Small Projector Lights that really work?

[Ameer Antar]

yes, you need to get all those things, but there are a number of kits which 
have all those parts to convert for $700. You don't need to use projector 
lenses, as there are a number of brand-new cars w/ xenon's but no 
projectors. That's been discussed here before. Projectors can be aimed 
better. They also will help give a better pattern, but the light is still 
better than halogen and is much more efficient [lumens/watt]. All I'm 
saying is you only need $700 to go to xenon, you just use your stock 
lenses. I don't know of any projector lenses for 5k's. What cars have 
projector lenses available?

I've heard xenon's will melt OE lenses, but I don't buy it one bit. The 
bulbs only use 35W, which is 20W less than stock.

Really xenon's are becoming popular b/c a) they look cool, b) they're 
better driving lights and c) they are more efficient [smaller wire and 
smaller alternator requirements]. I think these are the reasons manuf's are 
using them, and I think the reasons follow that order. Many people I know 
got the xenon's just for looks, and manuf's know it, so they offer it.

By the $700 cost of Hella Rallye 4000s, they must be xenon as well. I don't 
think this will help in fog, since xenon's are white [bluer than most 
lamps], and most fog lamps are yellow. Yellow or orange lights seem to be 
the choice for fog lamps on most cars I've seen. I would think a standard 
pair of halogen fog lamps would be the best choice...leave xenon's for 
driving lamps. Please correct me if I'm wrong here.

-ameer


At 12:05 AM 11/28/2000 , you wrote:
>Ameer,
>I'm a bit confused- what the heck are you talking about?
>
>You need to get the ballast, wiring, bulbs, bulb holders, proper
>reflectors/lenses and all of the little bits and pieces in order to
>have a proper Xenon light system. Are you talking about those "conversion"
>kits? They don't necessarily do a great job, as the OEM reflectors and
>lenses
>were not designed for use w/ Xenon lighting. I think your best results will
>come from doing a conversion on a car that already has projector lenses
>for the low beams, of which nothing pre-'85 will have.
>
>As for $700 lights in a $3000 car, that's what I had when I had my
>euro-spec 200 lights in my 5ktq.
>
>As for the original topic- has anyone had any experience with the Hella
>Micro DE lights? I'm interested in getting an unobtrusive pair of fog
>lights, especially in those rare instances when I need that extra lighting
>or the fog is so bad that I have to run city lights because the low beams
>don't help (very rare in my neck of the woods). I've only encountered two
>instances in the past year when I really wished I had fogs (front and rear).
>
>The Hella Rallye 4000s are about $700, IIRC. The comparable PIAAs are more
>expensive.
>
>Taka