I didn't hook up the halo ring... Just as you said, Tim, its pointless on pop ups and my car is already too ricey
So far, I'm very happy with the lights. Friend of mine drove the car at DGRR and he said positive things.
Both kits uses the same housing and just the different light housings. Bulbs, yeah, I think there 'some' difference in quality I suppose, but not much to say it will make very noticeable difference between two. But this is definitely a reasonable price for better than stock lighting. I recommend both kits and decision point will be price and wait time.