REAL FACTS ABOUT HID LIGHTING-A Must Read

[WHITEOUT]

This is an article written by Daniel Stern that gives REAL FACTS about HID lighting. A MUST read for everybody and anybody thinking about or using HID in there vehicle.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

---------- Post added at 11:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:31 AM ----------

Now, I'm not trying to be a hypocrit and tell everybody to NOT install HID system into there halogen headlight housing vehicles or vehicle that didn't come equipped with HID system, since I DID!!
What I'm trying to say is, do your research and make sure it's done properly or the best way possible. You should use atleast projector housings if nothing else!! IMO. If you read that article there is NO PROPER way to install aftermarket HID systems into a vehicle that didn't come equipped with it. Retrofit is the absolute best way, but again, you read the article bad things could happen.
Now, I did much research regarding this subject prior to even thinking about doing a HID system into my vehicle. Not trying to say I'm an expert, but I do know quite abit regarding the subject and have learned some neat tricks on how to do it the best way possible. USE PROJECTORS!!! For one. Proper aiming of lights, even with projectors, you need to make sure your not blinding people. Also, don't use anything higher then 6k bulbs. IMO just too blue. I have been pulled over quite a few times for having other blue lights on my vehicle back when, and now with HID systems being blue, you may have noticed that you don't see them as often as you used to. Or if you have them, just be ready to get pulled over for it.
The government is cracking down on HID headlights, and by not doing it the most proper way you can, your just asking to get a ticket for improper aiming, blinding oncoming traffic, miscolored bulbs or illegal lighting!!! So, again, just TRY to do it the best way possible.
I am just trying to help everyone out there who has, or may be thinking about installing HID system into there halogen headlights!! Not an expert, just trying to help.

 

[DenaliAK]

Just a disclaimer:

While Daniel Stern does have a lot of good information and knows his stuff, he also has a vested interest in keeping HID's off the roads. He sells non-HID lamps and lighting from his website as well as consults for the government on vehicle lighting issues, where his findings often are in conjunction with what he sells.

I totally agree that he provides valuable information and highly recommend anyone considering HID's read from his website, especially when it comes to glare issues.

 

[WHITEOUT]

Very good input DenaliAK. I don't agree with everything Daniel Stern has to say, and your right, he is pretty much against HID systems. Again, I have HID's in my ride, so not at all trying to tell people not to install them in there vehicles. But like you said, as far as glare issues go, that is the biggest problem with HID's in halogen headlight housings, and should always be addressed when installing HID's in vehicles. And hate when I get nailed by someone with misaligned HID headlights, so just wanted to help out. Again, just threw it up here for information sake, ya know.

 

[rigo_jones]

just retro your headlights with a 55w hid.

 

[BlizzardX23]

thehoe92 has HIDs in his stock housings...with no projectors or cut off...I was driving in front of him...his headlights didnt bother me even 1%....this whole HID vs. Stock Housings/Reflectors has become old real fast..

Whiteout, this reply has nothing to do with you...so dont think Im aiming it at you at all lol..

but seriously....so many people have installed HIDs in their non-HID housings...and I drive at night...they have never been an issue...the ONLY people that are complaining about them being an issue are the same ones that cry about people wearing fur, people standing outside abortion clinics, and the people that say your evil because you eat meat...they have NOTHING better to do then complain....and this guy finds FACTs about reflection issues...thats true...but you can do that about anything...I can find FACTS as to why driving a motorcycle is SAFER then driving a GM SUV...

I've NEVER IN MY LIFE been blinded by some ricer with HIDs...or even thehoe92 with his HIDs...to me, this is dumb bs...just to get a rise outta people...

Unless someone wants to chime in and tell me I have super eyes because Im some super human..(which would be STUPID)...my eyes are just as normal as anyone elses and they dont bother me...chances are, if they bother you, your one of the people listed above...

---------- Post added at 08:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:20 PM ----------

btw...I've been meaning to tell you in a few other posts...your truck is sick as hell with all the white

 

[thehoe92]

I found myself looking in my rear view when I was driving in front of blizzard just because his headlights looked so sick but not blinding one bit.

its all in the aiming!

 

[Eagle]

well, I do have to ask...

Were YOU in an SUV also?

Tahoe headlights are WAY brighter and more 'glare-ey' if you are in a normal height vehicle, like a car. Ford Pickup headlights don't bother me in the Tahoe... but in a car they will burn your eyes out. I've had to put on sunglasses at night when an f250 is behind me at a stop light.


blizzard, you are 22. your eyes and my eyes are NOT remotely the same.
At age 22 I never had any problem seeing thru glare, ignoring glare etc either. Even up to age 30 or so, I never understood what all the hubbub was about. In the last 2-3 years I have experienced it.Your eyes adjust rapidly, mine no longer do.
That means glare blinds me with light, and then blinds me with darkness.

 

[DenaliAK]

Just to add to the debate, glare probably isn't an issue for most people in their teens through mid-30's.

It can be a huge issue for older people, people with existing eye trouble, glaucoma, bad night vision, bad depth perception, etc.

It may not be an issue to you, Blizzard, and that's all fine and good, but that's also a really selfish way to look at it. Glare does effect some people's vision. It's not even an argument or debate, it's a fact.

Edit: I didn't read all of Eagle's post, which I should have, because we said basically the same thing. Didn't mean to be redundant.

 

[Rivieraracing]

Very true about the height of the ride you are riding in to whether the glare is worse or not, stock looks alot brighter in my commuter Jetta as opposed to driving my denali because of the height difference! Not all non projectors HID's are blinding to me though, the aiming does make a huge difference, especially for those driving in cars staring at them in oncoming traffic! I have excellent sight still and every once in a while someones HID non projector ride will bug me, almost blind me! I'm thinking most of them don't bug me because my eyes are still good and probably alot of them are aimed just right!
I love my HID's in my denali and was going to put a set in my Jetta but I don't want to deal with getting brighted because of them and possibly blinding another driver!

 

[Tahoe03mm]

I bought projectors to make it better, the problem is in order to meet DOT standards they need to be self leveling style to prevent blinding. I think it's dumb that all cars don't come with HID. It'd probably cost them an extra $50 during the assembly process though lol.