Here's a bit about color temperature:
Ignoring the names of the HID's, and considering that this is also an advertisement, you get the approximate burning temperatures for normal bulbs.if its under 5400K, it goes to a yellowish tint, if its over, then it goes to a purplish tint. The philips 4300K kit puts out more usable light than the K2 6800K kit. The only benefit of 6800K over 4300K is the fact that it looks purple.
The major brands right now are Philips, K2, and PIAA is getting into the Market [Bosch also produces HID components but for use by BMW, Mercedes, VW, and Jaguar].
Philips has the industry standard 4300K kit containning a Philips ballast and a Philips D2S Bulb per side. I consider Philips the best company along with the most reliable and best reputable among the ones you have to choose from.
Philips also has Utonian Bulbs that you can buy for around $300 for a pair which are around the 6000K area.
K2 is probably the only other major comptitor. Ive seen these kits come with 1 and/or 2 balasts, K2
DOES NOT make their own bulbs, and are assembled in god knows where.
With all the research I did before buying my HID's, I came to the conclusion that unless you just want to attrack a massive parade of cops for having VERY purple light, its a much smarter move to get the more reliable Philips kit.
I bought my set of HID's from
Trevor of
Visual Dynamics from Toronto [his website is down for some odd reason]. This guy has the best service, after talking to him for a few weeks, he decided to set up a group buy on/through Honda-Tech (believe me, I know I wasnt the only one asking him for this Group Buy). He created a GB that if 20 people joined, the price was $400. I think the non group buy price is in the $450 area, still, very reasonable for ALL Philips components and his great service.
Now, I'm driving around with a beautiful set of HID's.
NOTE: When buying the Philips kit from unknown people, make sure you clarify that they are all philips components and not something made in china or something...
For the guy with the GS400, depending on how old the car is, it still might be under warranty, if not, for a lexus it'll probably be a few hundred. The bulb for HID's is just a wierd looking bulb, other wise its all the same.
Here are some pictures:
Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3 Picture 4
In the last picture, you can see how white the HID is around the endges, and how yellow the Factory High Beams are.