Discussion
So I read these are illegal in halogen headlights. But it doesn't specifically say if these means reflectors (which cause scatter) or projectors, which is what xenons come with.
I ran a passat around for 2 years with a set of 6000K HID's. B5.5's have projectors in them with halogens inside. I never got flashed by anyone and passed two MOT tests with the HID's.
Furthermore, look at for example E46 330cis. They have projectors in their headlamps, but some come with xenon some come with halogen, either uses the same headlights just different bulbs (and ballasts with xenon).
Another example, is that Lexus' amongst other factory cars come with HID's as standard instead of xenons. Are police going to fine these people too?
So can someone clarify please?
I ran a passat around for 2 years with a set of 6000K HID's. B5.5's have projectors in them with halogens inside. I never got flashed by anyone and passed two MOT tests with the HID's.
Furthermore, look at for example E46 330cis. They have projectors in their headlamps, but some come with xenon some come with halogen, either uses the same headlights just different bulbs (and ballasts with xenon).
Another example, is that Lexus' amongst other factory cars come with HID's as standard instead of xenons. Are police going to fine these people too?
So can someone clarify please?
Ok so what about if I decide to fit HID's and I go to a place that will fit proper, HID/Xenon projectors into my headlights. Still illegal?
Seems a bit silly to make decent, cheap headlights illegal when lots of cars such as mine which have reflector halogens fail to light up the road properly. I have had a few near misses due to my light output being too low, and people dressed in black crossing the road etc.
Would be better to make it law so all manufacturers have to put xenons or HID's in their cars from stock, surely?
Seems a bit silly to make decent, cheap headlights illegal when lots of cars such as mine which have reflector halogens fail to light up the road properly. I have had a few near misses due to my light output being too low, and people dressed in black crossing the road etc.
Would be better to make it law so all manufacturers have to put xenons or HID's in their cars from stock, surely?
KevinCamaroSS said:
There are plenty of aftermarket Halogen bulbs that give around 90-120% extra light and are still road legal. Cost about £30-40 a pair. The cheapest and legal solution.
Edited to add: I used these on my Octavia Scout in dip and main beam and could light up a reflective surface (road sign) at more than one kilometre away. Absolutely acceptable. Don't forget HID (Xenon) is only fitted to the dip beam, not the main beam because of the slow start up time, no possibility to use for main beam 'flash'.
Well they are but most xenons are bi-xenon, for dipped the beam is limited.Edited to add: I used these on my Octavia Scout in dip and main beam and could light up a reflective surface (road sign) at more than one kilometre away. Absolutely acceptable. Don't forget HID (Xenon) is only fitted to the dip beam, not the main beam because of the slow start up time, no possibility to use for main beam 'flash'.
Edited by KevinCamaroSS on Wednesday 21st September 09:58
Can you give me some examples? Tried osram nightbreakers in a different, reflector halogen car and no difference.
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