Big Difference with Fog Lights HID's???

[SKY Spy]

I have been talking back and forth with Martin from GMRoadster about the HID kit for the Low Beams and seems like I will flip the coin and give them a try and hope for the best here but I'm curious as to those who might have HID's on their Fog Lights...

How much of a difference do you really see? Did you get the same Kelvin as the Low Beams? What you get and do you like them?

I have driven very short distances with only the Fogs on and I can say that they don't put out much light at all, almost useless IMHO but this might be because the low beams are so good at spreading the light where it needs to be and the fogs on my 2011 CR-V are so good!!!

Any thoughts???

BA

[Carbon Black]

Originally Posted by SKY Spy

I have been talking back and forth with Martin from GMRoadster about the HID kit for the Low Beams and seems like I will flip the coin and give them a try and hope for the best here but I'm curious as to those who might have HID's on their Fog Lights...

How much of a difference do you really see? Did you get the same Kelvin as the Low Beams? What you get and do you like them?

I have driven very short distances with only the Fogs on and I can say that they don't put out much light at all, almost useless IMHO but this might be because the low beams are so good at spreading the light where it needs to be and the fogs on my 2011 CR-V are so good!!!

Any thoughts???

BA

First of all, I'd personally recommend you don't go with GMR. Only because I've seen so many buyers have so many issues with them. Honestly, within 5 minutes, you should be able to find a very high quality set with a "lifetime" warranty on defects, at 55W instead of just 35W, for less money than what GMR wants.

Beyond that, I'd say, don't bother with the fog lights unless you want to do something like change the colour to yellow.

If you want them to be a perfect colour match to the headlights, your best bet is to get the ballasts and bulbs from the same manufacturer with obviously the same colour temperature rating.

Go with a quality set of 55W bulbs for the headlights first. If you still feel the need for fog lights, you can always order then.

Again, I'd suggest Prolumen mostly because they have tonnes of very good reviews. I've been running KWDs for a while now, and they've been actually even better than a set of Phillips HIDs I've had before. Albeit, that was a few years ago.

BTW, here are a few links:

http://www.optionjdm.com/option_cart...ufacturer_id=9

http://www.toronto-subaru-club.com/f...led-fully.html

http://thexenonstore.com/HID.php

Personally, I'd say go with the KWD because it's a way better value, lifetime warranty as well. I hear very good things about the Prolumen, but they are more expensive.

[SkyVue2]

Always preferred that the fog lights actually help in the fog; so got some PIAA plasma ion yellow bulbs.

Direct replacement plug and play.


..... .....

[MsGofstr]

I ordered my HID fog lights from GMroadster. I would not buy from GMroadster again.

Take that for what it is worth.

I do however LIKE the brightness of my HID fog lights-5000K. They are very bright to me. Just a cleaner projection of light color wise.

Good luck on your decision.

[NewSkyGuy]

I've got 6000K V-LEDS on both lows and fogs. I don't use the fogs to increase how far I can see, the lows do that just fine. I mainly want others to be able to see me.

Plus I like the crisp, bluish-white light they emit.

[SKY Spy]

Originally Posted by Carbon Black

First of all, I'd personally recommend you don't go with GMR. Only because I've seen so many buyers have so many issues with them.

Do you mean problems with the HID Kits or problems with GMR???

Originally Posted by Carbon Black

Honestly, within 5 minutes, you should be able to find a very high quality set with a "lifetime" warranty on defects, at 55W instead of just 35W, for less money than what GMR wants.

The Prolumen I saw on your link didn't come for the H11 light bulb and it was quite a bit more than GMR's price. The Phillips even more at $280 for the H11 Kit plus you have to get some relay with it. GMR's Low Beam Kit is $120 shipped. $210 if you want both Low Beams and Fogs.

Originally Posted by Carbon Black

Beyond that, I'd say, don't bother with the fog lights unless you want to do something like change the colour to yellow.

Everytime I get on my SKY I turn my Fogs on. I like the looks plus the dash lights up. I basically use my Fogs as DRLs.

Originally Posted by Carbon Black

If you want them to be a perfect colour match to the headlights, your best bet is to get the ballasts and bulbs from the same manufacturer with obviously the same colour temperature rating.

Go with a quality set of 55W bulbs for the headlights first. If you still feel the need for fog lights, you can always order then.

Again, I'd suggest Prolumen mostly because they have tonnes of very good reviews. I've been running KWDs for a while now, and they've been actually even better than a set of Phillips HIDs I've had before. Albeit, that was a few years ago.

BTW, here are a few links:

OptionJDM: Performance Parts & Accessories - Manufacturers :: Prolumen

Prolumen HID Kits On Sale From $219 INSTALLED FULLY WARRANTIED !!!!!!!!!! - Toronto Subaru Club

The Xenon Store

Personally, I'd say go with the KWD because it's a way better value, lifetime warranty as well. I hear very good things about the Prolumen, but they are more expensive.

I really would like to see a Kit for the H11 like you mentioned but at a reasonable price and I wouldn't have an issue trying it.

As I said before, I'm not much for wiring and electronics. Give me anything mechanical and I can dive head first but electronic, I will just be looking for trouble.

Thanks for your help so far...

BA...

[SKY Spy]

Originally Posted by MsGofstr

I ordered my HID fog lights from GMroadster. I would not buy from GMroadster again.

Take that for what it is worth.

I do however LIKE the brightness of my HID fog lights-5000K. They are very bright to me. Just a cleaner projection of light color wise.

