2k2-2k3 HID headlight down the road visibility...how is it?
11-29-2005, 06:32 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 86
2k2-2k3 HID headlight down the road visibility...how is it?
Im condsidering purchasing some for my 2000, but kinda holding back because everytime I pull up next to a 2k2-2k3 model at night, the light output doesn't seem all that great. Maybe its because the bulbs are getting old, Im not sure, but they don't seem to light up the road like I thought HID was suppose to do. If anyone happens to have a down the road picture of the HIDs in action, I would really appreciate it. I just want to assure myself that these lights will be worth the investment.
11-29-2005, 06:40 AM
#2
how in the world would you judje this???? it is so subjective that only you can deside. i think they are great, people with hid/projector retrofits probably think they are garbage, and others in a lexus or a bmw, probably think any headlight in a maxima is junk.
besides, even the best pictures don't do any justice to what real-life visibility would be from your own point of view. i think you should test drive a 5.5 gen maxima at night, and see for yourself, this is the only way to know if you are making a good investment.
besides, even the best pictures don't do any justice to what real-life visibility would be from your own point of view. i think you should test drive a 5.5 gen maxima at night, and see for yourself, this is the only way to know if you are making a good investment.
11-29-2005, 07:03 AM
#4
Compared to other cars, the output of our HIDs are not that impressive IMO. I thought down-road visibility sucked actually, but I made it much better by aiming the lights slightly higher than they came from the factory.
11-29-2005, 07:16 AM
#5
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Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by TXT-1
Compared to other cars, the output of our HIDs are not that impressive IMO. I thought down-road visibility sucked actually, but I made it much better by aiming the lights slightly higher than they came from the factory.
11-29-2005, 07:33 AM
#7
I've had a 2000 Maxima with PIAA Plasmas and a 2002 stock HID system even though doesn't look as bright, it throws the light where the light needs to go.
I also have a Q45 and if you look at the light on, it looks like its not bright, you look inside it when its on and it'll give your eyes a good hurtin in a second.
I think the HID don't look bright when you look at them but they throw the light where light needs to go.
I also have a Q45 and if you look at the light on, it looks like its not bright, you look inside it when its on and it'll give your eyes a good hurtin in a second.
I think the HID don't look bright when you look at them but they throw the light where light needs to go.
11-29-2005, 07:45 AM
#8
Originally Posted by PIONEER
I've had a 2000 Maxima with PIAA Plasmas and a 2002 stock HID system even though doesn't look as bright, it throws the light where the light needs to go.
I also have a Q45 and if you look at the light on, it looks like its not bright, you look inside it when its on and it'll give your eyes a good hurtin in a second.
I think the HID don't look bright when you look at them but they throw the light where light needs to go.
I also have a Q45 and if you look at the light on, it looks like its not bright, you look inside it when its on and it'll give your eyes a good hurtin in a second.
I think the HID don't look bright when you look at them but they throw the light where light needs to go.
......
11-29-2005, 08:52 AM
#10
Seoul Man
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,010
The color of the light coming out of HID lights is very different from what you're used to if you regularly use halogens. That may have a lot to do with your impression that the HIDs don't put out as much light, since you're not seeing the usual "dirty white" glow cast on the ground in front of the car. After driving my Sentra and driving my Maxima, I can truly say that the light output from the Maxima makes me feel more confident at night.
11-29-2005, 09:12 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 121
try jumping in an 03 accord with halagens then tell me. With that said, ever noticed the blue glow when u 1st turn the HIDs on, then it became more white, wonder why the ballasts can't maintain the blue. With that said, my 02 CL type S's HID was even inferior IMO. With that said, if ya want to retrofit, I have a brand new pair of ballasts, ignitors and wiring harness to the head lights for cheap.
