HID globes

[Noel]

Anybody tried these HID kits on Ebay they look OK and the price is good
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290198807001&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=290197414779&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget

[jcarter]

i think problem with HID and our hilux's is that our lense's are plastic (Polycarbonate perhaps), so they are not very suitable to HID as they can melt AFAIk

[Noel]

I actually thought HID put off very little heat that was there advantage as well as heaps more light but i am not sure any one out there know and what sort of globe is is the hilux, maybe i will try them and let everyone know the results
Noel

[9W6VX]

Guys,

From what I know, our headlamp lenses cannot use high wattage bulbs due to it's non glass construction. So with the 60/55w H4 bulbs, I use the best that I can find which are the +50 bulbs. Philips also has a +70 called the Extreme if I am not mistaken.

HID's do not use high wattage and I think they are on 35W only or something like that. So, HID's will fit our headlamp lenses.HID's are also cheap nowadays but they are the China imports.

a)I have not changed to HID's due to the white lighting which I think makes it difficult to see the road in inclement weather. They do look good when you meet HID installed cars up front.

b) I am worried about the glare from the HID's especially the cheap China imports. I get pissed at times from the boy racers on their saloons/hatchbacks who use HID's. I did notice that if the HID's are original on the vehicle (read expensive vehicle), they generally do not cause glare to oncoming drivers.

My 2 cents.

Cheers

Brendon

[WTF]

I think part of the issue with HID's is from memory the ADRs require them to be "self leveling". This is certainly the case in our Subaru and would be the reason why cars that come with them standard don't seem to give off the glare.

Cheers
Rob

[Tonym]

The polycarbonate lense is not a problem as most Euros use them as does Subaru. HID does not have to be self leveling except if you have height adjustable suspension. You do have to have headlight washers though as this is required under ADRs. Phillips make a very good xenon globe in the H4 and they come with a balast kit and are plug and play fit. If the Headlights are adjusted correctly the glare should not be an issue to oncoming cars. Ideally though HIDs are best used in a projector light rather than a reflector light

[9W6VX]

Tonym,

Care to tell me what is the difference between a projector and a reflector light?

Thanks

Brendon

[redbeard]

Very simplistically put, I understand it like this.
Reflector lights (most) have a globe that shines back (towards the car) and is reflected forward off the mirrored housing. There is no light that goes from the globe forwards. The shape of the light is determined by the curve of the mirror or the lens.
Projector lights shine directly forwards from the globe. I am not sure how the shape is determined.

[Tonym]

Projector headlights are a system that uses the same lens technology as a film projector that throws a image on to a wall in the cinema or your lounge room. If you look at the headlight you will see a round lens (you cannot see the bulb) that is the projector and it will project the stream of light onto the road in a much more controled beam giving a more defined vision area. Reflectors are what is in the Hilux, look at the headlight and you will see the globe sticking out of a shiny chrome background that reflects the light forward. Bi Xenon projector technology is the most popular choice for the luxury market cars such as BMW Audi and Mercs. It is being used more often now with halogen bulbs on cheaper high volume cars ie Aurion and Commodore V series, Mazda etc. The next wave of lighting tech will be LED type that is currently being used on some of the newer supercars like Ferrari and Lambos and Audi A8

[9W6VX]

Guys,

Thanks for the replies.

Cheers

Brendon