HID vs. these lights [Archive] - Drive Accord Honda Forums

BrockPSU

04-09-2008, 07:39 AM

I want to swap out my stock bulbs, and don't really want the HID warranty / install to deal with. I looked at Sylvania Superstar Ultra, but read on Amazon.com that the life is short, anywhere from 6 to 12 months, and I don't want to carry extra bulbs in the trunk for the one that goes out on me. Anyone have any experience with those bulbs? Also, on another thread someone suggested these bulbs: http://www.finemotoring.com/ anyone have any experience with them?

mitchleary

04-09-2008, 07:43 AM

I want to swap out my stock bulbs, and don't really want the HID warranty / install to deal with. I looked at Sylvania Superstar Ultra, but read on Amazon.com that the life is short, anywhere from 6 to 12 months, and I don't want to carry extra bulbs in the trunk for the one that goes out on me. Anyone have any experience with those bulbs? Also, on another thread someone suggested these bulbs: http://www.finemotoring.com/ anyone have any experience with them?

Swap them for H9s if you have the coupe or HIRs if you have the sedan.

BrockPSU

04-09-2008, 07:45 AM

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I have the sedan, EX-L.

mitchleary

04-09-2008, 07:49 AM

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I have the sedan, EX-L.

You are in luck then. HIRs are said to last twice as long as the oem bulbs. I upgraded my hi beams with HIRs

08exl

04-09-2008, 09:49 AM

I've had silverstars in the SUV for about a year now..No problems yet:thmsup:

TMMR03

04-09-2008, 08:18 PM

Get HID's, I have them on every vehicle I own. Best upgrade I've ever done. I've had the same HID kit (switched between 3 motorcycles) for 3 years. Never had to replace a bulb. You won't be able to match the light output w/any bulb no matter what non-HID bulb you buy. Just my opinion though. HID is the only way to go.

Gstylez

04-09-2008, 08:20 PM

h9's fit in the coupe's low beams? i thought they use h11's?

leggysoe

04-09-2008, 08:22 PM

yeah I was wondering the same thing. Why h9, not h11??

Ice

04-09-2008, 09:06 PM

yeah I was wondering the same thing. Why h9, not h11??

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html

Scroll down to about a middle of the page where it's explaining about the H9. Pretty much it means H9 can fit in H11 with slight modification and it will give out almost 2x as much light.

Here are pictures from one of our members (mitchleary) who has H9 in his coupe.
http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showpost.php?p=223129&postcount=15 . That's pretty damn bright for $12/bulb

leggysoe

04-09-2008, 10:39 PM

Thanks for the explanation but I'm still confused.
The thing is I already have a H11 hid conversion kit, 6000K w/ 2900 lumens and I'd like to know if changing to h9 would provide extra lumens.
Is my ballast compatible w/ h9 bulb?

Ice

04-09-2008, 11:08 PM

Thanks for the explanation but I'm still confused.
The thing is I already have a H11 hid conversion kit, 6000K w/ 2900 lumens and I'd like to know if changing to h9 would provide extra lumens.
Is my ballast compatible w/ h9 bulb?

No... You have changed to HID. No reason to change back to H9, as it is still halogen after all.

mitchleary

04-10-2008, 05:22 AM

Thanks for the explanation but I'm still confused.
The thing is I already have a H11 hid conversion kit, 6000K w/ 2900 lumens and I'd like to know if changing to h9 would provide extra lumens.
Is my ballast compatible w/ h9 bulb?

The H9 halogens produce 2100 lumens, a bit less than the HIDs but way more than the 1300 lumens the oem bulbs produce. No ballast etc needed, just a couple of bulbs and a bit of mod time.

Gstylez

04-10-2008, 05:39 AM

what's involved in the mod? how much is a bit?

BrockPSU

04-10-2008, 05:40 AM

So what is my easiest option for low and high beams in the sedan, if I don't want to go HID?

Ice

04-10-2008, 05:57 AM

So what is my easiest option for low and high beams in the sedan, if I don't want to go HID?

http://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html

A pair of each. HIR1 for your high beams, and HIR2 for your low beams. You will need to trim off one of the tabs on each bulb. Instruction here http://dastern.torque.net/Mods/HIRmod.html . It will gives you almost 2x the brightness. Stock 9006 bulbs put out 1000 lumens @ 3100K. HIR2 will give you 1875 @ 3600K. OEM HID puts out around 3000 @ 4300K.

Edit: I found some pictures for HIR bulbs from a corvette forum:

Standard:
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/C5Aggie/IMG_0982.jpg

HIR:
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/C5Aggie/IMG_0994.jpg

I like it, much brighter and pretty white!

BrockPSU

04-10-2008, 06:15 AM

So what's the pricing like here, do you guys think it is worth it?

mitchleary

04-10-2008, 07:30 AM

what's involved in the mod? how much is a bit?

A bit is trimming out the the tab in the female socket of the H9 and removing 3mm off of one of the "wing" tabs. I used a dremel and utility knife

SixPackABS

04-16-2008, 03:09 PM

I just got my HIR 9012 bulbs. Called my Honda Dealer and asked the service department if they can install the bulbs today. I was told that they cannot change my bulbs cause it is not an OEM Bulbs for my Accord 2008 and changing it with non OEM bulbs voids the warranty. I am not good with DIY so I am stuck with these bulbs sitting on my drawer ahhehehehehe.

osidepunker

04-16-2008, 04:07 PM

Get HID's, I have them on every vehicle I own. Best upgrade I've ever done. I've had the same HID kit (switched between 3 motorcycles) for 3 years. Never had to replace a bulb. You won't be able to match the light output w/any bulb no matter what non-HID bulb you buy. Just my opinion though. HID is the only way to go.

Which brand od HID's are you using? I'm starting my research as I will be upgrading to HID's soon.