The only issue/complaint I have about my HID "drop in" lights is they're so damn bright below the cutoff that signs and other things above the cutoff seem dark!
One of these days, I'm going to pop the covers off the adjusters and aim the lights straight ahead so the cutoff will be higher to the right of the road.
RIP Kizashi :-(
Wow - is that only low beam on?CLLee wrote:Could be just I'm still getting use to the car...
It's only been 2 days and driving to/from work/shops. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the Mazda3 very much (probably the best car to buy for the money atm), and it has so much to offer. Just that the Kizashi has treated me so well (and I'm sure most of you guys too), I'm missing a few of the 'nice feelings' of the car.
Now back to the HIDs.
Both are taken with steering pointed straight.
You can see the both sides of the nature strips are very well-lit, all the way to the side walk.
I don't have pics of the Kizashi's ones, but I don't recall them being this wide spread.
That does appear to be a massive spread both left and right; as well as being extremely bright.
David
Interesting that the Mazda3's HIDs are brighter than the Kizashi's. It could be that they have different bulbs and ballast suppliers. Denso is an OEM supplier to many Lexus HIDs and is said to be among the best out there. Maybe it has a Denso ballast?
The Mazda3 also has bi-xenon HIDs meaning the same bulb for the low beam works also as the high beam. The bi-xenons either work by a shield moving or the actual bulb tilting for the high beam. I've played around with a previous gen Mazda3 with factory HIDs and it seems that the bulb moved up for high beam.
It's not impossible to get factory HID-like performance and cut-off as aftermarket mods. However, you'd have to "retrofit" HID lenses into your headlight. Theretrofitsource.com not only sells HID kits, but HID projectors to have that perfect cut-off and light throw. Many of these lenses are the ones found in OEM HID cars like the Lexus RX, Acura TL, and Infiniti G.
Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/compon ... wqhyPldWSo
Anyhow, the 2014 Mazda3 is a great car. It was the most impressive compact at the autoshow and I sat in every single car in its class that night. However, I personally consider the Kizashi more in the class of the Mazda6 than the Mazda3 given the role these cars fill in their respective fleet line-ups.
The Mazda3 also has bi-xenon HIDs meaning the same bulb for the low beam works also as the high beam. The bi-xenons either work by a shield moving or the actual bulb tilting for the high beam. I've played around with a previous gen Mazda3 with factory HIDs and it seems that the bulb moved up for high beam.
It's not impossible to get factory HID-like performance and cut-off as aftermarket mods. However, you'd have to "retrofit" HID lenses into your headlight. Theretrofitsource.com not only sells HID kits, but HID projectors to have that perfect cut-off and light throw. Many of these lenses are the ones found in OEM HID cars like the Lexus RX, Acura TL, and Infiniti G.
Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/compon ... wqhyPldWSo
Anyhow, the 2014 Mazda3 is a great car. It was the most impressive compact at the autoshow and I sat in every single car in its class that night. However, I personally consider the Kizashi more in the class of the Mazda6 than the Mazda3 given the role these cars fill in their respective fleet line-ups.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
Ah yes, I forgot about this.murcod wrote:LHD vs RHD so beam patterns are all wrong.
Top marks to Mazda.CLLee wrote:Yup. Just the low beam.
It is a lot brighter in the flesh (despite the camera's exposure compensation here).
Up until now I've considered them an undesirable* gadget (after failing to be overly impressed with the factory HID's in my Renault Sport Clio.) *Undesirable- because if anything fails on a factory HID system it costs a fortune to repair.
David
They still do. HID bulbs are way more expensive than standard halogen bulbs. If you get them replaced at the dealer like many would do, you are looking at over $100 merely for a bulb change.murcod wrote:Top marks to Mazda.CLLee wrote:Yup. Just the low beam.
It is a lot brighter in the flesh (despite the camera's exposure compensation here).
Up until now I've considered them an undesirable* gadget (after failing to be overly impressed with the factory HID's in my Renault Sport Clio.) *Undesirable- because if anything fails on a factory HID system it costs a fortune to repair.
However, the good side is that the aftermarket is there for you. Not only do aftermarket companies like Morimoto make HID conversion kits, they also made HID bulbs for OEM headlights. These are typically the D2S bulbs. Instead of going to the dealer to buy a replacement, you can get a quality aftermarket for cheaper. You can even change the kelvin color temp this way too say if you are interested in 5000K or 6000K instead of the factory standard 4300K.
The HID performance of the Mazda is impressive, but many luxury marques are moving on to adaptive LED headlights which offer the latest technology. You see these on many newer Audis and Acuras including the upcoming Acura TLX.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
-
BxKizashiS
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 5:25 pm
- Location: New York
- Contact:
damn bro, sucks!, Glad everyone is good though
2012 Suzuki Kizashi S AWD
H&R Springs, RRM Intake, Magnaflow Custom Exhaust, NRG Bucket Seats, Takata Drift II Harness, Cypher Auto Harness Bar, 25 shot NOS(for now)
Facebook.com/jpreludesi
IG: N2OKizashi
H&R Springs, RRM Intake, Magnaflow Custom Exhaust, NRG Bucket Seats, Takata Drift II Harness, Cypher Auto Harness Bar, 25 shot NOS(for now)
Facebook.com/jpreludesi
IG: N2OKizashi
The bulb would be the least of my concerns. The factory fit HV modules ("ballasts") do fail and cost big $$$ to replace. The auto beam leveling mechanisms can also fail (often requiring a new head light assembly). With the later model factory HID's I'm sure everything is getting more reliable. Hopefully the bi-xenon shutter mechanisms are reliable???KuroNekko wrote: They still do. HID bulbs are way more expensive than standard halogen bulbs. If you get them replaced at the dealer like many would do, you are looking at over $100 merely for a bulb change.
However, the good side is that the aftermarket is there for you. Not only do aftermarket companies like Morimoto make HID conversion kits, they also made HID bulbs for OEM headlights. These are typically the D2S bulbs. Instead of going to the dealer to buy a replacement, you can get a quality aftermarket for cheaper. You can even change the kelvin color temp this way too say if you are interested in 5000K or 6000K instead of the factory standard 4300K.
The lighting improvements are clearly evident in the Mazda 3, so (in my opinion only) the potential extra repair costs are worthwhile. The extra light could well help you avoid a major accident.
David