SRakaSSS

I'm finding that my HIDs on my 250 aren't bright enough and/or don't light up enough of the road ahead (stock bulb).

My Tacoma which has halogens (and Silverstar Ultra bulbs) light's up the road better than my IS.

I thought HIDs were supposed to be the "best?"

-Anybody else experience this?

-What can I do about it?

Cepp

i wouldnt think that a hid would have less light then a halogen. the only reason i could think thats possible because the truck is higher and transfers the light to the road better. i have has the silverstars on a previous car and wasnt impressed. i dont know what model u have, but maybe they need a adjustment.

chi123

iTrader: (12)

^ I agree with the height thing. But honestly, HIDs with projectors give out less light than standard halogens? I'm guessing you have an IS250, I got an IS350 with stock halogen bulbs. Ever since I upgraded to HID's, it made a pretty good difference. Whenever I go over speed bumps, my HIDs shine on stop signs blocks down and my headlights even light the road more than the people driving in front of me usually.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

The trucks height is probably what makes such a big difference. My GX470's halogens are almost as bright as my SC's HID's, but the car also sits up way higher than the SC.

RX_330

How many hours are on the bulbs? Could just use new bulbs.

SRakaSSS

Hmm, never took into consideration the height of the truck. Probably does make a difference. Although, it's still a drastic difference between the two.

As for the hours on each bulb:

Halogen: roughly 60 hours
HID: roughly 15 hours

Does anyone think changing the stock HID bulb to an aftermarket one will provide better usable light output?

Kzoosho

anything above 5k is useless as far as output. 4300k will be the best as far as output. The lumens drop off considerably after 5k.

ArmyofOne

I have had both 5000k and 6000k without projector's, and output over stock is phenomenal. If you have factory HID's they are either 4300k, or 5000k I believe, both should be amaxing on both light output and cutoff, especially with projectors.

HID bulbs last longer than 15 hours...unless you are talking about total time they have been used. I have used my HID's for 15 hours nonstop and they still work, so even if that were the average I dont think thats accurate.

Cepp

The 6000k I have in another car of mine are awesome. It's like daytime in front of the car. I'm swapping out my 4300k to 6000k. Hoping for the same results. The 4300k looks good at the headlight lense but is still too yellowish. Imo.

RX_330

^^ From what I've read, the lifespan of an HID bulb is 3,000 hours. But they should be replaced WAYYY before then, because they'll get dimmer over time.
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/show...put-Comparison

I'm thinking this might be more of an aiming thing. The OP could try aiming them just a tad higher and see if the results are good enough.

rath

I prefer HID's over halogens

BAUSauto

different band makes difference too!!