But they sure do look cool

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...-blindness.htm

 

1) Most people who complain about it can't tell the difference between real HID's and "HID-like" bulbs.

2) The same people that complain about it tend to look at the light output immediately after noticing it. Thus causing "blindness". Same thing happened when Halogen lights started coming out. People just tend to look at the unconventional lights.

Case in point. With 100 cars in front of you, all with Halogen's except one with HID. Which would gather your attention more?

3) Most HID's installed from the factory are set to point to the ground and not higher up. Some cars even have auto-leveling features to avoid problems.

4) Some researchers need to do something more important with their time.

 

I agree with Soundmike. Looking into any pair of headlights at night will temporarily blind you.

 

if it blinds them and they want that to stop, why not just get a auto dimming mirror? Sure it's a little expensive but soon more and more cars will have this. So more "headaches and migraines" will occur. Get an auto dimming mirror and save yourself.

 

why not just flip the tab yourself?

 

thats only if the car is behind you, i think in this study they are referring to oncoming vehicles. i must agree that alot of BMW's tend to blind others at night. but thats just a problem with how they're aimed, not about the brighness.

 

I love'em! who cares if your eyes hurt, dont look at the nice gleaming sunlight! I love my cousins Jaguar X-Type HIDs, them lights are bright plus it came auto-leveling.

 

it's only when unconsiderate punks like me aim them higher than they should be that makes them slightly hazardous

 

Or when people flash you because they don't understand the whole HID thing and think your high beams are on. That really ****es me off.

 

Which cars did they use for the studies. Every car I've been illuminates everything better. Farther in both width and distance. I call BS on this study until I hear what cars where used etc. People who sponsored the study are probably the people who make replacement halogens and are going out of business because people don't have to buy bulbs every 2 years now.

 

i can totally understand the part aobut people getting head aches from hid's tho... i'm not sure if it's just me but does anyone else get head aches from themz energy saving lights?

 

Eh. USA Today? It's Journalism Lite. HIDs Dangerous? Hardly.

In other news, Jury says nude dancing is not indecent.

 

There was a link here some time ago to NHTSA article about HID's. The jist of that article was the problem of putting HID bulbs into light fixtures that weren't designed for them. Something about the reflectors not being compatable with the high output bulbs. I'm not being pro or con just throwing something out for consideration. I have been really annoyed with some Hondas that obviously have after market bulbs. I think this may be more of an aiming problem. Some people get them and think they are cool but don't follow up and check how they are aimed. Same with jacked up SUV's. Just my opinion. Thanks.

 

me to!

 

I don't see all the hazards of having HIDs - esp if you couple them up w/ the fog lights - it just seems to give you more safety as you drive at night and in bad weather...

 

I've heard of this too..if you just throw in a HID kit in your halogen equipped car..the reflectors in your headlight arent designed to work with the HID beam..Creating a outta control light beam.