5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
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Hey everyone. I was checking out the XenonDepot site and noticed a huge price difference between the Xtreme HID Conversion Kit ($225) and the XenonDepot Conversion kits ($350-400).
What is the difference between the Xtremes and the XenonDepot? I assumed the Xtremes would be more expensive, but I guess I was wrong. Can someone fill me in?
well, the xtreme uses japanese made ballasts whereas the regular xenondepot uses phillips ballasts. thing is, the xenondepot ones arent in stock so you're not really given a choice right now...
Long story short, the XenonDepot kit is the ONLY high quality HID kit available anywhere. And it is the ONLY one that will last as long as OEM HID products (because its comprised of OEM HID products).
__________________ 2009 Audi TT 2.0T --- THE BEAST! 2002 LE 4Cyl --- Gone, but not forgotten. 06/28/09
Glaring blue HID bulbs are NOT classy, and don't make your car look nice, no matter what that kid in the Civic told you.
Last edited by white3ch0c0late; 05-15-2007 at 01:31 AM.
Since they still have the 6000k H11 in stock does that come with Phillips ballasts and bulbs?
Would that be a better route to go than the Xtreme kit?
Also, where would one purchase replacement bulbs if the ones with the kit blow out?(phillips rebased ones)
I'm not a big fan of 6000K HID kits because there is a good amount of light output decrease between 4300K and 6000K, but if you must, I would say that that is the absolute highest Kelvin temp HIDs anyone should get. If you get 8000K+ color temps, you might as well just use a flashlight to light the road.
If it is a XenonDepot kit, then yes, it should come with the Phillips bulbs and ballasts. As far as replacement... the Phillips brand stuff is made to last 3000 hours of use... which is about 7 1/2 years. You can probably find rebased bulbs in a good number of places, but I couldn't tell you of any off the bat since I've never really looked into it since I'm using the stock D2S bulbs.
__________________ 2009 Audi TT 2.0T --- THE BEAST! 2002 LE 4Cyl --- Gone, but not forgotten. 06/28/09
Glaring blue HID bulbs are NOT classy, and don't make your car look nice, no matter what that kid in the Civic told you.
I'm not a big fan of 6000K HID kits because there is a good amount of light output decrease between 4300K and 6000K, but if you must, I would say that that is the absolute highest Kelvin temp HIDs anyone should get. If you get 8000K+ color temps, you might as well just use a flashlight to light the road.
If it is a XenonDepot kit, then yes, it should come with the Phillips bulbs and ballasts. As far as replacement... the Phillips brand stuff is made to last 3000 hours of use... which is about 7 1/2 years. You can probably find rebased bulbs in a good number of places, but I couldn't tell you of any off the bat since I've never really looked into it since I'm using the stock D2S bulbs.
Whitechocolate,
You're right. I am so glad I changed from 8000K to 6000K it is so much brighter!!!
Now I wonder how bright it would be with 4300K!!!!!!!! Maybe next year I will change from 6000K to 4300K
__________________
Back on stock height and love it!
I'm not a big fan of 6000K HID kits because there is a good amount of light output decrease between 4300K and 6000K, but if you must, I would say that that is the absolute highest Kelvin temp HIDs anyone should get. If you get 8000K+ color temps, you might as well just use a flashlight to light the road.
If it is a XenonDepot kit, then yes, it should come with the Phillips bulbs and ballasts. As far as replacement... the Phillips brand stuff is made to last 3000 hours of use... which is about 7 1/2 years. You can probably find rebased bulbs in a good number of places, but I couldn't tell you of any off the bat since I've never really looked into it since I'm using the stock D2S bulbs.
I agree, I find that 5000K is the best IMO because you get very close to the light output of 4300K bulbs, but you get a bit more bluish tint to it. I was thinking about getting the 5000K kit from XtremeHID, but im not sure if it's worth it, or if I should wait for the 4300K XenonDepot kit.
