I un-installed my HID low beam kit. Here's why.

[trey99ek]

I'm going to get destroyed over this but I have a xenon depot kit I put in my 08 after I bought it. After 7 years on the road I think I was flashed once or twice but that was after I lifted my 4unner so I re aimed them and was never flashed again.

 

[flatspin]

I have the bulbs in my non-lifted 2014 and was very worried about blinding other drivers. After putting them in, I paid very close attention to the cut off and how high it hits on other cars. I've also asked my wife (Sienna) and daughter (Sonata) after following them at night and neither of them had any issues.

I've also asked friends after following them at night (Honda Accord) and a (Dodge something car) and neither of them had issues.

I've also never been flashed.

If anyone has a light/lux meter here around Austin, we could do a quick test to see the amount of light above cut-off before and after as I still have the old bulbs in my glovebox.

 

[00Sebby]

I kind of lump these hid kits into the automotive category of "mine is bigger than yours". I admit if done properly with proper aiming and no beam scatter it is a great mod. However, around here most people just do it for the look-at-me factor. So we have big trucks/suvs/jeeps lifted 6-8", giant wheels sticking out 4-6" from the fenders, with crap hid conversions, alien-eyes, led fogs and light bars, often all on during the day and too many on at night. Half of them are "rolling coal" at every opportunity. We also have thousands of old Hondas, etc that have crap eBay hids in regular housings that project a fog of blinding glare to everyone. Apparently that's what you do when you drive an old piece of crap. Tennessee LEOs could care less if a car has any working lights or not as you will see the same cars everyday with no functioning brake lights, a missing headlight or whatever. I guess they look at the too-bright lights as better than nothing.

Anyway, to me it is all very cliche and unless I can do a proper retrofit there is no way I will do hid conversion on any vehicle. I applaud the OP for taking out a bad install. I applaud those that have done good installs, IF they have really done so. I think too many people say "look at that cutoff on the garage door... I'm good to go". I know the cars I have had with factory hids had auto-leveling. I haven't seen a conversion include that feature which does have a purpose.

 

[FORErunner911]

Just an opinion

OP: agree with you 100%. In my younger days I did an HID conversion on a mercedes with halogen projectors and ended up taking them out. While the light output was better it was scattered and I was blinding people.... Overall it was just a bad experience. Probably some user error involved but my skillset likely represents the majority of people doing the mod.

Now that I just got a 4R ill be doing a full xenon projector retrofit with HID's by a reputable installer. If interested Ill post photos. Work is being done next week, cant wait.

Happy modding,
FR911

 

[proimion]

I have the same kit, when adjusted to the max legal height they are too bright for oncoming traffic, if you adjust the drivers side down it is not in their eyes.

When I first got mine I spent a lot of time measuring and aiming, however despite the cutoff being where it was "supposed to be" they were still too bright for oncoming traffic (I also confirmed this by driving by my vehicle). Through trial and error I kept adjusting the drivers side down until I could drive by my truck in my wife's fairly low Volvo without issue and I have had no flashing from other drivers after making that adjustment. I keep a screwdriver in the console in case I get flashed again and need to tweak more.

All that being said, I wish there was a lower setting for driving around town and can't understand how anyone uses the higher wattage kit they sell. I've also considered removing mine, but the stock bulbs felt unsafe I'm some situations (for example driving down unlit roads through woods in deer season when there is just enough traffic thatch can't use brights but not enough that I'm benefiting from other headlights, I couldn't see far enough ahead to be comfortable above 45mph)

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

This is the effort it takes for HIDs in these projectors. I applaud you for doing it this way. I didn't want to do the follow-on work, which is why I pulled 'em.

 

[e60ral]

I don't know enough about how HID ballasts work, but if there was a kit that had a low power mode (so that you could have low-low beam, normal-low beam, and high beams), I would be willing to spend a pretty decent amount on it.

 

[philsey]

I don't know enough about how HID ballasts work, but if there was a kit that had a low power mode (so that you could have low-low beam, normal-low beam, and high beams), I would be willing to spend a pretty decent amount on it.

If you're willing to spend "a pretty decent amount" on it, just get a retrofit done using OEM hid/projector bi-xenon lights. It's been done already on a Gen 5.5 ... search awhile ... there's a thread ... maybe someone knows right off where it is? Done right, using oem lights, you will not be sorry.

BTW, "ballasts" are not the solution (because they are not the problem).

 

[Doc_Fry]

whatever floats your boat, I have no dog in this fight.

Appariently you do. As nothing you have done or shown me has said otherwise. While everything I have said or shown you does? Is that unreasonable to rethink your stance


My point still stands that even though everyone may not agree and the OP has his own right to try and remove if he didnt like the so calle side effects of having the lights or what extra work is required to get them right. There are those who do use them properly and see an advantage from them. Then there is the third group those who care less and do it only for showing off.

I love the bantar and arguing with an LEO over whether his local statue is interpreted by him correctly. As he states there is case law in many of these circustances that do indeed provide clearer insight for thise who wish the devulge themselves into it. The only time I go pulled over was for my fog lights in in my Mitusbishi GSX. But, he ended givjng me a warning. It was only a fishing expedition looking for something that I have never done nor will. Your mileage will vary.

To the OP putting them for sale in the forum will undoubtably help you to get some of your finances back.

 

[Victor_inox]

Appariently you do. As nothing you have done or shown me has said otherwise. While everything I have said or shown you does? Is that unreasonable to rethink your stance


My point still stands that even though everyone may not agree and the OP has his own right to try and remove if he didnt like the so calle side effects of having the lights or what extra work is required to get them right. There are those who do use them properly and see an advantage from them. Then there is the third group those who care less and do it only for showing off.

