HID Lighting Systems Have Been Around Since The Early '90s

HID lighting systems have been around since the early '90s. It was only offered to high end luxury cars to begin with due to its high prices. However, like all new technoogies, as time went by, prices dropped. Since 1999, only a handful amount of "aftermarket HID manufacturers" existed - including Kaixen HID. At time, the only HID manufacturing countries were Germany, Japan, and South Korea. While most of the Japanese HID manufacturers have closed down their operation (due to increased competition), Germany's OEM suppliers - Philips, Hella / OSRAM, etc. have started to supply aftermarket resellers of their bulbs and ballasts. Prices for these kits still remain high (average $400 or more). At the same time, 90% of their bulbs are rebased at the reseller's garage, door room, warehouse, office, shop - whereever it may be, compromising the factory-quality of their D2C / D2S bulbs. Hence, Philips or Hella does not honor the warranties from these "modified" bulbs. Enter 2001, many Chinese and Taiwan companies have seen the potential HID market. Their late entry in the market didn't worry the other companies as their quality is by far less than already established companies. However, they didn't realize or expect the general consumers to be convinced so easily purely based on price. 2006, and still, many people do not completely understand the differences. Most people just believe what they're told. They don't question the facts. At the same time, many of the Chinese manufacturesr have used old tricks to lure consumers toe their way. Some of this strategy includes: 1. Offer extremely low prices- people tend to think they're getting a great "deal". But a true "great deal" is if you get a GOOD product at a discount, not when you get a poor quality product at a cheap price. 2. Use American brand names: as in the case for McCullochs HID. - Owned by Jennfeng Industrial in Taiwan but made by Maxtel of China. 3. Use similar brand names: We have seen brand names like "Phillips with two L", or "Kaixens" with the extra "s", Or "Kaizen" with the "z", Helios - originally from Korea, but another Chinese manufacturer is using the same name with slightly different packaging, and so on. 4. Origin concealing: Many Chinese companies know that "Made in China" doesnt necessary sell well. So they hide it and don't label their products as "Made in China" as they're legally obligated to do. 5. Origin washing: Companies are also known to claim they are made in Japan - JAPANJDM is an example. Their HID kits are made in China and even the pictures of the factory found on their website are of Chinese employees. Yet, they label it JDM = which actually has a different meaning. It's like when McDonalds uses "100% beef" on their patties, and say "we get it from a company called 100% beef". 6. Raising their false MSRP pricing / price shock: When someone says "our kits actually cost $800 but we're selling it to you at $200" - makes it sound like you're getting the deal of a lifetime. Although, their original MSRP is mostly around $250. This is common with EBAY brands or no name brands. It's a way of hyping up their product quality and giving "price shock" to consumers. KEY FACTORS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSIDER WHEN BUYING HID KITS: Ok, so I talked about some of the "tricks" that other competitors use. However, please don't misunderstand this as "bad mouthing" other brands. That is absolutely not my intention. As a consumer my self, I hate to see many people making poor choices due to lack of information they're given. So, here is a short list of "information that they must have" list. 1. Always make sure to check out the HID manufacturer's reputation and history. Would you buy a TV from a company that just started making them since last month? Or from a company that has been making them for years with millions of customers? 2. Make sure you know where the kits are made from. 3. Make sure customers have provided some feedback on the kits. Try to find long term reviews if possible. All kits can look "nice" in the beginning. Its the ones that have long term history or reviews that are worth your hard earned $. 4. Make sure you're getting a great deal. - Not getting a cheap brand product at a cheap price, but getting a quality product at a good price. 5. If you're getting H4 bulbs, (stock for 3rd gen), make sure your getting a kit with anti-glare shield. If you don't, you're going to cause dangerour glare for everyone. it'll be like driving with high beam on all the time. 6. Make sure if the reseller knows what he / she is talking about. There seems to be too many resellers only concerned about making $ off people. Many of them give wrong information to members which could hurt them later. 7. Make sure you are getting waterproof kits that are plug and play (other types might cause wire burn outs and can actually damage your car! For those who are not familiar with HID kits: The difference in light output is like night and day when compared with traditional halogen bulbs. HID's are 3 X brighter than any Halogen bulbs. Typical halogen bulbs will give you anywhere between 500 to 1000 Lumens, while consuming 55 watts or more. HID on the other hand will give you 3200 Lumens (based on 4300K) which is more than 3 times the light output of halogens. IT also lasts almost 10 times longer than halogens. HID bulbs will last around 2500 hours of usage. This means, it will last around 3 to 5 years of regular usage. Unlike $30 xenon bulbs that has a life expectancy of only a few months while causing risk of wire burn outs (due to extra power consumption). Most people say (when they get HID kits for the first time), that they dont know how they drove at night without HIDs before. The difference is like night and day. In any case, I hope this writeup could help you guys in making a smarter purchase. Keep in mind, there are lots of options for you guys out there. I think close to something like 50 different brands or more. Source: rx7club.com