ATTN: Everyone putting HID's in their halogen setups. STOP IT!

[Ran Kizama]

Taken from a post on ImportAtlanta.com...
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Okay, let me explain something to you people who are doing the HID upgrade in your stock headlamps.

The halogen reflectors in your cars (or any car with halogen headlights) aren't designed to work with the light source arc produced by HID bulbs. The position of the HID bulb in the reflector assembly may not line up the arc of the HID bulb where the filament was in the original bulb. Plus, some halogens have filaments that are axial or transverse whereas all HID bulbs are the same. The characteristics of the arc light source in an HID bulb are different than a filament, including details like different amounts of light coming from the ends of the filament vs. the middle, and halogen reflectors take advantage of this. Installing an HID bulb negates the original design of the halogen reflector and causes grief for other drivers (and you).

Since HID bulbs don't have light shields on them like most low beam lamps, you end up blinding other drivers even with careful alignment of the headlamp.

HID conversions (and even HID in general) end up throwing a lot of light right near the front of your car rather than up the road where you need it. This extra light up close makes your pupils narrow, which doesn't allow you to see dark things as well up the road. This is especially bad in bad weather situations.

If you are going to throw in an HID kit, make sure to replace the entire reflector setup as well. Don't just do it cheap, do it right.
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If you don't like the yellowish tint on the stock headlights, then just buy some hyperwhite bulbs. Quit being ricers by putting cheap@ss "HID" setups in your halogen lamps. It's f*cking annoying to other drivers on the road. :thumbdown:

[ChinoCharles]

This is an issue that has been brought up many times on these forums, and Ran is right. If you post a picture of your new 10,000K Ebay HID kit expecting praise on this forum, forget about it. You will be flamed!

If you're going to do this, do it right. At the very least, buy something with usable light output (4000-6500K) and spend some time trying to get the aim correct. Honestly, though, projector retrofits are the way to go because they give the driver a way to completely control light output. There are threads on these forums covering projector retrofits, and I know that the members who have done so thus far are receptive to questions and willing to give advice. If money is your excuse to do a shoddy job on your headlights, you shouldn't be doing headlights in the first place.

[tekmoe]

agreed 100%.

[brickhardmeat]

blue looks so fucking gross to me now, don't get me wrong a slight tinge like as far as the 6000k then it looks pretty nice but all i see around here are ricers with crazy blue cheap as hid's that look retard, you guys are right people should either retro fit or wait for the aftermarket headlights and do it the right way

those blue bulbs are gross too, I have osrams and hileds parking lights and I'm totally happy with it on this car, no blue splash in the assembly and no fake hid look, just nice bright light---these aren't grounds for punishment though just flaming

the next time you get glared by one of thes dickshits with hid in reflector housing please pull them over and knock 'em up side the head for me, I'll do the same

[BlueFlash]

i went threw sylvanias siverstars and phillips top of the line white bulbs and hated them i found bulbs at the local rice rocket shop that looked HID and were just as bright or brighter than the stocks and looked the best they are not blue too nore too white

[eco]

Man,I cant beleive there is actually a thread for this,what will Chris say?

[brickhardmeat]

well, chris knew what he was doing so I guess there will be exceptions, the bluer light creates more glare than whiter even brighter light, he compensated by aiming his down a bit

[07typeS]

well, chris knew what he was doing so I guess there will be exceptions, the bluer light creates more glare than whiter even brighter light, he compensated by aiming his down a bit


Exactly, you cant really flame on everyone for this. If they want to do th they want to do this. Some of us actually took the time to get them aimed properly. I dont have a super great cut off line but its good enough and i made sure i aimed it down, so that i wouldnt blind other drivers.

I put a car in front of me(lowered civic) and made sure that when i was sitting in the driver seat where i was directly in front, off to the side, or directly behind, that the beam was never solid into the car.

I know my beam pattern could be a little, and that would require a projector set up but thats a little more then i want to spend, especially when I think the current set up does a good enough job.

To the people out there modifying projectors to fit, awesome, more power to you. To the people out there installing HID's and taking the time to make sure you are being respectful to other drivers, awesome.

[brickhardmeat]

I almost did it myself and opted not until there are some headlight options at least but more power to you. I got a little carried away.

[Terrorize]

I installed HID in my sedan....
I don't really have any cutoff....the light is spread out...guess its cuz i don't have projectors...
Hmm...i understand what you guys are saying...but..i have this shield thing that is covering up my bulb....so it already blocks off the brighest part of the bulb,...so this isn't what you guys are talking about right??

[Bis]

this is kind of obvious, but nonetheless good info.

