H.I.D. Testing; need help & guinea pigs

Dear fellow R.O.C. members,

I have currently been working on and testing HID systems for our trucks. I was wondering what level of interest there is among Ridgeline owners, for HID conversion. The H4 is probably the most complicated to do correctly in HID I have found.
With that being said, I was hoping to start an aftermarket lighting company, specifically for the Ridge. I do not wish to get into the mass market for HID, as that is saturated with cheaper products.
Another project is HID Reverse lights. I feel the stock output is not adequate.

Current testing has yielded two bulb types that work as well as OEM, with the same beam pattern, just brighter ;) Excellent spread, and no glare are the attributes of the system.

While my testing, has gone well, it is only subjective. I need other opinions, fellow R.O.C member opinion's that is.

I live about 1 hour East of Laughlin, in Kingman, AZ. Are there any members who live nearby, interested in aiding my testing? I could also install if you came to me. The system is easily reversible, no permanent mods are done. You would need to test for about 1 week, with plenty of night driving.

Let me know if anyone would like any further information, pictures, specs etc.
I will be more than happy to provide them.

By the way, the system is being submitted for DOT/SAE approval within the next 2 weeks. Testing will be to FMVSS.108. & CMVSS 108 photometry standards. This is with our headlamp housing only.

I also have in the works, and designed from our OEM housing, a DOT/SAE approved headlamp housing utilizing a moving projector, similar to Audi A6. THIS UNIT WILL BE DOT/SAE APPROVED:D

Best Regards,

DA TRUK

Just wanted to let everyone know I have added some pictures in the gallery.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17196

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17247

I for one would LOVE to have a set of DOT approved HIDs for the ridge!!!!:D

I have been fighting the urge to throw in a plug and play kit because I want to keep it legal(those kits say "for offroad use only")

I personally would prefer projector over reflector,(blue from far away, but not blue up close) go with whichever is easier to mount the leveling motor.

best hids out there IMO are found on an acura RL, but the audis and saabs have nice ones too! (both projs)

Wish I lived near Kingman. I would love to test these lights out.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Check out the link below Ridgex5 already has a good setup... expensive but good!

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15427&highlight=hid

If you are interested in shipping a set out to Maryland with directions for the install, I'd be happy to help you with testing. I leave the house for work at 4:30 am and have that whole driving in the dark thing covered.

I can't wait to see the results. Keep us posted. It's a shame the 2008 didn't receive any exterior update beside the wheels. Honda: give us projector beam headlights!!!

I for one would LOVE to have a set of DOT approved HIDs for the ridge!!!!:D

I have been fighting the urge to throw in a plug and play kit because I want to keep it legal(those kits say "for offroad use only")

I personally would prefer projector over reflector,(blue from far away, but not blue up close) go with whichever is easier to mount the leveling motor.

best hids out there IMO are found on an acura RL, but the audis and saabs have nice ones too! (both projs)

Hello spun07RTX,
The plug and play I am testing currently are as good as they can get, IMO. I agree about the projectors. It is the best way to go, but for the cost of the retrofit.:(

Wish I lived near Kingman. I would love to test these lights out.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Thanks twincam, I will post updates and pictures soon.

Check out the link below Ridgex5 already has a good setup... expensive but good!

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15427&highlight=hid

Hey TheRidgester,

His set-up is nice and yes expensive. Only problem is the DOT approval:( If I were going to spend that amount, it would have to be legal!

I hope to keep the DOT/SAE approved units at around $ 500 to maybe $ 800 at most. No work, just bolt in the new headlamp, attach the wiring and enjoy.

If you are interested in shipping a set out to Maryland with directions for the install, I'd be happy to help you with testing. I leave the house for work at 4:30 am and have that whole driving in the dark thing covered.

Hello firefighter3666,

Depending on who is local to me, I just may have to do that. Testing would be for the plug & play system.

I can't wait to see the results. Keep us posted. It's a shame the 2008 didn't receive any exterior update beside the wheels. Honda: give us projector beam headlights!!!

I know what you mean. Was hoping 08 Ridges would have something different for the lighting.
I'm afraid Honda will only keep the HID projectors on the Acura brand.

