HID Conversion Kits

[Salukis10]

Only had my 2011 Mazda CX-7 for a week. This is my first new car, but the upgrade bug has already set in. I dont want to do anything major to the car just yet, but was thinking some HID lights would look real nice. I want the brigest possible lights. I found a set here:

NOTTO® SE - Complete HID Conversion Kit - 2011 Mazda CX-7 HID Conversion Kit

15,000 K - Infinte Blue

I was wondering if anyone has used this brand or have suggestions on another brand. I looked at the DDM site but i dont see anything as bright.

Also this kit come with relays, the instructions says that the relays might not be needed. But i was thinking that since I am going with a such a bright bulb that I may need them. ANy sugestions, comments, concerns would be much appericated.

Thanks ahead of time.

[triplejumper18]

The "K" is degrees Kelvin which is the color, not the lumens. 4300/4500k will have the most lumens.

[Boost Addict]

You dont want 15k HID's those are ricer bright and you wont be able to see a damn thing. Most common is 6k

[ryandlor]

brighter is wattage, ....These are 35W. To get brighter, more light you would need a 55W kit that draws more power. These dont come in 55w, but you can get 55w from DDM.

15K is a color. 15k will be more blue than a smurf. 5k is good, nice white light . I have 6k and it has a little too much blue for my liking. 4300k is purest white i think, below that you move to yellow.

I wouldnt buy this kit personally, use a ddm kit.

[triplejumper18]

Originally Posted by ryandlor brighter is wattage, ....These are 35W. To get brighter, more light you would need a 55W kit that draws more power. These dont come in 55w, but you can get 55w from DDM. 15K is a color. 15k will be more blue than a smurf. 5k is good, nice white light . I have 6k and it has a little too much blue for my liking. 4300k is purest white i think, below that you move to yellow. I wouldnt buy this kit personally, use a ddm kit.

55w kits have more lumens in general but in each respective wattage level 4300/4500k will have the most lumens and it decreases in brightness the further you move from that in both directions.

[Salukis10]

Originally Posted by ryandlor brighter is wattage, ....These are 35W. To get brighter, more light you would need a 55W kit that draws more power. These dont come in 55w, but you can get 55w from DDM. 15K is a color. 15k will be more blue than a smurf. 5k is good, nice white light . I have 6k and it has a little too much blue for my liking. 4300k is purest white i think, below that you move to yellow. I wouldnt buy this kit personally, use a ddm kit.

Looks like I will be buying a kit from ddm. Thanks for your help.

[Raider]

35W, 5000K will work just fine, if you have not ordered. I got a lot of miles on my DDM Tuning 3000K HID's that I am using for foglights.

[SofaKingAwesome]

Please do not get 15k whatever kit you choose!

[Sid3wayS]

Lol with 15k you wont see 20 ft in front you.

[Salukis10]

Originally Posted by SofaKingAwesome Please do not get 15k whatever kit you choose!

So many peopl have told me that I don't want the 15K that I am not going to buy them. I think I am going with the 6K in a 55 Watt. From what I am understanding this will give a nice Bright White light with just a small hint of blue. I am probably going to buy the kit from DDM.

[Raider]

Stick with 35 watt. 55 is known to fry wiring. You will need to get the accessory harness for 55 watt, minimum.

[scubasteve711]

the 6k will be fine in 55w - 55w usually washes out a lot of color.

[goo]

I upgraded mine to hids, the universal type. Had problems aligning it. The bulb rubber housing or the rubber thing that hold the bulb is too small, so when the clip does not hold it in place. My mechanic had to bend the clip and put some electrical tape round the rubber housing to make it fatter. Hope someone understands me.

[08cosmic3]

I have the DDM 35w 6K and love it. 35w's is plenty bright and some say that 55W is too bright and just pisses off other drivers. There is a large truck in my hood with super bright HID's mounted in refracting headlight assemblies and it is obnoxious. Truck sits up high and blinds everyone.