If the Phillips Ballsts and bulbs are the ideal for a retro kit, what about the quality of the Hella kits, as opposed to the "unknown" origins of the lower priced kits?
Having said that, I'd tend to believe a kit offered by Xenondepot.com has enopugh of their faith that they are offering it at all. They appear, and have demonstrated to be the kind of company that stands behind the quality of the products they offer. That would tend to lead me to believe they wouldn't put themselves behind the 8ball by offering products that are going to come back to them. Just my .02c
If the Phillips Ballsts and bulbs are the ideal for a retro kit, what about the quality of the Hella kits, as opposed to the "unknown" origins of the lower priced kits?
Having said that, I'd tend to believe a kit offered by Xenondepot.com has enopugh of their faith that they are offering it at all. They appear, and have demonstrated to be the kind of company that stands behind the quality of the products they offer. That would tend to lead me to believe they wouldn't put themselves behind the 8ball by offering products that are going to come back to them. Just my .02c
There are a number of good ballast manufacturers... Phillips is just the most common because its easily accessible and is good quality. I have Denso-Koito (Lexus/Toyota) ballasts for my setup. Other good quality ballasts include the Hella Gen 3's, and Matsushita ballasts. All of these are good.
As far as bulbs, the only bulbs that I would recommend getting are either the Phillips bulbs, or the OSRAM Xenarc bulbs. They are both equal in quality, and are the best bulbs you can buy on the market right now.
As far as the product and XenonDepot being behind it, you really never know. They themselves describe the bulbs and ballasts as being "Japanese bulbs and ballasts" without actually giving you a manufacturer, and I personally would not put anything on my car unless I knew what it was, who made it, and where it came from. You'll notice that a lot of HID manufacturers will have warranties like "9 months" or "10 months" ...and thats good... but those kits usually burn out after about a year to a year and a half.
__________________ 2009 Audi TT 2.0T --- THE BEAST! 2002 LE 4Cyl --- Gone, but not forgotten. 06/28/09
Glaring blue HID bulbs are NOT classy, and don't make your car look nice, no matter what that kid in the Civic told you.
Last edited by white3ch0c0late; 05-16-2007 at 10:37 AM.
Another question, what part of the kit determines teh Kelvins? Is it the bulbs? ballastys? or both?
Would it be possible to change bulbs to diff. kelvins?
Bulbs. Yes, if you change the bulbs, you get different colors with the same ballasts, etc.
I ordered the 5000K XtremeHID kit. It's not supposed to come in until the end of month. But shipping should be fast, since I live just 100km from the warehouse, and not cross-border.
I'll be posting pics and a review once I get it installed.
__________________ 2008 Camry Hybrid | Magnetic Grey on Grey Leather | Bi-Xenon H1 4300K Retrofit | Italian Hertz Sound System (dash 4" EM 100, front 6.5" ECX 165, rear 6" x 9" ECX 690, 10" ES 250D sub in custom trunk enclosure, HDP5 5-channel amp, 1320W total power) | 4-sensor Rear Parking System | 20% Metallic Tint | Weathertech Floorliners | 17" ASA AR1 Rims | Toyo Garit KX (winter) | Toyo Versado LX II (summer)
Another question, what part of the kit determines teh Kelvins? Is it the bulbs? ballastys? or both?
Would it be possible to change bulbs to diff. kelvins?
All HID ballasts are 35W (unless they are modified). HID ballasts simply control the power that goes to the HID bulb. It is the bulb itself that is designed to burn at a certain Kelvin temp. The hotter the Kelvin temp, the blue-er the light (and eventually purple-er), which equals lower and lower actual light output on the road.
__________________ 2009 Audi TT 2.0T --- THE BEAST! 2002 LE 4Cyl --- Gone, but not forgotten. 06/28/09
Glaring blue HID bulbs are NOT classy, and don't make your car look nice, no matter what that kid in the Civic told you.
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