HID Lights Upgrade

Unless you are upgrading spotlights they are useless.
HID headlight upgrades are annoying to oncoming drivers and disappointing to those who fit them.
Those who swear by them are those who are justifying the outlay of wasted cash.

But a good set of HID spotlights are great.......

I'll stand corrected, but I think you'll find that aftermarket HID conversions are illegal unless fitted with self leveling system. However, keeping them adjusted low will generally not attract too much attention.

Cheers
Gerry

Hi Michael

From what I can find out you probably have more light than before but it is no longer controlled so it doesn't point in the right direction.
Apparently the HID light source ( the bright bit) is in a different place and is a different shape to a Halogen globe. That might also mean the bright bit isn't pointing in the same direction. Anyway what this means is the focal point of the light source relative to the reflector is now in the wrong place so the reflector and lens can't control the light and give it the correct shape. So what you end up with is a bonfire instead of a spotlight. Sure is bright but its in the wrong place. That is also why these kits cause so much glare to other drivers. All the nice cut offs that keep the light from shining upwards on low beam don't work any more.

How do you fix it?

Fit complete lights assemblies ( globe, lens and reflector) that are designed from scratch for HID. Unfortunately HID headlamps don't seem to be available aftermarket.

regards

A

Do you mean bulbs only - not the entire headlight assembly?

Totally illegal.
And you'll probably get my hi-beams (spots) for your effort.

Non-HID reflectors are not designed for HID lighting - hence scatter patterns are wrong. (Hence why illegal.)

Andrew is correct the focal point must be correct otherwise the light will spray all over the place, I have fitted Hi/Low HID 4300K to my Patrol's headlights and 4300k to the IPF driving lights but had to do a little re-alignment of the focal point on them.
I previously had PIIA Super Exteme lamps in the head lights and 120watt in the driving lights but now with the HID's the penetration down the road and the lightup of the road on both high and low beam kills the old lamps. I would not have anything else.
I have fitted HIDs to my wifes Astra Twin top and also on my Motor bike Cruiser with the same result far better than the original lamps, but it all comes down to the fitment and focus.
The one thing that you do have to be careful about though is the height adjustment otherwise you will get flashed by other road users.
I do a lot of travel at night into the Northern Flinders Ranges and I would not be without the HIDs

By crikey! I have stirred a hornets nest here!! Anyone know how to adjust the focal point on the factory lights, or is this not possible?
Thank you all.