Quote:
Originally Posted by sebberry
(Post 6985351)
I have no problem seeing things with my halogen low-beams. I have been in several cars equipped with HIDs and find there to be very little benefit to them.
I would say HIDs are about on-par with a good halogen projector system. I personally don't like the puddle of extra bright white light they throw down on the ground right in front of the car as it detracts from long-range visibility.
If your car has/had a halogen reflector system, upgrading to a halogen projector system (while illegal) would be a heck of a lot better than tossing HIDs into the reflectors, and probably less dangerous than upgrading to HID projectors.
Also remember this - the more light your car is putting out, the harder it is for oncoming drivers to see.
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This is where your argument seems so ridiculous. If your petition was simply to ban illegal/aftermarket/retrofit HID's, I'd sign it. As it is, you're just petitioning against something you don't like the look of. You clearly don't have a good understanding of
why they're preferable to standard halogen lights.
1.) They draw less power from the vehicle (80 watts).
2.) They last 3x as long as standard halogen headlights, and they are more durable over bumps (no filament). This greatly reduces the likelihood of a headlight burning out when you're driving at night.
3.) Visibility for the driver is far greater. HID headlamps produce up to 25% more light, and the radius of light is up to 70% greater. The light itself is more visible to the human eye and thus allows for better detection of peripheral objects or movements.
4) They provide more uniform intensity. The light output is "sharp" and they don't "spray" light like halogens do, even at greater distances. Picture a laser vs a flashlight (albeit less pronounced). This reduces glare for oncoming vehicles. See this
Example Pic.
The difference between a high-quality OEM Xenon headlight and a standard-wattage halogen bulb is huge. Quite frankly, when I drive a vehicle that's not equipped with HID headlights, I have to drive much slower and more cautiously at night. The light output is significantly and noticeably decreased, and this becomes particularly apparent on dark rural roads when you're using high-beams. (HID high beams are amazing thanks to the incredibly wide spectrum of light.)
As for oncoming vehicles, there is indeed more light, but University of Michigan researchers have shown it is not "disabling" - in other words, it doesn't hurt your ability to see - it's simply annoying (
Source). The light is also more noticeable for many drivers because of its blue-ish hue, which makes them look into the light for longer than they would a halogen bulb.
Additionally, even if there is a very slight and temporary increase in glare for oncoming vehicles, those traveling in an HID-equipped vehicle are safer 100% of the time. The "net effect," in other words, is that the roads are safer overall... especially when you consider that you're not always facing oncoming traffic.
"We think there is some problem with glare, but we think it's a good trade-off," Flannagan says. "Our overall opinion of HIDs is that they are good things. HID lamps can be, and normally are, better for seeing." - conclusions from a University of Michigan 10-year study on HID headlights.
In other words: OEM-installed HID headlights are better than halogen bulbs, and they're here to stay.
