Just my .02; I'm sure the HIDs are better for the driver of the car they're on, but I'm pretty tired of being blinded by these "high end" cars with HIDs. Either they're not aimed correctly or they are and way too bright to be out with other cars. Should be OK for the Dakar Rally, etc. but just plain annoying in normal traffic, IMHO.
Just my .02; I'm sure the HIDs are better for the driver of the car they're on, but I'm pretty tired of being blinded by these "high end" cars with HIDs. Either they're not aimed correctly or they are and way too bright to be out with other cars. Should be OK for the Dakar Rally, etc. but just plain annoying in normal traffic, IMHO.
I agree. I get one of those behind me and I'll slow down and hope they pass. They don't pass? I slow down some more. Those lights hurt my eyes AND I have tinted windows! Really sucks when they are coming towards me. I try to look to the right as much as possible and still be safely watching where I'm going. But what do I know? Everyone seems to love them so much more and seem to think they are safer.
wow, i installed a set of the small digital h.i.d. kits we sell for the european bikes and i didn't have to remove anything but the hood. it only took about 30 minutes but i wasn't rushing it.
This was the first time we attemted to take the car apart, and I have no idea why but we ended up taking the side skirts off too lol. We just have to gain access to take the headlights out. Next time we'll try a different way. These ballasts for this kit are pretty small we mounted then right next to the headlight. Clean install. I remember back in the day when the first aftermarket HID kits came out, they were a nightmare! You had to splice wires and it never came out really nice. This is as close to OEM as you are going to get.
This will most likely be the first thing I do to the car as soon as it arrives. The H7 bulbs and projector lenses make this a logical and simple upgrade that will really make the car a lot better at night, and much better looking at night. I would not be surprosed to see many others doing it when they see how easy and inexpensive it can be to do.
I installed a set of 8,000K HIDs two weeks ago and they are working out great. THe best part about installing them is that I installed the ballast inside the fender area so I have very little fear of ever damaging the ballast.
OK, now we have determined that I may or may not need them, may or may not want them, they may or may not make the car look better at night, and they may or may not be easy for one with intermediate mechanical skills.... Which I am not a mechanic or very mechanically in tune... I am a nurse in the operating room... come in and I can run rings around you with surgical knowledge... but I digress.... Now I need to determine whether I can or can't afford the HIDs..... so what was the cost... anyone...anyone????? Russ
Can you post a picture of the cutoff on the smart projectors. I already have an hid kit on my current car and will be looking for one for my smart. I just want to see the cutoff of the projectors.
Hey guys I waiting for the sun to go down so I can take some pictures. The cutoff with the Smart car are pretty nice. They don't splatter light everywhere. I was out last light and the difference is tremendous. For me, I cannot ever go back to a car without HID's. The safety factor, and the difference behind the wheel just makes it feel like that much more of a car. I even installed them on my motorcycle.
HIDs dont have fillaments... they produce an ark.. a continuous spark if you will. they emit a ton of UV thus the filters they use on them. and yeah people can see you coming a very long way away but in the process alot of people get blinded very easily by these so now you have a blinded driver comming towards your newly modified smart and he cant see the road... YEAH get them it makes good sence
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