halogen, projector, HID...

jjagain

New member
Recently Hella/InPro announced that they were going to be releasing halogen projector headlights for my car (2000 VW golf) at a very reasonable price (<$300 US). TüV approved, and a euro-spec beam pattern :up :up :up.



my question is this:



HID is the creme de la creme of lighting, and also carries a price tag to match. how much of a difference am I going to notice between DOT-spec halogen headlights and e-code halogen projector headlights? Is it worth the price?
 
well i dont know how long you'll be able to get aftermarket HID kits since the Dpt of Trans has prohibited the sale of these HID kits. I dont know when that's going to take in effect or if it already is.
 
I opted for a cheaper version and bought some SilverStars for my truck. They look amazing and are Super White, BUT aren't the real thing if thats what you are really after. Just something to think about.
 
PanaPower said:
well i dont know how long you'll be able to get aftermarket HID kits since the Dpt of Trans has prohibited the sale of these HID kits. I dont know when that's going to take in effect or if it already is.





Huh? When where why? Is it a federal regulation? I can buy these all day long on the web and in magazines and at the local pep boys... Just wondering...;)
 
chpsk8 said:
Huh? When where why? Is it a federal regulation? I can buy these all day long on the web and in magazines and at the local pep boys... Just wondering...;)
do a search on NHSTA. you'll see it. so if you can get them all day long I would suggest that you stock up. ;)
 
PanaPower said:
do a search on NHSTA. you'll see it. so if you can get them all day long I would suggest that you stock up. ;)



Ok, I searched the NHTSA site, I came up with an interesting article, but it does not state that they will be banned.



http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/rulings/glare.html



It does suggest that these types of headlight mods are being researched, but as far as a ban from the feds, I don't see it.



Here is a link to SEMA, tghey are working on a solution with the nhtsa for lighting regulations.



http://www.sema.org/content/?ID=25377



Here is what they said...



quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEMA Responds to NHTSA's Request for Comments on Perceived Glare from Front-Mounted Lamps



NHTSA Actions To Further Regulate Lighting Equipment

In September 2001, NHTSA requested public comment on how to respond to public complaints about headlamp glare. NHTSA now intends to propose new lighting rules beginning in late 2003. The rules will address consumer complaints regarding perceived glare from high intensity discharge headlights (HIDs), HID knock-offs, and higher-mounted and supplemental front-mounted auxiliary lamps (ex: fog lamps) and possibly headlamp-aiming requirements as well. NHTSA has acknowledged that there are a myriad of issues associated with glare. For example, it cited a possibility that many drivers look directly at HIDs because they are unfamiliar with the light, and thus experience glare.



Summary of SEMA’s Concerns and Recommendations



The agency is reviewing consumer and law enforcement complaints concerning the perceived glare from headlamps and front-mounted auxiliary lamps. To this end, NHTSA is requesting comments on means to reduce glare. The agency is focusing its attention on: 1) HID lights; 2) fog lights and other optional lights; 3) high-mounted headlights on trucks and SUVs. SEMA is concerned that many of the suggested actions contained in this proposal will have the effect of restricting the ability of aftermarket suppliers to provide a full range of safe and compliant motor vehicle lighting product to consumers. Our primary concerns and recommendations are summarized as follows:









NHTSA should encourage cutting edge technology, such as HID lamps, that comply with federal standards while producing more light and an increased field of view, allowing the driver to see more clearly and concentrate better.



NHTSA should not further regulate front mounted lamps nor regulate optional lighting equipment without evidence that proves that these lamps are a significant safety hazard, directly responsible for highway injuries or deaths.



NHTSA should encourage states to focus enforcement on correcting misaimed lamps.



NHTSA should encourage local law enforcement to uphold current laws restricting conditions when fog lamp/auxiliary lamp use is allowed, as long as these restrictions are based on a demonstrated safety concern.



Aftermarket lamps should not be required to conform to the specifications of standardized original equipment manufacturer (OEM) lamps.



Aftermarket manufacturers should only be required to meet the lighting parameters required by NHTSA. The distinction must be drawn between complying and non-complying products, not OEM and aftermarket products since many aftermarket products, such as fog lamps, are not prohibited by law and upgrade or enhance OEM lights.



NHTSA should work with lighting industry manufacturers to develop a consistent and street-enforceable means to distinguish compliant lamps from non-compliant lamps based on performance criteria, not design specifications.







Status



In early 2003, SEMA’s Lighting Task Force met with NHTSA officials in Washington, D.C. charged with overseeing federal lighting regulations to discuss the group’s goals and to gain insight to pending agency regulatory actions. NHTSA intends to propose new lighting rules in 2003 and 2004. SEMA also continues to work with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) in its review of lighting products for compliance with state and federal regulations. AAMVA is in the process of developing model state regulations that reflect federal mandates on lighting products. The Task Force is considering coordinating efforts with MEMA’s newly formed Motor Vehicle Lighting Council.



NHTSA’s current estimated timetable for action:









Publish proposed rule to regulate certain front-mounted auxiliary lamps (ex: fog lamps) in late 2003



Publish proposed rule for headlamp mounting height in early 2004



Reach a decision on how to address HIDs and other advanced lighting sources in early 2004 (and probably issue a proposed rule)



Issue a proposed rule to regulate HID-knock-offs in early 2004



Reach a decision on how to address headlamp aiming issues in mid 2004





So... As far as "banned", not yet. I would have to say "regulated" and "look for more regulations" is the way to put it.



And this guy is still selling them...



http://www.brightheadlights-hid.com/
 
I just installed some SilverStars in my gf's car last weekend, definitely shine much better than OEM
 
Is the silverstars really worth it? I was curious how white or blue is the light compared to a true HID? I was thinking about getting those for the Impala.
 
My Audi has true Xenon HID and I would say the Silverstars are worth it, we got them on sale under $20 each and then a mail in rebate. Seems to me like they beat the $60+ Piaas for the price
 
Bill D said:
My Audi has true Xenon HID and I would say the Silverstars are worth it, we got them on sale under $20 each and then a mail in rebate. Seems to me like they beat the $60+ Piaas for the price



IMO Piaas are junk, I went through 3 of them in about 2 months. (used rubber gloves to put them in, so I know it wasn't the oils) Switched to STs and haven't had a problem....about 1 1/2 months now.
 
It is not the color of the bulb.....silverstars are overrated IMO....$40 for a pair of bulbs the same wattage as standard bulbs with the same halogen gas..bnut with blue tint....I have seen them and compared them and well not worth it to me...also they are not HID



blue light is actually worse for driving....you want around 4000-5000 Kelvin light temp...for optimum vision.....
 
New and improved design- Ultra Blue

4000K Colour Temperatures

~One man’s opinion~



I’m using Phillips ‘Blue Vision (replicates the HID High Intensity Gas Discharge System) it’s a 4000K colour temperature halogen bulbs with a blue coating (my guess is 25% more light than conventional bulbs). It has all the benefits of the brilliant white light that makes nighttime driving less tiring (us ‘old greys’ need all the help we can get) it also reflects much better on road markings and street signs. My gf has ‘Silver Star’ with similar results (without the ‘blue’) so far (six months) no problems with either.



Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/



justadumbarchitect
 
i've tried several bulbs:



Osram Cool Blue

Philips Vision Plus

Sylvania Silverstars



the Osrams burnt out the quickest.. within a few months.



The Philips Vision PLus were good - they lasted a little more than a year, BUT what i really don't like is that BOTH of my philips headlights burnt out the same time. i had to drive with my fog lights only to the nearest store to pick up some new bulbs.



The silverstars are quite nice. they seem to light everything up with a slight blueish tint - something that the vision plus bulbs did not do.



Time will tell how much i like these bulbs.
 
I just replaced the Piaa Extreme White lights with Silverstars and I must say I like the Silverstars better. The Piaa's just didn't produce the same range as the Silverstars do.
 
silverstar.jpg




these are the real Silverstars produced by OSRAM and are quite different when compared to the Silverstars sold in America.



Sylvania owns OSRAM.
 
zilla said:




how much of a difference am I going to notice between DOT-spec halogen headlights and e-code halogen projector headlights? Is it worth the price?



zilla, I have upgraded to eCode lighting (this is not projector style lighting) in both our VWs. There's a significant improvement and I can recommend it to someone that does a lot of nighttime driving.



B4:



DCP_0083.JPG




A4 Jetta:



DCP_0084.JPG




We have OE HID headlights in our BMW. While they are somewhat "better" than the eCodes in our VWs, you sure wouldn't catch me spending the $1200 required to install HID in our VWs. The value just isn't there, IMO.
 
I've got the Osram SilverStars in the wife's car and they are awesome. They are nice and bright without any real glare. And the Osram's don't have a blue/purplish tint over the bulb to make it 'look' whiter. (like in the pic posted)
 
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