HID question

[phillip1]

U just installed a new HID light upgrade in my car, it cost me $70 for two 35W HID bulbs + two small ballasts, my question is why do the HID bulbs sold by all cave diving light manufacturers cost over $100 and also why on the car is it ok to keep switching on and off the bulbs but not on the ones we use for cave diving.
As far as I can tell the bulbs in my car are pretty much the same as in my 35W dive light, is this a cave diving scam? 35W replacement bulbs for my car cost $20

[skip]

supply and demand.

skip

[rddvet]

As far as I can tell the bulbs in my car are pretty much the same as in my 35W dive light, is this a cave diving scam? 35W replacement bulbs for my car cost $20

I was told that the LM 21W HID is a Britestar bulb that is common on Cadillacs. Not sure how true it is. But I wouldn't be surprised.

[phillip1]

Instead of spending big$ on hid bulbs I will try the car version next time I blow a bulb. The ones I have in my car look identical to the 35W video light I have. If this is the case then fragile HID bulbs would not be a big deal to change at less than 20$ a pop.
I was at the car parts store today checking out all the bulbs (there are many) and as far as I can tell they all seem like they would work

[TONY CHANEY]

I have been wondering the same. And considering the bumps, potholes etc that cars are exposed to they seem to be more durable.

[a64pilot]

Your not supposed to switch the car lights on and off either, that's why the bright lights on a car aren't HID, but you know that the dive light community didn't have a special bulb made just for them, it wouldn't make sense.

[RUdown4]

Oh no someone is peeking behind the curtain!

[Spd 135]

When I was diving HID (10w) I would buy the bulb and ballast (MR11) from Trailtech (ATV off-road supplier) for less than a hundred bucks. It came in a housing that I removed and then installed in my light. MR11 is an industry designation for that style bulb, not always HID but the style is MR11. At one time the bulbs were hardly available except from the manufacturer which was welch allyn, before the brightstar came out. It always pays to keep checking because much of the stuff we use has other applications.

[devildog83]

When I was diving HID (10w) I would buy the bulb and ballast (MR11) from Trailtech (ATV off-road supplier) for less than a hundred bucks. It came in a housing that I removed and then installed in my light. MR11 is an industry designation for that style bulb, not always HID but the style is MR11. At one time the bulbs were hardly available except from the manufacturer which was welch allyn, before the brightstar came out. It always pays to keep checking because much of the stuff we use has other applications.

Great advice!

[phillip1]

I have a feeling dive light manufacturers have been ripping us off big time selling HID bulbs for way more than what the same exact bulb cost at a car parts store.
what about the constant on off in a car HID?