12 replies to this topic

[Muppdog]

Hi

I am not criticising people for wanting to see better in the dark, especially when the original head lights are a bit pants. But it pees me off no end when I am dazzled by other drivers who have used conversion kits in standard head lights. Not only is it very selfish but also illegal in standard reflectors. Head lights are for everybody's safety not only for the user's.

Sorry for being negative about  a potentially good thing. And I know that a lot of cars are fitted with them as standard. But they are type tested and approved. They don't dazzle. The ones that do are the kit fitted lights. The reflectors for the HID have different E marks on them. My police matey pointed that out to me. Its a £30 on the spot fine being caught with them. The Department of Transport web site has got latest info on this.

One should be aware when fitting these.

No doubt  many will try to proof me wrong. Go for it.

 

Spoilsport Rob

[SteveP]

Not going to try to shoot you down Rob. Everyone has they own viewpoint and should feel free to put it across. Dont agree with you but that's what makes good debate. But please can you put this in the forum not here thanks.

[dapleb]

Oi aggrozzle Wob. 

[TeDeum]

I'm not going to argue about the legality of the kits in the UK but they don't have to dazzle. I have a set fitted to my 850 for 5 years and I have never been flashed by an oncoming driver when on dip. When I fitted mine I got the beam set professionally and the dip has the correct pattern with a sharp cut-off. The main beam would dazzle but then so would any main beam if you don't dip. I think you are supposed to dip when you see or anticipate a vehicle coming towards you.

[celticbiker]

I wouldn't dream of correcting you for one simple reason, you're right.
I can however offer some advice on minimizing the problem.
As stated else where I ride about 18000 miles/year at night so have plenty of time to get a good set up on the lighting front so for what it's worth, here's my experience.
you are going to retrofit hid's to reflector type headlights, you must use the correct (r marked) bulbs.
This alone though is not enough, it is essential to replace both bulbs.
The reason for this is that they give out a very different light pattern to a normal bulb.
If you adjust your lights correctly with normal bulbs and then replace them with hid's you will find that they are too high and way too far to the right.
This means that if you mix them or don't re adjust them you will get the dazzle problem.
There's a little table I'd like to type up but I'm on my phone ATM so will do it tomorrow when I get home and add it to this post.

[Rallyist]

I have fitted an HID to my 1954 AJS with a Lucas 7 inch headlamp lens and have no problems with light patterns or dazzle it was set up properly on a headlight alignment checker, it is just down to detail in my opinion

[TYREDNGRUMPEE]

I'm with Rob.

See.

I have to wear welding grade sunglasses tout heures.

[Muppdog]

Hi All

 

sorry about the wrong placement of that post. Will watch it in future.

I don't for a minute doubt that some have got their HIDs set up to not dazzle, but there are many who don't bother or just enjoy their newly acquired light too much. Or they just don't know.

Everybody to their own desire. I just like it done properly. And legally. (Although there must be many other mods that are not strictly legal)

 

Rob

[dmmsta]

I have aftermarket HID fitted to dipped beam

I also agree with your comments.

 

The problem is those out there (mostly Nova, Saxo etc drivers - am I allowed to stereotype so wildly??)

 

As above when time is taken to purchase the correct kit for the job, and then more time taken to ensure that they are setup correctly the problem is all but removed.

 

I can often be heard swearing through my lid at people who have obviously just "slung a couple of HID bulbs in" without any of the setup!  "look at me HID bruv, look good innit"

One can often spot the ones that will dazzle as they tend to be the illigel "blub" colouring...

[celticbiker]

If you adjust your lights correctly with normal bulbs and then replace them with hid's you will find that they are too high and way too far to the right. 
This means that if you mix them or don't re adjust them you will get the dazzle problem.
There's a little table I'd like to type up but I'm on my phone ATM so will do it tomorrow when I get home and add it to this post. 

 

Here's the results of my experience with bulb placement and adjustment.

 

 Selection_001.png   31.3KB   2 downloads

 

 Bulb Adjustment.doc   14.5KB   20 downloads

[dmmsta]

Here's the results of my experience with bulb placement and adjustment.

 

Selection_001.png

 

Bulb Adjustment.doc

Thats interesting.

 

I had an H7R in my low beam, and adjusted accordingly, but never really looked a the pattern of the high beam!

 

I've always leaned away from HID in the high beam due to flash delay...it's ok on the first "flash", but after that it doesn't really "flash" as it's charging the bulb.

I am however looking at installing Aux lights (DRL's and high beam supplements) so this will mitigate the flash delay!

[chrisr]

Mine is fitted to low beam only, passed the mot so presume the adjustment is ok?

[dmmsta]

Mine is fitted to low beam only, passed the mot so presume the adjustment is ok?

I think the MOT alignment check is for dipped only (but could well be wrong).

 

Based on Celtic's comments dipped may be well aligned, but the high beam is doing next to nothing - may not be noticable on yours because of the additional spots???