I've searched the forums for advice on improving highway lighting at night only to be more confused with more questions. The factory lights on the 997 C2 seem a bit yellowish and not that bright in dark highway conditions. Posts indicate not to exceed the recommended wattage due to heat and current drain. A company indicated the 997 already has (2005) an HID low beam. The low beams could use a surge in brightness. With that said, can anyone confirm there is an HID with a factory ballast on this car?

What is a simple way to get some more light output without a wiring headache and installing new ballasts. Ideal scenario are better low beams, high beams and fogs. Any links with part numbers would help a lot. Want to be sure this is safe and will not melt housings.

Thanks

 

If the car was purchased with HID option (came standard on the 08 S's for example, I think, option on the base) then you have it.

This strange desire to have white light from headlights puzzles me. There seems to be this desire to 'turn the night into day' rather than 'see better'. The two are not necessarily the same. Yellow colored light is better for night vision as it produces less glare and discomfort for the eye. Of course, if we (in the USA at least) have to overcome the utter lack of proper reflective road markings at night, we might have to sacrifice some glare for being able to distinguish where the non-reflective pavement ends and the non-reflective dirt begins.

Note: projector type headlights are not the same as HID, and one can have halogen projector systems, which i think is what the base (non HID) 997s had.

 

Thanks Minok, but not really looking to change any colors, just get some more brightness. Any recommendations on how to do this?

 

That's a function of the wattage of the bulb and the heat range, usually stated something like this 5000 K. Most bulb manufacturers have web sites that offer a great deal of info on the subject. The Phillips site is one I have visited where they offer info on different bulb options.
For me there is no substitute the Xenon lights as visibility is far superior to any other type of bulb in all conditions. If you had them you'd know it. Short of that, a high quality halogen bulb may help. On other non-Xenon cars I have owned raising the beam hight has given improved results. I believe the factory errs on the side of caution with regards to the beam setting so you can raise them up a little and still not blind on coming drivers.

 

Hmm, that's a nice idea -- Raising the beam height. Didn't think about that. Will have to see what's involved. Sure don't have xenon's, but another car of mine does. There is a difference in highway brightness.

 

Xenon > Halogen > Sealed Beam

I have driven with all, so I cannot complain.

 

Where can I get them? Any model numbers? thanks.

 

I agree. Blue biased light kills our natural night vision ability and reduces lateral vision outside the light beam. Consumers are not interested in good engineering, they prefer bling.

 

Nowhere in my post does it indicate to change the color! Just mentioned it was "yellowish" and wanted to increase the brightness. If somebody has an actual part number or place to get a sealed halogen light would be helpful.