Black Thor's really black? Plus HID questions.

[IsaacHayes]

Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

Every photo I've seen of the black Thors they look grey-ish green. The rubber bezel looks pure black around them.
Do they look like that in person or is the camera playing tricks? I saw one at Parts America (western auto, they keep changing names) and it looked pure black all over! $50 bucks though.

I'd also like to comment that it didn't look that big at all in person?!?! I mean it was a Thor, I picked it up and played with it, it was bright, but didn't seem too bright, but it could have had a low battery. It looked very cool though and well porportioned, sitting with the "legs" folded flat. The 15mcp Probably looks like you have a gymnasim light strapped to it! I was thinking about going for the most redicoulos size, but now I've seen the look of the 10mcp, it looks so nice I think the 15mcp wouldn't looks so nice.

Anyways, now I'm thinking HID for runtime. It looks hightech too, like it was made for HID. But can you really get the HID for 50 bucks??? And is it as bright as stock using 35watt HID?

 

[chevrofreak]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

Mine is grey.

 

[markdi]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

mine is a dark grey - a lot nicer looking than the orange ones

 

[IsaacHayes]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

Hmm. Wow, so I guess this is a rare beast. It is beautiful ALL BLACK color. Looks so proffesional. The black plastic even has a ruberized feeling too it as well. Very solid.

 

[IlluminatingBikr]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

They had them at my local Costco, and they might still have them.

 

[IsaacHayes]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

IlluminatingBiker: where they really 100% true black? Would it be at all possible to pick up one at the $25 price and if so would you be willing to ship it to 65101? Any idea of total cost? It might not be any cheaper than $50 at the autostore /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I need to check ebay again, last I did there were a bunch on there but not sure of final prices/colors.

 

[markdi]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

you have to look pretty close to see that my(mom's) thor is not black

 

[theepdinker]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

IsaacHayes,
My Thor is almost black.

The 35 watt hid is brighter than the excellent 100 watt stock Bulb.

As I said to somebody in another thread,
"If ebay has Hid units selling for $50.00 you'll see my name as the winning bidder".
They're going for close to $100.00 shipped lately.

By the time I ship half way across country you'd be looking at about $50.00.
Might as well pick it up & support your local economy.

Theepdinker

 

[cheesehead]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

ebay, but it takes a little effort to find the 50-60 dollar HIDs, being sold off a wreck. But, even if you can't find the 50 buck headlight assembly, you will find it at 70, just bid for a recent model (you don't want a 2000, that's been used for hundreds of hours, better 2004, or so). If you're looking for "new" then, there is no way you'll get anything decent for less than a 100 bucks. In fact, if it's new you're looking for, expect to pay 150-200. Eh, I've bought 2 HID units on ebay and was very happy each time (thus I won't buty again, I don't want to ruin my streak).

The 35 watt HID equivalent to about 175 watts incandescent, as far as lumens. Also the spot is a bit nicer on the HID. So, it's MUCH BETTER!

Finally, to me it's also about practicallity and run-time. Nearly 2 hours is just perfect, versus 45 min stock.

cheese

 

[IsaacHayes]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

markdi, & theepdinker: This Thor was pure satin black. The sides of the case was just as black as the top handle and rubber bezel. It really looked expensive & professional. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

cheesehead: I'll keep looking for HID. Used is fine, the ballast should be fine used, and you could probably get a fairly new used bulb cheap too. I totally agree on the practicallity, as this isn't going to be a cheap light, it will end up my most expensive, and I don't want it as a novelty if it's that expensive. The boost circuit is attractive to boost the stock bulb being cheap and all, but 20min runtime is really bad. Plus the HID will have a nice white look, great runtime, etc. Only "bad" point is it won't have instant on.

Question: How long does it take for the HID to turn on? Does it come on at first at X lumens, and how many is that? Can you see with it at first? Then how long before full power? Certainly it won't take long as you need to drive with your car lights at night right away...

 

[theepdinker]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

Automotive HID units do produce light instantly.
Don't know lumen amount.
My eyes say about 1/3 of total rating.
Warm up is constant & looks to be 95% at 15 seconds.
At 30 seconds it's done.

Keep in mind this is according to 'My Eyes'.

Theepdinker

 

[MaxaBaker]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

Isaac, HID is very bright when it is first turned on (arc of electricity going from the two metal prongs in the bulb) and only gets brighter as the metal salts in them heat up (note: HMI bulbs with the salts in them only.). The time really depends on the ballast that you have. Some are faster to warm up fully and some are slower. Car HID systems are generally faster, maybe 4-8 seconds, while some others, such as the UK Light Cannon takes about 20 seconds.

 

[MaxaBaker]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

Oops, I see I type to slow /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

 

[IsaacHayes]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

Cool, so on average close to 1000 lumens on startup. That's plenty! Any other things to watch out for? Like do you have to leave it on for a certain time before switching off to prolong the bulb life?

 

[MaxaBaker]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

Well, I don't think turning it on and then turning it off quickly will hurt it, but you shouldn't turn it back on directly after you shut it off. I always wait at least 10 seconds.

 

[cheesehead]

Re: Black Thor\'s really black? Plus HID questions.

IH,

I'd leave it one for at least 20-30 seconds before turning it off (I forget the reference). Also, give it 20-30 seconds before restriking, not a big deal, but bulb life may suffer.

I think it's a non-issue as far as lumens on start up. I mean, the auto HIDs take 3-4 seconds to warm up (you hear the ballast hum slowly disappear). There is never a time that you don't have useable light (ok, maybe for the first 0.05 seconds).