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Old 05-03-2005, 01:47 PM   #1
OttawaSTi
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Default HID lights vs normal

Anyone have any side-by-side pictures of non-HID's vs HID's?

Like a before and after picture too would work for someone who's done the conversion.

Thanks!
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Old 05-03-2005, 02:27 PM   #2
Mulder
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What exactly are you looking to see? HIDs will be brighter, that's about all you can tell from pics.
If as your name suggests you're in Canada, and interested in putting HIDs in your STi, your best bet by far is to install a set of the US STi HIDs. Retrofits on the 04 halogens will produce unacceptable glare.
There's also the matter of your DRLs which are of course legally required up there. You'll lose them if you change to HIDs.
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Old 05-03-2005, 02:33 PM   #3
OttawaSTi
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Well I found a JDM pair. Since it's for an 04... I hear the JDM's aren't aimed as left as they were for the bugeyes.
I guess the main thing I am trying to do is convince myself it's worth spending $1000 to do the upgrade to HIDs.
I disabled my DRL's also so not worried about those They are not legally required to be on - just legally required to be equipped on cars sold in Canada.
Thanks!
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Old 05-03-2005, 02:54 PM   #4
Mulder
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Ok, I thought they were required to be working when you went for inspection. But what do I know, I'm down here.
I do understand that the 04 JDMs don't have the same beam pattern issues as the earlier ones, but I haven't seen them myself.
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Old 05-03-2005, 03:09 PM   #5
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I have some pictures, lemme get my webserver back up and post them.
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Old 05-03-2005, 03:13 PM   #6
OttawaSTi
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Awesome! Thanks guys!
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Old 05-03-2005, 03:14 PM   #7
OttawaSTi
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PS - Mulder - I was down in NYC last week for a few days... WOW! I wanna go back! Stayed in LI though but went downtown to have some fun. Got to see an EVO8 in person for the first time too haha!
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Old 05-03-2005, 03:55 PM   #8
mcowger
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Here you go:


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Old 05-03-2005, 06:33 PM   #9
OttawaSTi
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Wow nice pics!!! Do you have any of the car on a road or futher away from the wall? Just curious to see how big an area the HID can light up compared to the non-HID.

Thanks!
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Old 05-03-2005, 08:27 PM   #10
mcowger
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I don't. The total area lit is actually about the same as standard, but the difference is that the extreme edges aren't the same. Witht he HID's, you basically get full on light all the way to the edge, whereas with the stock lamps it sort of peters off.

I'm intending now to do a full retrofit of my stock housings, as I want even mroe light than the STi HID's provide.
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Old 05-04-2005, 07:51 AM   #11
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Quote:
I guess the main thing I am trying to do is convince myself it's worth spending $1000 to do the upgrade to HIDs.
If you live in a rural, deer infested area like me than they are worth it.
If your primary driving is highway and/or well lighted city areas then perhaps not.
By the way I think Ottawa is a great city and one of favorite Canadian cities to visit.
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Old 05-04-2005, 08:54 AM   #12
OttawaSTi
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Well... I'm on the highway in the city for the most part... but I do live out of the city so it's much darker then in the city. On weekends I am usually in the back roads though cruising around. Tough choice for sure since can do a lot of other things with that money.

brunetmj - thank-you very much!
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Old 05-04-2005, 10:10 AM   #13
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You may want to consider these bulbs then to replace your high beams. They are excellent. I rarely make recommendations for bulbs because it is such a subjective area. However these will make a noticable difference.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...&highlight=HIR

For low beams there are a number of replacements that are an improvement.

Then use the money for other things.
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Old 05-04-2005, 10:27 AM   #14
OttawaSTi
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Wow that's pretty impressive just from a bulb. What do you use for the low beam bulb? Are you using the 9011 HIR now for the high beam?

Thanks!
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Old 05-04-2005, 10:51 AM   #15
DieselClown
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here's a pic I took of my USDM STi HID's. Sorry- I don't have a pic of the halogens on.

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Old 05-04-2005, 12:14 PM   #16
OttawaSTi
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Nice cut off on the HID's... but they don't appear to be any "brighter" then the halogens. Maybe it's just my monitor here at work though
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Old 05-04-2005, 07:35 PM   #17
DieselClown
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believe me they are TONS brighter than when I had the halogens!
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Old 05-05-2005, 07:36 AM   #18
brunetmj
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Quote:
Are you using the 9011 HIR now for the high beam?
Yes I am using them now and they are excellent. For low beams I am using
OSRAM Silverstars , not to be confused with Sylvania Silverstars.
There is no real comparsion with HID's which indeed are a whole lot brighter.
However as I mentioned before , if you tend to drive in well lit areas they MAY not be worth it. I opted not to go with HID in my RS only because I may sell it soon. Being primarily a rural route driver HID's are the way to go but my current lighting (fog lights and soon driving lights) is acceptable.
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