Questions regarding headlights...

[Fusion]

I've noticed that some have switched to HIDs, some replaced the H1/H7 w/ Osram bulbs and some added the OEM driving light kit.

I'm kinda stuck on whether to go with the HIDs, Osram bulbs or the OEM kit.
Here are some of the questions I have and hope you guys can help me make up my mind.
1) for the OEM kit, is the color of the light close to the H1/H7 bulbs that's on the headlight unit?
2) or are they closer to the Osram replacement bulbs' color that some of you have? Anyone w/ the Osram bulbs and the OEM kit?

I would like to have lights that are all the same color, if not close. But most importantly, lights that are bright enough for me to see clearly at night.

So, I guess I'm left w/ the following options depending on what brightness and color they are.

Option 1 - OEM H1/H7 w/ OEM light kit
Option 2 - Osram H1/H7 w/ OEM light kit
Option 3 - HIDs H1 w/ Osram H7 (4000~5000K)

I've read that other members have bought the OEM kit from their dealership for $299. Some installed it themselves and some by the dealer. How much did the dealer charge for the recommended 1.25hrs of labor?
I've called Overseas Motors and the parts department told me that they are selling it at $399 instead of $299. He also told me that the list price for the kit is $299 but they are selling it at $399.

Anyway, I need all the feedback I can get maybe there are more options?!?!
Thanks all.

[ChrisB]

The Osram bulbs and the OEM bulbs should be close to the same color.

The OEM driving lights are auxiliary high-beams and, when installed properly, will only operate when the high-beams are on.

Most people are complaining about the low-beam performance, which is often just improperly adjusted headlights.

[Ground Loop]

I haven't found any reason to upgrade my high-beam (aka "main") bulbs. I wish I lived somewhere with dark twisty mountain roads that needed them more often.

The stock ones are just fine for flashing Howdy! to someone on the road.

[scottyb]

I upgraded my high beam and low beams to the Osrams. I got the 65 Watt high beams. It made a huge improvement in the visibility. I also got the factory driving lights. I was thinking about doing the HID upgrade, but I don’t see the need right now. I am very happy with my illumination in all scenarios now. Also for me, the cost is not a factor.

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by ChrisB

The Osram bulbs and the OEM bulbs should be close to the same color.

The OEM driving lights are auxiliary high-beams and, when installed properly, will only operate when the high-beams are on.

Most people are complaining about the low-beam performance, which is often just improperly adjusted headlights.

OEM driving lights ONLY comes on witht he high beams?!?!
I don't know abt u guys, but I don't drive with high beams on except if there's not street light and oncoming traffic.
If that is true, than I see no point in getting the kit unless it turns on with the low beams by re-wiring.

the headlights on ine seems to be properly adjusted, only thing I don't like abt it is the street lights tend to be bright than my headlights and when there are not street lights, visiblity is VERY limited. it's always good to see way ahead when going at a higher speed. IMO

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by scottyb

I upgraded my high beam and low beams to the Osrams. I got the 65 Watt high beams. It made a huge improvement in the visibility. I also got the factory driving lights. I was thinking about doing the HID upgrade, but I don’t see the need right now. I am very happy with my illumination in all scenarios now. Also for me, the cost is not a factor.

your config is what one of my options are. I guess u are happy with the overall visibility.
so, do all the lights have the same color or close at least?

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by Ground Loop

I haven't found any reason to upgrade my high-beam (aka "main") bulbs. I wish I lived somewhere with dark twisty mountain roads that needed them more often.

The stock ones are just fine for flashing Howdy! to someone on the road.

if i read the forums right, u upgraded to HIDs for low beams, right? or maybe not?

anyway, I'm not so much into changing the highs. just want better visibility while driving around on the lows. and hopefully all the colors of the lights match.

[Ground Loop]

Originally Posted by Fusion

if i read the forums right, u upgraded to HIDs for low beams, right? or maybe not?

Right. The H1 bulbs.

Names here are very confusing.

H1: "Dip beam (UK)", "low beam(US)", main headlights, projector housing
H7: "Main beam (UK)" "high beam (US)", reflector housing

anyway, I'm not so much into changing the highs. just want better visibility while driving around on the lows. and hopefully all the colors of the lights match.

I agree. I don't drive with my high-beams on because they're reflector housings, with very wide reach -- blinding to oncoming traffic, nearby small children, and patrol officers. I would expect the "driving lights" are very much the same, which is why they're supposed to turn on only with the high beams.

Color is your choice. The purple-tint high-kelvin aftermarket lights are popular with the FnF crowd, but you can get perfectly normal ~4500K HIDs like all the OEMs use. I like them just fine.

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by Fusion

your config is what one of my options are. I guess u are happy with the overall visibility.
so, do all the lights have the same color or close at least?

Yes they are all the same color.

[Fusion]

Thx guys for the feedback.

I prefer to SEE others clearly and not let others see my headlights clearly. 4000~4500K would be just fine for my eyes.
Guess I'll go with the HIDs then. xenondepot right? no mods needed, just PnP. don't really have the time to get myself stuck with mods.

