Headlight performance - HID vs. Halogen

[truckin-on]

I'm getting ready to order a new 2SS convertible, and am still debating the RS package or not. I've searched the forum and found many opinions on the HID lights and their appearance, but no real comparisons between the standard Halogens (non-RS) and HIDs for nighttime driving.

My personal experience with them - HID vs normal lights - was that there was little if any real illumination difference. But I'm wondering if the normal non-RS lights are OK, or really crappy, compared to the HIDs. Anyone have any real experience with the normal and/or HID lights in real back-road nighttime driving situations?

I also think it sucks that Chevy didn't see fit to make the "fog lights" real fog lights on the RS, but that's another topic.

Thanks!

-truckin-on

[ctk1]

I the Camaro's Halogens myself, but when comparing the Halogens in my Silverado to the HIDs in my Camaro, There is NO COMPARISON! The HIDs are incredible. Very bright, clean light.

[skipj3]

Are you willing to spend the extra $1300 for brighter lights or do you like what else the RS package offers?

[clg_98ta]

If you're getting a 2SS, you're basically paying $1300 for the headlight upgrades. The other differences are basically no-cost changes (like a different shade of paint on the wheels and darker plastic in the taillight lenses).

I have the halogen and have trouble reading street signs at night - the HIDs are definitely brighter. But the halogens are adequate for night driving so I still wouldn't pay the extra $1300 for HIDs w/ halos.

[LoneStar]

From what I've seen on other vehicles with HID lights, the lights enhance the visibility of reflective materials (ie, street signs) and the light is a more natural white light, without the yellowish tone.

Personally, I have the non-RS halogen lights and the only thing I don't like about them is the yellow color.

[hypurone]

A little story about the HID's. We were driving to work one morning (5:30am!) and I had my brights on after coming thru THE darkest section of road ever! As I approached the upcoming freeway merge I clicked off the hi-beams due to oncoming traffic and my wife said, "Oooh look the lights burned out on the overhead freeway sign!"

It got so dark once the reflection from the hi-beams was gone!

The HID's are KILLER and there is no comparison. But like others said it all comes down to what you want and what it is worth to ya...

[paultheman2007]

HID are the Way to go

[truckin-on]

Thanks for the responses!

I don't care really about the halo's, and there isn't anything else in the RS package that is worth much really (to me) on a 2SS, so it comes down to $1100 for +headlights and -fog lights, which is the decision.

Do the fog lights on the non-RS actually light up much? On my 2000 Z28 I run them all the time as they help somewhat with side of the road illumination and filling-in the dark spots.

-truckin-on

[skipj3]

They help alot for those side of the road deer and critters. Not to mention they are fairly easy to replace with brighter bulbs for better coverage.

Your best bet is to find a dealer who is open during the dark hours and take a drive. If not for research, just for the fun of driving one!

[midnighter]

Yes on RS

[Nutbutt]

HID are not the reason to go with the RS option. The HID are great, I have them in my LS coupe and I have them ordered in my vert RS. But as some have said here, if thats the only thing you want in the RS package go get aftermarket HIDs and save yourself a bundle. If you go aftermarket go with a vendor kit thats has been on a camaro. Otherwise you won't like the outcome. There are also a few aftermarket HID kits with the housing giving you the almost the same as the OEM for a lot less $$.
DO the research here before buying !

[EMB135Driver]

I rented a non-RS Camaro before I bought mine with the HIDs....no comparisson...HIDs all the way. The one negative is that there is a crisper cutoff at the top of the beam...stuff in front of you is either illuminated if it's below the cutoff, or dark. The Non-RS rental lights seemed to fade gradually as height increased, but once you see the HIDs you wont go back.

[SSLarry]

Just for stating the facts, the full MSRP replacement price for the lights is:

Halogen: $175 x 2 = $350 ($210 @ gmpartsdirect.com)
HID: $900 x 2 = $1,800 ($1,300 @ gmpartsdirect.com)
(not including ballast, etc.)

So the difference is $1450 ($1,090 @ gmpartsdirect.com). It's pretty clear the vast portion of the RS package is the lights.

This is my first car with HID's and I will never get another car without them. It's not about stupid BMW rip-off halos, its the projected beam. The improvement is that good. That is my personal choice. That being said, the halogens do look more retro (a good thing).

[mfr1950]

Get the RS, the lights are far better at night than halogens, a small percentage of the HID light is UV, Reflective road signs will light up a lot further down the road....