GP Thunders or LED Angel Eyes?
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here is jcool10181 (john's) review of the HID angeleyes versus GP thunders
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=61866&hl=
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=61866&hl=
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Originally Posted by alpinewhite' post='757820' date='Jan 2 2009, 02:04 PM
here is jcool10181 (john's) review of the HID angeleyes versus GP thunders
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=61866&hl=
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=61866&hl=
HID Angel Eyes or LED Angel Eyes? Maybe I should start another thread. Hahahahaha!
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Originally Posted by C's Bimmer' post='757813' date='Jan 2 2009, 10:49 AM
Do they make a H8 bulb above 35W? The GP Thunders are 35W, but they don't offer anything higher...
Are the HID's really that much brighter, when it comes to my Angel Eyes, than LED's? Since this light disperses into a set of plastic rings and not directly through a housing like the fogs or headlights, I'm wondering if the HID's are that much brighter.
Are the HID's really that much brighter, when it comes to my Angel Eyes, than LED's? Since this light disperses into a set of plastic rings and not directly through a housing like the fogs or headlights, I'm wondering if the HID's are that much brighter.
They don't make H8 halogen bulbs above 35w, but the H11 base key spec is close enough that it, as is the H9, thus both can be made to fit quite easily.
H8: 35w, 800 lumens
H11: 55w, 1350 lumens
H9: 65w, 2100 lumens
Those are the lumen outputs for clear bulbs. Tinted bulbs will give you lower output (the 35w H8 GP Thunders are about 700 lumen for the 8500k, and 750 lumen for the 7500k).
The issue with higher wattage bulbs is the BMW computer expects a certain draw, and will most likely throw an error code.
The vast majority of LED bulbs are lower in output (600-700 lumen on average, with some coming in way under that), and most have a very blue color to them (pure white LED tend to be more expensive to buy/produce).
35w HID bulbs put out 2400-3200 lumens, depending on color temperature (4300k puts out the most). 55w HID bulbs put out 4100-5000 lumens, again depending on color temperature. One thing to remember is that they tend to run pretty hot too, so they may not be the best for certain applications where temperature is a concern.
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They don't make H8 halogen bulbs above 35w, but the H11 base key spec is close enough that it, as is the H9, thus both can be made to fit quite easily.
H8: 35w, 800 lumens
H11: 55w, 1350 lumens
H9: 65w, 2100 lumens
Those are the lumen outputs for clear bulbs. Tinted bulbs will give you lower output (the 35w H8 GP Thunders are about 700 lumen for the 8500k, and 750 lumen for the 7500k).
The issue with higher wattage bulbs is the BMW computer expects a certain draw, and will most likely throw an error code.
The vast majority of LED bulbs are lower in output (600-700 lumen on average, with some coming in way under that), and most have a very blue color to them (pure white LED tend to be more expensive to buy/produce).
35w HID bulbs put out 2400-3200 lumens, depending on color temperature (4300k puts out the most). 55w HID bulbs put out 4100-5000 lumens, again depending on color temperature. One thing to remember is that they tend to run pretty hot too, so they may not be the best for certain applications where temperature is a concern.
H8: 35w, 800 lumens
H11: 55w, 1350 lumens
H9: 65w, 2100 lumens
Those are the lumen outputs for clear bulbs. Tinted bulbs will give you lower output (the 35w H8 GP Thunders are about 700 lumen for the 8500k, and 750 lumen for the 7500k).
The issue with higher wattage bulbs is the BMW computer expects a certain draw, and will most likely throw an error code.
The vast majority of LED bulbs are lower in output (600-700 lumen on average, with some coming in way under that), and most have a very blue color to them (pure white LED tend to be more expensive to buy/produce).
35w HID bulbs put out 2400-3200 lumens, depending on color temperature (4300k puts out the most). 55w HID bulbs put out 4100-5000 lumens, again depending on color temperature. One thing to remember is that they tend to run pretty hot too, so they may not be the best for certain applications where temperature is a concern.
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My Ride: 2008 Silverstone II E60 M5 2012 E70 AW X5 50i Sport w/ LCI Aero Kit and Rocker Panels
Originally Posted by NobleForums' post='757827' date='Jan 2 2009, 02:10 PM
They don't make H8 halogen bulbs above 35w, but the H11 base key spec is close enough that it, as is the H9, thus both can be made to fit quite easily.