11-29-2005, 09:17 AM
#13
i agree the maxima reflector hid aren't the best but it does its job pretty well. it doesn't go as far as i had hoped so but i did aimed it up a tiny tiny bit and helped a bit. reflector hids don't shoot light out as far as projectors do that's why projectors are so much better than reflectors. i was originally going to have a retrofit done on my 2002 headlights because i didn't like how blurry the cutoff was and light didn't go as far. well after cleaning the headlight lens a with plastic cleaner and scratch remover stuff the output seem a lot better and the cutoff is more defined. now i can actually see a cutoff instead of a blob of blur haha. well i would say i like the maxima hids for they do their job lighting up the road in front of you and looks great too 
11-29-2005, 02:14 PM
#14
Originally Posted by ypl102
try jumping in an 03 accord with halagens then tell me. With that said, ever noticed the blue glow when u 1st turn the HIDs on, then it became more white, wonder why the ballasts can't maintain the blue. With that said, my 02 CL type S's HID was even inferior IMO. With that said, if ya want to retrofit, I have a brand new pair of ballasts, ignitors and wiring harness to the head lights for cheap.
i think our lights are fine.. i love mine.. if you want more "color" upgrade the bulb kelveins to a 6k or 7k.. but honestly you are changign color.. you will not see better with a higher HID output..
i'm suprised no one else said this already.
11-29-2005, 02:22 PM
#15
Originally Posted by ypl102
ever noticed the blue glow when u 1st turn the HIDs on, then it became more white, wonder why the ballasts can't maintain the blue. With that said, my 02 CL type S's HID was even inferior IMO.
11-29-2005, 02:25 PM
#17
Originally Posted by lowincash
i agree the maxima reflector hid aren't the best but it does its job pretty well. it doesn't go as far as i had hoped so but i did aimed it up a tiny tiny bit and helped a bit. reflector hids don't shoot light out as far as projectors do that's why projectors are so much better than reflectors. i was originally going to have a retrofit done on my 2002 headlights because i didn't like how blurry the cutoff was and light didn't go as far. well after cleaning the headlight lens a with plastic cleaner and scratch remover stuff the output seem a lot better and the cutoff is more defined. now i can actually see a cutoff instead of a blob of blur haha. well i would say i like the maxima hids for they do their job lighting up the road in front of you and looks great too
I think the main complain about 2k2-2k3 headlights are the color of beam they project and the haziness of the lens. The haziness can be corrected by cleanign the front of the lights and putting a thin layer of wax on it to keep it clean.
now about the color output.. yellow is the best reflecting color.. thats why our lights have a yellow tinge to them up close.. most cars with HIDs have 5k bulbs.. where as we have 4250 or 4500k.
anything over 6k for bulbs and you are sacrificing output for color. it may look cool but you cant see anything at night.
i personally LOVE how my car lights up the road at night.. i rarely, if ever, have to use my high beams.. and i'm lower so my lights doesnt reach as far as stock.. thats saying alot..
if you want a cooler look.. look into new bulb.
11-29-2005, 04:09 PM
#21
i'm a 5th gen conversion as well. honestly, the output is poor for the HID enthusiast, but basically delivers better output than most, if not ALL halogen set ups.
hid projectors > hid reflectors > halogen projectors > halogen reflectors > old school glass lol
hid projectors > hid reflectors > halogen projectors > halogen reflectors > old school glass lol
11-29-2005, 04:15 PM
#22
Originally Posted by Melaza
i couldn`t agree more.....by the way thanks Lontar1 the swap came out great.
11-29-2005, 04:21 PM
#23
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Lakeland, FL
Posts: 1,587
i can see down the road just fine, but the highest intensity portion of the beam is a bit low. this is the reason it looks bad because you see the bright portion of the pattern 150ft or so in front of the car and comparatively the 'down the road' portion isnt there. but i can see the cutoff on road reflectors, street signs and other cars. keep in mind blacktop isnt all that reflective. polishing the headlights DEFINATELY helped.
im still debating wether to aim them just a touch higher.
im still debating wether to aim them just a touch higher.
