[Beastmaster]

Here's my take on it....

If you're going to spend the money on a HID Bulb/ballast upgrade, you're better off spending a few dollars more and upgrade the reflector assembly as well.

The HID Bulb/Ballast upgrade with the stock reflectors will work better than the stock bulbs. You will get some increased light on the road. Cost - the cost of the HID Bulb/Ballast combo. This combination WILL throw more light onto oncoming traffic.

If you did a HID Bulb/Ballast and Reflector upgrade with a DOT spec Hella H4 (Part # 70477), you'll get a really good effective light combination. Cost - the cost of the HID Bulb/Ballast combo and 80 bucks for upgraded DOT/SAE spec reflectors. This combo will not throw as much light onto oncoming traffic.

If you did a HID Bulb/Ballast and Reflector upgrade with a E-Code spec Hella H4 (Part # 40476), you'd get very good to excellent light coverage that nears dedicated projectors. Cost - the cost of the HID Bulb/Ballast combo and 80 bucks for the upgraded E-Code spec reflectors. This combo will throw the light on the road and up towards the right hand side for sign lighting.

Of course, going to something like the XE7 type projectors gives you the absolute best combination, since they have tuned glass that compliments and enhances the output of the bulbs. That's the most expensive combination.

Just my .02. I'm doing the E-code spec thing once I get some additional wiring upgrades done on my truck.

-Steve