actually our HID reflector setup is not that bright while comparing it to other HID setups. Has anyone seen the Halogen Projector lights on a Subaru Legacy? It is soo bright and carries very far down the road with good foreground lighting. I was so surprised when I saw it in person lighting up the road. Puts our headlights to shame.


I just hope that the '06 headlights will be affordable so I can swap em into my car (hopefully they use the same Maxima projectors [E55])

 

I have no complaints about my stock headlights. I think they're plenty bright and the 'true' blue light aspect is supposed to be easier on my eyes (who knows).

 

Reflector to reflector type, I think our lights are pretty good. You can't or shouldn't compare reflector to sealed beam. I think our hids are 4350, which is ideal. Anything higher is bluer, but too blue would be less effective. Anything lower begins to turn yellowish. A 4500 to 5000 would be perfect in reflector or sealed beam formats.

 

Not to cause an arguement, but from my personal observation I've noticed that even the 2003-2004 Lexus HID reflector headlights seemed brighter to me. It may be the headlight design in which Lexus's reflectors are located closer to the clear plastic housing allowing more light to spread out on the road. The G35s reflector is recessed pretty deep inside the headlight for asthetics. Although they are brighter than halogen, they seemed dimmer compared the Lexus headlights. I like them nonetheless.

It wouldn't hurt to try out the new headlight though when it comes out. JMHO

 

They may indeed be brighter if Acura uses a higher lumens bulb (ie 4700 vs 4350). When talking HIDS, lumens are just as important as beam type.

 

You're not talking about lumens, you're talking about Kelvin, which is a totally different animal. Lumens deals with the amount of light output the bulb produces in a measurable quantity (as in candle light power). The number 4700 and 4350 you are talking about is Kelvin.

Kelvin is the temperature of color that the light source produces. Where as 4100-4300k is close to what daytime sunlight color produces. Anything greater will result in a deeper blue, purple or even pink as you approach ultraviolet light. Most manufacturers use a 4100-4300k bulb to produce a color closest to visible light. Although I've heard BMW is starting to use a 5300k (bluer) bulb in their D1S headlight configurations for customer appeal.

 

The type of light bulb is not the end all of actual light output. The reflector headlamp in stock G35s is sub par in comparison to others. This has been mentioned in MANY reviews and from members on this board. Just because you have "xenons" doesn't mean it automatically makes it better than a well designed halogen lamp. I think you should do a little research before you make ignorant comments.

This is a great site to better educate yourself in lighting:
Daniel Stern's Lighting Site

 

I was just about to make that same point. The housing makes all the difference in the world!

Projectors spread the light evenly, and focus it on the ground. No light is wasted; ie glare. Reflector headlights have alot of glare, and dont spread the light as well as projectors can. The lighting is more controled with projectors vs reflectors.

Also, HIDs in a poorly designed reflector housing can actually have worse light output compared to halogen in a good reflector housing.

 

Waterp7-thanks for the correction

Pete-get laid or take a vacation. Quite the keyboard warrior, so quick to name call. You're the one that admitted that you were half-blind. If I'm ignorant for pointing out the flaw you so readily posted, then you're a plain a$$hole for getting pissed. I stand by my point as I've already done my research. I still think the G35 hids are adequate WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER REFLECTOR TYPE HIDS. You can't compare a reflector to a sealed beam, it will always come up short. That is what most members are doing while not knowing better.

I gave you the benefit of the doubt (besides being half-blind) and checked out the website. Of course Mr. Stern is anti-HID, he sells nothing but halogens. He has a great deal to lose as a businessman...too funny. Thank you, I've been officially educated.

 

I'm comparing because Inifinty decided to put reflector headlights instead of projectors... but at the same time, passed it out to nissans, like the Maxima! WTF? Infiniti is supposed to be the luxury line of Nissan! So unless the G's reflector headlights are better than projectors, it makes no sence!

 

Silverbolt,

You're absolutely right! Infiniti IS the luxury arm and should get the very best. I think Nissan wanted to get the G35 in the Americian market so fast that they cut alot of corners with the intentions of using these upgrades thoughout the model lifespan. The HIDS are good for what they are, but they're not projectors (at least now).

 

You are definitely right! I do need a vacation desperately.

A keyboard warrior? Hardly. I think web forums are awesome sources of information and one of the greatest tools that the internet has given to us. However, occasionally you have someone who posts information that is not correct. Misinformation is definitely not a good thing and I think it is a disservice to the forum in general. Who said I was pissed off about anything?

You made the blanket statement that all Xenon lighting is better than any halogen solution. This is what I was responding to. Like I said previously, the type of bulb is not the definitive factor in light output.

Half blind? I don't think so. If you understood my eye condition you would know that I actually have an INCREASED sensitivity to environmental lighting conditions. Therefore I would be more likely to notice a difference in light output when compared to a normal person. I still standby what I said before as your above comment being ignorant.

I don't think anyone said that our stock headlights were inadequate. They definitely do the job but when compared to other HID/Halogen reflector designs they fall short. Also, you keep mentioning "sealed beam headlights" that technology is extremely old. It is only currently used in low end work trucks or fleet vehicles. Most automotive manufacturers stop using them in the 1980s. I think you mean "Projector based headlamps".

Judging by your signature you appear to be an enthusiast who doesn't settle for "just good enough". This is the reason I am pursuing a projector retrofit for my ride. I want the best lighting possible for my night time driving.

Mr.Stern is actually a VERY well respected member of the automotive lighting community. He is definitely not anti-HID. He is anti people who purchase blue bulbs or HID retrofit kits. Please take the time to read his Automotive lighting FAQ. It is actually very informative.

Anyways, look out for my DIY projector retrofit post in a few weeks. I will have detailed info and comparison pictures (I know pictures cannot really capture differences in light output as well as a human eye). Thw DIY will show before and after images when I reuse the stock bulb in a projector housing.

 

Projector headlights are already in the 05 model in the middle east. I saw a few in Saudi Arabia.

 

Gk,
Thanks for the info. If you navigate to the Infiniti Middle East website there a re a few pics of the new headlight. I have posted below a nice high-res closeup.

 

me wants... "my precious"...