HID Headlights?

[flatblack]

I already have the halo projectors and i think they suck...granted they look cool, but i think my factory housings were brighter. When i bought the projectors the guy i bought them from said that the next step would be to go with true HIDs. Just wondering if anyone knows were i could pick some up, or if nobody makes them?

[T Man]

Although I havent seen him in a long while, MR Bravada converted to true HID, and was absolutely in love.

http://www.sicgmtrucks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=707&highlight=headlights

There is a link to it.

[JROD©™®]

that is awesome...aren't those kits like 800$ though...

[JROD©™®]

so you can just pick up one of these kits and wire them in...sounds pretty straight forward...

HID (http://www.ultrabrightlights.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=57)

[flatblack]

Whats the difference between the dual and single beam? and if i have the halo projectors, should i get the 9006 bulbs? i think when i bought the halo's i had to get another set of bulbs and scrape off the plastic guider on the plug part of the light? Does that sound right?

[flatblack]

How many x000K is the new corvette HID lights?

[Maximus]

Hmm they have HID kits to convert a sealed beam to H4 HID conversion.I would love to see one of those installed on a S10.But they ain't cheap.They are more than your standard composite bulbs as usual.We sealed beam guys always get the shaft lol.

[bvr775]

and they'er illegale in most states now

[flatblack]

Are they illegal in texas?

[joker2040]

Illegal??? HID's? Where are they illegal? They come on most all higher end cars and suvs. You can get HID kits from ebay.

Legality of Alternative Headlights

In the USA, headlights are only legal for use on public roads if they are DOT approved. (Similar laws apply in all other "developed" countries and many other countries.) This requires that samples of the headlights be sent to the proper testing laboratory and certification must be obtained that the design is approved. Approval is only with specific bulbs tested in the lab in the samples and DOT approval is invalid if a different bulb is used.


It is illegal to use on public roads homebrew headlights or headlights using a bulb other than what they were DOT-approved to use. For example, a headlight that is DOT approved and normally uses a 9005 halogen bulb is almost certainly not DOT approved for anything else - especially not a D2S for example.

Many HID conversion kits come with disclaimers to the effect of "off road use only". Such disclaimers may appear in the kit seller's ads, web site, or on the kit packaging. Less honest retrofit outfits may merely fail to let you know that such a retrofit is not road-legal. More dishonest retrofitting outfits may even falsely claim that their headlights or ones modified with their product/service are road legal.

DOT requirements have lower and/or upper limits (sometimes both) on candela ("beam candlepower") into many different directions, as in various angles above, below, and to each side of straight ahead. In the unlikely event your headlight meets all of these and other technical requirements, it is still illegal unless it is submitted for testing and certification.

As for what can happen if you use illegal headlights?

1. Often enough, nothing. This depends on location. In some USA cities, law enforcement of traffic regualtions in general is lax. Police are generally not equipped to do headlight photometry anyway.

2. Some unlawful HID retrofit headlights are obvious to a few cops. It is more obvious if you have the really bluish or aqua-ish or obviously dichroic fake HID bluish headlights that are known to some cops to be a safe bet to not meet the complex photometric and colorimetric standards.

If the cop believes you have unlawful headlights, you can be stopped and ticketed. Depending on your state, the violation may be having an invalid inspection sticker or whatever violation of headlight law. Depending on your state and the mood of the cop, you may in extreme cases be barred from driving the car at night (or at all) until it has legal headlights and it has passed inspection again with the legal headlights.

3. Excessive light in some directions can dazzle other drivers. It is possible for you to be legally liable if this causes or contributes to an accident. Modified headlights might have insufficient light in some directions, and you could be held legally liable if that causes or contributes to an accident.

4. You may have trouble with your insurance company if you have an accident while driving a car that cannot legally pass inspection or has fraudulently passed inspection, even if the inability to legally pass inspection did not contribute to the accident. You might also have trouble with your insurance company if you are cited for driving without valid current inspection stickers or are cited for having fraudulently passed inspection. Note that at least in some states, "off road" lights must be inoperative when driving on a public road. This may mean having opaque covers on the lights and/or having wiring to the lights disconnected.

[joker2040]

Also from Sylvania:


History of HID

HID lighting systems were first offered as an option on high-end luxury cars and are currently offered as standard equipment on 7% of all European vehicles. HID made its North American debut in 1995 on the Lincoln Mark VIII. Now HID headlights are available in the U.S. as an option on many different high-end models and mid-level options. Although halogen is still used on the majority of vehicles manufactured today, HID continues to grow in popularity due to its safety and performance benefits.

