HID thread

[DrFabulous]

HIDs seem to be the rage for the last couple years, and I notice people slapping them into their halogen housings (which is what ALL Grand Ams have from the factory) more and more often. I've voiced my opinion about this a lot, but I'm going to try and keep the discussion to one thread, if anyone would like to discuss details or ask questions, go right ahead.

HIDs are designed to be placed in projector housings, which properly focus the light and create a cutoff to prevent the light from shining too high (glare). When HIDs are used in a non-projector housing, the light is NOT focused, and can blind oncoming drivers. It is dangerous, and it is illegal. While the chances of getting a ticket for HIDs in halogen housings are slim, you must consider WHY they are illegal- because of the obvious safety concern.

I am by no means a subject matter expert on HIDs... but I have had them in three different cars (including a Grand Am), and have experimented with them in factory halogen housings, factory halogen projectors, aftermarket halogen projectors, and factory HID projectors. I have seen the light output first-hand, and I know the glare that comes off the wrong setup.

A good idea of what a proper setup can do....





If anyone has pictures that show there isn't any glare, I'd be happy to see them and discuss. The best way to demonstrate the light pattern is to point them towards a wall from 20-30 feet away.









HIDPlanet is a great resource. The "reality" of HID kits:
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/show...uths-and-Myths

[TDavis]

You're taking the "no glare" thing out of proportion. I never said there was none, I said there was little to none but its still there regardless just not as much as other headlights/fog lights.

I understand you want to educate people but I'm not the one you need to be educating. I've already had lectures from Bryle and know enough. This fits my taste and needs more. If I where to ever get HIDs in headlights I would actually send the equipment and headlights to Bryle since he has done the retrofit before and seeing as I'm not that mechanically inclined nor do I have the time/place to really do it.

[DrFabulous]

I wasn't directing this thread towards you.... that's why I started a new thread instead of continuing the conversation we were having.

[TDavis]

Originally Posted by DrFabulous

I wasn't directing this thread towards you.... that's why I started a new thread instead of continuing the conversation we were having.

I know.

[bricooper78]

Ya know, I never realized there was THAT much difference in the light pattern. That's really eye opening, wow.

[mfuller]

I ran low-beam HID bulbs in my OEM reflector housings for a while.
Yes, there was glare, but from a functional standpoint, I was very disappointed with how much light was wasted because it wasn't focused correctly. I get just as much use-able light from good halogen bulbs.

My humble and correct opinion.

[DrFabulous]

Originally Posted by mfuller

I ran low-beam HID bulbs in my OEM reflector housings for a while.
Yes, there was glare, but from a functional standpoint, I was very disappointed with how much light was wasted because it wasn't focused correctly. I get just as much use-able light from good halogen bulbs.

My humble and correct opinion.

Its amazing how much of a difference it can make when the light is focused.

[xUnderCoverHoBo]

i hate when people use plug n play and use in stock reflectors, blinds me while driving imo you have to retrofit to use or it looks tacky. never knew the difference was that substantial

[oldschoolguy]

guy i know drives a lifted truck, with hids in stock housings. I swear that i'm going to hit a pole one of these days. I literally put my hand up to keep the light out of my eyes, and try watch the white line. Its the worst vehicle I know of that has it

[bricooper78]

We've got an avalanche with them dammed blue lights in everywhere, runs around with 'em all on... and it's got a 4" lift. fml i hate that truck

[sleepyalero]

ive got 8k in stock housing and it does waste some light. but is also aimed to where it doesnt bother other drivers, and really dont care to take the time for a retrofit, i have more things on my mind for power/suspension then to make the lights shine a little better. the way they are now are awesome as is. so it doesnt bother me.

[DrFabulous]

Originally Posted by sleepyalero

ive got 8k in stock housing and it does waste some light. but is also aimed to where it doesnt bother other drivers, and really dont care to take the time for a retrofit, i have more things on my mind for power/suspension then to make the lights shine a little better. the way they are now are awesome as is. so it doesnt bother me.

Does it bother you that it is blinding other drivers? Because it should. And what do you mean it's "aimed to where it doesn't bother other drivers"? Unless it's straight down, I promise you it's making it difficult for oncoming traffic to see where they are going.

If you aren't going to do something right, why do it? The only possible explanation is that it "looks cool".

[sleepyalero]

its better light. and its aimed down, i have never been flashed by other drivers after i adjusted it. before i adjusted it everyone was flashing there lights at me. now. no it does not bother other drivers, ive tested it in another vehicle while someone was driving my car.

[DrFabulous]

Originally Posted by sleepyalero

its better light. and its aimed down, i have never been flashed by other drivers after i adjusted it. before i adjusted it everyone was flashing there lights at me. now. no it does not bother other drivers, ive tested it in another vehicle while someone was driving my car.

Post a picture of the pattern on a wall. There's waaayyy more glare than you think, I promise you.


edit- you can see glare in the pictures you've already posted.

[sleepyalero]

thats just from the camera i dont have a wall pic, and im at work till 7 am so its gonna be a min. didnt bother me when i drove toward the car though.

there might be glare, but i havent been flashed in months so i guess it doesnt bother people. or maybe it does they just dont tell me

[ClintonP929]

Originally Posted by DrFabulous

Post a picture of the pattern on a wall. There's waaayyy more glare than you think, I promise you.


edit- you can see glare in the pictures you've already posted.

lens flare Cameras do that when pointed at light.. For example street lights, are we bothered by them?

[TDavis]

Originally Posted by ClintonP929

lens flare Cameras do that when pointed at light..

Exactly what i was thinking.

Here are my fogs before HIDs; If thats what you're seeing as "glare" just by looking at the lights themselves from a camera then my fogs glare with stock halogens.

[sleepyalero]

yeah like i said, that glare is from the camera. its in alot of pics i have takin with hids on, doesnt mean its a glare.

my avatar pic even has it a little bit.

[DrFabulous]

Most street lights aren't really a great design, but that's another topic.


You can disagree all you want, but you're basing it off opinion... until you can show that there is a sharp cutoff that severely limits the amount of light shining into the eyes of oncoming traffic, I'm going to go with the experience I've had with HIDs and the hundreds of before/after pictures I've seen.

[DrFabulous]

Originally Posted by sleepyalero

maybe it does they just dont tell me

I'm willing to bet that is the case... I wish I could flag down the 2-3 people I see every day and explain to them how dangerous their lights are, but I just am not able to. And I don't "flash" people, especially when there is other traffic around, because there isn't much point in blinding additional people on the road.