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Re: HIDs



Graydon D. Stuckey wrote:

> On Sun, 8 Aug 1999, Wolff wrote:
>
> > Having driven with the Euros on my '91 200 and the new Golf projector
> > headlights I see no need for HID other than coolness factor. Having
> > heard that the color temperature of the HID's (blueish) is actually not
> > as good as incandecsent in inclimate weather, I'll stay with Euros or
> > the new projectors.
>
> There's the colour issue.  HIDs have more light in a different frequency
> than halogens, and the result is that they tend to reflect off moisture
> less than halogen light.  That means that they are better in inclement
> weather, and fog, and even in relatively clear weather, they show better
> definition of objects on the road.  I'll take HIDs anyday even at a hefty
> premium.
>
> Later,
> Graydon D. Stuckey
> '91 V8 Quattro 5-speed          '86 Mazda RX7 TII+2
> I have a new exhaust systems webpage - check it out at...
> http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Factory/8023/index.html

  I agree with Wolff.  Sorry I don't agree about the merits of HID. I have
converted my 91  20v turbo 200 to euro lights and my wife has a 99 A6 with
HID lights. The HID lights make the euro lights seem dim by comparison, but
that's where the benefit ends. The HID lights skim along the road at about 36
inches off the ground with no diffusion. They are brillaint where they shine
but they cut off with a razor sharp line to pitch blackness. Any bump, hill,
curve,  or change in acceleration or braking changes the angle of the lights
. On the curvy roads around here I have entered downhill corners with
mailboxes and garbage cans in full view only to have them completely
disappear form view momentarily. Imagine my fear of deer! My wife and I both
much prefer the euro lights. I am going to exchange the pathetic little fog
lights in  the A6 for PIAA 1200 dichroic lights (which have the same wattage
and dimensions) so that we can have safe backroad lighting. After 20,000
miles of driving over the last 7 months you can count us as unimpressed with
HID lights.