killer HIDs

[urq]

... this is a bit of overdramatized generalization if you ask me.  Even 
*baggy* old halogen bulbs can be dangerous to oncoming traffic if the 
headlights are not adjusted properly.  As long as the source of the bright 
light is in the same place as the filament of the original incandescent 
bulb, and the headlights are correctly adjusted I don't buy the argument 
that the HID conversion kits are inherently dangerous.  The caveat I have is 
that anyone considering an HID conversion should not expect to see a change 
in the illumination pattern to match some of the factory installed HID 
systems with self adjusters and projection optics ... your fancy new HID 
bulbs will still have to work through the same oxidized reflectors and 
pitted lenses the halogens used ...

Last time I checked the NHTSA site they were soliciting opinions [READ: 
complaints] about factory installed HID headlamps ... I don't think there's 
that much more on the "upgrade" kits for the incandescants ...

I believe the original poster was describing this as somewhat of a science 
project ... and from my point of view one of the validations the project 
would entail would be to have someone else drive your car one way down a 
dark back road while you approach from the other direction in another car 
... and evaluate for yourself whether or not there is excess stray light 
coming from the HID-equipped buckets ... if so, the experiment would be 
deemed a failure.

So, I say ... please do go ahead and try them out ... and feed back the 
results of your experiment to the list.  I have been trying to remain 
abreast of the latest in HID and LED headlight news in the hopes that I'd be 
ready to make the switch once that project hits the top of the priority list 
...

Steve B
San Jose, CA (USA)
>
> Don't, please dont. At least if you do tell me what state you live in so I
> can remember to bring welding goggles with me if I ever drive there at
> night. Those kits are good for 2 things: They do a great job of lighting 
> the
> road, and its a killer way to get away with murder by claiming "I didn't
> know I was blinding them as they drove towards me, I swear. I watched them
> drive over the ciff with my awesome lighting!".