Sorry, but I disagree with that. I would like to see a source to back that up.

From http://faqlight.carpassion.info/hl-hid-bulbs.htm


The hard facts on Philips 6000K Ultinon:
Marketing names: "Ultinon", "Cool Power" and "Cool White" are all the same D2 lamps.
The Ultinon and standard lamps are identical with the visible exception of the 'salts' colour in the burner and the ceramic insulation on the earth return lead. Base is labeled: "Not legal for use in Europe/USA". This bulb is clearly ment for the Asia/Japanese marked - they do not have the strict regulations when it comes to color. Some aftermarked vendors market Ultinon as a brighter bulb than a standard D2. This is not true:
OEM Philips D2S is 3200lm bright (+/-450lm) and 4100K colortemp (0.380x 0.390y). (For comparison)
Philips Ultinon D2S is 2400lm bright (+/-250lm) and 5800K colortemp (0.327X 0.312Y).


The hard facts on 5000K Philips:

Marketing name is currently "Plus". Production started up mid Sept 2002. This will cover the demand for a bulb that will have the same colortemp as an OEM bulb on a 2-4 year old car, without losing any real performance. Typical use would be for replacing bulb on a high end car with more than 1000 hours of use, so that color is matched better than a new OEM bulb. Base will be labled "ECE". These bulbs should be attractive for OEM dealers.
OEM Philips D2S is 3200lm bright (+/-450lm) and 4100K colortemp (0.380x 0.390y). (For comparison)
Philips 5000K D2S is 3100lm bright (+/-???lm) and 5000K colortemp.

 

5k maybe better, but 6k is the HIGHEST you really want to go before it really starts loosing a lot of light output.

 

I guess "a lot" is subjective. Going from 3200 to 2400 lumens (4100K to 6000K) is a 25% loss. To me, that's alot.

3200 to 3100 lumens is pretty much the same given the margin of error.

I think halogen is about 1000 lumens.

 

I guess the mod with the best look and also better performance would be a 6000K D2S bulb with a projector retrofit, usually the e46 or the tsx.

 

Depends. The projectors are generally more efficient than reflectors at getting light to the ground, but 6000K loses alot of lumens. If you're looking for the blue color alternating with white, then you don't need blue bulbs, since the projector cutoff will already have the blue in it, and you can mod the shield/lens to give more or less color. I think 5000K @3100 lumens with TSX/S2000/LS430 will give plenty of color.

HID bulbs also lose lumens over time. There's a good post on HIDplanet comparing a new D2S to an older D2S. Both Philips, both 4100K. The newer one clearly was brighter. So keep that in mind when you see posts comparing a new 6000K to an older 4100K.

Also from the HIDfaq:
It is shown in product catalogs as "MPXL-DL35". MPXL stands for Micro Power Xenon Light. This is the bulb installed OE in many HID headlamps today.
It is 3200lm bright (+/-450lm) and 4100K colortemp (0.380x 0.390y).
At zero hours it starts off at 4100K and goes upwards to 4600K after 1500 hours. After that there is no measure points, but curve has the direction to reach 5000K after maybe 2500hours.
Do not rush out and buy some 5 year old bulb from an old BMW 750iA yet; As all other bulbs, they also get dimmer with time:
100% at 0 hours
90% ar 200 hours
80% at 1000 hours
75% at 1500 hours
70% at 2000 hours

Chances that a bulb gets as old as 2000h is not likely. 2000h of driving in 70km/h (~50mph) is a pretty long distance: 140000km (~90000miles). Chances that most cars see some form of front accident that will break the bulbs are pretty high.
There is no reason to jump any conclusion that they loose lumen too fast. I would be surprised if any other lamp can do better. An halogen lamp is usually out of service after 5-600 on graphs like this. Asian HID bulbs has repuation for 5-600 hours of life as well.

 

E_K great info. I know it's not what a lot of people want to hear but I get so tired of people confusing kelvin with lumens.

 

8000K is rice plain and simple. When I say rice I mean something that has absolutely no function and actually hampers performance of your vehicle. I was driving on Rt.78 friday night and I saw a silver coupe running either 6000k or 8000k bulbs and I just laughed when I came upto him. The difference in light being thrown down on the highway was astounding. It seriously looked like his lights were off. I just don't see how people will ignore a potential safety hazard just to look "cool" at night. Do you actually think people really notice that your lights are blue?

EK. great explanation. A post with some detailed useable info. Love it.

 

HeLLz yEaH!

 

Fo ShiZZZle

 

Pete,

Wait till you see my new project.. 8000k Bi-Xenon fog/high!! I bet your just as excited as I am!!

 

Heres more for ya just becuase I know how excited you must be!









Matt

 

hahahaha, im excited for ya man !

 

Wow they package poo nicely these days

I am willing to bet that the bulbs included in that kit are sourced from China? You ever notice how none of the big name bulb makers make bulbs above 6000K? I wonder why.

Please post some wall output shots this weekend. I need a good laugh with my coffee come Monday morning. Thanks

 

well I didnt install it yet, but i hope this gives you a good laugh to



Have a nice day Mr. my lights are better than your lights.






Matt

 

He said "sourced from China". Just because the box says Made in Japan doesn't mean all the parts inside are.