Better Nighttime Visibility

[MiriV]

if you get projector housings HID's wont be a problem. They are a problem when used in stock housings, people get glared like a mofo. But that was already mentioned.

 

IF you do not want to go HID, I recommend getting good quality headlight bulbs. While not as bright as HID's, they will make a difference.

 

Heres a little comparison of H1 bulbs, but this relates to other bulbs used in automotive industry as well.

 

Long Life:

1460 lumens, 1200 hours

 

Ultra Long Life (e.g. Osram "Light@Day"):

1430 lumens, 3000 hours

 

Plus-30 High Efficacy (Osram Super, Sylvania Xtravision, Narva Rangepower+30, Tungsram High Output, Philips Premium or High Visibility):

1700 lumens, 350 hours

 

Plus-50 Ultra High Efficacy (Philips VisionPlus, Osram Silverstar, Narva Rangepower+50, Tungsram Megalicht, but not Sylvania Silver Star):

1750 lumens, 350 hours

 

Plus-80/90 Mega High Efficacy (Philips Xtreme Power, Osram Night Breaker):

1780 lumens, 340 hours

 

Blue coated 'extra white' (Osram CoolBlue, Narva Rangepower Blue, Philips BlueVision or CrystalVision, Tungsram Super Blue or EuroBlue, Sylvania Silver Star or Silver Star Ultra, Wagner TruView, also PIAA, Hoen, Nokya, Polarg, and all the rest of the blue-glass junk):

1380 lumens, 250 hours

 

I currently use Xtravisions and compared to the Sylvania Long Life's its a big difference. Especially when I have my brights on. On top of that, my headlights are heavily oxidized, so i would be throwing even more light if they were cleaned. Hope this helps you.

[mra32]

Nice information! I appreciate it. I am really unsure of what bulbs are in the car. Probably long life since I dont think I've ever replaced them.

[Galaxie500XL]

My dad, old hot rodder he is, referred to the phenomena as "More's Law".

 

 

MORE'S LAW: If more is better, too much is just right.

 

 

If you stop and think about it, you've seen lots of crazy car stuff over the years that obeys that law...

 

Sometimes, if you've got to do something stupid... just do it right!

 

[GnatGoSplat]

if you get projector housings HID's wont be a problem. They are a problem when used in stock housings, people get glared like a mofo. But that was already mentioned.

 

That's not necessarily true. Just about every time someone's HIDs burns my eyes, they're factory projectors. I've actually found most of the kids that put HIDs in stock housings like to use ridiculous colors like deep blue or purple which aren't nearly as bright and piercing as factory HIDs. Factory HID projectors are pretty awesome from the other end though. The ones in my dad's SUV can illuminate the road like nothing I've seen before. Worlds better than HIDs in stock reflector housings.

[Skunkworks_Zed]

That's not necessarily true. Just about every time someone's HIDs burns my eyes, they're factory projectors. I've actually found most of the kids that put HIDs in stock housings like to use ridiculous colors like deep blue or purple which aren't nearly as bright and piercing as factory HIDs. Factory HID projectors are pretty awesome from the other end though. The ones in my dad's SUV can illuminate the road like nothing I've seen before. Worlds better than HIDs in stock reflector housings.

 

x2. If you want to use HID bulbs in the stock housing, theres some thing that you have to do before putting them in, if you want it done properly.

 

1) Compare the halogen bulb side by side with the HID bulb. Make sure the halogen filment, and the HID arc focal points are the same distance from the back of the reflector, you may need to file down the HID base, or add shims. This is what usually causes poor HID lighting (dark/light spots) and glare.

 

2) Clean the reflectors and the inside of the lenses, they do get quite dirty inside.

 

3) Get a proper harness, either make one or buy one from eBay, as it takes the strain off the stock wiring and headlight switch. The headlight switch really doesn't like seeing the massive electric spike when the ballasts first fire. The harness uses the stock 9006 connector to turn on a relay, which then pulls power straight from the battery to power the ballasts. Obviously each part should be fused aswell.

