HID LIGHTS?

[G-MAN]

I want to chance my headlights to HID's, would there be a big difference?

[Engel]

NO DONT!!!!

I bought a set of hid globes for my t5 VW

1]your waterproof housing does not fit anymore as it should [most makes]
2]its illegal and dangerous for oncoming traffic
3]your high beam does not penetrate the dark
4]dims are very effective but has an extremely scattered effect

yes, it was the expensive type and probably the best downgrade you can do.

I also did not believe anyone, now I do

There is nothing however wron with hid if your lens is designed for it and most designs are only on low beam and cost about 10k to 20k extra on a car!
out of experience and note no2

[G-MAN]

A little confused now!

[Family_Dog]

Some more facts to alleviate your confusion... ;)

Read what the experts have to say:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech ... sions.html


-F_D

[Rittelin]

Jeesh Engel, where you get all that from...??

I've done HID upgrades on 3 vehicles now and ALL with GREAT success & improvement.

It was BY FAR one of the best upgrades I've ever done & will DEF. NEVER be without it again!

Obviously you've had bad experience with HID's which is a real pity!

I'll elaborate a bit more in the next post...

[Rittelin]

1]your waterproof housing does not fit anymore as it should [most makes]
2]its illegal and dangerous for oncoming traffic
3]your high beam does not penetrate the dark
4]dims are very effective but has an extremely scattered effect

1. I'm not sure how a Patrols head lights work, sorry. (but no problem on other makes).
2. If your headlights are set correctly (as they should be), how can it be 'dangerous'??
3. Huh?? Maybe the wrong bulps, ballister, wiring, who knows, but mine sure works GREAT!!
4. That is because of either old (or worn) lenses/reflectors.

yes, it was the expensive type and probably the best downgrade you can do.

What is expensive?? This shouldn't put you back more than R4.5k max!
Either you got ripped, or someone sold you the wrong stuff?

There is nothing however wron with hid if your lens is designed for it and most designs are only on low beam

True, but then only 'new model cars' would be 'fit' to take HID's??
(It worked WELL on my previous 320V6 Frontier & old shape L/Cruiser headlights).

and cost about 10k to 20k extra on a car!

Is this for complete set of new headlights, or for certain HID kits??

[Engel]

On a T5 vw transporter. Will sell it for R1000 if anyone wants. Go read erics post where it is tested

[JohnBoyZA]

G-Man said:

A little confused now!

Sjoe, I am just as confused. Was also considering the upgrade. All I can say is that I've seen Ritellin's HIDs in action and they are very impressive!

[Hein Burnett]

Guys,I have been using HID bulbs for many years now and have installed on various customer cars,mostly with great results.
First one of my vehicles was an 80 series LC then an 105 LC,Disco I and currently a Disco II.
The light improvement is tremendous in all respects.
There are one or two things to look out for.
1. Clear lenses seems to be a pre-requisit and
2. Some headlamps have a metal cap that covers the front tip of the bulb and this also helps to give a better controlled light.
If you use do not have the clear lenses the light is defused all over in a very uncontrolled manner and blinds on coming traffic.
The metal cap also helps with the above and also seem to redirect light back to the reflector and then forward again.
A good way to check your HID lights is to park a couple of meters away from a wall,when the lights are switched on the beam should have a
cutoff line,with strong light from the bottom up to about the middle of the Headlamps.
If your standard headlamps are not working well you may be able to buy either an aftermarket h/lamp or a later model h/lamp that works.
On the 100 series L/C the 2005 and newer models have the clear lenses,on the Disco II you can buy the facelift h/lamps which has clear lenses
For the old SFA Hilux,up to 1997,and Colts you get an aftermarket h/lamp with clear lenses and the cap.
If you cannot make a plan with the right h/lamps then only fit HID's in your spot/driving lights,these get switch off when you dim your
lights and will not negatively effect oncoming traffic

[Mayhem]

I support the HID up-grade but do not recommend them on the older lights with the defuser in the glass as you dont get a good cut-off line,there is a cut-off line but there is still a little light that shines above the cut-off line making it look as if you still have your brights on when stopped behind someone at a traffic light .This can cause a bit of road rage.The newer H4 HID kit is a better option as it is a single Xenon globe that changes its angle for dim and bright and is more defined when switching from dim to bright ,so if you flash an on coming car or when stopped behind some one they can see that you are actually not using the high beam.I would suggest to up-grade to HID spots/driving lights and get a set of higher wattage globes in your head lights with a relay conversion (you can get bulbs that look like HID light)if you want really good light.
I had HID's in my GQ with IPF reflectors and I also tried those Golf Diamond lenses which gave ausom light but they both had the same problem with the Lo beam "not defined cut-off line".I have not yet tried them in my GU yet ( 99 model )I would like to see how they work in the newer GU with the clear lenses as Hein suggested.