Man am I glad I read this :D

I had an audi S4 and the lighting system was great. I live in Chicago and am on the road by 5 am (dark outside)
I am in sales so am on the road for the most part of the day. I would love to help you in the testing process as well. I am pretty handy and am friends with a Honda tech who works at a local dealer. I know you are looking for help in AZ but I thought I would let you know of my strong interest. If not I will be one of your first customers. Please keep me informed as to the progress and thank you for doing this. If you want to send me a IM and I'll give you my email addy which is linked to my blackberry.

DA TRUK,

The total price will be the final deciding point, plus the DOT approval. I had no choice since there is'nt anything out out their on the market currently. What is saving me is the almost stock look, the bi-zexon bulb (Hi/Lo) and the factory DOT stamp on the factory housings. A bi-zexon setup or seperate hi/lo projector housing with a price no higher than $700.00 would probably sell good. I just don't think anything higher than that will get people to purchase it, unless they are like me and like the extra light without blinding the oncoming traffic and would fork out a little more to get a quality product. I don't think the shop who made mine have retrofited anymore since then, due to the price. He does do alot of the new civics and the price is comparable to mine. So I guess it is hit and miss. If you promote it out on the website to different clubs, you will get more attention too, I just happened to stumball onto this shop's website in an off the wall search. Good luck and hope to see some new custom headlights for sale in the future.

Seth

I don't think the shop who made mine have retrofited anymore since then, due to the price.
Yes Seth, they have. Mine. I kept looking at yours for a while, since I liked them a lot. Finally I pulled the plug and got them too. Installed them last week. I am going to post the pictures in your original thread soon.

Hello spun07RTX,
The plug and play I am testing currently are as good as they can get, IMO. I agree about the projectors. It is the best way to go, but for the cost of the retrofit.:(

I just re-read your orig post, and I wanted to re-state that I would be thrilled with a p+p (oem reflector housing) kit as long as it DOT/SAE approved!

the DOT approval is more important to me than price(I would spend extra to keep it legal)

I was under the impression that the only way to achieve DOT approval would be to have leveling motors(which usually are only found on projs)if thats not true than great!
so, did you make custom glare sheilds for the D2R bulbs or something???

I just re-read your orig post, and I wanted to re-state that I would be thrilled with a p+p (oem reflector housing) kit as long as it DOT/SAE approved!

the DOT approval is more important to me than price(I would spend extra to keep it legal)

I was under the impression that the only way to achieve DOT approval would be to have leveling motors(which usually are only found on projs)if thats not true than great!
so, did you make custom glare sheilds for the D2R bulbs or something???

DOT approval is very hard to obtain. Only some of the higher end luxury cars have the levelling feature. Most do not have this. It is not necessary for compliance.
As for the plug & play obtaining certification, it will be an uphill battle. I believe the chances are 80% for NOT being approved.:(
It will take around 2 months to find out. I figured it to be worth a try.

The projector system designed from scratch will be DOT/SAE approved for us. That may be the way to go for you.

I still am not sure about spending any more money on testing and such, as the interest here seems lacking.:confused:

I was hoping fellow Ridge owners would be excited about this. I suppose all the mis-information and cheaper Chinese kits have made many people suspicious about HID.

I think you'll find that a majority of potential customers will want a high quality system with an eBay price. You can't make any money that way.

DaTruk: I would be interested in helping you out, but I live in Anaheim, Calif. I want to get HID's on my RL, but just don't know which ones to get. I am very near clueless about this subject. I won't know which ones I want unless I see it at night on an actual Ridgeline. Also, I'm reluctant to spend top $$ on a top quality set if there's a suspicion that the cheap e-bay stuff might be just as good. If you happen to be heading out to southern cali, let me know.

Also, I'm reluctant to spend top $$ on a top quality set if there's a suspicion that the cheap e-bay stuff might be just as good.

QED

You can't make this stuff up

:)

Dear fellow R.O.C. members,

I have currently been working on and testing HID systems for our trucks. I was wondering what level of interest there is among Ridgeline owners, for HID conversion. The H4 is probably the most complicated to do correctly in HID I have found.
With that being said, I was hoping to start an aftermarket lighting company, specifically for the Ridge. I do not wish to get into the mass market for HID, as that is saturated with cheaper products.
Another project is HID Reverse lights. I feel the stock output is not adequate.

