HID's Out!

[LTLux]

Well after much research I have decided to take my HID's out because I have stock headlights. I didn't get flashed at all and had 6000k but after reading about the glare issues, I took them out. I hate being a dick, what can I say!

It sucks because I have LED running and turn signals and now I have yellow low beams. I bought the Phillips CrystalVision Ultra and while better than stock, they are still yellow.

I just can't see spending $700 to $1000 to retrofit, so does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[Modded]

I would have left them in.
You can always get the Ebay aftermarket projector lamps for an alternative cheaper than a retrofit.
I personally think the whole glare in stock housings thing is over-hyped.
Glare with aftermarket HIDs is vehicle dependent. Just because one has a lot does not mean all of them do. I have had my HIDs for 4 years and have been flashed 20 times at the most.
What is really annoying is when people drive with their high beams on. Especially those with stock projector HID like the Escalade.

 

[soulsea]

Hi Jason,

Not many people are willing to reconsider their position and adapt accordingly, even fewer are willing to admit it publicly ... I tip my cap to you on both accounts.

I'm sure a lot of folks will come here to defend their setup, but their opinion vs the facts is less important than the vision of your fellow drivers who cross paths with you.

In regards to your question, unfortunately there is no other option. If you think of automotive lighting as you know it and observe it every day, there are only two primary kinds of oem lighting: 1. halogen reflectors 2. Hid projectors. There are also halogen projectors which also project yellow and not worth retrofitting, and led headlamps which would be even more difficult and cost prohibitive to retrofit than HIDs.

So the two main forms of lighting are your realistic options whilst being courteous to oncoming traffic. Halogens you have, HID retros are expensive. But perhaps saving up for one is the way to go.

This is the fundamental reason there are so many HID PnP kits out there.

Cheers!

---------- Post added at 03:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:04 PM ----------

Modded,

The 'glare' argument is old and boring on either side so no need for us to have it again.

But in regards to ebay aftermarket housings for these trucks, with halogen plastic molded fauxjectors in them, this is their standard output:

---------- Post added at 03:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:09 PM ----------

Note to self: remember to retrofit high horse.

 

[Regency]

I personally think the whole glare in stock housings thing is over-hyped.
x2

 

[Modded]

Serge, you sound like you work for the Department of Public Safety.
If I am not getting flashed, then the glare is not as bad as some say it is.
I get flashed in the Audi Q7 with stock projector HIDs so the glare thing again is highly subjective. If one has sensitive eyes, then of course both setups will bother them regardless of the lamp type.
I fully understand that running HIDs is better/somewhat safer in projector housings, but it's not like us with halogen housings are out there causing accidents and ruining peoples day or something.

 

[soulsea]

Modded,

Once again, glaring is not the same thing as having high beams on ... it rarely solicits flashing, it's just annoying that's all.

We can exchange opinions till the high horses come home, but the science is indisputable and not subject to either of our opinions, so are hundreds of pages of examples.

The reasoning baffles me ... it's as if you guys think there's a conspiracy of light engineers and optics experts collaborating to make everyone see less by not providing everyone hid bulbs in reflector housings from factory. Presumably all manipulated by the illuminati to literally keep us all in the darkness.

It's not a matter of me being a public safety official, it is a matter of me looking things up and accepting the facts instead of residing in a state of cognitive dissonance. You think I enjoy dishing out stupid money if $80 and a smile would achieve the same end?

I blame the marketeers who called these things 'high intensity discharge' bulbs ... so everyone is like: 'I'm a high intensity kinda guy so that's the stuff for me' ...

And speaking of hype ... there are hundreds of thousands of these things out on the road because they've been hyped up, there's a few of us scattered around the net, sharing the facts despite often being berated for doing so. So I'm pretty sure we're not generating that much hype. lol

Aaaaaaaaaaanyway ...

 

[LTLux]

Did not mean to start a war!

I just was never really sure on HID's to begin with. I think they look great but I also think they bring unwated attention to my Tahoe. I'm 37 and have a wife and kid, I don't need or want anyone to pay special attention to my car for good or bad reasons.

I also still go out and have a few beers with buddies and by no standard do I get drunk but I dont need a cop to pull me over on some light issue.

 

[Modded]

This has nothing to do with a conspiracy or denial of facts.
I'm done with this topic because it will just turn in to one big debate that I do not feel like getting into.

 

[soulsea]

Fair enough.

Btw my conspiracy statement was meant jokingly ... it was made to indicate that if it was as easy as sticking hid bulbs in reflector housings, the car manufacturers would save themselves millions of dollars not having to develop lighting technologies. You'd be shocked to know how much goes in designing even halogen reflector housings. So I'm always wondering why folks think their vehicles don't come this way from factory.

Anyway, I sort of enjoy these types of conversations when people can respectfully disagree ... I don't consider them 'war.' Which is a good thing cause if it were a war I'd be getting clobbered, as for every person taking an hid kit off there are thousands of others waiting for theirs over the mail.

 

[NathanJax]

Serge, I have to respectfully disagree with your agreement to disagree.

Just because you don't get flashed all the time, doesn't mean you're not creating a problem for other drivers. You can't argue with how all headlights are made. Serge has made the point and there's no need to repeat what he's said.

Serge, please keep fighting the fight.