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Hawks hids :/

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Old 01-06-2018, 05:35 AM
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Default Hawks hids :/
Just installed their hids with 10k bulbs for my low beams and they’re not much brighter than stock. Would a 5k bulb make a significant difference?
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Old 01-06-2018, 05:37 AM
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They sure do look a lot brighter up close but not much brighter than the stock low beams considering actual light being sent out.
From what I’ve been reading the 10k bulbs are a waste. What’s everyone using? 6k?
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Old 01-06-2018, 06:23 PM
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You're not using a projector, correct?

And yes, 10,000k HIDs lumen output is not the best choice. If I remember correctly a 35w halogen put out about 1500 lumens and a 10k HID does a little over 2000.
Last edited by _JB_; 01-06-2018 at 06:34 PM.
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Old 01-06-2018, 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by _JB_
You're not using a projector, correct?

And yes, 10,000k HIDs lumen output is not the best choice. If I remember correctly a 35w halogen put out about 1500 lumens and a 10k HID does a little over 2000.
I don’t believe so. The kit came with new housings. With that in mind I wonder why they even offer them in 10k. Are all h7 bulbs interchangeable?On the way home tonight no one flashed me so I guess they’re not blinding anyone at least.
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Old 01-06-2018, 09:12 PM
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4500k would put out the best light and is bright white.
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Old 01-07-2018, 11:52 AM
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In for info.
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Old 01-07-2018, 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by sean byrd
The kit came with new housings.
What are these housings? Can you post a pic?
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Old 01-07-2018, 08:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Paul Bell
What are these housings? Can you post a pic?
They look just like the stock housings. I just snapped a few pics but they’re installed so you can’t really tell a difference.





Ordered a pair of 4500k bulbs online so hopefully it’s an improvement.
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Old 01-07-2018, 08:18 PM
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If they're halogen incandescent housings (not HID specific projector housings) the nature of the larger light source of an HID lamp vs. an incandescent lamp will cause the HID light to fill the entire reflective area. This will scatter the light in all directions which actually reduces the amount of light where you want it, focused on the road.

This is why HID's in non-HID housings blind oncoming traffic.
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Old 01-08-2018, 03:12 PM
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I’ve been out of the f-body world for years so I assumed anything hawks sold would still be quality. Hopefully these replacement bulbs are an improvement. As for blinding ppl I haven’t been flashed yet so I don’t think they’re too terrible.
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Old 01-09-2018, 06:08 PM
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There's nothing I hate more than PNP HID's and LED's in a reflective housing. That being said 10000k bulb temperature absolutely kills any and all light output. 4500k is going to be the best tbh as far as light output goes, but you're much better off doing a proper projector retrofit into the car. Light output would be so much better and even though you say you're not blinding anybody because you haven't been flashed I can guarantee there have been people in the opposite lane calling you all sorts of names by now lol.
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