REVIEW: Retro-Solutions Digital 55W BIXenon HID kit
#1
REVIEW: Retro-Solutions Digital 55W BIXenon HID kit
Well, after previous success and great experience with Retro-solution.com's high output HID kits on my other cars, i decided to buy 2 H13 bixenon kits for the stang and Expedition. 6000k for the stang, 5000k for the expedition.
The owner of the site, Todd Strong, established his business from developing HID kits and retrofit fabrication work. He started on Clubrsx.com's forums when he retrofitted other RSX'ers headlights, and then slowly went into the whole HID business searching for quality kits to sell. He does not sell the cheap China junk, and backs up all of his kits with warranties. I've grown to know him a bit personally off the RSX forums and he is very knowledgeable about the Lighting topic.
Well, onto the kit itself. Here's a description of the kit:
Originally, i was using Hella HIDs on the RSX, and as they aged and i felt like replacing them. Just when Todd introduced the "high output" kit, i and some fellow friends picked up the kit in a group buy. Boy, they outperformed Hella and McCollough that i have used in the past. Not to mention having a FINE cutoff line to prevent glare.
Now i've seen other kits trying to be sold on this site, but most are not BIxenon. Meaning this kit retains the use of high beams AND is higher output than the standard 35w kit. So yes, this kit is straight plug n play, no negatives of losing your high beams. Don't forget the lifetime warranty. All it cost me was $200 for Bixenon. $160-180 for single beam, not sure on that one.
Now onto some pictures of it on the Mustang! Sorry for some pics, cannot get the best quality
Comes in a nice box!
Crap stocks
Stock vs. HID (flash on)
flash off
Low beam
High beam
RSX pics
Hella 4300k on the left, Retro HO 6000k on right
Yup, the one on the right is the 4300k Hella. Sad aint it?
Will post more pics soon! Still gota install for the Expedition!
The owner of the site, Todd Strong, established his business from developing HID kits and retrofit fabrication work. He started on Clubrsx.com's forums when he retrofitted other RSX'ers headlights, and then slowly went into the whole HID business searching for quality kits to sell. He does not sell the cheap China junk, and backs up all of his kits with warranties. I've grown to know him a bit personally off the RSX forums and he is very knowledgeable about the Lighting topic.
Well, onto the kit itself. Here's a description of the kit:
Our exclusive 55 watt high-output DIGITAL ballasts will offer 30-40% more light than the standard 35watt setup. Ballasts are 100% digitally controlled, extremely high efficiency, waterproof, require under 2A of current, and very low starting current for flawless plug and play operation! Bulbs are rated at 3500 hrs., with the least variance available on the market, all within +/- 100 lm and +/- 200K CCT
All items are brand new and come with 2 DIGITAL waterproof 55 watt ballasts, 2 55 watt bulbs, mounting brackets, adaptors, and a LIFETIME WARRANTY all in an attractive metal case! CE and UL safety listed, ISO registered manufacturing, E4 mark.
All items are brand new and come with 2 DIGITAL waterproof 55 watt ballasts, 2 55 watt bulbs, mounting brackets, adaptors, and a LIFETIME WARRANTY all in an attractive metal case! CE and UL safety listed, ISO registered manufacturing, E4 mark.
Now i've seen other kits trying to be sold on this site, but most are not BIxenon. Meaning this kit retains the use of high beams AND is higher output than the standard 35w kit. So yes, this kit is straight plug n play, no negatives of losing your high beams. Don't forget the lifetime warranty. All it cost me was $200 for Bixenon. $160-180 for single beam, not sure on that one.
Now onto some pictures of it on the Mustang! Sorry for some pics, cannot get the best quality
Comes in a nice box!
Crap stocks
Stock vs. HID (flash on)
flash off
Low beam
High beam
RSX pics
Hella 4300k on the left, Retro HO 6000k on right
Yup, the one on the right is the 4300k Hella. Sad aint it?
Will post more pics soon! Still gota install for the Expedition!
#7
RE: REVIEW: Retro-Solutions Digital 55W BIXenon HID kit
http://www.retro-solutions.com/55watthighoutput.html
is that what you got?? i dont see a choice of H13...
is that what you got?? i dont see a choice of H13...
#8
RE: REVIEW: Retro-Solutions Digital 55W BIXenon HID kit
UPDATE ON INSTALL PROCEDURE!!!! i forgot to mention this during the install procedure, you need to remove the red ring gasket thing off the stock bulb base and put it on the HID bulb base. Doing so will seal and secure the bulb tightly. Without it, it will be loose. However, i did not do this procedure on my Ford Expedition's H13 setup, but it still fit. Something about our mustang's headlights required the additional gasket off the stock bulb.
Red gasket pulled from stock bulb base with small flathead.
Stock gasket placed on new bulb
Red gasket pulled from stock bulb base with small flathead.
Stock gasket placed on new bulb
#9
RE: REVIEW: Retro-Solutions Digital 55W BIXenon HID kit
ORIGINAL: Goldenpony
One more question - do they blind on coming drivers?
One more question - do they blind on coming drivers?
On the stock bulb, i noticed that there is a painting or some kind of coating on the tip of the bulb. Which i guess prevents unnecessary lighting. The HID bulbs do not have this coating at the tip, so it may be very bright to look at. It should not blind oncoming drivers if ur headlights are aimed correctly, and i havent been flashed or high beamed by oncoming traffic yet either. If anything, u could aim it slightly lower. Again, these are HIGH OUTPUT HID's, not your regular 35W setup. You WILL be noticed . I'd say 6000k is perfect for the S197.
Here is the 5000k i installed on the Expedition. Its pretty much pure white. I did not want the "tuner" HID look like the mustang on the SUV. I wanted the best output for offroading. I aim currently waiting for Retro-solutions.com to ship me the 3000k HID kit (35W) for the fogs.
Stock bulbs, camera flash on.
5000k H/O bixenon, flash on.
#10
RE: REVIEW: Retro-Solutions Digital 55W BIXenon HID kit
ORIGINAL: ChiDiddy
Well, onto the kit itself. Here's a description of the kit:
Well, onto the kit itself. Here's a description of the kit:
Our exclusive 55 watt high-output DIGITAL ballasts will offer 30-40% more light than the standard 35watt setup. require under 2A of current, and very low starting current for flawless plug and play operation!
Uh... Last time I checked, it's not possible to be running at 13.8 volts, draw under 2 Amps, and still be 55 Watts...
Watts = amps X volts...
13.8 X 2A doesn't equal 55...