Current testing has yielded two bulb types that work as well as OEM, with the same beam pattern, just brighter ;) Excellent spread, and no glare are the attributes of the system.

While my testing, has gone well, it is only subjective. I need other opinions, fellow R.O.C member opinion's that is.

I live about 1 hour East of Laughlin, in Kingman, AZ. Are there any members who live nearby, interested in aiding my testing? I could also install if you came to me. The system is easily reversible, no permanent mods are done. You would need to test for about 1 week, with plenty of night driving.

Let me know if anyone would like any further information, pictures, specs etc.
I will be more than happy to provide them.

By the way, the system is being submitted for DOT/SAE approval within the next 2 weeks. Testing will be to FMVSS.108. & CMVSS 108 photometry standards. This is with our headlamp housing only.

I also have in the works, and designed from our OEM housing, a DOT/SAE approved headlamp housing utilizing a moving projector, similar to Audi A6. THIS UNIT WILL BE DOT/SAE APPROVED:D

Best Regards,

DA TRUK

I'm your huckleberry! Pim me and we can arrange a day trip to your location. :D

I think you'll find that a majority of potential customers will want a high quality system with an eBay price. You can't make any money that way.

Well said shovelhd. I can do close to the Ebay prices, but what I have is better.
However, this is only for the plug & play, currently not DOT approved.

I did not wish to limit us owners to just the headlights either. My next project is our reverse lights.
Perhaps then, our cargo lights:)
I belive in HID very much! In fact, I am going to do my house in HID where applicable.

DaTruk: I would be interested in helping you out, but I live in Anaheim, Calif. I want to get HID's on my RL, but just don't know which ones to get. I am very near clueless about this subject. I won't know which ones I want unless I see it at night on an actual Ridgeline. Also, I'm reluctant to spend top $$ on a top quality set if there's a suspicion that the cheap e-bay stuff might be just as good. If you happen to be heading out to southern cali, let me know.

Niq Man,

Please, please do a lot of research before purchasing a kit! This is not something to jump into being clueless.
You need to think ahead. There are legallity issues to which you may open yourself up to with any plug & play kit. A nightime accident is one scenario. This is something we all must consider who use a plug & play kit, non-DOT approved, including myself.

Take your time, and spend that time doing research.

I'm your huckleberry! Pim me and we can arrange a day trip to your location. :D

You got pm's:)

Dear fellow R.O.C. members,

I have currently been working on and testing HID systems for our trucks.

Current testing has yielded two bulb types that work as well as OEM, with the same beam pattern, just brighter ;) Excellent spread, and no glare are the attributes of the system.


Let me know if anyone would like any further information, pictures, specs etc.
I will be more than happy to provide them.

Best Regards,

DA TRUK

in for pics!

DA TRUK,

Another avenue you might want to look at that would be extremely cheaper and probably get more buyers would be some sort of LED tail light using the factory housing/lenses. Kind of like the set up in the late model and new Accords, with rows of LED's. Everyone has been looking and asking but currently no one makes them for the Ridgeline, only the Fords, Chevy's GMC's etc.. The only aftermarket tail lights out their are the EBAY Euro Lights which I do not like. Many like the Stock look with the extra kick of rows of LED's. I don't know what the process is to get LED lights DOT approved or if it would be easier than the HID's. Here is a pic of an aftermarket setup for a late model accord with rows of LEDS that still retains sort of a Factory look.

Seth

DA TRUK,

Another avenue you might want to look at that would be extremely cheaper and probably get more buyers would be some sort of LED tail light using the factory housing/lenses. Kind of like the set up in the late model and new Accords, with rows of LED's. Everyone has been looking and asking but currently no one makes them for the Ridgeline, only the Fords, Chevy's GMC's etc.. The only aftermarket tail lights out their are the EBAY Euro Lights which I do not like. Many like the Stock look with the extra kick of rows of LED's. I don't know what the process is to get LED lights DOT approved or if it would be easier than the HID's. Here is a pic of an aftermarket setup for a late model accord with rows of LEDS that still retains sort of a Factory look.

