35 watt HID's vs 55 watt HID's?

[BigDaddy13440]

Been looking at the HID kits on e-bay and elsewhere, looks like the 55w kits are quite a bit higher priced. What's the benefit/drawbacks of using the 35w kits vs the 55w kits?

 

[AquinoSteven]

Brightness. Honestly 35w is enough but i would only use the 55w in highs. Putting them in lows would blind the hell out of people

 

[BigDaddy13440]

Brightness. Honestly 35w is enough but i would only use the 55w in highs. Putting them in lows would blind the hell out of people

I don't do a lot of driving at night on 4-lane highways, most of mine is usually on low-beam. What I'd like to do is the 55 watt 6K's or 8K's in the lows, and aim them a little bit lower than normal. I'd rather have a more illuminated (brighter) area 100 yards in front of me than be able to see 300 yards down the road. I don't think I've used my high beams for more than 3 minutes maybe 15x in the last year, if that many.

I'd probably also do some 55w/ 3K's in some fog lights eventually, from what I understand the higher output of the 55's washes out some of the color, will make it a bit more whitish, as opposed to the yellow.

Any thoughts?

 

[blueflamed03]

IMHO, 35s are more than fine...

 

[quietfly]

I just got my 55w 6k's from DDM i'll let you know as soon as i get them in.....

 

[ezdaar]

My 55watt projector fogs blow away my 35watt projector lows!
Sometimes I turn my fogs off just to check if my lows are even on.

 

[killer20072001]

Mine are 55 watt 12k's but i did what you said and lowered them a bit more than normal. Ive never been flashed once and I love mine. Got them on DDMtuning.com

 

[haks310]

35w is more than adequate.

I also wouldn't do HIDs for your Hi beams if you only use them for flashing or short periods of time. HIDs don't reach there full intensity until 30-60 seconds after turning them on, and the repeated on/off will hurt the ballast.

If you want something brother than stock for your Hi beams, go with HIR bulbs.

If you do decide to go with 55s for the lows, go with 6000K bulbs, you will get the most usable light out of them. 55w 3000K will still look pretty yellow but should be great in fog.

 

[puckhead]

I agree, just get the 35s. The 55s tend to wash some of the color out and I have also heard burn out a bit faster. Dont know how much faster casue I dont have them. For the highs, i have 100watt halogens and they light up a ton of stuff. Good luck and let us know what you pick!

 

[ezdaar]

I chose 4500, to be close to oem hid so the police won't hassle me for having colored lights like a high school kid wanting to be cool. At 35watt 4500k lights up the road just fine.
Add in the 55 watt 4500k projector fogs and I can see everything!
Even stopped a officer asked him to check them as I drove past him for glare or blinding.

He gave stamp of approval so all is well.