I think the photos show, when the proper unit is properly installed into an OEM style housing, the beam has the same characteristics as a stock incandescent bulb and is perfectly safe for use.

You don't have to buy lens based projector beam housings, but if you do, you'll need to shell out decent cash to get the ones properly designed NOT to blind other drivers. That is what seems to be the chief complaint for those that think HID bulbs alone are the culprit...in reality most of those blinding drivers are because of cheap projector beam housings, the wrong HID bulb being used, the reflectors not being aimed right or a combination of the three.

The point of my post is to show the claim that "you can't use HIDs in anything but a projector housing or you will blind other drivers" is patently false...these photos prove that once and for all.

As with anything, buy cheap or generic/incorrect parts and you take your chances. Buy the correct parts, buy decent quality and install them properly and you should be fine.

 

Any reviews on 6" exhaust tips?

 

I just took some pic's this morning of my HID's in my 05 headlights and will post them when I get home. But they look just like Tims pic's...

 

I dunno what your definition of safe is but they are illegal, if that matters to anyone. I owned a pair of the last DOT approved aftermarket HID lights made by mcculloch, but DOT eventually pulled their approval of all aftermarket HID's.
Here is a good link off hella's website that breaks it down:

http://www.hella.com/produktion/Hell...d_Approved.jsp

Here is more info straight from the horse's mouth (NHTSA is the part of DOT responsible for certifying what equipment is legal for use on your vehicle):

Update: May 3, 2007:

NHTSA Cracks Down on Aftermarket HID Conversion Kits
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is targeting high-intensity discharge (HID) conversion kits for enforcement actions. NHTSA has concluded that it is impossible to produce HID conversion kits (converting a halogen system to HID) that would be compliant with the federal lighting standard, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108. The noncompliant kits frequently include a HID bulb, a ballast, an igniter, a relay and wiring harness adapters. The NHTSA believes this equipment presents a safety risk to the public since the kits can be expected to produce excessive glare to oncoming motorists. In one investigation, the NHTSA found that an HID conversion headlamp exceeded the maximum allowable candlepower by over 800%.

Under FMVSS No. 108 Section S7.7 (replaceable light sources), each replaceable light source for headlamps must be designed to conform to the dimensions and electrical specifications for the headlamp source it is intended to replace. For example, if an HID kit is marketed as replacing an H1 light source, then it must match the H1's wire coil filament size and location, the electrical connector size and location and the ballast design for use with an H1 light source (which is impossible since there is no ballast). Consequently, companies that are manufacturing HID light sources (e.g., D1S, D1R, D2S, D2R, 9500, etc�) with incandescent light source bases (e.g., H1, H3, H7, H8, H9, H11, H13, HB1, HB2, HB3, HB4, HB5, etc�) should be aware that this light source design would not be one that conforms to FMVSS No. 108, and could not be imported and sold in the United States without violating Federal law. (The importer is treated as the manufacturer and subject to the same fines and penalties that apply to a domestic manufacturer.)

NHTSA has also determined that a commonly used disclaimer "for off-road use only" has no legal meaning and is not recognized by the agency as the manufacturer, importer and retailer are not in a position to control use once a product has been sold. Any equipment offered for sale which is covered by FMVSS No. 108 (headlamps, taillamps, side markers, etc.) must comply with the standard.

 

Car/truck guys don't care much about laws. They only think about what they can get away with.


Archtaan, are these the HID's with the solenoid to move the "bulb" forward and back for high/low beams? Looks like the lows are in the perfect spot! Does high beam light as it should too?

 

So, you guys have any suggestions on a quality HID kit? I've dealt with the cheap crap and not going there again. A few I saved in my bookmarks a while ago where:
HID Kits - Xenon HID - H.I.D Lights - Philips HID Kits Store
Philips Xenon HID Lights Bulbs Ballasts Kits
HID Projector Headlight Retrofit for Subaru, Honda, BMW, Scion and More | LightWerkz.net

 

Here is some pic's of my 5000 temp color HID's in my 05 headlights.



My Ex was parked about 10-12 feet away from the wall. And was in a up hill graded parking spot.

 

See, those may be technically illegal, but I can't see an officer seeing you driving with those and pulling you over. The cutoff is great, and if those are adjusted properly, that shouldn't be blinding anyone.

Now, if you live in an inspection state...well...good luck during inspection time!

As a side note...being raised in PA but living in CA, I can't BELIEVE California hasn't instituted some kind of annual inspection process. They regulate every other thing you can think of short of breathing, yet you can do almost anything to your car outside of emissions alterations and no-one questions you. I've seen some RIDICULOUS cars on the freeway that wouldn't pass the "say it out loud" test in other states.

 

Not sure what you mean by inspection state, But in Pa you have your vehicle's inspected very year. I do agree with you Robert, "MYTH" busted! My findings on HID's In factory headlights Should not BLIND on coming cars "IF".. the headlight is adjusted proprely. The HID bulbs that I purchased and installed in my headlights throw the light in the same pattern as the oem type bulb in the same headlight. Just a more intense, clearer light... HID: High-Intensity Discharge.

 

I started this thread to show everyone what I did headlight wise to my excursion. If they were thinking of getting the 05 look-a-like headlights that didn't need cutting to install, Here's a pic of what they look like installed. The same for 05 conversion and HID's. I like HID's as well do many others. Some do not like them and I can respect that. If you all want to have a debate on HID's Good, Bad or whatever. How about one of you START a separate thread on that...

 

The Retro Solutions I linked you to work that way.

Stewart

 

sorry for going off topic, I just feel like forum members should know the law regarding potential upgrades and what is an effective legal upgrade vs one that could potentially get you a ticket, fail your inspection, or even get your truck towed Its one of those things that 90% no cop would ever write you a ticket for, but it only takes one LEO that didn't get laid the night before to end you up in a world of pain if he knows his muffler bearings from his headlight fluid and feels like laying down the law.

 

Sorry man, i didn't mean to DB Cooper your thread. Haha!!

 

LOL.. All good Bigwhite. Everyone has a right to their own opinion.

 

That's what I mean...if you live in a state that requires annual vehicle inspections (like PA did - at least when I lived there), then you might get 'caught' by your annual inspection running HID bulbs and be forced to remove them in order to pass inspection.

Now if you live in a state that doesn't require annual inspections - CA for example - you could potentially run those indefinitely without issue IF you run them as in the photos (good bulbs, good reflectors, adjusted properly).

Now if DOT could pull their head out of their rear and crack down only on the cheap knock offs, you could make a lot of older vehicles much safer. Those BMWs, Mercedes and other cars that come with them stock have much better light at night...why not allow older cars to be upgraded to give them the same benefit?