 

4) Aim them properly. The driver's side headlight should be aimed slightly down, and to the right. The passenger one can be aimed more straight, regarding up/down and left/right.

 

I have done all of these steps to all of my cars, and the beam pattern is good, foreground light is good, and there is no glare. I also stick 4300k - 5000k bulbs. My green GTP currently has 4300k, which is what OEM cars use. They are pure white. My other car had 5000k, which was a nice pure white on the road, and had a slight blue tint when looked at in the headlight.

 

With regards to foglights, they are fine being on with other traffic present. Foglights are ment to be aimed further down, as to be under the fog. Driving lights, on the other hand, are aimed further up, to illuminate the road ahead of you. They are what is usually blinding at night when people have them on.

 

If it were me, though, I would just get BMW projectors for the car Good projectors, and some good halogen bulbs would still be a great improvement.

[Schurkey]

The FIRST thing you do if you're bothered by other people's bright headlights...

 

 

...is park your car to face the setting (or rising) sun, on a clear evening/morning.

 

 

LOOK through YOUR windshield: do you see about a billion tiny pits from being hit with gravel and sand? BUY A NEW WINDSHIELD, and DO NOT get one made in China (sh!tty glass--in six months it'll look as bad as the one you have now.)

 

The SECOND thing you do when they blind you with their headlights, is to turn on your high-beams. Turnabout is fair play.

 

Oh, sure, a visit to the eye-doctor might be in order to positively rule-out something wrong with your eyes, but really--the new vehicles; and the bozos with non-DOT-approved aftermarket headlights are just plain obnoxious.

Edited October 22, 2010 by Schurkey

[GnatGoSplat]

The SECOND thing you do when they blind you with their headlights, is to turn on your high-beams. Turnabout is fair play.

 

I don't think that's necessary, at least not if the other person's HIDs are factory. I found two Acura TSX to be crazy blinding this morning, but they're factory headlights. It's not like they can help it!

For me it's not so much the glare on the windshield, but the piercing intensity of the lights. They're super bright. The contrast between super bright surrounded by darkness is what hurts my eyes.

[MiriV]

Well, you can't really fight that. If they cant aim the lights correctly, its their problem. Make sure your windshield is clean to minimize glare, thats it.

[Schurkey]

Well, you can't really fight that. If they cant aim the lights correctly, its their problem.

I disagree. They get enough oncoming traffic turning on the high beams, they'll get a clue, and get their headlights aimed. It is not their problem, it's OUR problem until we turn it around on them.

[MiriV]

I disagree. They get enough oncoming traffic turning on the high beams, they'll get a clue, and get their headlights aimed. It is not their problem, it's OUR problem until we turn it around on them.

 

Cops around here pull over people who cause too much glare and blind people. But yeah, I'd be damned if I wouldn't flash cars that blind me.

[George]

More info to clutter your thoughts. Hella sells universal projector headlights in 50mm and 90mm sizes.

Prices through Summit Racing: 50mm HID low beam p/n 009 071-091 $515.99 per pair.

50mm HID high beam p/n 008 390-317 $417.99 per pair

50mm halogen low beam p/n 009 071-081 $113.95 per pair

50mm halogen high beam p/n 009 486-001 $113.95 per pair

50mm halogen fog lights p/n 008 090-317 $113.69 per pair

Hella may offer 50mm driving lights and 90mm fog and driving lights as well, but I didn't check on those.

I priced these as I am interested in 50mm projectors for my '94 Cutlass Vert. I think the light output would be good as I have other Hella lighting products (5 3/4", 7" and 4"x6" conversion lights, takes H4 bulbs) plus it would look similar to an 850 BMW.

I have not yet decided if cutting / trimming the core support for clearance is worth it.

Have fun.

[GaPrix]

I would recommend HID's as well. (not the 55watt versions) I have 5k for my headlights and 8k for my fogs. I was a little worried that my 8k would be too blue, but it turns out its white with a tint of blue. It just depends on the manufacture. My visibilty definately increased since i have the mini quad lights. So i'm sure your light output would be better.

