Gone cold on the HID idea.

[B92 8NW]

I was about to order a HID kit from China for $140 this evening, until the events of 45 minutes ago.

I was driving through "Box Hill" waiting for an arrow to turn right when an Asian man stopped at the lights opposite, driving his riced Toyota Echo sporting a cheapo aftermarket HID kit. The passengers side had failed, leaving only a dark blue parking light, and the drivers side was, inter alia, nothing short of blinding. So much so that I was unable too see the traffic lights, or where I was supposed to be going. If you saw a person on Whitehorse Rd lying on the footpath for half an hour, it was me waiting for my sight to return enough to drive home.

I am proficient enough in Mandarin to inform the guy that in Australia, we have strict legislation regarding modification of motor vehicles and that his headlights simply do not comply with relevant ADR legislation at all, and that I am well within my rights to report the vehicle to the police and they can come and defect it.

I have far too healthy a conscience to inflict this on other drivers.

Why do some people think they can somehow justify behaving contrary to the law... *shakes head and wanders off*

[rangieman]

HID or halogen or sealed beam poorly adjusted lights will blind any on coming driver:rolleyes:

[davenlone]

HID or halogen or sealed beam poorly adjusted lights will blind any on coming driver:rolleyes:

As rangieman said poorly aimed lights are the single biggest cause of blinding other drivers. There are some good HID kits around, take your time to set them up and i think you'll be very happy with the results.

[B92 8NW]

As rangieman said poorly aimed lights are the single biggest cause of blinding other drivers. There are some good HID kits around, take your time to set them up and i think you'll be very happy with the results.

I know I would be happy with the results and I'd hands down convert to HID, it's the legality issue I'm raising.

The cops are paying pretty strict attention to modifications - they aren't usually compassionate and will simply defect your vehicle...

Vicroads have been advising LVTs not to issue certificates to vehicles fitted with HIDs:

"What this means is that if you come across a vehicle
fitted with gas discharge lamps – the rear of the lamp
is quite different from a normal lamp because of the
high voltage starting system required – unless the
vehicle is fitted with a lens cleaning system and has
an automatic lamp adjusting system (this may be a
self levelling suspension system) you should not
issue a Roadworthiness Certificate as the vehicle
does not comply with the standards."

Is it worth running the risk?

[Xavie]

Your experience has happened so many times to most drivers I think and it is not just the people who decide to modify their lights. Some car makers are worse then others but in ?Germany if your vehicle has HID's then you must have self leveling on them. I think all countries should make this law.

Xav

[BMKal]

I was about to order a HID kit from China for $140 this evening, until the events of 45 minutes ago.

I was driving through "Box Hill" waiting for an arrow to turn right when an Asian man stopped at the lights opposite, driving his riced Toyota Echo sporting a cheapo aftermarket HID kit. The passengers side had failed, leaving only a dark blue parking light, and the drivers side was, inter alia, nothing short of blinding. So much so that I was unable too see the traffic lights, or where I was supposed to be going. If you saw a person on Whitehorse Rd lying on the footpath for half an hour, it was me waiting for my sight to return enough to drive home.

I am proficient enough in Mandarin to inform the guy that in Australia, we have strict legislation regarding modification of motor vehicles and that his headlights simply do not comply with relevant ADR legislation at all, and that I am well within my rights to report the vehicle to the police and they can come and defect it.

I have far too healthy a conscience to inflict this on other drivers.

Why do some people think they can somehow justify behaving contrary to the law... *shakes head and wanders off*

How do you know that the Echo was fitted with a cheap aftermarket HID kit. Many are just running the "cool blue" halogen globes from Supercrap or similar. The appearance to oncoming traffic is similar. As others have said, any lights poorly adjusted will blind oncoming traffic.

I've got a cheap Chinese HID kit in the Disco and could not be happier with the result. Other than on the first night with them before I had them properly adjusted, I have never once been flashed by oncoming traffic, and have in fact spoken with oncoming trucks on the UHF and been told that, while they look blue/white and brighter than most other vehicles on the road, they are not annoying.

