He's been using eight of these on a sand buggy for over a year and tortured them. He said he's yet to replace one.
I picked up a pair of them (sold in singles) and I'm very impressed.
I picked them up at Schuck's Auto Supply in Lynden, WA just across the border. They had a few in stock.
Call in and get an automatic 10% off. Bill came out to $181 and change for both.
http://www.partsamerica.com/StoreLocato ... &zip=98230
http://www.partsamerica.com/productdeta ... Code=3157D
The outer housing is ABS plastic with a red aluminum ring. The reflector is cast aluminum with a sealed clear glass lens. The ballast is mounted in the back of the housing. The bulb mounted to the reflector. They come with a clear snap on polycarbonate/plexiglass lens cover. The wiring and fuse is included. there is no switch as mentioned in the online description.
The reflector is easily clocked for side mount. the mounting bracket is a toothed aluminum block design. Overall I think the light is pretty substantial.
These replaced the 55w 'fog' lights. At 33w they conserve some power and offer an enormous difference in light. I had been looking at HID offroad lights in the past, but could not bring myself to shell out the kind of prices they were bringing.
The use a 'euro' beam . Like 1/2 wide 1/2 spot beam pattern. Perfect.
I'll post pictures when I can with my good camera but for now a show n' tell with phone cam will do.
To put it into perspective, I have 55W high output driving lights and 100W HO high beams which I only use while offroading. Along with the stock yellow fog lights, all lights turned on, it is very bright.
After swapping out the fogs with the HID's, I was blown away.
Tried them out on a farm road out in Langley as soon as they were on. About 3km long with trees lined on both sides.
The HID's light up sides and front I would guesstimate about four or fives times the distance/brightness as my high output setup (h/l beams).
It takes a min for them to warm up. They flicker at startup like a set of office light bulbs and get brighter and brighter.
I highly recommend them. The output is comparable to $900 HID's. I'm not kidding.
David and Gary. I'm sure you guys will love these.
Other peoples' expedition rigs tested with these HID's :
Left (Quad HIR high output beam) / Right (pair of 7" HID's)
Any -- hoo, on to the testing with just one light. I'm out in the front yard with the HID lamp in one hand, camera in the other, power supply under my arm and an extension cord trailing behind.
Here is my neighborhood like it normally looks.
Here is a flash from my camera strobe.
Now some fun -- Kragen HID centered 50' away.
Now at 100' -- my neighbors are starting to wonder
Centered at 150' ---- the red truck is 150' away.
Now at 350' to the large bushes in the distance --- and the fog is starting to create some reflection.