 

Why not the 55 watt versions? Curious because thats what I have. 55watt 6000k Driving and Projector Fogs. Better than stock I must admit.

[jeremy]

Why not the 55 watt versions? Curious because thats what I have. 55watt 6000k Driving and Projector Fogs. Better than stock I must admit.

55w hids are overkill

[GaPrix]

haha okay....I dont know about being overkill though. Typically from anyone I speak to they all say driving by me is fine (neighborhood folk), they are blinded but the newer BMWs and such, are a headache....but hey atleast you'll see clearly at night. I turn in the neighborhood at 4am all the houses light up blueish white. I love it.

[white4d96]

You're better off getting a retrofit kit from the retrofit source (theretrofitsource.com) or future vision (futurevisionhid.com) for that price. If you have HID's already you can just get projectors from TRS for like...$110 IIRC? Get matching bulbs for like $20 on eBay and you're good to go for less!

 

That's just my opinion though. God I want projectors so damn bad.

[pwmin]

what did you end up doing? I've used Nighthawks before and I really liked them, but Wal-Mart doesn't sell them any more or any one else around here fr that matter and CarQuest stocks Philips, so I just dropped a ridiculous amount ($52) on the Xtreme Powers. Haven't got to test them out yet, though.

[mra32]

I spent a few hours cleaning up everything that I had mentioned and that did a great deal. My headlights actually look to be very well aimed, but I still havent parked against a giant white wall or anything to see. Come to think of it I have to clean everything up again. This time I'm gonna get inside the headlights and maybe do a angel eye thing, who knows. You wouldnt imagine how little dirt it takes on your headlights to make a huge difference in light output.

 

I also think I just put my big boy pants on and learned to deal with the 10% of people around here who still have no idea how to control their high beams. I think I will try something like Xtravision Lights or something, but its been some time since I've bought anything auto related. Which reminds me about wipers and everything. Speaking of which...this is tangentially related...

 

Anyone have trouble with the windshield wiper nozzles on the wiper arms, I used to have one that worked and that was fine, but now both are reduced to a trickle. Think theres something in the line or on the nozzle is blocking the flow? What about grabbing some hood mounted ones from the jy and putting them on?

[pwmin]

blow the juicers out (and the lines while you're at it) and it should fix the problem...computer duster might work but might not have enough oomph

 

Xtravisions might not be as good as the Xtreme Powers, but much cheaper and better than standard or coated bulbs

Edited January 5, 2011 by pwmin

[virtuetovice]

I too hate the light output of my stock headlights. I ordered some LED bulbs not too long ago. When I get them I'll let you know if theyre worth a damn.

[Schurkey]

I too hate the light output of my stock headlights. I ordered some LED bulbs not too long ago. When I get them I'll let you know if theyre worth a damn.

The FIRST thing I'd have done is to verify that you have 14 volts (alternator voltage) at the headlight connector with the engine running at fast idle and the headlights ON. (don't just unplug the connector and check for voltage--check the voltage with the headlights LIT; including the high beams and low beams separately.)

 

First guess: You've got voltage drop in the system; and the headlights would be brighter if they were getting fed properly.

 

Second guess: The plastic headlight covers are no longer clear; they're cloudy due to UV radiation deteriorating the plastic. Seems like all makes are affected to some amount, but various Fords are so bad I can't understand why the vehicles don't get recalled--it's like trying to shine the headlight through a towel.

[mra32]

Looking into this: http://store.candlepower.com/mohirbuba.html

People say HIRs are hands down a vast improvement over any halogen. Amazon has em for like $28 a piece. What do you guys think?

[pwmin]

Looking into this: http://store.candlepower.com/mohirbuba.html

People say HIRs are hands down a vast improvement over any halogen. Amazon has em for like $28 a piece. What do you guys think?

been wanting to try them for quite some time but decided to go w/ the Xtreme Powers since I could get them right away and out of curiousity.