Review of PIAA Amber H3 Ion Lights for Fogs

[Dprotech]

Since some of the threads are getting a little stale ..I thought that we might add a new section called reviews.

I just recently installed a pair of PIAA H3 Amber Ion Crystal Lights modell 33555 if I recall correctly. These went into the factory fog assembly of a P11 G20t.

Installation was no problem. Getting the fog lights out is simple enough. you will need:

Phillips Screwdriver, Flat Head and a Tin Snipper.

Accessing the Fog Bulbs is done by sliding the flat head under the inner clear side covering of the fog assembly and lifting to loosen the snap on piece.
You will now have access to the mounting screw. Undo this and the whole fog light is released.
To access the bulb simply twist the fog cap off and ta da.

The bulb is attached using a spring mechanism which is easy to figure out. Note that for some funny reason none of the aftermarket bulbs fit nicely in the nissan socket. Which is why you need the tin snips.

Carefully hold the new bulb. NEVER EVER EVER TOUCH THE BULB WITH YOUR FINGERS OR ANY OTHER GREASY OBJECTS. This shortens the life of the bulb by ..say 3/4 of its lifetime.

Snip the edge with the square groove so that it becomes semi flat. Don't worry it will hold tight with the clip.

And that is it. Done. Put everthing back in reverse.

Was it worth it ?

Well in the daytime the lights are really cool, because it looks a different colour from every angle, but you'll never doubt they are yellow. At nightime it emits this eerie yellow glow in close proximity to the car but a yellow beam out. It hasn't bothered any other drivers. The yellow does not look lexus like...its on a class of its own and even lexus drivers would know its not one of theirs. It doesn't look cheesy or cheap.....I would best describe it as techy...not tacky.

I'll post some pictures later to show you.

Rating

PIAA H3 AMBER IONIC CRYSTAL ------->9 of 10

COST: $22 US plus shipping

[jcl603]

Dprotech: were those bulbs 55watt or 35 watt? I've been searching everywhere for PIAA 35watt H3s but couldn't find any. If they are 55watt, will they be okay? thanks...

[Dprotech]

I had 55W hyper whites before ...but my buddy put his fingers on them and within 2 months the bulb burnt out whilst the other one is still fine. I checked the harness for damage when I was putting on the piaas and did not see any evidence of heat or electrical damage. They should be fine ..but only time will tell.

[Dprotech]

ooops sorry yeah ..the Piaa H3s are 55w rated for 85W output

[Nismoboy1]

woohoo :jump: finally someone who's tried them thanks a whole lot Dprotech, I was wondering how these were, and you gave a good write-up and review on them. I want them.

Now my question is, where did you get them?

[b-b00gie]

i'm just scratching my head at how you got PIAA fog lights for $22

$75 to $100 for a set is more like it for PIAAs

[Nismoboy1]

really, $75 dollars...hmm...soooo where did you get them for $22??? want to let us in on a little secret

[rogroc325]

i have the piaa h3 ion yellows in my car as well.i love them.they are the 55 watt ones with output of 85 watts.i did the fog lights on only mod and love the way my ride looks when coming down the street.looks bad as hell!!

[Morpheus XIII]

I DESPISE people who touch my bulbs while I am installing them.

I recently received an email from Sylvania saying that their Xenarc HID auxiliary lights will cost around $400-600. This is the cheapest I've heard so far for standalone sealed HID podlights.

Does anyone know where one can find cheaper HID low-beam replacements? Not auxiliary lights, but the actual OEM bulb replacement plus power converter. I found a few for rallycross bikes that ought to fit cars, but they are priced closely to the Xenarcs. I have seen a few folks rolling around town with genuine HID lowbeams on their cars which don't offer HID lighting from the factory (I don't know about you guys, but in L.A. it's fairly easy to pick out REAL xenon gas lighting from the "hyper-blue" crap that has become quite popular, especially in the aftermarket/import world).

Of course, the price has dropped approximately $1000 since they were first offered, but like any type of new technology, the initial stages require time for people to catch on and that's when we will begin to see drastic price drops (heh, probably by then nearly ALL new cars, luxury and less expensive cars alike will offer HID from the factory).

Dprotech, your PIAA crystals are beautiful and I can only wish I could buy them, but I've stopped purchasing fog/secondary lights due to the massive parts theft in my area. Don't forget to wax them when you wash your car!

[Dprotech]

I think some of you have mistaken my upgrade. I have replaced the H3 bulbs in the factory fog lights ..I got them from Automotive Accessories Connect in Ohio.

Here is a pic of what they look like in the dark.

[Dprotech]

Another view

[Morpheus XIII]

Regardless of the foglights that have been replaced, does anyone have any further data about current HID replacements for standard halogen low-beam replacement? High Intensity Discharge seems difficult to locate, and I would be eternally grateful for any further data.

[jcl603]

Dprotech: thanks for the info!! let me know how they turn out a little bit down the road. I've wanted to change my foglights ever since I got my car a year ago, but I've heard mixed response to putting a 55watt bulb into a 35watt harness... Thanks again!

[Koojo]

I looked into the PIAA's at a car store here called Yippes Stripes, and they said they would get me a pair of piaa fogs, and a pair of piaa headlights for a total of $100. Not bad. I was looking into the superwhites though, because I like that sort of blueish effect they give out. If you would put in 55w fogs, then it be the same as the headlights which are 55w too. so you would be driving with 4 headlights that have the same intensity pretty much? Would someone who has tried please tell us what the outcome was on using a 55w piaa bulb for the fogs? Thanks

[jcl603]

Dprotech, looks really nice...