11-29-2005, 04:27 PM
#24
After comparing my aftermarket HID kit to my friend's stock 03 at night, we both came to the conclusion that my kit does a better job of lighting up the road, altho of course his output is more straight if that is your thing...and it looks so sexy...but yes the HIDs are not great compared to HIDs on most other cars...I only have real experience with the BMWs my dad has had and those are so nice...the new one now moves side to side so that's a nice addition by bmw
also, yes you will lose lots of output if you upgrade the stock HIDs to 6k or 7k...ask MaximaPolak..he got 6k and was not impressed by the output.
also, yes you will lose lots of output if you upgrade the stock HIDs to 6k or 7k...ask MaximaPolak..he got 6k and was not impressed by the output.
---sorry, was seeing what privilages I currently had. I did check faq if that helps. 
11-29-2005, 06:31 PM
#32
The Ultimate Driving Machine
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,114
I think the light output is great, even with my 6000k lows and fogs. The only problem I have is after driving my shuttle car (2004 BMW 330Ci) Getting in my car kinda stinks. The 330 has projectors and adaptive lights that steer with the car.
11-29-2005, 08:41 PM
#33
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 86
Hmm...I'll probably take the chance and get them. Also, one more thing, when I do get them and aim them, can I like leave one halogen headlight in and aim the HID headlight at the same height as the halogen, then take the halogen headlight out and put in the other HID and aim it to the other HID, or do HIDs need to be aimed lower than what halogen lights are aimed at? If I can do that, then I don't think I'll have a problem since my halogen headlights right now light up a good amount of road, and with HID it will only be better, also my halogen headlights were aimed by Nissan when I went to get my car serviced so they are properly aimed.
11-30-2005, 05:46 AM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 121
u tell me then
Originally Posted by TXT-1
Please don't post anything if you have no idea what you are talking about. Thanks.
11-30-2005, 05:51 AM
#35
Originally Posted by MaxBlu5
Hmm...I'll probably take the chance and get them. Also, one more thing, when I do get them and aim them, can I like leave one halogen headlight in and aim the HID headlight at the same height as the halogen, then take the halogen headlight out and put in the other HID and aim it to the other HID, or do HIDs need to be aimed lower than what halogen lights are aimed at? If I can do that, then I don't think I'll have a problem since my halogen headlights right now light up a good amount of road, and with HID it will only be better, also my halogen headlights were aimed by Nissan when I went to get my car serviced so they are properly aimed.
http://www.diynet.com/diy/ab_parts_a...579216,00.html
http://www.midstatedmc.com/tech/aim.htm
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html
11-30-2005, 05:58 AM
#36
Originally Posted by ypl102
read it again and you will find I phrased it as a question so if u have some answers please share the knowledge, if not don't insult other ppl trying to learn
The changing of your lights from blue to white is due to the warming up process of the Xenon gas. Your ballasts have nothing to do with "maintaining" the blueness of the lights. They function to ignite the gas with about 30,000 volts. If you want your lights to stay blue, you need to get higher temperature bulbs like 6000K. Keep in mind however that higher temperature simply means different color, not higher output. You actually lose useable output the higher you go. Hope this helps.
11-30-2005, 06:08 AM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 121
Originally Posted by TXT-1
Your ballasts have nothing to do with "maintaining" the blueness of the lights. They function to ignite the gas with about 30,000 volts. If you want your lights to stay blue, you need to get higher temperature bulbs like 6000K. Keep in mind however that higher temperature simply means different color, not higher output. You actually lose useable output the higher you go. Hope this helps.
11-30-2005, 06:15 AM
#38
Originally Posted by ypl102
Yah others have said this all ready. Hm. . if your ballasts ignite the gas, then what does the ignitor do? Got a ckt or block diagram?
Here is a link with info on the ballast and igniter. Usually they are integrated. The ballast provides the steady voltage while the igniter provides that initial voltage. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/framed...rpassion.info/
11-30-2005, 06:33 AM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 121
Originally Posted by TXT-1
And so why were you asking me to share my knowledge if you already read this in the previous posts? And good use of that question mark.
