HID Install done today!

[Smart09]

there is alot of talk about installing them but no pics of the cutoff on the wall or pics of were it was installed or the ouput.. please post pics for our viewing pleasure thanks

[mdfortwoguy]

Originally Posted by sato7

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

Hmm, so what about the other vehicles on the road with Xenons?

You are aware that putting xenons in a projector housing is going to produce a vastly different result than a cheap kit slapped in a Civic with halogen spec reflector bowls, correct?

[Eric H.]

Originally Posted by Smart09

there is alot of talk about installing them but no pics of the cutoff on the wall or pics of were it was installed or the ouput.. please post pics for our viewing pleasure thanks

Ok I took some quick pictures against the back of a grocery store wall. I couldn't find anywhere else dark enough. Hope this looks good!

Take a note of the first pic. There was another car that pulled around with regular bulb headlights. Look at the difference in lighting.

The ballasts are mounted next to the headlight housing. There is a flat area on the frame where the ballasts have an adhesive back that sit flush on the frame.

[bgcat57]

While these seem like a good mod for improving night visibility, proper aim is critical to the safety issue. If you, as the driver, can see more, that is good for safety. However, if you are blinding the oncoming driver, that significantly reduces your safety (and theirs.)

BTW, still no answer on cost here although it's been asked several times.

[curtis]

I don't understand all these people saying they blind you, I for one am blinded by every pickup truck with bright yellowish lights, I find the blue ones much easier on the eyes.

[p1nball]

I found that the the OPTILUX EXTREME YELLOW all weather bulbs to far better for all types of driving.

[angel]

Originally Posted by curtis

I don't understand all these people saying they blind you, I for one am blinded by every pickup truck with bright yellowish lights, I find the blue ones much easier on the eyes.

I have sensitive eyes. I guess more sensitive to brighter whites and blues than yellows. Even on an overcast day I have on sunglasses. A bright day with snow on the ground is blinding. For some it's an inconvenience to not have their sunglasses. For me it's a painful experience to not have my sunglasses. I realize that some people can see better when driving with the bluish bulbs. And I realize that the bluish bulbs don't bother some when they see them in traffic. Unfortunately they do bother my eyes. People driving with their brights on can also be painful. I try to adapt and overcome. I'll look elsewhere. For some they feel safer installing those headlights as they can see better. I just wanted to offer a different point of view that maybe hadn't been considered by some.

[p1nball]

I found that the the OPTILUX EXTREME YELLOW all weather bulbs to be far better for all types of driving. They are what is used in europe, They are not blinding to on coming traffic, help in fog very little feed bak of glare in fog.Proof of this is the reason sodium vapor is the choice of highway lighting(YELLOW). Ask any hunter or target sportsman, use yellow glasses to improve night vision!! I will post some pix's with all the lights on, Your Choice About $45.00 bulbs or up to $500-$1200 HID'S. P.S. THEY LOOK GREAT ON YELLOW SMARTS VERY COOL!!!!! p1nball NOTE H-7 HI/LO BEAM H-11 FOG LAMP!!!

[RussBarnes]

I guess one of the benefits of being an "old f$$t" is that we can do things that people just shrug off to age. So when a car comes the other way toward me with these new fangled blue lights and I am driving either my Excursion or Kenworth - note both sit very high, then I go to my high beams and leave them lit up, and even when these "cool show off dudes" flash their high dollar lights at me, no big deal, I am above their cut offs so it doesn't mad a bad situation even worse. These lights are too bright to shine in the eyes of many people and when you get older you will understand why. My father-in-law in his 80's used to complain about them a few years ago and as I get older, I can begin to understand why.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by p1nball

... I found that the the OPTILUX EXTREME YELLOW all weather bulbs to be far better for all types of driving. ...

Caution: I note that none of the Hella Optilux "XY" series bulbs are DOT approved as street legal. Off-road only.