I just read the pirates4x4 article, this could have earned the author a payday at any offroading magazine! Very well done, and considering it was by a 'lay person,' i.e., not an electrical engineer (I'm married to one, and have another as our daughter) or a lighting engineer, the content was very well presented, and the method of testing was well-conceived and executed. He also has a good sense of humor. Anyway, an impressive amount of very useful content for someone looking to improve their lighting.
He does make the same observation that Bill Seward and others, including myself, have made on the forum, install relays and run power directly from the battery to the relay (don't forget to fuse it as close as possible to the battery connection! Very important if you don't want to burn out your wire loom or start an electrical fire, and lose the entire bike!)
To me, it looks like the HID Projector was the best product he tested, though the Rebel setup was a good 'bang-for-the-buck.' He chose another in 1st, but that was my choice.
I did have an issue w/some of the pics not loading, but I read the content, so the loss of pics was only a big deal if you are a 'visual learner.'
My suggestion is to forget the stock 5-3/4" bucket, upgrade to the EMGO 7" as you suggested and start from there. I think you will be much happier in the end. Think of the light bucket as a schooner of beer-which would you prefer to consume, paying the same price, and the quality of product is the same?
I posted my 7" EMGO install including what I consider to be the best replacement mounting ears, search for it under my name, and EMGO as subject.
Thanks for the post, anyone considering a light upgrade will be much better prepared to make an informed description after reading this.