I finally got a chance to install Todd's excellent
Top Quality HID Kit.
Firstly I just want to reiterate that this is a really nice kit, it is small, appears to be good quality and the shortened HV wires are a real blessing when installing on a bike. The HI/LO switching works really well.
Based on my experience with the Kit and Todd's customer service, I have no hesitation in recommending this Kit to anyone looking to upgrade to HID lighting - Thanks Todd.
There have been numerous discussions/opinions on the bulb color temperatures, and I tend to agree with SkooterG that the standards in this industry still leave a lot to be desired. In fact the bulb color ratings in HID bulbs remind me of Fork oil weights
Based on the findings and pictures ScooterG and Todd have previously posted I could not decide which color temp bulb would work/seem best so I ordered two sets of bulbs, 1x4300K and 1x5000K with the intention of putting them in side-by-side and letting my own eyes make the conclusion, without any possible camera distortions/effects.
Much to my surprise I for one, can't really tell the difference b/w the two color temps in these bulbs. In the pictures below one headlight is running the 4300K bulb and one is running the 5000K bulb at least according to the distinct labels on each bulb's wires. The "real-life" output from these bulbs looks really nice and natural white, with no "blue" at least as it appears to me in person. All the photos were taken without a flash so as to minimize any color distortion. So from my experience here I think you're pretty safe ordering the 5000K bulbs, especially if as Todd said in the past this color temp is going to be the new standard for HID lighting.
I am intentionally not saying here which Headlight has the 4300K and which is running the 5000K bulb. I think it would be more productive to let folks take a close look at the pics to see if they really can tell before they know the answer. I will include a link to the picture identifying which one is which below just for reference.
Pics taken in the garage with ambient lighting, sometime I have more than 1 pic to make sure the camera angle, etc does not present an incorrect color light.
The only two comments I might make about the kit are:
- I am not overly impressed with the fuse holder and will replace it with a more water resistant one
vs. something like this:
- It might be a good idea to mark/label the wires for any inattentive would be installers since the two plugs on the Balasts/Ignitors will actually "mate" and someone not paying attention could plug the +ve plug into the -ve plug instead of the recipient plugs on the bulb. I know that's a pretty dumb thing to do, but hey, as one joke I've heard says they print warning labels on tubes Preparation-H cream to make sure people don't put it on their lips :dribble:
These pics were taken on a dark street absent of any street lighting:
With the SOLTEKs on as well, obviously the SOLTEK Fuego, HID Driving (4300K) are just so bright that they make pretty much anything else look yellower.
LO Beam
HI Beam
HI Beam with the SOLTEKs (up to now i've had them adjusted to about mid way b/w HI & LO, but with the HIDs i'll be able to point them out further now)
As promised, this link will show you which Headlight is running which color temperature bulb.
https://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b87/klau...-1909-Bulbs.jpg
vs. something like this:
