HIDs versus OEM headlights

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Droid

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Looks like a great alternative to the $1000.00 Bi xenon headlight retrofit.

Not really.

Why doesn't anyone read up on this modification before they do it? HID headlights only work when you change both bulbs and optics. If you just do bulbs (as 90% of people do) you do get the brightness of HIDs, but the light isn't placed correctly on the road. They appear brighter inside, but with most reflector optics you're not seeing any farther down the road.
 

DEADEYE

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I first put in a DDM kit . 35W ballast with external igniters . Hi/Lo bulbs magnetically actuated. I was very happy with the quality . All the stuff is dropped shipped from China with no option of expedited delivery. As A note I only tried this after I had upgraded to new silverstars and they did not get it done.

So after upgrading to just HID bulbs in the stock reflectors I was very pleased with the change . I attribute this to just how bad the stock lights are. Then the more I drove with them I realized that the stock reflectors could not project light any farther down the road when on high beam. When on low beam there was so much light spill over that as on coming traffic got closer I could tell they were bumming. I really did not get flashed that often , only a few times.

I finished the upgrade by putting projectors in myself . I did this as I wanted to really be able to see at night . I also did not want to get pulled over at the wrong time for running illegal lights or be a hazard on the road.
So in short if you just do the bulbs, yes you will be happy . For how long ?
Yes it is illegal .

Doing the proper upgrade to HID projectors yourself is a PIA , but the end results are just frickn awesome.
If you are not a TRUE DIY guy or gal then you cannot beat the deal DUCATI has going . I am not trying to dissuade any one from taking on doing the HID Projector upgrade themselves ; but keeping it real as it requires research , ingenuity , patience and fabrication. The first time you do this it is a royal PIA .
After that you learn so much from the first set it becomes a bit easier, say if you were going to help a friend out .
 
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Raptor Retrofit

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Theres a reason why its illegal.

Of course it will be brighter, your adding several thousand lumen to the output but no matter now low you aim them you can not change the design of the reflector. Modern reflectors are better at controlling the beam pattern but if they were designed for a halogen bulb, using a pnp HID system changes the output pattern and more light spills upward.

If you want to be that guy, more power to you, its a free world but just educate yourself about it before making that decision.
heres a couple articles -

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

HID plug n play fails govt test
 
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Big Blue

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Theres a reason why its illegal.
Of course it will be brighter, your adding several thousand lumen to the output but no matter now low you aim them you can not change the design of the reflector. Modern reflectors are better at controlling the beam pattern but if they were designed for a halogen bulb, using a pnp HID system changes the output pattern and more light spills upward.

If you want to be that guy, more power to you, its a free world but just educate yourself about it before making that decision.
heres a couple articles -

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

HID plug n play fails govt test



Kinda of blanket statement there D...

Not illegal in all states and Not illegal in IL, I checked before I did the install. :peace:

(625 ILCS 5/12-201) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-201)

Sec. 12-201. When lighted lamps are required.

(a) When operated upon any highway in this State, every motorcycle shall at all times exhibit at least one lighted lamp, showing a white light visible for at least 500 feet in the direction the motorcycle is proceeding. However, in lieu of such lighted lamp, a motorcycle may be equipped with and use a means of modulating the upper beam of the head lamp between high and a lower brightness. No such head lamp shall be modulated, except to otherwise comply with this Code, during times when lighted lamps are required for other motor vehicles.

(b) All other motor vehicles shall exhibit at least 2 lighted head lamps, with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, which satisfy United States Department of Transportation requirements, showing white lights, including that emitted by high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, or lights of a yellow or amber tint, during the period from sunset to sunrise, at times when rain, snow, fog, or other atmospheric conditions require the use of windshield wipers, and at any other times when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1000 feet. Parking lamps may be used in addition to but not in lieu of such head lamps. Every motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer shall also exhibit at least 2 lighted lamps, commonly known as tail lamps, which shall be mounted on the left rear and right rear of the vehicle so as to throw a red light visible for at least 500 feet in the reverse direction, except that a truck tractor or road tractor manufactured before January 1, 1968 and all motorcycles need be equipped with only one such tail lamp.

(c) Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light a rear registration plate when required and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear. Any tail lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp or lamps for illuminating a rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.

(d) A person shall install only head lamps that satisfy United States Department of Transportation regulations and show white light, including that emitted by HID lamps, or light of a yellow or amber tint for use by a motor vehicle.
 
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Raptor Retrofit

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(b) All other motor vehicles shall exhibit at least 2 lighted head lamps, with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, which satisfy United States Department of Transportation requirements, showing white lights, including that emitted by high intensity discharge (HID) lamps,

.


That means its okay to have HID in a system that passes USDOT regulations. Meaning a projector headlight assembly, not just putting them in a stock reflector.

In the study I posted it shows that HID in a halogen reflector fails DOT regulations. This is why there is not one auto manufacturer in the US that sells vehicles with HID bulbs in halogen reflectors.

We have been over this way too many times and Im not gonna waste the time arguing about it.

Like I said, if you want to do it more power to you but try driving a compact car and have a friend follow you in the Raptor and then tell me its not a distraction.
 
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whtrapta

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That means its okay to have HID in a system that passes USDOT regulations. Meaning a projector headlight assembly, not just putting them in a stock reflector.

In the study I posted it shows that HID in a halogen reflector fails DOT regulations. This is why there is not one auto manufacturer in the US that sells vehicles with HID bulbs in halogen reflectors.

We have been over this way too many times and Im not gonna waste the time arguing about it.

Like I said, if you want to do it more power to you but try driving a compact car and have a friend follow you in the Raptor and then tell me its not a distraction.
There are so many cars sold like that though. Toyota, several Lexus, Mercedes, Infiniti, all had hid bulbs in reflectors. From the factory
 

Raptor Retrofit

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There are so many cars sold like that though. Toyota, several Lexus, Mercedes, Infiniti, all had hid bulbs in reflectors. From the factory


Wow, I wasnt aware of that, got any links ?
 
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Big Blue

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That means its okay to have HID in a system that passes USDOT regulations. Meaning a projector headlight assembly, not just putting them in a stock reflector.

In the study I posted it shows that HID in a halogen reflector fails DOT regulations. This is why there is not one auto manufacturer in the US that sells vehicles with HID bulbs in halogen reflectors.

We have been over this way too many times and Im not gonna waste the time arguing about it.

Like I said, if you want to do it more power to you but try driving a compact car and have a friend follow you in the Raptor and then tell me its not a distraction.

ha ha, not to come across like a ****, but...WTF do I care if the guy in front of me in his econobox is bothered by my lights?!?!?!

I'm bothered by cocksuckers with Obama 2012 stickers on their cars....and I assume those folks dont care if it's a 'distraction" for me...even though it hurts my eyes to see that too!!!! :ROFLJest:
 

Nick@Apollo-Optics

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Wow, I wasnt aware of that, got any links ?

2002 Escalade...this guy has HID fogs, but HIDs in the stock housings was a ~700 option from the dealer.

4635840025_large.jpg


And here's a stock photo from the 2004 Navigator, another vehicle that had HIDs as a ~700 option from the factory. Also in a reflected housing.

2003.lincoln.navigator.6685-E.jpg
 

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Yes it can be done, but the light wont be as concentrated I the stock housing.

It scatters wherever.
 
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