The VisionPlus bulbs are about 30% brighter then the average 2 year old or older light bulb in your car right now. The DOT lenses help to give better projection forward, without allowing light to shoot upwards. DOT lenses project two "blobs" of light forward, while E-code projects light forward with a sharp cutoff horizontally, so as to prevent glare for oncoming cars. Supposedly, the DOT is designed to shoot some light upwards to light up the freeway signs. My opinion is the e-code specification is just more strict at preventing forward glare. So slightly more light production with the VisionPlus coupled with better projection, that doesn't glare, will give a noticeable increase in light quality, not necessarily quantity, at less then 30%.

As for HID's, light production is increased about 300%. Couple that with e-code lenses, and you'll REALLY notice it. With a 300% average light ouput increase, and better projection, you'll have as good lighting as anyone on the road. And not all HID's go for $600 US. Shop around, and I'm sure you'll be able to find the real deal Philips HID's for $400 US or less. I ended up paying $415 US after taxes with about $20 shipping (less then $400 before taxes). Don't ask me where as I cannot divulge that, but you can find them priced as such rather easily.

You can run HID's without e-code lenses, but you WILL produce more glare. Another thing you will want to do is rewire your car if it is Canadian, or change the DRL setting if US, so that you can shut the headlights off. I doubt you'll want to run your HID's everytime the car is run. It's all a matter of operating time longevity.