Well now, that one website does look shady.. and idk what it is. the ddm price is very attractive, and I honestly would have maybe bought those if i knew of them. The lifetime warranty looks good, but are we sure its not just a gimmick, ive read on mutiple forums of DDM having horrible customer service. However, if you google xenon depot (same as kbcarstuff), more times than not, youll find positive stories, with amazing customer service from steve. theyre a supporting vendor on many many forums offering discounts, advice, etc etc.
I also dont like the fact that ddm doesnt give much info about the kits, such as reverse polarity protection, emi filters, etc, etc.
examples:
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/ligh...2-lx470-2.html
"Lexus forum testimony: Hands down, go with XenonDepot. I have ordered 3 kits through Steve and have not once had a major problem with any of them. One of my bulbs wasn't working, where it would flicker intermittently. I notified Steve and he PERSONALLY called me and we determined that it was a faulty wiring harness. Within a week, I had a new harness and my kit was working find. I have an HID kit in my fog lights and have had no problems for nearly 2 years after this minor incident.
Steve stands behind his product and the customer service is not to be compared.
When it comes to HID's, you honestly get what you pay for. DDM is appealing, because of it's price, but when you observe the quality of their bulbs, the price reflects it. I have gone with DDM for a friend's car, because of the slim ballast and price. Ordered a 6k kit and received an 8k. Within a few months, one bulb failed and another ballast fried. After that, I ordered him an XD kit and he admits that he should have gone this route.
I have used DDM, Xentec, Xetronics, Kaixen and Xenon Depot. Of the ones that I've used, Kaixen and Xenon Depot separate themselves from the rest of the group. They are the absolute class of the HID world in my opinion. I didn't go with Kaixen this time, because they are not a supported vendor on our forums. I have XD HID extreme kit in my fogs and my sister has Kaixen HID in her low-beams. They both work and look great. It's a toss-up between the two, but you can't go wrong with either."
"If by "better" you mean less expensive then you are 100% correct. The Volt ballasts are low draw ballasts, have emi filters, have a higher efficiency rating , and slimmer then all of the other companies you have mentioned. The CURRENT DDM kit is not even in the same ball park. The reason I stress the word "Current" is because they are constantly sourcing cheaper and cheaper products without any consideration for quality. The ballasts they are selling now are DC ballasts as opposed to AC. They are nothing like the ones you are referring to in your post (which btw was a 50W ballast not 35W like the rest hence the increaesed light output). These ballasts will burn out the bulb approximately 60% prematurely (if not more).
If you don't think that there is a difference in quality try searching on the board about people that complain about radio interference, loss of power streeting, etc.. all because of a cheap HID kit. Read some of the reviews about how people got mismatching bulbs, bulbs that tarnished the headlight, etc.. My personal favourite is the lifetime warranty that gets you no where."
"go with Steve and Xenon Depot. He won't do you wrong "
their blog:
http://hidkitsblog.com/
some more forums theyre a supporting vendor on, and actively answer questions etc etc
http://www.piloteers.org/forums/70-2...-review-2.html
customer service testimonials- even if you do get a bad part, it happens, immediate response and new parts sent no questions asked.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-ge...r-service.html
http://www.jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?p=114341
"The Xenondepot Xtreme kit is the best HID kit on the net and in the world IMO. All componets are super high quality and built to last. All ballasts are waterproof, shockproof, weather proof etc. etc. The bulbs use only the best Phillips glass. The relays are the best made. All componets are world class. Best kit on the net and in the world. They are also backed by a company that has been in business for a long time. Steve offers the best customer service out there. If I ever need an HID kit again....they will be from Xenondepot.com!
I also have the Xtreme D1S and D4S bulbs in both of my vehicles oem HID's. The D1S bulbs in my Jeeps oem HID's are 6000K and the best quality bulbs on the net. The D4S 6000K bulbs in my wifes Lexus IS250 are of the same quality.
I will never hesitate to buy any product from Steve at Xenondepot.com"
I am in no way affiliated with Xenon Depot, but by searching the internet you will see countless testimonials on many forums. you will see the personal comments from steve, instances where he calls you personally. No one is perfect though, so you will find instances of defective parts, or some customer service complaints. theyve been around for a long time. If you search you will see older instances of their kits, and see how their current are different, continously evolving and staying high qaulity. I recently recieved my VOLT KIT and installed it. Ill post up some pics soon.
Im just saying were shouldnt all act like we are five.. calling it a scam, rip off, etc. Those ddm look like my old ebay kit, painted black, same wires and connections. I guess those companies dont lose much on a lifetime warranty when the bulbs, ballasts, etc dont cost much. Regardless, it seems like cheap products these days have the lifetime warranties.. usually ones that give you the run around all day, and quality products actually have a limited warranty.