HIDs are not for me. I'm getting a refund.

[warren_cox]

True. Its quite often Audi's that I notice, even at dawn/dusk its distracting, at night its much worse.

I have noticed the lights are astonishgly good, and i can manage significantly greater speeds in the Audi on an unlit 'b road', than I could in the LCR with OE lights (which were a bit of a weak point). Does make me wonder if I can see that much how bright are they?

 

[TDiCupraChris]

I hope there's a crackdown on badly adjusted HID's/ Xenons soon, I'm sick of being dazzled by oncoming traffic especially on the motorway.

Maybe a complete bans in order, I can't see why anyone needs lights that bright, if they become standard accross ranges night driving will be a nightmare.

How do you get dazzled by oncoming traffic on a motorway
I have just fitted my ultimate kit from HIDS4u, I went for the 6000k anti glare bulbs, I have just driven 200 miles on A class roads and motorways, never been flashed once, there is nothing wrong with HIDS if they are fitted properly and aligned correctly, all this dazzling talk and too much glare is mainly down to cheap kits that are fitted badlywhich gives the rest of us a bad name

 

[LWCARAB]

I don't take the habit of driving with my fog lights on but really don't have a problem with peopel that do, they are sharply angled to the floor so can not blind you except possibly at the top of a steep hill. I'd rather be able to see a car coming the opposite way than not and fog lights are certainly good at that.

 

[Nath.]

Its not front behind but oncoming foglights, most are almost as bright as full beams as after all they are designed to be used when its foggy

Correct, front foglight bulbs are 55w the same as dipped beam but the reflectors spread the light in a way that keeps the beam very low to cut under your dipped beam and therefore the fog too.

 

[Nath.]

I would rather have the fashion statement person with front fogs on than the half wits that drive about in the rain/half light with no lights on at all. Whats wrong with these people, surely all the other cars driving in the other direction with their lights on is a bit of a clue

 

[Altech]

There's an old myth that goes around in south London. It's a gang initiation thing, basically the guy or girl being initiated has to drive a car around....at night...with no lights on. The first person that flashes them to tell them to put their lights on they have to kill that person

So watch out if you're ever driving around London at night

 

[ChrisMansell]

Ye, I heard about that gang initiation thing too. . .

I think there's a clear split in this arguement.

1. The people, like me, who think retro-fit HIDs are too bright and can "dazzle" you (see explanation of dazzle below)

2. The people that like their HIDs a LOT because they can see clearly at night, like the sun is shining, and are in denial that their lights are too bright.


dazzle: a few people have said on here "how can you be dazzled??" because their lights are aligned properly, or are "expensive kits" and the projected light can be seen clearly on the road, and not in drivers' faces

this talk about "expensive kits" is really annoying. just because they cost more, they're not going to emit different light patterns!!! they are still too f***ing bright!!!

what I mean by dazzled and perhaps what other people mean is: not BLINDED so you can't see. just that if you look directly at the headlights in question (doesn't matter from which angle because the light unit is extremely bright - it doesn't have to be directly in the beam) even for a second, and then you look away, you will be left with an 'imprint' for lack of a better word, of the lights in your vision for a few seconds.

for example, if you look at the sun for a second then look away, you don't have 100% clear vision at whatever you are now looking at.

NOW. you could say "don't look directly at them then" . . . my point is there should not be vehicles on the road that you have a avoid looking at. I think they are blatently a problem or no-one would be saying anything.

someone earlier (when defending HIDs) commented that they are often dazzled from behind from the likes of Porsches and Mercedes. . . . well they are OEM with projector headlights so if they dazzle you think what Leons with GIANT reflectors do to people!!!