I love the bantar and arguing with an LEO over whether his local statue is interpreted by him correctly. As he states there is case law in many of these circustances that do indeed provide clearer insight for thise who wish the devulge themselves into it. The only time I go pulled over was for my fog lights in in my Mitusbishi GSX. But, he ended givjng me a warning. It was only a fishing expedition looking for something that I have never done nor will. Your mileage will vary.

To the OP putting them for sale in the forum will undoubtably help you to get some of your finances back.

Modifying your headlights is illegal in all 50 states, I believe that is true, you don`t. Fine with me. where do you see a dog in this?

 

[07V8]

Modifying your headlights is illegal in all 50 states, I believe that is true, you don`t. Fine with me. where do you see a dog in this?

Thanks Ranger Dave. I've had my HIDs for 8 months and have yet to be flashed because they're properly aimed.

 

[e60ral]

If you're willing to spend "a pretty decent amount" on it, just get a retrofit done using OEM hid/projector bi-xenon lights. It's been done already on a Gen 5.5 ... search awhile ... there's a thread ... maybe someone knows right off where it is? Done right, using oem lights, you will not be sorry.

BTW, "ballasts" are not the solution (because they are not the problem).

i've seen it done in builds, but each looks pretty custom

if there is a certain kit or company i'd definitely be interested. The adaptive bi-xenons was the only option I wouldn't negotiate on the BMW

 

[Victor_inox]

Thanks Ranger Dave. I've had my HIDs for 8 months and have yet to be flashed because they're properly aimed.

It`s irrelevant, still illegal.

 

[CF_Machete]

Modifying your headlights is illegal in all 50 states, I believe that is true, you don`t. Fine with me. where do you see a dog in this?

Even if what your saying is true, light bulbs burn out and need to be replaced. If you do not drill your dust covers and simply use an HID bulb, you have not modified your lights.

BTW, in the north east, you'll be hard pressed to find a vehicle on the road without HID or LED headlights. Also, it wouldn't be the first time a law, federal or other wise was not enforced.

Insert political jab. Suggestions: Weed, immigration, ect...

 

[simple]

Enforced or not doesn`t matter, nobody enforce tint laws in Colorado, but it`s still the law.
People here have to understand that I don`t care how you break the law, i really don`t. have a handful of pennies for people blinding me.
Next time you catch penny in your windshield think why that could be.

You sound like a general *******.

 

[CF_Machete]

Enforced or not doesn`t matter, nobody enforce tint laws in Colorado, but it`s still the law.
People here have to understand that I don`t care how you break the law, i really don`t. have a handful of pennies for people blinding me.
Next time you catch penny in your windshield think why that could be.

Really? You would throw pennies at someone you don't know, with no idea what kind of day they had or what they have in their glove box or under their seat? Thats just crazy.

I don't carry weapons of any kind in my vehicle, that said a buddy of mine was moving and had a lot of his apartment odds and ends crammed into his supra. He inadvertently cut some guy off, who then followed him for 10 minute; finally cornering him in a cul-de-sac. The other dude storms out of his vehicle with a tire iron. My bud pulled out a decorative katana that he had packed between the driver seat and the door.

Well the other dude went pail as a ghost, got back in his car and drove off.

Illegal as hell but it happened.

You have no idea what sort of psycho's are out their. Personally I don't want to find out. Especially not over ****ing light bulbs.

 

[Victor_inox]

Really? You would throw pennies at someone you don't know, with no idea what kind of day they had or what they have in their glove box or under their seat? Thats just crazy.

I don't carry weapons of any kind in my vehicle, that said a buddy of mine was moving and had a lot of his apartment odds and ends crammed into his supra. He inadvertently cut some guy off, who then followed him for 10 minute; finally cornering him in a cul-de-sac. The other dude storms out of his vehicle with a tire iron. My bud pulled out a decorative katana that he had packed between the driver seat and the door.

Well the other dude went pail as a ghost, got back in his car and drove off.

Illegal as hell but it happened.

You have no idea what sort of psycho's are out their. Personally I don't want to find out. Especially not over ****ing light bulbs.

that's a beauty of it, you don`t know what really and what not.
I see your katana and beat it with a gun I always carry in my ride.
now what? should we start a war?ainkiller: or perhaps we all should obey the law in the first place.
If some of you ignorant enough to endanger others completely disregarding laws it`s your choice. but don`t be surprised when you suffer the consequences.

 

[CF_Machete]

that's a beauty of it, you don`t know what really and what not.
I see your katana and beat it with a gun I always carry in my ride.
now what? should we start a war?ainkiller: or perhaps we all should obey the law in the first place.
If some of you ignorant enough to endanger others completely disregarding laws it`s your choice. but don`t be surprised when you suffer the consequences.

I see your gun and beat it with a brief case nuc... end game:rofl: Illegal or not... pick your battles. You can be right and you can also be dead right.

 

[07V8]

Enforced or not doesn`t matter, nobody enforce tint laws in Colorado, but it`s still the law.
People here have to understand that I don`t care how you break the law, i really don`t. have a handful of pennies for people blinding me.
Next time you catch penny in your windshield think why that could be.

Do you ever drive above the speed limit? If you do, you're endangering others on the road because that's the law.

You sound like a PITA to be around.

 

[Victor_inox]

I see your gun and beat it with a brief case nuc... end game:rofl: Illegal or not... pick your battles. You can be right and you can also be dead right.

yet I`m still alive.:music:

 

[e60ral]

so glad to learn that none of you ever exceed the speed limit or remove tags from mattresses