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      03-07-2010, 01:50 PM   #1
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Question Alpine HID AE's vs. Camaross HID AE's!!!

with all the HID AE buzz going around i think i'm convinced i wanna get them but the question is, WHICH ONES?!?! Alpine's or Camaross'

i'm not going to get the one with better pricing since they're pretty much the same especially with the prices both are offering right now. so what are your guys' opinion on these? which seem to be the better product? what color temp is the best? the only downside i think they have is you have to create a hole in the headlight cover and i'm very concerned about getting a perfect seal. anyone figure out a better way to get the wires through there? people with them already installed please chime in!
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      03-09-2010, 11:22 AM   #2
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I have the same concerns and am interested in hearing what everyone says. I think I'm leaning more towards the LUX LEDs (pictures of LUX begin on 2nd page) because I am worried about the proper seal.
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      03-09-2010, 01:02 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BSM 135i View Post
with all the HID AE buzz going around i think i'm convinced i wanna get them but the question is, WHICH ONES?!?! Alpine's or Camaross'

i'm not going to get the one with better pricing since they're pretty much the same especially with the prices both are offering right now. so what are your guys' opinion on these? which seem to be the better product? what color temp is the best? the only downside i think they have is you have to create a hole in the headlight cover and i'm very concerned about getting a perfect seal. anyone figure out a better way to get the wires through there? people with them already installed please chime in!
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      03-09-2010, 01:57 PM   #4
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      03-09-2010, 02:33 PM   #5
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I went in for the Alpine group buy. Seems to be slightly higher quality and you get a 2 year warranty, if that's worth something to you. 5000-6000k seem to be the whitest, and I wouldn't recommend anything higher than 7500-8000k, unless you are going for that ricer look.

EDIT: Also I'm not too concerned with the hole in the case after watching the install videos. If you are really paranoid, you can put some silicone around the edge where you cut the tabs off.

Last edited by acivick; 03-09-2010 at 02:39 PM..
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      03-09-2010, 02:47 PM   #6
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I have camaross's kit, and they look really nice and brighter than you'll ever need when they work, but I've been having a problem with one of mine and some flicker in both (noted in the DIY thread). I'm not sure about ballast quality, but next time I'd definitely want to go with the highest quality and smallest ballast possible, even if I had to pay extra.
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      03-09-2010, 04:13 PM   #7
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I can vouche for Alex@Alpine. Great guy to meet, and excellent customer service. Really went above and beyond in terms of service for me. The product looks fantastic, and if your within his radius for free install, I would highly recommend him and his services.

Taken from the parking lot at work (get home around dusk, so can't take daylight pics from home).

The parking security guard came and talked with my when I turned the lights on to take this picture. He was in his little golf cart and said, "That's a really nice car! What year is it?"

I replied, "2009."

"The new 3 series?" he asked.

"It's a 1 series," I said.
I guess he didn't quite hear me, because he said, "A 4 series?"

I told him a little louder, "A 1 SERIES!"
He nodded his head, "Oh! It's frickin' tight bro!"

I'm sure the HID Angel's really caught his attention. They really grab people's attention during the day. Admittidly, I miss only one thing about the non-HID Angels, and it's really a minor thing. The way they would brighten or dim when you turned on your ignition, or unlocked your doors.

They brighten up the road a lot! I met my friend at the gym around 8pm one night, and he happened to get there just before me. He was walking towards the gym when I was pulling in for parking. He asked me about the lights, and I told him I got HID's for the rings around the headlights. His only response, "They're bright, fool!"

Driving at night, you can tell the difference between these and your lowbeams. Your lowbeams do produce more focused light, but these rings will spread the light around. They're not as focused as high-beams, if you try your high-beams you will notice how much stronger the beam is. However, I wouldn't be surprised if you get people telling you your high-beams are on.

There's no comparison between these and the MTEC or GP Thunders. These you can actually see in broad daylight! The MTEC's or GP Thunders cannot be seen during the day. If you want some MTEC's, I have my old set (used for 2 days!) and will sell to you for $20 (including shipping! to the US).

