably hot-spots in the beam that you aren't yet aware of, although it's entirely possible that the amount of glare is worse with some setups than with others. It's fine that your experience so far appears to be mostly positive, but just be aware that this is not typical.
Ok now, lets be fair here....lets get the whole quote please...;) You shouldn't randomly pick and choose comments to pick apart. If you keep doing that, people will think you're Rumsfield, or even Bush!!! :lol:
I did, however, PM many people seen throughout various HID threads found in searches and none of the 04-05 owners have had any issues with the stock housings.

And I knew someone would bring up danielsternlighting.com in here, just like every other HID thread defending the choice to use them in stock housings.

I have read that whole site, hidplanet, hidxxx.com and many others but I've got to say, I think that they're crazy. I'm sure that the science of the issue is such, but the reality for me has been vastly different.

If I can post pics, I'll do it.

Intence: what was bad about them? You had the 5000k kit? What could be different?

And one more question to Mulder and ButtDyno: have you actually done this, or are you simply quoting trusted information? Mulder, I've heard your electronics know-how many a time (I myself am an electronics technician) so I know you know the science, but have either of you actually done it?

Aaron

I've seen three friends stick McCulloch 5000K kits in their stock reflector housings (WRX, Eclipse, and Protege MP3) and the light output was definitely more bling than functional. The glare was definitely noticeable (in a bad way) and all three of them have had issues with either the bulbs going out, ballasts blowing, or having to adjust their beam to avoid being flashed. IMO, HIDs in stock halogen reflector setups are not worth it from what I've seen. Kudos to you though for getting some results you are happy with.

I have an 04
I have the 6000K set from McCulloch
I have moddified housings (cleared)

Pros:
Lots of light
Good beam cut off
good in all weather conditions (that i have driven in)
excellent view of reflective material (raod signs, cop cars) :D

Cons:
Hot spots

notes:
1) hot spots can be affected by the position of the bulb. If you see any try adjusting the bulb and you shoudl see a diffence. There will still be hot spots, but they will not necessarily be as "HOT"

2) flashing, people have flashed me but i have noticed its usually on a hill. I have actually aimed my lights higher for a better beam dispersal

3) haze onthe lens. for some reason i get this weird haze on the outside of the lens. It only happens when the lights are on and it can be rubbed off with your finger. tried mcguire's plastic polish with no luck

4) flashing other people causes the low beams to come on as well. This is very bad for the HIDs. Only work around i have found is turn on the lights first or always. rember it takes HIDs up to 10 secs to fully charge, if you turn them off before that time i believe this also affects the life of the HID system.

5) taking out reflector will cause to little white dots to come out the side of the headlight.

Other than that, i am happy,
Joe
p.s. combines with yellow fog lights, the car looks mean (the yellow fog lights are easier on the eyes as well if you leave them on)

shinsain - never done it myself. I have had, in order
-stock
-stock with better bulbs
-Morettes
-Morettes with HID
-Morettes with better bulbs
-EDM's with whatever bulbs they came with

What can I say... when I see a bunch of smart people saying "x is a bad idea" I don't think to myself "hrm, maybe I should try x"

IMO, HIDs in stock halogen reflector setups are not worth it from what I've seen. Kudos to you though for getting some results you are happy with.
Well, they seem to be working great. I'm in Minnesota tonight and right after Sioux Falls, SD it turned into a blizzard (40-60mph winds and snowing like hell) and they did great. No more reflection than the normal hallogen, but way more light output. :confused: Hmm, maybe something is different about my housings?? They're cleared, but that's it - nothing extraordinary.

What can I say... when I see a bunch of smart people saying "x is a bad idea" I don't think to myself "hrm, maybe I should try x"
And as I've learned from certian things on Nabisco, that that's exactly what you need to do sometimes. And sometimes it comes out the opposite of those folks. :)

However, none of this negates the roughly 50/50 split of folks who've had decent experiences vs. those who've had crappy ones. Sometimes scientific anomolies cannot be explained, but statistics are always accurate for what they represent.

So, that being said - its an expensive case of trial and error I guess. Some folks seem to work, some don't. I'm not sure why?:huh:

Aaron

I have actually aimed my lights higher for a better beam dispersal

wow, that's pretty selfish of you.

How is that selfish if i rarely get flashed?

But either way "self preservation" is rule 1. its not like i mounted them on the roof or on a light bar in front of the grill so i can see further and make sure no one else can. But you are entitled to your oppinion.

good day,
Joe

don't you find it a bit weird that you're the only person who installed a retrofit HID kit and aimed his lights HIGHER?

you do realize that there are specific procedures for aiming headlights?

yes i have the procedures, my car is also lowered, and it has been mentioned elsewhere when i DID my research.

Ya know, not to point fingers, but when i saw them call you a jerk in another thread i kinda doubted it. Now i kninda see why.

just an FYI, i went to school for automotive back when they still aimed headlights with that stupid machine. I never persued my ASE certification and left the field since computers are more of a challenge to figure out (hence why i persued that career change) . And not that it matters but i also have a CNA (certified nursing assistant) lic and MA(medical assistant) lic. i have had my share of politics and bs. but there is no reason for this conversation to take that route now is there. please swallow your pride and understand that your oppinion while heard, is not factual. Also don't treat people like they are noobs, if that is not how you wish to be treated.

Joe

i don't give a crap about what you went to school for, why you changed your mind, or what you think about politics, or what you think about me.

i'm glad i don't live anywhere near you so that i don't have to be subjected to your unaimed headlights.

you're just like those people who put loud exhausts on their car then add sound deadening material because it's too loud in the cabin.

:lol: :lol: :lol: I bet you don't have a girlfriend either, cause they are too loud for you and oh...lets not for get about those headlights aimed at your face!!!

this thread is pointless now :rolleyes: