Problems with HID bulb installed in factory reflector?

How do people feel about HID's in our headlights? I have read that by installing a HID kit into a reflector built for halogen it is dangerous for oncoming traffic. Is this true? I have also read that it is illegal. Is this true as well?

I think the look and light output of HID's is awesome. I just don't want to blind anyone or risk getting pulled over.

Is there a way around this other than changing headlights?

 

Get a shield for the lamp and everything will be fine.

 

What do you mean by a shield?

 

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/HID.html

 

That is a pretty good read. This is exactly what I was thinking about. All the pics I have seem on here don't really show what he is talking about. However, they are just pics.

If we could get somebody who did the HID mod to chime that would be great!

 

I love my kit. I have some shadows, but after aiming my bulbs and tweaking them I don't seem to have any problems. I'll find out more when I go for an inspection next year. Either way I should pass because its about who ya know. If I fail it takes two seconds to put the old ones in to pass, and switch it back when I get home. I'm not concerned, people don't usually get pulled over for headlights near me, they worry more about tint. All n all I'm not very concerned.

 

Uh...From the very informative article:

The only safe and legitimate HID retrofit is one that replaces the entire headlamp

 

Notice the shield behind this HID capsule:

 

I think h4 kits comes with a shield, well at least mine did.

 

The H4s come with a shield because they are bi-xenon. the big opening you see facing you in the picture is for the low beams. it faces up and reflects light off the top of the reflector and down and the shield blocks light from hitting the bottom the reflector and up. The little bubble in the middle of the bulb is the light source for the HID. When you hit the high beams a solenoid in the base pulls the bulb in and moves that bubble light source into that little window you see in the back. This allows light to hit the bottom of the reflector and light goes high for high beams. I have a setup just like this and they seem to produce a decent cut off. I never get flashed.

 

It depends on where you get it.

 

slimcubby's group buy has the shield with it

 

Just what I was looking for, shield down... Thanks..

 

LOL... now look at the "big hole" for high beams on that bulb, and the precision of a factory halogen bulb. Is there any doubt that those kits, even with the shield, aren't completely sloppy?



I like the attitude though of the guy skirting inspection. Nice.

 

Yes... its illegal in all 50 states. People are always suprised when I tell them I pulled them over for illegal headlights. The ones I give tickets to are even more supprised. I used to be on a HID ticketing spree... now I save it for people who blind me. I especially hate Tacoma fogs with HIDs... worse glare than the headlights.

HID tickets are not real high on my list of things to stop people for because it does not have a high correlation to being a turd. Big rims, obvious gang related stickers and hats, and Cadillacs driven by non old people are much more attractive targets.