But I also do a lot of long distance night driving between Perth & Kalgoorlie, and have Hella Predator HID driving lights as well. The reason for the conversion of the headlights to HID was to overcome the absolute crap standard low beam on the Disco, which meant that I virtually couldn't see when I dipped from high beam plus Predators for other traffic.

What amazes me is why people who live in major cities and do not do a lot of night driving on country roads would convert headlights to HID. Not saying that this is you - I don't know where you drive yours. But where people fit HID to a vehicle that spends all of its life in the city - I think that this is only for **** factor. My young bloke has a souped up ricer (RX7) and even though he loves his mods, he can't see the point in converting to HID as the only time that he ever drives it outside of Kalgoorlie is during the day - he won't risk the roos at night. He's tried the "cool blue" halogen globes (as have I) and we both threw them out as they're totally useless.

As far as the "legal" aspect goes, I have yet to hear of a cop that will pick on HID lights as long as they're properly adjusted. I've been pulled up for a few things (including accidentally having my fog lights on) and the cops have never mentioned the headlights on mine. Maybe they're different in Vic ???

[Blknight.aus]

or as is more common the idiot in the echo had blown out both his low beam, and one high beam so all he had left for lighting was the one high beam light so he was running on that.

and the thing probably had rooted rear suspension so that was lifting the nose and then what was left of the originaly lighting was probabley also out of alignment.

Wait till you get out near Ipswich, the number of times Ive been blinded from behind (and in front) by idiots who stay on highbeam or have their headlights so far out of adjustment for whatever reason makes me want to fit a self aiming turreted .22 repeater turret to the top of big red so that when I get blinded by these idiots I can just hit the "make it all dark again" button on the steering wheel. (in my saner moments I just want a gigawatt lazer so i can melt out their lights so they think they blew)

I can understand it from things like trucks where their headlights are at about my mirror level but not when some spudwad in some hotted up crumple zone with less ground clearance than a skateboard is blinding me via reflection in the mirrors

[amtravic1]

I have had had HID inserts in my headlights for at least 18 months and have never been "flashed". if the lights are adjusted properly there is no reason why they would emit more glare than halogen globes. My headlight kit was not a cheap chinese kit as I had two of those fail although I know plenty of people who have had no problems with them.
I also have 42 watt driving light inserts and they are a chinese kit and I am very happy with those. They have been in for around 2.5 years.

Ian

[Col.Coleman]

Germany if your vehicle has HID's then you must have self leveling on them. I think all countries should make this law.

Xav

This is the law for modding in queensland. Must have selflevelling suspension or adjustable headlights. Wonder if polyairs count?:twisted:

[moose]

I know I would be happy with the results and I'd hands down convert to HID, it's the legality issue I'm raising.


The legal side of it is as much of a concern as most other mods people do, that is, a lot of them are illegal. If you are that worried about it, don't do it. But I'd have to say, you sound like the sort of person that wouldn't let it get to the state of blinding others, or driving with one not working.

That is one thing that amazes me, the amount of people getting around without all their lights working, I just feel like slapping them.

[Bigbjorn]

or as is more common the idiot in the echo had blown out both his low beam, and one high beam so all he had left for lighting was the one high beam light so he was running on that.

and the thing probably had rooted rear suspension so that was lifting the nose and then what was left of the originaly lighting was probabley also out of alignment.