[tddvrrn]

i've got the ddm 3500k fogs and they have been great. one of my ballasts went out occasionally, sent it back, now a new one is on its way. i love lifetime guarantees.

glad to hear you decided against 15000k. that's crazy. 6000k is perfect. 8000k is already too blue. 15000k would be almost black.

[Salukis10]

Originally Posted by goo I upgraded mine to hids, the universal type. Had problems aligning it. The bulb rubber housing or the rubber thing that hold the bulb is too small, so when the clip does not hold it in place. My mechanic had to bend the clip and put some electrical tape round the rubber housing to make it fatter. Hope someone understands me.

thanks for the heads up!

[jstcruzin]

I second the 35w over the 55w! Easy plug and play install from DDM. I have the 6k slim kit in the fogs and jst ordered the bulbs for the factory HIDs and they are awesome. If you want more white I'd go with the 5k, it's closer to stock. I'll try and take a couple pics tonight for you to see...

[beardog420]

Originally Posted by 08cosmic3 I have the DDM 35w 6K and love it. 35w's is plenty bright and some say that 55W is too bright and just pisses off other drivers. There is a large truck in my hood with super bright HID's mounted in refracting headlight assemblies and it is obnoxious. Truck sits up high and blinds everyone.

ive been using DDm in all my cars for a long time - how was the install?

[08cosmic3]

Originally Posted by beardog420 ive been using DDm in all my cars for a long time - how was the install?

Was very easy, more time spent trying to decide were to put the ballast than the actual install.

[mikak88]

im in the same boat as you salukis10. did you get any photos of the lights installed?

[beardog420]

Originally Posted by 08cosmic3 Was very easy, more time spent trying to decide were to put the ballast than the actual install.

i just placed my order - any tricks i should know about as i read i have to go through an access panel in the fenderwell

[lildisco]

I had the ddm kit in my regular 6 and never had any issues. I've installed them on several 6's, and I haven't heard of them having any issues. If I could do it over again, I'd get the retro fit kit to fit the d2s bulbs. The glare off signs and other things that reflect is killer. Fine for short trips, but you get eye fatigue if your on long trips. Part of the reason why I went with a gt, Hids standard. Once you go hid, you never go back. 5,000k 35w is perfect. I wanna say therpmstore, still has my picture of my 6 on their website. It gives you a good comparison of what they are like stock. Also gives you what Kelvin gives you the best light output. I think 4,000k - 5,000k is the most light output or Kelvin.

[lildisco]

If you bought the ddm kit, they just plugs into your existing harness. The ballast its the hardest because you have to try to find a place to mount it. I zip tied mind to the frame. Going on 6 years w/o any issues.

[beardog420]

im sure ill be fine mounting it somewhere, but was wondering about gaining access to the bulbs without removing the lamps. am i right to say that there is a panel in the fenderwell which is what i read somewhere here.

[lildisco]

you remove the finder liner to gain access to the back of the housing for the bulb. you may have to make a hole in the dust cover on the back of the bulb so that you can run the wires from the ballast

[beardog420]

when making this hole, have you noticed any condensation in the housing?

[lildisco]

i believe the ddm kit came with a rubber grommet. It's been 5 or 6 years since i've done an install of these. My 6 hasn't had any nor to my knowledge as any of the others i've done.

[beardog420]

yes they do - thanks

[lildisco]

i think i used a little bit of RTV sealant around the grommets because i cut the hole slightly too big. just in case moisture did try and get in. I know my stock HID's in the cx7 fog up, which i guess is a common issue, but Mazda said they wouldn't repair it. where my beam is, it's not effected, but where my hi-beam and the turn signals are, do fog up. My headlights do fog up almost everytime i use them, but i haven't noticed any bad effects other than aesthetics.

[beardog420]

simple install - the headlight bulb covers have a hole in them so the DDM grommets fit snug inside with no cutting.

[lildisco]

Sweet!

[DementedCX]

With respect to color...that's completely your choice...as for brand... I used SuperVision on my 08 TC had it for almost 3 yrs and never once had to replace any part of it.