[ASHRAF]

We need some projectors

Why isn't theresomething like this for the new Yaris???

http://www.morette.com/products/HEADLIGHTS/TOYOTA/YARIS/h4/hl_yaris_h4_ap03_2.jpg

so it will be easier installing projectors in it

[ChinoCharles]

We need some projectors

Why isn't theresomething like this for the new Yaris???

http://www.morette.com/products/HEADLIGHTS/TOYOTA/YARIS/h4/hl_yaris_h4_ap03_2.jpg

so it will be easier installing projectors in it

Because you haven't made it yet!

[ASHRAF]

Come ooon Morette!

[RogueYaris]

i agree with no putting the HID's in the stock halogen housings. i always have the urge to just smash into someone that is blinding me by doing stuff like this.

[eijikikimaru]

Yeah, seriously been waiting forever( lol only had the car for 5 months =p it's not long but you know how it feels) for aftermarket projectors. I'm not skilled enough to retrofit them so just waiting. Besides, maybe aftermarket projectors will have some smart chips so when you take a turn it'll turn too. That way you can see the corner better... you know what i mean? Like the ones on the Lexus (insert model letter + # combo).

[imperial4ever]

1. Why are these 10K units not getting pulled over by the police as they are illegal?
2. How do these vehicles pass inspection.

I wish we could get the OEM units which I imagine the design has changed with the 2009 Yaris LB mid-cycle refresh.

[lita_g]

2. How do these vehicles pass inspection.


Not all states do yearly vehicle inspections. FL doesn't for example.

[TinyGiant]

if someone takes theirs out send them o me .. i want to put them over my reef tank.. only if its a 10k or 12k

[seth_man]

1. Why are these 10K units not getting pulled over by the police as they are illegal?
2. How do these vehicles pass inspection.

I wish we could get the OEM units which I imagine the design has changed with the 2009 Yaris LB mid-cycle refresh.


i fail cars with hids for safty inspections. unless its got a projector retrofit for the correct headlamps from the same model that has hids, it fails. i work in at a shop in mass. it feels good to fail those cars to, its like im doing my part to keep tool bags off the road.

[marcus]

hid shield can be purchased.. or depolights projectors

[bdc87]

I would like to speak up and say the 5000K Kit I have from the sponser here are not cheap ebay junk and do very well in the stock housing. I've had them for almost amonth and do mostly night, early morning driving and have not been flashed once. I have even driven around the cops here with no problems. The output is much better because it is white light and lets me see ahead more which helps with the wildlife we have arouund here so I don't endup hitting them. I can see your point if you were writing a review on a set you bought but, flaming by copying and pasting information doesn't seem very usefull and waste of server space.

[eii]

I would like to speak up and say the 5000K Kit I have from the sponser here are not cheap ebay junk and do very well in the stock housing. I've had them for almost amonth and do mostly night, early morning driving and have not been flashed once. I have even driven around the cops here with no problems. The output is much better because it is white light and lets me see ahead more which helps with the wildlife we have arouund here so I don't endup hitting them. I can see your point if you were writing a review on a set you bought but, flaming by copying and pasting information doesn't seem very usefull and waste of server space.

Did you get the 5000k with no hi-beams? Not sure if you ordered them when they had 5000k and 6000k without hi-beams. I mention this because these came with a larger glare shield. These HIDs have more space because they dont have another bulb attached for the hi-beam hologen which allows for a bigger glare shield. I got 6000k and I have yet to get flashed by other cars too. I've also driven past/by many cops and some on bikes and they dont even glance a bit towards me. I'm assuming the larger glare shield helps more and maybe possibly cause my car is lowered. I've adjust them to aim lower too and it doesnt seem like any glare hits the windshields/rearwindows of the cars in front of me. I'm going to a meet later tonight and I'll see what everyone thinks of them saftey wise~

[bdc87]

Have the halogen hi's but theres no use of using them.

[Klink10]

hid shield can be purchased.. or depolights projectors


May I ask where?

[marcus]

May I ask where?

google it.. sometime its on ebay.

[Tamago]

lol @ self-righteous projector owners ;)

[TheRealEnth]

lmao you guys are hating on ebay hid kits.. but then its like... shield or projector, find it on ebay <3

[staypuft]

kargoboys hid kit has huge shields on them, it has halogen hi's, nobody has ever flashed me yet, im using 5k hid's, i checked for excess glare and didnt find any sofar.

[battleversiontc]

i have 6k in a japan hid housing that you can buy at japanparts.com cost an arm and a leg but worth it since i dont have to take that stupid amber reflector out

[Violin]

Aren't the japanparts lights for RHD?

[tk-421]

Hey Violin,

What is your recommendation for folks that are planning on HIDs in their OEM housings? Could painting the whole reflector black help with the glare, or would that screw with light output too much?

I would really like some projectors, but it's way too involved and expensive for me at this point in time.

Any input from you would be appreciated!

