How do you explain HIDs to Cops?

[SanoSuKe]

Same cop who stopped me for no front LP and tints just pulled me over again for HIDs. Tried to tell him HIDs make better vision and w/e, he replies "those aren't HIDs, they're just blue lights. are you trying to impersonate a cop?"

[Firedancer]

What bulbs are you rocking? Sounds like you are using something close to the 8k end of the spectrum. If you are going to fool law enforcement into thinking you have factory HID's you are going to need something in the 6k range or less.

[ShadowAC]

did you just plug an HID kit into halogen stock lights, if so it doesnt have a cut off so itll shine in everyones face (including cops). and with that, head on all HIDs look bluer than they are

get some projectors if your going with HIDs

[SanoSuKe]

I'm running 8000k. @Shadow, it's a 2012 model, no projectors for me.

[andyhenault]

An HID bulb is different from a halogen bulb, and because of that the housing needs to focus the light differently. A proper HID setup has projector lenses to do this, where as a halogen setup doesn't. Hence the douchy blinding light because there is no focus and it scatters light in peoples faces.

[SanoSuKe]

Okay, well I'm switching to 6000k since the cop was cool enough and let me go again this time. Where can I find good HID bulbs for the 2012 model? I'll buy them myself and let someone do the installation.

[aphu]

I'm running 10k bulbs ad havent had a problem yet

[SanoSuKe]

I'm running 10k bulbs ad havent had a problem yet

Lucky, knock on wood :p I ran right into the cop and I had everything on

[aphu]

Dang that sucks

[ShadowAC]

they make aftermarket projectors that you can get installed or install yourself, but as andyhenault said as long as your running HID with a halogen housing you'll have problems blinding all motorist, and cops tend to notice

this is why i've held off for headlight until i can afford to do it right

[YoungCoupe]

Don't all 2010+ coupes have projectors?

[rcboy514]

Don't all 2010+ coupes have projectors?

pretty sure, maybe he ment no stock xenons? I don't know if that was an option or not.


Also the pre-2010 coupes actually have a decent cut-off if you don't run obnoxious colors, i.e. over 8000k.

Here is a pic of my 2008 coupe cut-off, running 6000k lows and 3000k fogs. Passed many cops head on in many states and never been pulled over for headlights. I will occasionally get flashed, but it's when I'm coming over a hill, which is understandable.

couple pics, my lights are from DDM btw

cut-off


Spread


Head on



Here is a go-pro vid of a night drive, camera was on the front of the hood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL2BnQCxy2M

[SanoSuKe]

Yes, it's a 2012 model but I don't know if the headlights are the same as the retrofits you guys have for the 2008-2009 coupe. What bulbs for the high/low/fogs? and is DDM a good website?

[GrayCoupe]

DDM is good a lof us are running DDM bulbs and ballasts.

[DAAN.]

8000 Kelvins

well, those put you around here, so ... HAHA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mLYYXRWX_I

[rcboy514]

Yes, it's a 2012 model but I don't know if the headlights are the same as the retrofits you guys have for the 2008-2009 coupe. What bulbs for the high/low/fogs? and is DDM a good website?

few people have retrofits, pre-2010 coupes and sedans did not come with projectors.

Highs- Keep them stock, HID's take too long to "warm" up so trying to flash them real quick is useless.

Lows- I'm pretty sure they use H11, check your owners manual though, it will tell you.

fogs- I used the same bulbs as the lows, so presumably H11.


Recently DDM has outsourced to china so shipping time is a lot longer and there has been some question to whether or not the quality is still up to par. My advice would be to stay away from their "raptor" branded kit. The ballasts on those feel really cheap and seem pretty far from waterproof. My brother bought a hi/low set for his juke and the ballasts failed after about a month.

I have two DDM slim-ballasts sets, both H11 that I bought before they moved production to china. I've had them since mid-2008 and haven't had a single problem, they still have the original bulbs. I bought the 3000k bulbs a few months ago and they came from china, they have been flawless so far, but I haven't tried the china production ballasts.

[YoungCoupe]

Recently DDM has outsourced to china so shipping time is a lot longer and there has been some question to whether or not the quality is still up to par.

I bought one of their kits some months ago, so I can tell you that the quality of the ones made in China are still good quality. The shipping killed me though.

[DJ_B_Easy]

^Just so you guys know, they have always been produced in China. Any kit or bulb you buy from them is drop shipped directly from China. I think its always been that way.

I ordered a replacement ballast and new bulbs about a month ago, had them in a little over a week.

[DJ_B_Easy]

To add to the above, they also assured me that the ballasts they were producing years ago are the exact same ones they are producing now. Housing is slightly different, but the guts are the same. All are 100% interchangeable with each other and different bulbs wiring.

[SanoSuKe]

So I pretty much need new bulbs + ballasts and DDM is the way to go..

Thanks for the replies bros

[DJ_B_Easy]

So I pretty much need new bulbs + ballasts and DDM is the way to go..

Thanks for the replies bros

You dont need new ballasts if you are already running 8K HIDs, you only need new bulbs in a different color temperature.

[SanoSuKe]

Oh aight. Gonna order them tonight.

[brokendan]

Are you sure he wasn't referring to the blue l.e.d.s in. your bumper? That will get you pulled over in a heart beat around here lol. But I have to say I think it its awesome. Was thinking of doing something similar with my new '12 model I just traded up to. But I'll be using white lights. Can I ask what you used?

[DJ_B_Easy]

Are you sure he wasn't referring to the blue l.e.d.s in. your bumper?

OMG yes, didnt even notice that. That is your problem right there.

[SanoSuKe]

You can use 3M double sided tape to get it done. But I used the glue gun it came out cleaner than I thought it would b. :P

[brokendan]

Cool. Was it just one of them strips off Ebay?

[SanoSuKe]

Mine I got from a shop. The ones on eBay are kinda short. I had to see them in person before I got them.

[rcboy514]

^Just so you guys know, they have always been produced in China. Any kit or bulb you buy from them is drop shipped directly from China. I think its always been that way.

I ordered a replacement ballast and new bulbs about a month ago, had them in a little over a week.

Well that's good to know I guess, I just assumed they were from the US just because the first two sets I bought shipped out of Cali via UPS and only took about a week to get here. My more recent purchase did ship from china and took about 3 weeks. Maybe they already had my first sets in stock

To add to the above, they also assured me that the ballasts they were producing years ago are the exact same ones they are producing now. Housing is slightly different, but the guts are the same. All are 100% interchangeable with each other and different bulbs wiring.

also good to know lol Makes be a little less nervous, because I need to order a set for my e34 5-series and I would prefer DDM. Honestly though that raptor kit my brother got looks like sh.. the ballasts at least, and the fact that they failed almost instantly.

[DJ_B_Easy]

^Sorry, should have clarified. The DDM Slim Ballast is exactly the same, I did not ask them about the Raptor ballast.

[rcboy514]

sweet, my original ballasts were awesome and seemed really well built.