Wait till you get out near Ipswich, the number of times Ive been blinded from behind (and in front) by idiots who stay on highbeam or have their headlights so far out of adjustment for whatever reason makes me want to fit a self aiming turreted .22 repeater turret to the top of big red so that when I get blinded by these idiots I can just hit the "make it all dark again" button on the steering wheel. (in my saner moments I just want a gigawatt lazer so i can melt out their lights so they think they blew)

I can understand it from things like trucks where their headlights are at about my mirror level but not when some spudwad in some hotted up crumple zone with less ground clearance than a skateboard is blinding me via reflection in the mirrors

Dave, visit a goodly sized truck wrecker and look for a cab fitted with Unity spotlights. Many Kenworths had them fitted ex factory, and other US makes have them as accessories. they are steerable from inside your car so you can point the beam forward or backwards right into the eyes of the offending driver. This is the main reason they are fitted to line haul trucks. Have a look at their website, UNITY HAS THE RIGHT LIGHT (http://www.unityusa.com). Their expensive range is HID, but QH are available at considerably less. They have some interesting stuff in their catalogue catering to law enforcement agencies with specialised gear.

[B92 8NW]

The legal side of it is as much of a concern as most other mods people do, that is, a lot of them are illegal. If you are that worried about it, don't do it. But I'd have to say, you sound like the sort of person that wouldn't let it get to the state of blinding others, or driving with one not working.

That is one thing that amazes me, the amount of people getting around without all their lights working, I just feel like slapping them.


:D. The whole problem is that the people without their lights working never seem to get booked, yet if I (or anyone else) got pulled over with perfectly functioning [aftermarket] HIDs I would get defected... Murphy's...

I've just read 113 pages of ADRs and think I've found a safe loophole, along the lines of "high beam and auxiliary lights can be HID".

[andrew e]

I just fitted some sort of cheapish ($250) 55w hid H4s, and couldn't be happier. I got them through a mate who has been running them for a few years with no failures yet. I was driving behind a mate yesterday, and he said they weren't annoying, and only a different colour. Its just how they are adjusted, even standard lights are blinding when adjusted poorly.

[Treads]

I just fitted some sort of cheapish ($250) 55w hid H4s, and couldn't be happier.

Andrew,

Did you get the dual Hi-Lo beam H4 lights? (the ones where the bulb moves in and out?) Just wondering as that is what I'm looking at doing soon.

[rangieman]

Andrew,

Did you get the dual Hi-Lo beam H4 lights? (the ones where the bulb moves in and out?) Just wondering as that is what I'm looking at doing soon.
Thats the set i got , Ebay is your freind $131.99 delivered:D

[Treads]

Thats the set i got , Ebay is your freind $131.99 delivered:D

And????

How do they go? :D :D :D

[rangieman]

And????

How do they go? :D :D :D
No complaints from me:D , Its all plug and play very easy to fit up :cool:

[Treads]

No complaints from me:D , Its all plug and play very easy to fit up :cool:

Thanks mate, you've succesfully turned me to the dark side (actually the really bright light side!!)
I have ebay open in another tab, just about to order. Dual beam H4's $124.66 express delivered :cool:

I recently got the instructions for converting for my LightForce XGT's to HID. Might as well get a 55w kit for them too and save some $ on postage :D

[rangieman]

Thanks mate, you've succesfully turned me to the dark side (actually the really bright light side!!)
I have ebay open in another tab, just about to order. Dual beam H4's $124.66 express delivered :cool:

I recently got the instructions for converting for my LightForce XGT's to HID. Might as well get a 55w kit for them too and save some $ on postage :D
Do you want to share the instructions to convert the lightforce lights to HID , I have the 240 blitz lights and they are next on the list for HID conversion:D

[Discopug]

I have been wanting to convert my disco lights to HID for a while now, also my driving lights,
I am also wanting to get a small set of HID driving lights for my motor bike.
Had a bit of a look a while ago but couldn't find much on ebay must have looked in the wrong area.
Whats it under?

[Treads]

Do you want to share the instructions to convert the lightforce lights to HID , I have the 240 blitz lights and they are next on the list for HID conversion:D

The 170/240 Blitz ones are available here: Lightforce HID conversions. Upgrade your old halogens to HID technology now! (http://www.angelfire.com/on4/bushy5551/index.html)

The instructions for XGT's are in old school format (pieces of printed A4 paper stapled together :p ) But I can try to scan em and convert to Pdf if anyone is interested?

