need help on lights! temp?

so im looking to get some hids, i was origionally going to get some 6000k... but then i heard they suck in dust. so should i go with 4500k? any help/opinions are appreciated! thanks!

 

If you're going for looks, then go with whatever temp above 5000k. For performance, I would stick with 4300-5000k. For fog lights, 3000-3500k puts out yellow light which is best for foggy conditions.

 

performance for sure. any other opinions?

 

4,300K is the brightest... most like daylight... Higher than 5000K the lights get bluer and dimmer... all for 'looks' and not as much function. Below 3,500K and they are the same as Halogen or sealed beams... Yellowish.

 

thanks guys! 4500k it is

 

4500k is brightest

 

Depending on the actual bulbs compared you lose about 5-10% output going from 4300-4500K to 5000K and you lose about 15-25% output going from 4300-4500K to 6000K, again depending on the individual bulbs being compared. As temp increases, output drops sharply. Xenon bulbs also color shift to a higher temperature and decrease in output with age. Old 4300-4500K bulbs will get to 5000K before they die. You can see how a 6000K bulb makes little sense, and over 6000K is just plain stupid. Glare also increases with increases in temperature over about 4300-4500K.

 

Great choice. The color temp allows your eyes to respond to the light better, thus giving you more usable light. I have 55w 4300k's and they are fantastic on long drives.