Good luck on your decision.

How long ago did you get them? Can you elaborate on your "issue" with GMR?

Thanks for your help!

BA...

[08BlueSky]

I had found that the Fogs originally were REAL low on the road. So I bumped them up a bit, still low (to not annoy oncoming drivers) but a bit more useful in hitting the sides of the road.

[SKY Spy]

Originally Posted by 08BlueSky

I had found that the Fogs originally were REAL low on the road. So I bumped them up a bit, still low (to not annoy oncoming drivers) but a bit more useful in hitting the sides of the road.

So what you are saying is that there is a way to adjust them then?

How?

BA...

[shabby]

Hid bulbs belong in proper hid projectors, not halogen housings. Do everyone(in front of you) a favor by not purchasing these.

[miller11386]

IMO the fogs are useless on little cars like a sky. Im debating on deleteing them and make brake cooling ducts or something of use... because as fogs, they are worthless.

If you get HID fogs just know that EVERYONE coming the other way is giving you the finger. Kind of like the guys who put HID's in cars with diffusion lenses.

[Carbon Black]

Originally Posted by SKY Spy

[FONT="Verdana"]Do you mean problems with the HID Kits or problems with GMR???

Problems with GMR. Lots of people have had very negative customer experiences with GMR. They tended to be issues regarding his taking money, and not sending anything. And, as a separate issue, and not sure if it ever got resolved beyond moderators not allowing us to discuss it, but GMR apparently stole another vendor's engine tune, and was selling it as his own.

Originally Posted by SKY Spy

[FONT="Verdana"]The Prolumen I saw on your link didn't come for the H11 light bulb and it was quite a bit more than GMR's price. The Phillips even more at $280 for the H11 Kit plus you have to get some relay with it. GMR's Low Beam Kit is $120 shipped. $210 if you want both Low Beams and Fogs.

I only sent you those links to get you started. I know Prolumen makes one in H11, because I have a friend that has a set. And he got his for under $200 CDN. I bought my KWDs for $140 CDN. Both are 55W HIDs, and not GMRs 35W HIDs. You can get 35W KWDs and not 100% sure about Prolumen, but I think they make a 35W as well. Last time around when I bought my 55W KWDs for $140 CDN, the 35W were $100 CDN even.

You have to compared 55W kits to 55W, and not 55W to GMRs 35W.

Originally Posted by SKY Spy

[FONT="Verdana"]Everytime I get on my SKY I turn my Fogs on. I like the looks plus the dash lights up. I basically use my Fogs as DRLs.

In that case, PLEASE don't raise your fog lights, and add HIDs. You're just being a jackass at that point.

And everything should be plug and play. The hardest part about installing HIDs is drilling a hole in the plastic cap on the back of the headlight housing. The existing wiring to the stock bulbs simply plugs into a socket, for the HIDs. You do NOT have to run a wiring harness unless you are upgrading wattage. Stock wattage bulbs are 55W, most HIDs are 35W. Why the hell would you need a wiring harness? The stock wiring harness is more than enough. Unless you are putting in "overwattage" say around 80W halogen bulbs in, you will not need to use a wiring harness. And these harness have the relay you were speaking of.

KWD and Prolumen are just 2 manufacturers I wouldn't hesitate to purchase from primarily because they produce 55W kits, have a lifetime warranty on defects, and a relatively well priced compared to the big names like Phillips. There are many other quality HID manufacturers out there.

[MsGofstr]

Originally Posted by SKY Spy

How long ago did you get them? Can you elaborate on your "issue" with GMR?

Thanks for your help!

BA...

The order took a very long time to receive. GMR did respond when I would email asking for an order update/receive date. Very slow to ship and receive. Poor service there.

When I placed the order it says you will also receive some free "parking bulbs" or some other little bulb free. (I honestly dont care now that I did not get them but you cannot advertise something and not send it)

When the HID lights were installed there was a problem with a ballast. It looked like it had been sat in water. Long story short, the thin ballast I paid for was no good. Luckily, at the shop that did the install they simply used one of the ballast they had on hand. It worked fine.

The HID lights-fog & low beam-are really nice, crisp and much better for seeing at night.

I did email GMR about no instructions and no free bulbs issue, never heard back. If I never heard back about that..then I wasnt even going to bother about the ballast.

I just would not buy from them again. Period. But this was MY experience.

Hope that helps!

[Carbon Black]

Originally Posted by shabby

Hid bulbs belong in proper hid projectors, not halogen housings. Do everyone(in front of you) a favor by not purchasing these.

Define "proper" please.

There are many projector headlight housing out there. As far as I know, the location, and size of the light source is the only thing that matters. So as long as the discharging gas section in a HID bulb is close to the same size and location of the halogen bulb it replaces, the optics should be identical.

[Carbon Black]

Originally Posted by miller11386

IMO the fogs are useless on little cars like a sky. Im debating on deleteing them and make brake cooling ducts or something of use... because as fogs, they are worthless.

If you get HID fogs just know that EVERYONE coming the other way is giving you the finger. Kind of like the guys who put HID's in cars with diffusion lenses.

Exactly, it's the diffusion optics, and the reflector bowl style that cause the problems when people upgrade to HIDs from halogens. If you start off with a good project, that was originally used with a halogen, say like the old Infiniti J30, which kinda predates HIDs. It had a great projector housing in it, and came with halogens. No reason not to put a HID in there. But, please don't put HIDs into reflector bowl, or headlights with diffusion optics in the lens.