 

[lc_allan]

Chris I've had mine fitted in non projector lights for about 18 months and I swear I have not been flashed once because of them. They passed an MOT first time with no adjustments so must have been ok. The difference between them on a (Mk1) is like erm...night and day.
Also I don't know how people get dazzled by oncoming lights , do people drive around and stare at oncoming headlights?. You only need your peripheral vision to detect headlights so you know the basic outline of the car and where it might be in the road. You don't have to look at them directly to work out if the oncoming car is anywhere in your way. Well I don't anyway but maybe I'm sort of driving god who'll attempt to drive blindfolded on my next journey

 

[seremotors]

'someone earlier (when defending HIDs) commented that they are often dazzled from behind from the likes of Porsches and Mercedes. . . . well they are OEM with projector headlights so if they dazzle you think what Leons with GIANT reflectors do to people!!! '

I know exactly what my lights look like as I have driven my wife's car with her behind me in mine - I was not dazzled anywhere close to some OE units

 

[Jon TDI]

I know exactly what my lights look like as I have driven my wife's car with her behind me in mine - I was not dazzled anywhere close to some OE units

Same here.

 

[ChrisMansell]

I know exactly what my lights look like as I have driven my wife's car with her behind me in mine - I was not dazzled anywhere close to some OE units

I'm really not trying to pick a fight here, especially as you just supplied me with some new wiper blades (EXCELLENT service by the way) but you said 'not dazzled anywhere close to some OE units' implies that you were dazzled, just not as much as some.

therefore I think everyone should stick to what is standard, then no-one could complain.


fair enough, they don't literally blind you, but they are certainly distracting and can cause a slight impairment in your sight for a few second.

I have been known for very poor comparisons throughout my life, but he's my comparison for HIDs:

if someone was to drive about with all their interior lights on and LEDs all over the car, you would not be blinded but distracted and if you're on an unlit road and you look at a bright object, your vision is decreased sufficiently. that's all I'm trying to say. I won't say anything else now. do what you will.

 

[richybigman]

Could always wear sunglasses

 

[andycupra]

totally agree with the thread starter. Putting hids in the standard headlights is wrong.

Projector headlight fine. Standard not.

 

[andycupra]

Also I don't know how people get dazzled by oncoming lights , do people drive around and stare at oncoming headlights?. You only need your peripheral vision to detect headlights so you know the basic outline of the car and where it might be in the road.

Cant agree with that at all.

 

[seremotors]

hey no fighting everyone has a valid opinion and I take on board all you have said. Its definitely a contentious issue, not helped by idiots with poorly fitted units.

 

[lc_allan]

Cant agree with that at all.

You don't have to but I'll only add I have not been blinded by any oncoming cars lights. I don't look directly at them. Unless they are on my side of the road coming straight at me. I will agree if they are behind lighting up your whole mirror though

 

[thestonegate]

Chris I've had mine fitted in non projector lights for about 18 months and I swear I have not been flashed once because of them. They passed an MOT first time with no adjustments so must have been ok. The difference between them on a (Mk1) is like erm...night and day.
Also I don't know how people get dazzled by oncoming lights , do people drive around and stare at oncoming headlights?. You only need your peripheral vision to detect headlights so you know the basic outline of the car and where it might be in the road. You don't have to look at them directly to work out if the oncoming car is anywhere in your way.

Agreed as above, not been dazzled either, where I come from we have no street lights at all, its total darkness everywhere, I personally don't have them fitted, but I have been looking into it.

 

[SpursMadDave]

I think the general opinion is if you MUST have them then at least get a decent kit and make sure they are well fitted....

I can see ABSOLUTELY no reason at all for using fog lights though unless its actually foggy, hopefully there WILL be a crackdown on those and fines/points....

 

[seremotors]

I dont want to divert attention from my HID's but on lighting in general, my pet hate is rear fogs on needlessly More distracting than dangerous but also a very intense light . .
Oh and is it just me or does driving behind a car with only one brakelight working upset your judgement on braking speed and time

 

[Altech]

I can see ABSOLUTELY no reason at all for using fog lights though unless its actually foggy, hopefully there WILL be a crackdown on those and fines/points....

Nearly every BMW Mini that I see at night has it's foglights on! It doesn't even look good because the fogs are yellowish and the headlights are blueish xenons. Is this a Mini thing? Like how mini drivers wave at each other! However saying that, foglights don't really bother me that much....cheap hids do.