The real question is: Is the side cutoff still better than stock? Or does stock lighting beat it in that scenario?
As a follow up to my earlier posts since I only had experience on Seattle residential streets:
I drove to Astoria, OR this past weekend where I was driving in the dark on unlit roads through the forest and the lights performed wonderfully. Absolutely, without a doubt, 100% better than OEM halogens.
Again, the side cut off is a noticeable
thing from the drivers seat, but I never felt that anything of importance was unlit due to the cut off, including cross streets and intersections. The areas that can only be seen through the front side windows showed as much light coverage as the OEM halogens, but much better lit. It's just an area that doesn't really matter, so I don't quite understand what all the hooplah is about, especially from the people that haven't actually even purchased them.
High beams performed very well in the dark sections as well, equal to or better than OEM.
And as always: my disclaimer is that I came from OEM halogen lights, not HIDs, so my view is only relative to OEM lighting.
I'm perfectly happy with the purchase of these both in aesthetics and performance. And no, I'm not the type of person to praise a product just because I spent money on it to save face. I don't give enough of a **** about my own ego to care that much. I just think "reviews" from the people that haven't actually tried them are irrelevant. Luckily, that's what RMAs are for.