I just remembered some hesitency about cutting into the housing covers to get the wiring through. If you take some time to open your hood, and remove the housing covers (and the little clips holding the housing covers on...look how much pressure is holding it on and the rubber gasket. Do you really think anything is going to get through that? Honestly, there shouldn't be any question of any moisture getting in.

If you don't want your car drawing extra attention, these are not for you.

I will say these are quality goods, the salesman is legit and stands behind his product and services.

I'll get some night shots tonight, showing the difference between just the HID Halos, the HID Halos and the low beam, and the HID Halos and the low and high beams. Normally, street signs that are on the top of a post that wouldnt' have any light on them now do. It's kind of nice, you can see the street you're looking for (if you're in a dark neighborhood)), but makes you paranoid about drawing police attention.

Last edited by Mega Man; 03-09-2010 at 04:22 PM..
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      03-09-2010, 04:50 PM   #8
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Thank you Mega Man,

Our product has a 2 year no questions asked replacement warranty as long as you did not step on it haha.

My ballast are one of the smallest (if not the smallest) ones on the market. They are full digital, which means much less chance of flicker, and are low in weight.

Everything is tested and fitted into a factory BMW headlight before being shipped.

I offer over the phone help with your install, and I offer that for the full two years of your warranty period.

We have a great group buy going if you guys would like to visit the thread for more info...

http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=358949

also, if you have any questions feel free to PM me.
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      03-09-2010, 05:19 PM   #9
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So the ae's don't come on when unlocking the car? Why? I really like that feature!
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      03-09-2010, 05:25 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BSM 135i View Post
So the ae's don't come on when unlocking the car? Why? I really like that feature!
No, that feature still works, all features work fully, what he is talking about is how the lights slowly dim when you turn them off, HID AEs do not dim, they just shut off.

As your walking up to your car and you hit unlock factory Angel Eyes slowly turn on.

HID Angel Eyes turn on instant right when you push unlock.
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      03-09-2010, 10:46 PM   #11
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Just the Halos on. Notice the stop sign is lit up, showing it does spray the light out:


Halos and Low Beams:


Halos, Low Beams, and High Beams:


Sorry for the craptacular pictures...night shots, from inside my car, with the flash off, using my cell phone.

Quote:
Originally Posted by acivick View Post
5000-6000k seem to be the whitest, and I wouldn't recommend anything higher than 7500-8000k, unless you are going for that ricer look.
Flame on guys, I kind of like a tinge of blue.

Last edited by Mega Man; 03-09-2010 at 10:54 PM..
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      03-10-2010, 12:28 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mega Man View Post
Flame on guys, I kind of like a tinge of blue.
Hehe, what's a little among friends?

But seriously, watch out for cops if you decide to go real blue. I know guys that go hunting for that sort of thing.

As far as the "ricer look", I like the Vorsteiner hood (with vents), so I guess take what I say with a grain of salt.
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      03-10-2010, 01:21 PM   #13
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Just from my experience with HID DRL's in the past, if you get the pure white ones, you can't really see them. They look too much like sunlight. The tinge of blue makes them more visibile during the day.

I'm with you on the rice part, but there's a little bit of rice in all of us, I think...
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      03-10-2010, 01:48 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mega Man View Post
Just from my experience with HID DRL's in the past, if you get the pure white ones, you can't really see them. They look too much like sunlight. The tinge of blue makes them more visibile during the day.

I'm with you on the rice part, but there's a little bit of rice in all of us, I think...

Haha no doubt man
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      03-10-2010, 06:33 PM   #15
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Alex, would you sell just a pair of ballasts? Thanks!
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      04-27-2010, 08:02 PM   #16
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      04-28-2010, 01:24 PM   #17
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+1 for Alpine. My car was the first 135 with his kit and to date I've had no issues. Excellent customer service. Great guy to do business with and would recommend him to anyone.
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      04-28-2010, 01:36 PM   #18
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^agreed, no issues with the lights and they look great. Plus Alex was great to deal with, always quick to respond to my questions and concerns.
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