Installed the ApexClone kit.

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Audi Junkie

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Install was easy, even though the directions sucked. Kit worked fine. I got 5000k/35w. Wish I got the 4300k though. Either way, it's in and no probs, not even a check bulb light.

hidraptor.jpg


Costs less than most replacement halogen bulbs, $29, works better and lasts longer. I installed it in a reflector housing. Beam is fine and nobody is flashing me back, so all the static about aftermarket HIDs is just that, static.

http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p=product&id=102&parent=0
 
some headlight assy's just don't do as well as other's with hid retrofit kits when it comes to glare to other drivers. Some cars are fine, others are downright distracting and blinding. What Did you install it in? I have one car with 4300k and one with 6000k. To be honest, I don't see much difference in the light output (not a fair comparison though because of different vehicles) but I like the 6000k a little better just because they look a little better. I know that the higher the K rating the less light output you are supposed to get, but the 6000k are not purple or dark blue by any means. Anyway, I love my hid kits, they just do such a better job at lighting the road.
 
Accord Coupe, 2007. Other owners report similar experience. The only hang-up was the gaskets for the bulb base are packed separately, so I had issues with getting a tight fit until I remembered them.
 
I've seen some cars where the light literally hits the ground 5-10 feet in front. Mine is smooth mand normal, but I can tell the edges of the cut-off are not as sharp and well-defined as w/the halos. The difference is minimal. I'm not saying that the difference is night and day, I could live w/o the HIDs, but unless I tried them I wouldn't know. fwiw, I had stock HIDs on my pre-ordered 2002 Audi.

Overall, I'm pleased. Glad I didn't spend hundreds of dollars on them.
 
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Good ones, too. A lot of guys using them, no complaints.


They have an impressive selection of color temperatures. 3K to way to high.
 
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
.... I installed it in a reflector housing. Beam is fine and nobody is flashing me back, so all the static about aftermarket HIDs is just that, static.


Unfortunately, this evaluation is seriously lacking any technical data to support evidence of no or minimal glare. Your lights would undoubtedly fail a headlight beam analysis without question. I encourage you to become more aquainted with Daniel Sterns website, and other DOT documents which reveal the many points of testing headlamps must endure to qualify as safe and usuable.
 
Originally Posted By: Smokescreen
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
.... I installed it in a reflector housing. Beam is fine and nobody is flashing me back, so all the static about aftermarket HIDs is just that, static.


Unfortunately, this evaluation is seriously lacking any technical data to support evidence of no or minimal glare. Your lights would undoubtedly fail a headlight beam analysis without question. I encourage you to become more aquainted with Daniel Sterns website, and other DOT documents which reveal the many points of testing headlamps must endure to qualify as safe and usuable.


I have a high opinion of D. Stern, but that doesn't necessarily mean that all possible HID conversions are bad.

I also have a high opinion of AudiJunkie, but even if he has a truly good HID conversion, that doesn't necessarily mean that most HID conversions aren't garbage.

AudiJunkie, would you take some pictures of your beam patterns on the road and on a wall or garage door? If you can also take pictures with stock bulbs, that would be even better.
 
The cutoff depends on the reflector design. I noticed in my fiancee's 09 Honda Fit the cutoffs are quite good. I'm hazarding a guess the reflectors are similar on an Accord. My personal car has terrible reflectors for halogens. An HID kit would be a nightmare for glare.

A junk reflector or projector means a junk conversion. It's all in the reflector.

I'd like to see pictures as well.
 
I try some pics. The bulbs are tough to get to, so I won't be doing a before/after.

Like I said, no complaints about beam pattern, and no flashbacks.

At the $29 price point, it's nbd if someone installed them and decided to switch back.

I got to use them last night on darkened highway, and I'll go back on what I said about them not being a big improvement visibility-wise. I'm pleased with the conversion and will say it was well worth the money and effort. The instructions sucked, you just have to use common sense with the connections. What made the deal was the fact the power-in plugs were copies of the bulb-base, so all you had to do was plug-n-play...literally.

Anyone wanting to do the install, feel free to PM me and I'll talk you through it.
 
Please post photos of beam and also off-axis shot of the lights themselves so that glare can be evaluated.

Which bulb your Accord takes?

- Vikas
 
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
I try some pics. The bulbs are tough to get to, so I won't be doing a before/after.

Like I said, no complaints about beam pattern, and no flashbacks.



In the interest of science
lol.gif


Would you have someone drive your car towards you and give us your evaluation of the glare?
 
interesting comments. I did the DDM HID conversion with 55w-4300k bulbs about 18 months ago with no issues. My BMW uses projector housings so there is a sharp cut-off. Even so, I did make sure the headlights are properly aligned. Plug-n-play-no wire cutting
 
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