Seth

Hi Seth,

That is a possibility. I just wonder about us owners agreeing on a particular design. A quick look on Ebay showed the Altezza and JDM style, which I don't like either. I hated it ever since the IS 300 first came out.
I checked with some of the manufactures I know, and this can be done, rather easily. NHTSA and DOT are now focusing on these aftermarket tail lamps. Many are not approved.

Is there anyway to gauge the interest for these tail lamps?

This is for the Dodge.

For what it counts, I like them. I would prefer closest to stock with brighter back up lights. (am I getting old?)

Can't wait to purchase them

For what it counts, I like them. I would prefer closest to stock with brighter back up lights. (am I getting old?)

Can't wait to purchase them

No, you're not getting old:) My next project is HID reverse lights. It wont be that hard. With tinted windows, I might as well just back up with my eyes closed!

The tail lamps are just an idea. I would keep them as close to stock as possible. You have to for certification purposes usually.
There has to be enough interest for me to even get the mold process started.

DA TRUK,

In regards to the Tail lamps, how about taking the stock lamp, removing the Amber plastic turn signal lense and replacing it with a clear or frosted white lens. Then replacing the single rear bulbs (turn signal and brake lights) with multiple rows of LED lights. I think that would sell good, and wouldnt look to ghettoized. Many nowadays like a near stock look that produces better visibility.

Seth

DA TRUK,

In regards to the Tail lamps, how about taking the stock lamp, removing the Amber plastic turn signal lense and replacing it with a clear or frosted white lens. Then replacing the single rear bulbs (turn signal and brake lights) with multiple rows of LED lights. I think that would sell good, and wouldnt look to ghettoized. Many nowadays like a near stock look that produces better visibility.

Seth

I would prefer stock as well.
I have looked into it. I was referred by a few of my HID manufacturer friends. It is very easily done. I have not checked into price yet.
To keep everything close to stock, I believe a thinner lens insert, (red & amber) is used in front of the corresponding same color emitting row of LEDS. I am not 100% sure of variances that are allowed.

If you would like to inquire amongst our fellow members, be my guest. If we can agree on a design, I can submit tail lamp samples for mold cost info.

Best Regards,

Christopher

I moderate Hidplanet.com. I might be able to help a little. I live in Chandler, Az 85249. I will be testing a high low system that uses OEM hid bulbs and OEM ballasts, not kit ballasts, for better reliability. I will be sourcing two additional headlamps to retrofit either Acura TL projectors or Infiniti FX projectors in there as they are bixenon and a dot compliant projector.

QED

You can't make this stuff up

:)


Shovelhd: Please clarify what you mean by your one-liner.

Past e-bay searches for HID lights have revealed prices of $100-$400. I don't expect to get quality HIDs for $100. But at what point is it no longer cheap junk, but just a good deal? $200? $300? $400? The advantages of e-bay is that sellers can reach a huge market area while also keeping overhead low. With low overhead, sellers can charge less. I've gotten numerous good deals on e-bay. The few local shops I checked have a "no refund" policy. Da Truk's offer to let someone try it risk free sounded great to me. Unfortunately, I don't feel like making an 800 mile trip to take advantage of it.

What do you think QED means?

I moderate Hidplanet.com. I might be able to help a little. I live in Chandler, Az 85249. I will be testing a high low system that uses OEM hid bulbs and OEM ballasts, not kit ballasts, for better reliability. I will be sourcing two additional headlamps to retrofit either Acura TL projectors or Infiniti FX projectors in there as they are bixenon and a dot compliant projector.

Hello mrquattro,

Your system sounds like it will turn out nice. I really like the TL and TSX projectors.
What do you plan to do for DOT compliance? Seems this is what most are worried about.

I am not looking to get DOT approval as I am not selling these parts or kits or whatever to anyone else. It is for me and me only and using already DOT approved projectors will make things much easier for oncoming traffic and me.

I would pony up my ridgeline for testing - I had HID's on my S2000 and miss them dearly. Please any information or testing let me know. I am in 100%.

Andrew