[rangieman]

I have been wanting to convert my disco lights to HID for a while now, also my driving lights,
I am also wanting to get a small set of HID driving lights for my motor bike.
Had a bit of a look a while ago but couldn't find much on ebay must have looked in the wrong area.
Whats it under?
Try searching under Bi xenon HID:D

[Treads]

Had a bit of a look a while ago but couldn't find much on ebay must have looked in the wrong area.
Whats it under?

try an ebay search for "hid h4 dual", that's all I did. If you don't add the "dual" bit you have to sift through hundreds of standard ones ;)

[Scouse]

I love my HIDs. Well, when they were working properly anyway.

I thought I'd do the right thing & buy from someone in Australia who advertised a good (15mth) warranty, technical support & parts back up. I won't mention his eBay user name publicly (PM if you want to know ;)).
I bought a bi-xenon H4 kit (sliding shield type) & a H3 kit, both in 4300k.

I was disappointed that the kit arrived direct from China instead of the advertised Melbourne but I guess that happens with eBay.
Fitting was quite straight forward apart from fiddling around with the globe/headlight seal (why don't they tell you the bulbs can come apart for this :mad:). The performance was great & I was very happy.

Then one of the H4s started to stick on low beam. A few rapid applications of the high beam switch would eventually coax the slide into action & it would be good for a while. Leave it overnight & it would stick again though.
Try explaining this to someone who writes only in Chinglish :(. Eventually I got through to him that this was a globe problem after swapping globes from side to side to verify & he sent me 2 replacement globes. They were the wrong type completely (10000k HID High, Halogen low) & I sent them back.
Then a package arrived from China - a complete set minus the ballasts. The new globes connections were different so I had to replace the harness- no big deal, just more fiddling around than I wanted. Fit it all up & one globe doesn't want to stay lit. A quick flash & she's out.

Send another message to the eBay seller & he can't explain what's wrong. I swap globes from side to side & confirm that it's a globe issue.

He now says that he'll refund me my money as it seems too hard to fix my problem. I've asked him for an exact refund amount before sending back 1 1/2 kits (as I suspect he doesn't want to refund postage) but has now come back saying that he can't fault my original sticking globe. He's had it for nearly 2 months & now tells me that he can't fault it :twisted:.

I'm glad that I paid with Paypal so I'm going to get my money back that way if he doesn't come through to my satisfaction.



I've just bought a 50w 6000k set direct from China for the P38a (different seller). Had a trial fit on the weekend & it doesn't trigger the bulb out warning system so that looks positive :D.



The lesson I've learnt:
If you're going to buy a cheap kit, buy it direct from China as the middle man in Australia doesn't seem to have a clue (in my case at least).

[Treads]

I bought a bi-xenon H4 kit (sliding shield type) & a H3 kit, both in 4300k.


Can I ask what you put the H3's in?

[Scouse]

Can I ask what you put the H3's in?A cheap set of Aunger lights bought from BigW.
They're approx 20cm in diameter.

The 50w 6000k set is going into a set of round IPFs & I'll be fitting another 50w set into a couple of Narva bull lights (providing I like the 6000k lights).

[Outback 1]

just finished upgrading the navara and disco with these absolutely brilliant :D
swmbo absolutely can't believe the difference it has made to her lights :D
recommend them to all i have the same kits as rangieman
cheers ken

[TimNZ]

Hi all, can any lighting guru's out there explain the differences in colours available (4300k - 10000k)? And which suits night driving best.
I personally hate the blue ones, I'm guessing the "pure white" colour lights would be better to drive with????
Thanks in advance,

Tim

[TimNZ]

Ahh, just found this:

3000K -- Intense Yellow / 3200 lumens,
4300K --Extreme White / 3100 lumens,
6000K --Diamond White / 2900 lumens,
8000K --Iceberg Blue / 2500 lumens,
10000K --Brilliant Blue / 2300 lumens,
12000K --Violet Purple / 2000 lumens,

Thanks google :oops2: