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The Retrofit Source HID 5500k or 6000k?..

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Xterra72, Feb 2, 2015.

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Retrofit Source 5500k or 6000k HID?

  1. 5500k

    4 vote(s)
    57.1%

  2. 6000k

    3 vote(s)
    42.9%
  1. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

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    To match the led parking light, drl and fog lights?

    The Retrofit Source 5500k I currently have on my low beam definitely does not match. i guess with a 35w ballast, the light output is not as intense.
     
    #1 Xterra72, Feb 2, 2015
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2015
  2. Harris_BRG

    Harris_BRG Junior Member

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    I use 6k in all my cars, but it has a very slight blueish hue. So I'd recommend if you want to match the white light emitting to choose 5k.
     
    #2 Harris_BRG, Feb 2, 2015
  3. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

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    Just checked my HID. They are actually H11 XB35 5500k. I guess I will have to go with the 6000k.

    I guess with the 35w ballast the output is not quite white or maybe with it next to my leds, it doesn't look white enough.
     
    #3 Xterra72, Feb 2, 2015
  4. sfprankster

    sfprankster Active Member

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    Going up in numbers, 5.5k --> 6k, gets you closer to the blue end of the spectrum. Less white light and a more bluish hue.
     
    #4 sfprankster, Feb 2, 2015
    adizon likes this.
  5. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

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    Yeah. I know if I went from a 35w ballast to a 55w ballast the lumen output goes up by 20% but lessens the longevity of the bulb. If I had the 55w ballast, I think the 55000k would have been a better match with my leds.
     
    #5 Xterra72, Feb 2, 2015
  6. sfprankster

    sfprankster Active Member

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    I'm only referencing the color spectrum numbers(i.e. 4k, 5k 6k), not the wattage output.

    Lumens are the measurement for the brightness of the bulb's output, not the color spectrum.

    The lower color spectrum numbers run into the yellows(3k-4.5k), whites are closer to 5k, and above 5k, the blues(6k-8k) enter the into spectrum.

    As you get higher into the color spectrum(6k+), there is less usable light. You'll really notice this near dusk on a wet, rainy road. It gets very difficult to see the differences of the road surface.
     
    #6 sfprankster, Feb 2, 2015
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2015
    Xterra72 likes this.
  7. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

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    Maybe I will just stay with what I have considering the less usable light of the 6k.
     
    #7 Xterra72, Feb 2, 2015
  8. sfprankster

    sfprankster Active Member

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    or try a 5k maybe, or even as low as 4.3k.

    Lower than that and the yellow really begins to show.

    Aren't you in the SF Bay Area?

    Swing by ExtremeHID on Tully Rd in San Jose. They're right off 101. They have a display with HID lights ranging from 3k to 8k, where you can see the difference.
     
    #8 sfprankster, Feb 2, 2015
  9. Harris_BRG

    Harris_BRG Junior Member

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    I would check out DDM Tuning online. Pretty cheap Hid kits from Japan, but really good quality. They offer the 55watt ballasts.
    so 5k with the 55watt would look good.
     
    #9 Harris_BRG, Feb 2, 2015
  10. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

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    I currently have the morimoto HID 35w ballast with the H11 XB35 5500k installed in my car.

    Even though it's not an exact match to the leds I have installed in the parking lights, fog lights and drls, I think I will keep my current setup.

    SAFETY is way more important to me than trying to match the light output to a "T".:D
     
    #10 Xterra72, Feb 2, 2015
  11. slowpriusj

    slowpriusj Active Member

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    I took 4500k only because I like the color flicker you get with the yellow/white hue
    :cool:
     
    #11 slowpriusj, Feb 3, 2015
  12. pauerbach

    pauerbach Member

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    Color flicker? That sounds seizure-inducing.
     
    #12 pauerbach, Feb 3, 2015
  13. slowpriusj

    slowpriusj Active Member

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    You can't see it when you drive only when people go by! looks awesome
    !
     
    #13 slowpriusj, Feb 4, 2015
  14. katiesdad7

    katiesdad7 Member

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    I went with the 5K and love it. I did have to adjust the aim but its real easy.
     
    #14 katiesdad7, Feb 5, 2015
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