How truly bright is a Phillips 6000k kit?

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Jan 3, 2006 | 05:19 PM

kgh31386

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How truly bright is a Phillips 6000k kit?

Is a phillips 6000k kit brighter or more powerful than say a stock Nissan's lights or any other stock HID light? What's the brightest kit out there?

Last edited by kgh31386; Jan 3, 2006 at 08:03 PM.

Jan 3, 2006 | 06:35 PM

EXE.UCF10

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Some will say it's brighter than the OEM 4100-4300K color, but technically, nothing is brighter than OEM. I'd say that 6000K is a tad less brighter than stock.

Here's what 6000K looks like on the road on my '91 LS:

Jan 3, 2006 | 07:54 PM

kgh31386

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i have a 6000k kit, it'll light up the signs and stuff. but its nothing compared to say a new nissan altima's HID's. can i not get a stronger watt ballast to make it brighter, or will that blow stuff out? i'm about THIS close to ordering a phillips 6000k kit thursday. should i spend that much money, or just get ballasts.

Jan 4, 2006 | 02:59 AM

EXE.UCF10

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You can't compare a plug and play HID kit with factory installed HIDs on the Altima because the headlight housings on the Altima were originally made for HIDs. Light intensity does matter, but what also matters just as much is how the housing reflects the light and pattern on the road. In your case, upgrading to higher wattage ballasts may make your lights brighter (as well as shorten the life of your bulbs), but it still won't compare to an OEM setup. Since you have a 6000K kit, I'd recommend that you look into retrofitting OEM projectors from different car makes (such as BMW, Audi, etc.) rather than investing your money on anything else.

BTW, if your 6000K kit uses true 6000K bulbs and you've had no issues with the kit, then don't bother dishing out the cash for a Philips kit....the color and output will be the same, all you'll be getting out of it is newer bulbs and Philips ballasts.

Jan 4, 2006 | 04:30 PM

kgh31386

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I see your point. but then that'd make me ask why does everyone recommend $500 for phillips instead of like 300 for a cheaper kit that'll light up the same amount?

Jan 4, 2006 | 04:45 PM

Neo

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Quote:

Originally Posted by kgh31386

I see your point. but then that'd make me ask why does everyone recommend $500 for phillips instead of like 300 for a cheaper kit that'll light up the same amount?

Known quality. As with everything, though, you can get a bad Philips kit and a good non-brand name ones but if you go with the percentages, the Philips ones are a better bet.

As far as light output:

6000k Plug in HID < 4300 Plug in HID < OEM reflector HID <= OEM/retro HID projectors

Jan 4, 2006 | 05:39 PM

tiguy99

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Quote:

Originally Posted by kgh31386

Just get retrofit and don't look back! Your lights will not only be as bright as the BMW next to you but you'll also have superior beam pattern to 99% of all cars on the road now for the same if not less than what you spend for that kit or higher wattage ballasts. What kind of car do you drive?