[Irishfan04]

I definitely wouldn't throw the term plug and play around.....

But, check out GL's HID install: Link

The only thing I'd add to this is that it's possible to get by without drilling. Good luck, and make sure to tell us how it goes!

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by Fusion

OEM driving lights ONLY comes on with the high beams?!?!

The OEM Driving Lights are Driving Lights - supplemental long range high beams - not the short range fog lights that are typically installed and operate with the low beams. They are for lighting up the road at a distance when driving at high speed at night.

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by Ground Loop

H1: "Dip beam (UK)", "low beam(US)", main headlights, projector housing
H7: "Main beam (UK)" "high beam (US)", reflector housing.

Btw, any problems w/ the projector housing w/ the HID bulbs inside so far?

hmm... my sentence sounds kinda weird... but I think u know what I mean.

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by Irishfan04

I definitely wouldn't throw the term plug and play around.....

But, check out GL's HID install: Link

The only thing I'd add to this is that it's possible to get by without drilling. Good luck, and make sure to tell us how it goes!

I totally agree. not all PnP is like plugging in headphones into a headphone jack.

I can live w/ 30mins extra for mods. just not 1 day of mod for a 1 hrs 'PnP' install.

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

The OEM Driving Lights are Driving Lights - supplemental long range high beams - not the short range fog lights that are typically installed and operate with the low beams. They are for lighting up the road at a distance when driving at high speed at night.

I am looking for something to light up the road at a distance while at higher speeds. I don't really like to turn on the high beams (or keep turning it off/on when oncoming traffic is coming) cos I hate it when oncoming cars are doing that to me. especially now that we have a lower than norm car, those trucks and SUVs can be a real pain behind the rear view mirror.
so I thought it would be great to have a set of driving lights (not fog lights) on darker roads.

Though the car is low, but having 2 high beams on together, is kinda too much for me. Initially, I got the idea of it being able to turn on at will with the 3rd switch button incld in the kit. guess I was wrong.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by Fusion

I am looking for something to light up the road at a distance while at higher speeds.

That would be called High Beams

I don't really like to turn on the high beams (or keep turning it off/on when oncoming traffic is coming) cos I hate it when oncoming cars are doing that to me. <...> so I thought it would be great to have a set of driving lights (not fog lights) on darker roads.

Which would be the same as driving with your high beams on. Driving lights are high beams (often much brighter), and would have the same effect as driving with you high beams on...

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

That would be called High Beams


Which would be the same as driving with your high beams on. Driving lights are high beams (often much brighter), and would have the same effect as driving with you high beams on...

Given the fact that the high beams are placed lower on a lower car, I would think that it has a lesser glare effect on oncoming traffic.
But to have 2 high beams all together is a bit overkill. IMHO

I do agree that some driving lights are brighter than high beams. but as to how it affect others depends on where and how it is install.

all that I am looking for here is some feedbacks on the lightings so that I can have more options to consider and at the same time not to discomfort other drivers. did not start this thread to determind what high beams and low beams are.

[reganfin]

I did the H1 and H7 HID upgrade basically following GroundLoops plans. Both the high beams and low beams are amazing.

The low beams using the projector housing give the stock pattern of light only increased by several orders of magnitude.

The high beams use the reflector housing and the pattern is not as uniform and this results in a flood light type of pattern (which is probably what high beams are supposed to do).

Overall I am very happy with the HID kit that I used.

Mounting 2 ballasts on the driver's side is fairly simple but the passenger side is a trick. If you put HID on the car you won't want or need anything else (unless you like the look of the additional lights in the grill). I actually like the look but will not be spending the time or money for the Lotus driving lights.

[MattG]

Originally Posted by Fusion

I am looking for something to light up the road at a distance while at higher speeds. I don't really like to turn on the high beams (or keep turning it off/on when oncoming traffic is coming) cos I hate it when oncoming cars are doing that to me.

There is no long-range illumination that you can leave on when faced with oncoming traffic. If you don't want to learn to turn the high beams on and off, you could buy *fog lights* (and you CAN get clear ones, they're not all yellow) that will provide short range illumination, then just reduce your speed accordingly so you don't overdrive your lights. While I don't have them on the Elise yet, I've added clear fog lights to other cars and been very impresed by the benefit they provide for driving around town.

[Brian 111]

Originally posted by ChrisB:
The Osram bulbs and the OEM bulbs should be close to the same color.

The Osram bulb is the same temperature as the OEM bulb (about 3200K, but it is 50% brighter. The Silverstar bulb runs at 4000K, but is only 30% brighter than OEM. I found this on a couple of sites that sell both.

My question is what bulbs do the factory driving light kits run? The size/bulb types available in the Osram and Silverstar lines differ somewhat (seeing that the Osrams are imported), and this might make a difference if you went with HID or Silverstar mains, and wanted the grill lights to be a close match in color.