SWP-LegacyGT Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 ^ Compare the two side-by-side, under *_all_* circumstances, and then you'll understand why a full retro is the only way to go if you truly want to see well. Sure, park any two such comparable vehicles some 10 or even 20 ft. from a blank wall, and things will seem to be equal, but true extensive testing will quickly reveal the shortcomings of the plug-and-play "improper" bulb-ballast-ignitor kit. Greater glare, artifacts, less defined cut-off...all are problems that simply cannot be denied. Even with a well-designed D2S adaptor ring, you're still not optimizing the halogen's optics. This is just simple physics, and its laws cannot be overcome. The end result of plug-and-play kits with our stock halogen headlamps are "acceptable" from both an in-car viewpoint as well as from outside the vehicle - aka "oncoming traffic" or "following." However, it is *far* from optimal, and furthermore, inherent artifacts that are enhanced with the "more light" cast by the HIDs will contribute to even greater exacerbation of hot-spots and dark areas, which will translate to decreased visual acuity. A true-optics retrofit, like VXCL cited, isn't a thousand(s)-of-dollars deal. Shop smart, and many can be had for just about as much money as it took to get even an "improper" bulb-ballast-ignitor plug-and-play "kit." Retrofitting the genuine '06 STI set, though, would likely be a futile pursuit in terms of trying to obtain significantly better beam pattern and throw - as compared to a well-thought-through and well-executed true-optics retrofit; and will also probably be quite an expensive undertaking as well. Going to say you're right but $1200 bucks on bulbs is waste of money. (granted if you go with the STI ones). Sure engineers made the projector with the HID bulb in mind, sure they spent R+D to make it the "best" it can be. All I'm say is side by side, the difference... To me anyways.... is not worth the money. I'm not saying you can't do it... cheap.. or can't do it all... but you might as well wait for the '08 Legacy's that will have them standard than mess around with conversion. my 2 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSiWRX Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 ^ The big misconception is that it'll cost 4-digits to do a "proper" retrofit of optics. Outside of self-leveling or driver-adjustment features (which I find to be completely useless, as currently, such systems are way too "reactive," and thus are often much-delayed from actual road-conditions, leading to as much glare produced as they were hoping to prevent), a good set of optics, plus all that's needed for the complete retrofit can easily be sourced for between $300 and $500. Comparing that against typical "improper" plug-and-play kit costs, at around $300 (oftentimes for inferior-quality aftermarket units that are not true-brand, despite brand-stickers proclaiming otherwise; this is typical of cloned products from the far-east), searching out such systems, in my view, *_is_* worth the money and the time. Trying to source, at retail pricing, the OEM '06 STI setup, though, would indeed be totally cost-ineffective. With our LGTs, the stock incandescent optics are so adept at handling even the "improper" HID-bulb conversions that it makes it very hard to make a case to go to the trouble - not necessarily the expense - of going for a true-optics retrofit. However, to debate that the plug-and-plays are every bit as good as an optics-matched retrofit is simply to disregard all means of logical measurement of difference which can easily be seen and documented. <-- I love Winky, my "periwinkle" (ABP) LGT! - Allen / Usual Suspect "DumboRAT" / One of the Three Stooges '16 Outback, '16 WRX, 7th Subaru Family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWP-LegacyGT Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 Well I could scrounge getting STI lamps for probably $300 bucks. Do I want to? Not really. I understand the design behind the lamps on the STI being "designed" for the HID bulb, it's stance in the house etc... I get it... it works... I know. My point is, only the "hardcore" are going to take that route. It will give you a better light output, no doubt, but to Joe Shomoe, all he wants is the best alternative to ripping apart the headlamp housing and put in a HID projector lens. TSI - I respect your opinion on this as I know the optics lens on the Euro-Spec B5 A4's are better (way better!) than the stock headlamps w/ the H7 conversion. I've been a car and seen the difference between the two A4's. All I'm saying is unless there is an aftermarket vendor that sells us "cleared" turn signals and an HID specific projector lens, to me... it's not worth the hassle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt_ltd Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 unless there is an aftermarket vendor that sells us "cleared" turn signals and an HID specific projector lens, to me... it's not worth the hassle and risk of damaging the headlights. +1 This Space For Rent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
praedet Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 then why do peolpe do halos? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWP-LegacyGT Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 then why do peolpe do halos? No idea. Quite frankly it's a BMW idea gone bad. I tend not to comment on them because I don't care for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSiWRX Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 PDX - I see ( no pun intended! )what you're saying, definitely, I can respect your viewpoint as well as understand where you're coming from. Indeed, for the LGT, only the truly "hardcore" lighting enthusiast and/or those who might be "morally constrained" would look towards the hasslesome full-optics retrofit. For all intents and purposes, the plug-and-play, even without an H7/D2S adaptor, provides more than good enough illumination and decent-enough glare protection that for the vast majority of LGT owners, it is indeed more than good enough. <-- I love Winky, my "periwinkle" (ABP) LGT! - Allen / Usual Suspect "DumboRAT" / One of the Three Stooges '16 Outback, '16 WRX, 7th Subaru Family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VXCL Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 PDX - I see ( no pun intended! )what you're saying, definitely, I can respect your viewpoint as well as understand where you're coming from. Indeed, for the LGT, only the truly "hardcore" lighting enthusiast and/or those who might be "morally constrained" would look towards the hasslesome full-optics retrofit. For all intents and purposes, the plug-and-play, even without an H7/D2S adaptor, provides more than good enough illumination and decent-enough glare protection that for the vast majority of LGT owners, it is indeed more than good enough. agreed, but def worth ripping the headlamps apart and cost the same or less then most kits. any DIY out there should go the retro route. its a fun rewarding mod:) also replacement parts IF EVER needed are cheap and easy to come by. http://mywebpages.comcast.net/vxcl/legacy/xenon_guide/cutoff.jpg http://mywebpages.comcast.net/vxcl/legacy/xenon_guide/finished.jpg peace MAYHEM #122/22 STS NNJR SCCA AUTOX4U.COM XENON RETRO GUIDE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STiNGER Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 I'm in for the retrofit. VXCL, could you perhaps point me in the right direction for all parts required. I'm ballparking around $300, or a bit more. I read your how to, and that's no problem at all. The only thing I don't quite understand is where you got that plate you modified for the mounting of the retro kit. I want to join the retro club!!! Oh btw, I take deliver of the vehicle tomorrow, so I'm hardcore against hallogens 2006 LGT LTD 5MT Brilliant Silver Cobb AP w/ TDC S2 protune Crucial DP K&N Filter Cusco F&R Sways Tein H-Techs Cobb F&R Endlinks Kartboy SS Xtec HID 5000K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt_ltd Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 for those who plan to retrofit, make sure everything is sealed tighted otherwise you may have condensation later on.. This Space For Rent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VXCL Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 I'm in for the retrofit. VXCL, could you perhaps point me in the right direction for all parts required. I'm ballparking around $300, or a bit more. I read your how to, and that's no problem at all. The only thing I don't quite understand is where you got that plate you modified for the mounting of the retro kit. I want to join the retro club!!! Oh btw, I take deliver of the vehicle tomorrow, so I'm hardcore against hallogens the plate i used to make the mounts is the oem cutoff sheild form the oem projector. so you have that in your headlamp already MAYHEM #122/22 STS NNJR SCCA AUTOX4U.COM XENON RETRO GUIDE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STiNGER Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 I guess I'm a dunce, or just too scared to order something I don't know anything about (retrofit parts). I wish there was A_SITE that sells what you're describing. Am I going nuts? All I see are kits "out there" on the inet. Kinda disheartening as I want to be retro cool 2006 LGT LTD 5MT Brilliant Silver Cobb AP w/ TDC S2 protune Crucial DP K&N Filter Cusco F&R Sways Tein H-Techs Cobb F&R Endlinks Kartboy SS Xtec HID 5000K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt_ltd Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 there are places that will do retro for a price (not cheap). This Space For Rent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditchhanger Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 My guess is that you lose your hi beam when you do this conversion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt_ltd Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 ^ no. This Space For Rent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWP-LegacyGT Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 ^ +1 Take a little time out and look at your headlamp housing, you've got two area with two bulbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
praedet Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 I have the BMW retro also... Fully functional w/ high beams... Talk to Mike (VXCL) and see if he can find you a set-up like ours. That is where I got mine Ted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STiNGER Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 I would buy them TODAY if someone could just point me to a site or person to buy from, that's my biggest holdup 2006 LGT LTD 5MT Brilliant Silver Cobb AP w/ TDC S2 protune Crucial DP K&N Filter Cusco F&R Sways Tein H-Techs Cobb F&R Endlinks Kartboy SS Xtec HID 5000K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
praedet Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 pm VXCL... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STiNGER Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 yeah unfortunately VXCL doesn't have any more kits... 2006 LGT LTD 5MT Brilliant Silver Cobb AP w/ TDC S2 protune Crucial DP K&N Filter Cusco F&R Sways Tein H-Techs Cobb F&R Endlinks Kartboy SS Xtec HID 5000K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt_ltd Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 http://www.hidplanet.com/oem.html This Space For Rent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt_ltd Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 there is always ebay This Space For Rent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppettit2005 Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 has anyone noticed that the new 2010 WRX SE has HID head lamps? could I just buy a pair of those and wire the guts (electronics) and lenses of them up to my 2006 Legacy GT 5EAT? has anyone investigated this? how much would this cost? cause if it is cheap and works the best, then I may go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biz77 Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 has anyone noticed that the new 2010 WRX SE has HID head lamps? could I just buy a pair of those and wire the guts (electronics) and lenses of them up to my 2006 Legacy GT 5EAT? has anyone investigated this? how much would this cost? cause if it is cheap and works the best, then I may go for it. Probably, but as mentioned way earlier in this thread, purchasing new OEM HID housings is very cost prohibitive. Find a set of Non-AFS projectors out of a Lexus RX330 or HID projectors out of an Acura MDX. These will drop into your stock housings with very little effort. Then add ballasts and D2S bulbs of your choosing. You should be able to this for under $400 and you will have OEM quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppettit2005 Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 ok, that sounds cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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