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Bright headlights under review

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Originally posted by: skace
Dude those things are so fvcking bright. I've almost crashed due to some asshat driving up behind me with those and blinding the sh!t outa me. If there was one thing I hate about driving, it would be those lights. Now, yes, they could be incorrectly aligned, but isn't part of getting your car registered and inspected a headlight alignment? I thought it was, they realign mine. So assuming these cars are getting aligned correctly, I have nothing else to blame but the headlights themselves. If these cars arn't being aligned properly, then that needs to be resolved because those lights are dangerous.
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I'll take a state without those inspections any day. If you drive an older car, you can plan on coughing up about a grand to fix problems only they see.
 
Originally posted by: Ikonomi
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
I dont have a problems with HID, as long as they are aligned. The aftermarket HID that are installed on non HID headlight systems should be illegal, they are blinding.

I use teh Sylvania Cool Blue, and no complaints from them. I used to use the Silverstars, but they burnt out. In the rain the HID systems show the road much better than my headlights.
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They are illegal, but it's rarely enforced. 🙁

I have factory-installed HID projectors. That is the only way to go. IMHO, those cheap non-projector HIDs suck. Acura puts them in a lot of their vehicles. Those are the ones that blind people, along with aftermarkets that use glass designed forhalogens.
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Good point about the Acuras. The 3.2TL used HIDs in a reflector, but I don't think I've ever had a problem looking at them on the road. If they're aimed properly I guess it's okay.
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I agree, I think alot of the problems people have with HIDs came from Lexus/Acura because they used those refractor hids instead of projectors. I used to drive a IS300 with refractor HIDs and on coming traffic would flash their high beams at me all the time. I saw a is300 on the road a while back and it really is annoying when those lights are in oncoming traffic. Luckly I don't think Lexus and Acura uses refractor lights anymore, my tsx has projectors and I haven't had a single highbeam flashed at me.

My real problem with blinding headlights comes from SUVs and trucks because those head lights are just shine right into my car and the light gets reflected back to my eyes by my mirrors. I especially hate the small di*ked jerks with raised pickups because they never re-aim their lights.
 
Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
I'll take a state without those inspections any day. If you drive an older car, you can plan on coughing up about a grand to fix problems only they see.
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I do drive an older car (93?) and I don't pay a grand to fix any problems.
 
if they can be tuned down a notch in intensity, that would be great. They are very distracting to other drivers.

If they are being heralded for safety reasons, there's a worse problem here... people who are unable to notice regular headlights need their eyes checked.
 
I assume the ones I've been encountering in Lexus and Mercedes vehicles are stock, not added in. They're blinding. With the Cadallic SUVs I wouldn't doubt they've been added on aftermarket like the 20 inch wheels and 20 series tires. They're blinding. The headlights too.

 
While driving, I just close my eyes for 10 seconds until I'm passed the bright light car. So far its worked for me.
 
Originally posted by: iversonyin
I put my shades on while driving at night...so far its worked for me
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I don't know how you do it... I go through tunnels and have my sunglasses still on... can barely see anything.
 
I would like to see everyone that owns one beaten and the creater jailed up with Michael Moore for the rest of their natural lives.
 
I think they're awesome. My car (2002 Maxima) has them stock, and I love it. It's amazing what a difference it is to go from my wife's car ( 96 Mustang) with regular headlights, to my car. It's literally like night and day.

I agree though that the aftermarket one's are a problem. The factory installed one's are great, however.
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: psiu
Don't like em. ESPECIALLY on big SUV's and trucks which put the lights at about eye level for anyone in a car.
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All vehicles should have their headlamps aimed to the same distance, meaning that SUVs have their headlamps aimed at a great angle downwards from the factory. I have never, not once, been blinded by a factory HID and I drive a very small and low car.
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Regardless of where they're aimed, at some point closer to the vehicle the light is still higher, and it's high enough to make a difference for people in cars.
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: psiu
Don't like em. ESPECIALLY on big SUV's and trucks which put the lights at about eye level for anyone in a car.
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All vehicles should have their headlamps aimed to the same distance, meaning that SUVs have their headlamps aimed at a great angle downwards from the factory. I have never, not once, been blinded by a factory HID and I drive a very small and low car.
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I've got a 2004 Acura TL with projector HID's that will blind you any time I take on a passenger or two in the back seat. My previous car, an Audi S4, had self-leveling HID's and I believe this is a requirement for HID's in most European countries. Never once did someone flash me their brights, telling me that I was blinding them when driving the Audi, happens all the time with the Acura though......bums me out......

Being blinded by HID's is oh so simple to avoid: For oncoming light, simply don't look at it! Keep your eyes focused in the center of your headlight pattern, makes all the difference in the world.

 
I honestly like them... I don't have them in my vehicle... but I plan to soon... if they are directed properly they really are not all that bad to look into... it is just when people put them in and adjust them to be higher than they are supposed to be then yea they suck but just look away for a second...and all is good..
 
We have the Silverstars, and I freaking hate them. The dims aren't bright enough, so we re-aimed them, and now I get people flashing at me all the time. Did I say I freaking HATE them?
 
If people would stop buying 10000k blue lightbulbs, and stop doing half-assed installs (where the beam is pointed higher, towards drivers, rather than the floor), there would not be an issue.


Factory HIDs are perfectly fine, the ones on ebay are not 😛.
 
I've gotten full bast of xenons into my face before (hills etc. ) and it's not any more blinding/annoying than halogens into my face. Every single driving manual says you're not supposed to look into headlights of the cars goign the other way anyway.

The thing that bothes me more are the headlights of lifted trucks. If i got one of those behind me, their headlights (halogen or xenon) shine straight into my face (thru the side mirror) ALL THE TIME. That's lot worse than a flash from a car going over the hill .
 
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