1. Are HID headlights better, brighter, safer?

HID lighting provides the brightest illumination available. The more intense, higher color temperature light results in three times the output of standard halogen lighting, which means improved peripheral vision and enhanced down-road visibility. The end result is safer driving for everyone on the road.

2. How can I get HID technology for my car?

SYLVANIA's Xenarc® HID line (http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/HighPerformance/Xenarc/XenarcKits.htm) of products is available for the '97-02 F-150 and the '99-02 Chevy Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, '00-03 Tahoes and Suburbans. The most flexible product is the Xenarc Auxiliary Low-Beam Kit. The kit is designed to complement low-beam headlight systems and provides a fit for most vehicles, although some vehicles may require modification and installation by a professional.
www.sylvaniaperfomanceshop.com (http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/PerformanceShop/)

3. How are HID headlights installed?

SYLVANIA's Xenarc kits come complete with HID bulbs, custom optics and all necessary components and instructions (http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/HighPerformance/Xenarc/InstallationInstructions.htm) for proper installation and use. Xenarc kits have been designed for simple installation. With the headlamp upgrade kits, many installations can be completed with no special tools in a matter of minutes. With Xenarc auxiliary kits, as with all auxiliary lighting, professional installation may be necessary depending on the availability of convenient mounting points on the front of your vehicle.

To operate properly, HID light sources must be used in specially designed optical systems. Since HID bulbs produce so much more light than halogen bulbs, if you replace halogen bulbs with HID, without changing the reflector, you may generate an illegal beam pattern.


4. Is HID here to stay?

Experts indicate that automotive lighting will continue to evolve and HID lighting systems will displace the current halogen headlight technology. Experts further say that although it has been regarded as a luxury option or a prestige item, it will become a more common, expected and affordable feature. Projected worldwide HID usage is expected to exceed 10% of all vehicles by 2008.

5. Are these headlights for older drivers?

HID lighting is available for all drivers as an option to enhance appearance and safety. Older drivers may benefit because HID systems offer better illumination, especially for those who suffer from diminished night-vision.

6. Have there been any complaints?

Some motorists are concerned about what they perceive as brighter lights. Lighting specialists at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) say that some people are more sensitive to light but that HID meets the same intensity and beam pattern standards in place since 1978 (the last time the government made a major revision to its standards).

7. What's being done about complaints?

SYLVANIA takes these matters seriously and will only release products, which meet or exceed applicable federal safety standards.

[bvr775]

Are they illegal in texas?


yes, but it'll depend on what cop pulls you over. In fact TX is partly responsible for going after the aftermarket HID supplyers because of severale accidents in past 5 on so year cuased by flash blindness.
Most cops stand on it is if they'er installed right and have proper dot stamps on them they woun't mess with you, but the dot approved HID lighting system is very exspensive.

[flatblack]

yes, but it'll depend on what cop pulls you over. In fact TX is partly responsible for going after the aftermarket HID supplyers because of severale accidents in past 5 on so year cuased by flash blindness.
Most cops stand on it is if they'er installed right and have proper dot stamps on them they woun't mess with you, but the dot approved HID lighting system is very exspensive.

So do you think that the ultrabrightlights.com HID kit is illegal in TX? i'm sure the brighter i go the more likely i would be to get pulled over, but if i go with the 5300K or 6000K kit, it should be just enough to make my truck stand out....i think...

[bvr775]

yes they are illegale. this was in their facts page

12)In 2002 the DOT banned the sale of HID lights, due to the fact that "light is scattered", "glares affected other drivers", "were improperly focused." HID lights should be used for off-road and show purposes only. The lights should and have to be properly aligned, please look in your manual, it should be listed under leveling or adjusting. ("][/url] [url=")TOP (http://www.ultrabrightlights.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=40#top)</FONT>

[Mr Bravada]

lol, yea they are illegal but once you switch, if like me you drive at night, you will NEVER go back, i was looking at getting the projectors now, but i recomend that you go to Hidforum.com ...they are way informative

and yea, i do love mine!!

[Mr Bravada]

oh yea, mine were less than $800 by far... in fact less than half of that.... but from what i hear the Envoy headlights are like $800-a-pop..... so just some food for thought, on hidforum, there is a thing about the first true-projector blazer.... and wow, it looks like a bunch of work but the light cut-off of his vr. mine is night and day, my light up the tree tops.... lol, sucks for on-coming traffic