someone backed into my accord and im thinking of replacing my headlights since one was cracked. i was looking on ebay and thought these looked pretty cool.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-02...Q5fAccessories
my bad first post dont know how to paste a picture

anyways i was wondering whats the difference between projectors and just stock headlights that are already on my car. and if anyone has these are they easy to install...or should i just not bother and get a replacement stock one?

 

First.
You'll have to remove the front bumper cover to gain access to the lower headlamp mounting points. After that, it's not bad.

Unless you're considering limiting your driving to daylight hours, I'd steer clear of most all of these "Projector" type offerings; except those offered by a company named TYC. I believe that they along are certified by SEMA, and Federal DOT.
By the industries own admissions, these "Projector" lamps are for "Off Road Use Only", which means "Show Car".
I'd do some lurking thru the threads looking for comments and reviews on this subject before you plunk down your hard earned.

P

 

those headlights are horrible as far as light output. if you really want to go with prefabbed aftermarket projectors, get tyc's like p adams said.

 

thanks alot...but are projector lights the same as hids? im not really too enthusiastic about hids. and the headlights ive looked at dont seem to look hard to install

 

No, projectors refer to the housing style/type.

HID is a type of light bulb, like halogen. The projectors you get, either those ebay ones or the TYC (I have had both and much prefer the TYC's) use halogen bulbs. However, I put hid's in my TYC's.

 

ah so that clears it up so if i buy a projector housing by tyc and use halogen bulbs will i see a difference from my stock setup?

 

projector doesnt mean HID, the projector refers to the lens housing.. ie. is it reflector (OEM FOR these and older models) or projector...

HID's are intended for install in projector housings because it focuses the beam and has a sharp cutoff but HID's are literally the bulb, ballast and igniter.. they are not based on what headlight housing you have...

That said, buy a good projector housing if you are going aftermarket and get some decent halogen's if you dont want HID..

I'll break it down like this in ascending order...

Regular plain on halogens.. should be about $8 a pair... they will do the job

the upgrade on that would be expensive halogens like Sylvania SilverStar Ultra.. I owned a pair and consider it a waste, slightly whiter light, not much extra output.. about $25 pair

Above that, an interesting option for someone who wants more light without wanting the HID route..
Ever heard of HIR lights? http://hirheadlights.com/
I own a pair of these on my highbeams, and they are ridiculously bright.. not an exageration to say twice that of regular halogen... Its pricey but well worth it if you want more light... Lowbeams $70 a pair, highbeams $47 a pair...

Finally, HID's.. I'm not sure what you have against them, if its the "colour", the ballasts and install procedure, but at the extremely low prices now and ease of install, If I bought projectors I would definitely go this route...
If you dont like the white or blue HID colour temperature then you can get your HID's in
a lower temp such as 4500k ..
You can get great quality HID kits for $60 now.. I can say that because I own two of their kits..
http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p...parent=85&pg=1
I own the DDM slimline kit because I like the lifetime warranty, but for its hard to say no to the raptor at $30 a kit..


My verdict, get good after market projectors such as the TYC, get HID low beams, and HIR high beams... that way you will have great lighting without blinding anyone..

 

damn dude go info, i thought if i put hids in they would be reflecting everywhere like i see up and down the streets. i think ill go with what you said a tyc housing but i gotta do somemore reserch on hir ive never even heard of them. can u recommend a website to buy the houseing? it seems like they are everywhere

 

I disagree with your output comment here, as mine work extremely well and have lasted a long time. However, obviously everyone has different experiences and opinions. Otherwise good info though!

I just started hearing about those HIR's. I definitely want to do more reading on them.

 

When I installed my Silverstar Ultras and HIR's I did them back to back on the same car to compare the two.. I cant give you facts and figures but my eye meter ... the visual equivalent of butt dyno.. told me that the HIR's were literally almost twice as bright in the lowbeams and more than twice as bright on the high beams..
It doesnt have that whitish finish that the silverstar ultra does, but that doesnt really concern me because if I wanted white I would go HID...

The catch of HIR is that it only works in 9005 and 9006 sockets... lucky for him, these accords carry just that..