[Split]

i bought an H4 kit that had a shield/reflector on it to keep it from blinding other drivers, and then i just aimed it down a little bit so it wouldn't blind anyone. I put 3000k HIDs' in the fogs, and 4100k in the headlights and its perfect. yellow and white, doesn't blind anyone.. lights up the road great. projectors would be better, but its crazy expensive.

[PHXDEMON]

I like my 6000K HID's fine :iono: I tried standing back 50 feet from them and they werent blinding at all. I however do agree that people getting ridiculous temps like 10000k is retarded.

[Violin]

Hey Violin,

What is your recommendation for folks that are planning on HIDs in their OEM housings? Could painting the whole reflector black help with the glare, or would that screw with light output too much?

I would really like some projectors, but it's way too involved and expensive for me at this point in time.

Any input from you would be appreciated!



My recommendation is don't do it. I did and was very disappointed with the result. Either do a projector retrofit or save your money.

If you paint the reflector bowl, you'll ruin the headlight. The light still needs to be directed to be useful - its just that the halogen reflector was not designed for HID.

The "I never get flashed" comment cracks me up. I see it on every forum where HID kits are discussed. Why would someone flash someone who obviously has an HID kit - they want even more glare flashed back at them?

I see a lot less HID kits around me these days. My guess is that the cops are cracking down on them.

Don't anyone get their panties in a wad. I know people will continue to put HID bulbs in reflectors that weren't designed for it. Just don't act surprised when everyone else on the road hates your "improvement".

[Meteorite_Marty]

This guy makes a good point.

Has anyone suggested the insurance liability with improperly aimed, non-stock headlights? If someone crashes into you, either because your lights were poorly aimed or too bright, you likely won't be covered. I would think anything safety related has to be installed by a professional, and the parts you use must be approved for your vehicle by the manufacturer, not just some 3rd party stating they are DOT approved and fit your car.

That's my 2 cents.

[eTiMaGo]

The "I never get flashed" comment cracks me up. I see it on every forum where HID kits are discussed. Why would someone flash someone who obviously has an HID kit - they want even more glare flashed back at them?

I take twisted pleasure in blinding those blind me... eye for an eye... They might not realize how much of a nuisance they are to other drivers, so thats one way to inform them...

[eTiMaGo]

Over here in the states (at least my state) it is illegal to flash your brights at someone even if they have there brights on. You do this to a cop and he can pull you over and issue a ticket. :wink:

Wow thats pretty strict...

There's always the backup warning system, extend hand out of open window and raise middle finger :biggrin: Which, I am sure, cops appreciate even less!

[mikenacarato]

not sure if this has been mentioned but my bike has a 9004 bulb like the yaris. i contacted the seller and he said they come with the metal reflector rings to fix the problem of blinding people. my bike kit came with one and i wanted to ask if his car kits do as well. the site is www.dabears2k.com great seller and kits.

[ChinoCharles]

Summary: Projectors FTW

[Appalachian Trail 2007]

Summary: Projectors FTW

+1


AMEN BROTHER!!

[mikenacarato]

i agree fully but hids are still better than normal bulbs regardless.

[Midon]

I have to agree I had 8000k installed in stock headlights and I did ever thing I could to get rid of glare and even aimed them down quite a bit and to the right. But in the end I was still getting to much glare. So I just spend the cash and bought some projectors. I still aim them down and right so not to cause any retina damage to oncoming drivers. I also asked the cops in town what they thought and they didn't see a problem with them. Most said they looked good. They also said that as long as the driver took the time to aim them right and they weren't to blue they wouldn't be bothered by them. I do have 8000k HID's in my fog lights and they produce a lot of glare, but I only turn those on when I need them and never when car's are coming my way. I don't feel like have 2 Ton SUV as a hood ornament.

[Violin]

Since you bring up the legality of these you may want to add that even a retrofitted set of projectors are just as illegal! No matter how good of a job you do on them. They may be less obnoxious then hid in reflector housing but none the less they are just as illegal and just as much as an insurance liability if they find out.


Where did I bring up the legal issue?

I just speculated that the cops in my area may be cracking down on this one.

[TheRealEnth]

sooo whats the quote on replacing our lights with 'good' HID setups with the entire reflector changed...

[IllusionX]

the problem with HID is not the reflector. it is the way the bulb is made and how it is reflected.

a friend of mine bought a set of TRD HID for his Echo. Neither did it glare, but it also reflected a perfect cut off line. The OEM metal shield in the housing was also removed... it strictly used the metal shield that came with the HID bulb.

the 60$ HID kits available on ebay that has nothing covering = no go.

I say someone should really try this out.. you may be surprised by the results.
it had H4-3 HID bulbs... something that looked like this.
http://www.hidodm.com/upimg/product/2008330175925.jpg

[marcus]

this is what im talking about "the shield"..

[mikenacarato]

thats what i have in my bike and thats the kit ill be getting for my car. they work really well and i have had no one say they were obnoxious.