HID's

[Swainey32]

lol love reading this,

I'm not one to say yay or nay to a mod unless it's done in an average way, but I think HID's have no place on the roads what so ever, the amount of times a euro 4WD has been behind me at night and I have to flick my mirror as it's to damn bright.
It may be auto levelling, but it's still higher than me so I'm going to get blinded.
And then there's the commodore crew and JDM club who rock out HID's on reflectors.

I think on a low car, your going to have a lot more tolerance for blinding people, but I just think the availability of HID kits mean any douche can go and buy a kit and install it incorrectly.

Although I love how much you can see with HID's, I just don't think they have a place for traffic and inclined roads. Country use I think would be fine when you only see one person every 10 minutes, and there's the high risk of livestock and wildlife popping out when your doing 100km/h, but that's the only justification I can see for HID's.

[Wighty654]

I don't get why so many people hate the lights, just about every new model of euro car has HID headlights. There is a reason the people that are paid large sums of money to design cars have chosen HID for them...

[Swainey32]

Well it's obviously because they have far superior light output compared to halogen globes, and if your buying a decent car, you expect decent lights. The technology is there, so they are going to use it.

I'm not against HID's, they are available and are a superior product, but there's so many variables in correct light output, and the height of the vehicles itself.

I've had X5's, AMGs etc behind me, all of which would have advanced design teams, but I still get blinded with every bump, every incline, every decline.

Will they ever ban them, no
Are there better than halogen, yes
Is there still issues on the light pattern and output they produce, yes

Greater light output, greater glare factor
Sharp light cutoff's to prevent light scatter causes flashing on bumps
In 2009 London recorded 365 road accidents due to HID dazzling, three fatal
Older citizens suffer from an increase in light scatter within their retena, and HID lights are associated with decreased recognition of pedestrians and road hazards.

Like I said previously, they are better, a lot better, but I still don't think they are road safe.

[Golf-Sam]

i am confused as to why this thread has become a discussion board regarding the legality of products .. technically .. most of the cars on the forum are classified as illegal .. your spacers aren' legal .. any one that is running coilovers is illegal .. them fitted wheels ? yup .. illegal ..

im sensing a double standard .. which i do find disturbing ..

regarding the safe use of HID's .. i've been dazzled by halogen bulbs on reflectors more than i have with HID's.
each product has its pros and cons .. you can get blinded by any poorly aimed set of lights ..
as for the "Getting blinked on bumps" that happens with any projector headlight .. whether it is HIDs or Halogen ..
i just cant understand the logic here ..

Sam

[Swainey32]

As I said previously, "I'm not against HID's, they are available and are a superior product"
I'd be fairly happy if my new car was fitted with HID's as standard as the light output is an amazing upgrade.
My point was more directed to the availability of the HID kits, and the potential hazard.

I never had a go at wighty, as i don't know the quality of he's install and it would be a double standard for me to judge what I have not seen. By the description it sounds like he is more conscious of the potential blinding factor than those driving factory fitted, and is probably proactive in correctional measures to ensure he isn't one of the problems associated with HID's.

I just think there is a lot of variables making them dangerous with their higher light output.In saying that, there should be policing on all headlights that don't comply, where I live there are large sections of roads with no lighting, and yet I see people most weeks driving with one parker or low beam globe working and the rest blown, absolutely crazy, not much warning for the night time kangaroo's.
I replace mine and my partners globes every 12 months, as that's the recommended time before reduced light output.

I don't think they should be banned, as that would be a backwards step in technology. I only stipulate they don't have a place on our urban roads as I still think there is some engineering design to be done before they are perfect, but we aren't in a perfect world. I also think if your install complies with HID standards they should be permitted on older vehicles after passing a road worthy check. My only qualm with HID's being the hazard they produce by being available to every joe blow, and the variables such as vehicles height which affect others driving experiences.

[JustCruisn]

Why the arguement? Simple, I told the fella his HIDs were silly and he took offence and is trying to argue that he knows better than the law (created due to expert on the subject and based on real cases) and his lights are safe.
He has heard it all before and is quite frankly sick of it, but still puts in his 2 bits, while telling others to not express their opinion.

I guess if it had gone a bit like "yes I know my lights are illegal, and I've knowingly created a danger for other road users, but I dont want to discuss it ", the thread would probably have come to an end on page 1.

Its all covered here Why you can't LEGALLY retrofit HID lights to your non HID car....

Sorry guys I just don't like unsafe cars on the road. Yes my car is modified, but legal and had been over the pits in QLD, and passed roadside inspections as well.

[Wighty654]

Sorry guys I just don't like unsafe cars on the road. Yes my car is modified, but legal and had been over the pits in QLD, and passed roadside inspections as well.

As has mine, It is perfectly safe. I live in Tasmania, there is a lot of unlit roads with some tight corners so I want to be able to see them before I'm on top of them, hence the big light output.

Lets just agree to disagree as I know I'm not going to change your mind and I also know I'm not going to remove my HID's unless I'm told to by police, in which case I would be happy to.

[Wighty654]

Also if anyone else is actually looking for HID ballasts try
fishcake321 | eBay.

He sells the parts as well as the units.

[Golf-Sam]

i suppose to each their own .. good talk boys

[Wighty654]

On a slightly different topic, does anyone know a reliable source for the blend air motor for a bora, part number 1j2907511a.
I can find used ones from the uk on ebay but I dont really want to risk used and would prefer new. Good quality but not bothered about genuine or not.
Thanks.