I know the stock temp is something like 4150K or 4300K, which is nice and bright, but all white, no blue or purplish tint (except right when you turn it on).

my question is, if i go to 5000, 5500, 6000K, something like that, they will be bluer, but i will lose some brightness in favor of that color change, is that correct?

 

Thats correct, the higher you go the more brightness your going to lose. There is less usuable light output the higher in temperature you go. Its only going to look like a different color.

 

so 4100 (or 4300) is the same no matter what, it will pretty much be the same light output/color ratio no matter what, right? it doesnt matter if i have different manufacturer bulbs, 4100 is 4100, basically.

 

As far as I know manufacturer to manufacturer they all use the same scale, I would just stay away from certain cheapo companines. Most all use good bulbs but the HID kits with anythign above 6k use cheapo ballasts, no good companies make them that high. As far as the difference between 41 and 4300.. not much at all, its pretty much the same. Once you hit anything over 6k, your not having any real good usable light output over stock halogens.

 

if you go 6,000k you wont be disapointed at all. Compared to my boys 2k2 max my HID's throw atleast double the light down on the street at night and im running a 6,000k purple kit.

Ant

 

Also consider whether you are using a D2s bulb or D2r, D2s is believed to be a bit brighter but also has much more glare, while the D2r doesnt scatter the light everywhere so less glare to uncoming traffic.

 

if i got anything, i would use the stock bulb size, which i believe is D2R on the 2k2s. if i really wanted to, i could just replace the bulb, and use the stock ballasts and everything, as long as i used a D2R bulb (or whatever stock is)?

 

Yea if you have a 02 or 03 you have D2R bulbs, if you want more color get 6000k bulbs try em out and see if you like them but you will lose some output.

 

Any side by side night pics for comparison?

 

nah sorry man, i could try maybe this weekend and snap a few for you.

check this site out: www.hid-lights.com they sell d2r (oem)replacement HID bulbs at a very reasonable price.

Ant

 

i thought the spectrum went roughly like this.. 6000 white/blue -> 7000 blue -> 8000 blue/purple ...etc Which kit do you have

i have the 8600k Zmax kit and the color sits right between blue/purple

most accurate pic i could find of the color

 

You're right.. 6000K shouldnt be purple IMO


I have the KDG 6500k and it's just barely got a little blue-ish tint to it

 

My philips 6000k kit has a purple tint to them and i believe xtec also has a purple tint to them.
Its also different with cars whos headlights are designed for hids and the reflector makes them seem bluer then they really are. For example the stock hid bubls look bluish because of the reflector but throw the bulbs into a 00 and its will look pure white.

 

12,000k is the only way to go










jk.

 

6000K has a slightly purple tint, but the output is mostly white. however 12000 is straight up purple.

 

very very I've seen a picture of them, they look terrrrrrrrrible, and the light output is awful.

 

Only way to get brighter than 4100k, is to run a 50watt ballast instead of the usual 35watt ballast. But you'd need to pair it up with the Philips DL-50 HID bulbs that can handle the power. Its new right now, but there are people using it.