H8: 35w, 800 lumens
H11: 55w, 1350 lumens
H9: 65w, 2100 lumens
Those are the lumen outputs for clear bulbs. Tinted bulbs will give you lower output (the 35w H8 GP Thunders are about 700 lumen for the 8500k, and 750 lumen for the 7500k).
The issue with higher wattage bulbs is the BMW computer expects a certain draw, and will most likely throw an error code.
The vast majority of LED bulbs are lower in output (600-700 lumen on average, with some coming in way under that), and most have a very blue color to them (pure white LED tend to be more expensive to buy/produce).
35w HID bulbs put out 2400-3200 lumens, depending on color temperature (4300k puts out the most). 55w HID bulbs put out 4100-5000 lumens, again depending on color temperature. One thing to remember is that they tend to run pretty hot too, so they may not be the best for certain applications where temperature is a concern.
H8: 35w, 800 lumens
H11: 55w, 1350 lumens
H9: 65w, 2100 lumens
Those are the lumen outputs for clear bulbs. Tinted bulbs will give you lower output (the 35w H8 GP Thunders are about 700 lumen for the 8500k, and 750 lumen for the 7500k).
The issue with higher wattage bulbs is the BMW computer expects a certain draw, and will most likely throw an error code.
The vast majority of LED bulbs are lower in output (600-700 lumen on average, with some coming in way under that), and most have a very blue color to them (pure white LED tend to be more expensive to buy/produce).
35w HID bulbs put out 2400-3200 lumens, depending on color temperature (4300k puts out the most). 55w HID bulbs put out 4100-5000 lumens, again depending on color temperature. One thing to remember is that they tend to run pretty hot too, so they may not be the best for certain applications where temperature is a concern.
Thanks for this great response. This helps give me a better understanding.
Now I just need to figure out what I want to do... 
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Originally Posted by brabusw209amg' post='757833' date='Jan 2 2009, 02:15 PM
You can look at the rings directly and wouldnt blind you. Brighter but is it worth the $150 when $20 bulbs can make a difference? But becareful, u might wanna get higher quality bulbs and run 35W not 55W to reduce risk of melting.
However, I think I'd like to try something different. Now my question is, do I do LED's or HID's? I want zero errors in iDrive. Hmmm...
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Originally Posted by C's Bimmer' post='757834' date='Jan 2 2009, 11:16 AM
So what would you suggest for my new X5 and the angel eye set-up? The light housing on the E70 is very similar to the E60, so not much is going to change there. Should I do LED or HID? I'm going to stick with the GP Thunders on my M5, but I would like to try something different on the X5. I've already ordered the HID Fogs(6000K) and upgraded Xenons (6000K), so I just need to figure out what to do about the Angle Eyes now...
Thanks for this great response. This helps give me a better understanding. Now I just need to figure out what I want to do...
Thanks for this great response. This helps give me a better understanding.
Now I just need to figure out what I want to do... Haha, that's the question, eh?
For me, I think there's really 4 issues in order of importance, from most to least:
1. Will the light work with the lenses without damaging them, long term? In other words, is there a bit heat difference between the lights I want to use, and those the lenses were designed for?
2. Does the kit give the color I want, along with the increase in output needed? It's more than just a color temperature issue, because different lighting technology has VASTLY different red, green, and blue points. In theory, perfect "sunlight" white is D65, which is 6500k with specific red/green/blue points, but if you grab a typical 6500k LED bulb, it'll look ricer blue. Also, remember, our eyes are more sensitive to the lower color temperatures, so a 3000k 800 lumen bulb will look brighter than a 7000k 800 lumen bulb. That's why if you want something truely white, it needs to be much brighter than the stock 800 lumen clear halogen bulb.
3. How involved is the install? Is it a bulb that just drops in? Does the stock dust cover seal everything in the lens like stock? Is there any extra wiring or modules to mount? Is there any additional warranty risk, and if so, how much has it increased (obviously a bulb change is less of an issue than something that has wires going through the dust cover and extra modules, relays, etc).
4. What is the total cost?
Each one is a balance I guess. There is no ideal, or at least not yet, IMHO. It's just where your priorities lie.
