I think Dateline NBC or some national news show is doing a report on HID lights either tonight or some time this week. In their teaser they said that the government is investigating them for some reason. They had some guy crying about how bright they are and that they "blind you".

Might Uncle Sam outlaw our lights?

BC

 

I believe it's going to be on the NBC Nightly news tonight.

 

I will watch tonight.. Thanks

 

USA Today ran a report on the "HID problem" last week. . . Basically, the government is looking at what, if any, action should be taken against HIDs. . . The report cited "improper beam angle", "limited vehicle applications" (i.e., only used on luxury cars/most drivers aren't use to them) and "illegal/imitation HIDs" as the primary causes for complaints. . .

However, the article was also quick to point out that there has not yet been a report case of someone getting into an accident as a result of being blinded by HIDs. . . HIDs only seem to be annoying. . .

Incidentally, though many people incorrectly refer to HIDs as Xenon lights, the Xenon is only used to to increase the activation (warm-up) time of the lamp. . . Thus allowing HIDs to reach their peak output within seconds, rather than minutes The article also had a graphic which illustrated how the light patterns for HIDs and Halogens are different (very interesting). . . Additionally, (unknown to me) HIDs use significantly less power than Halogens to produce the same amount of light (approx 80% less). . .

IMO, I don't think the fed will do away with HIDs. . . As the price drops & more cars use them as standard equipment, you'll see less complaints about the brightness and more praises for the added illumination. . . As the article stated, people also complained about the color & brightness of halogens when they were introduced as a replacement for sealed beams. . .

 

HID's usually take about 35 watts compared to the 55. Another interesting note is the voltage that they use, I believe it's 80,000 volts to get them started.

Lance

 

These lights like flourescent require a high startup voltage to begin the plasma in the bulb. Once that has been created the resistance of the bulb goes from nearly infinite to very 'zero'. Of course its not really zero but the resistance is much lower than the startup voltage. Interesting technology, defintely NOT Edison's light bulb.

 

If these whiners would quit staring right into them, I think the "problem" would be solved. Gee; I've noticed when I stare right into a flashlight it really bothers me too...duh!

Seroiusly, I think a HID equipped car looks so different as it approaches that people curiously study them as they pass, perhaps trying to get a good look at the grille to see what kind of car it is.

 

I swear I cant for the life of me see the problem. I have had S2Ks behind me and coming toward me without any major probs at all.

As a matter of fact, the only issue I have is that they dont spread enough light for some oncoming cars to see you as you approach.

Light saturation of the cones in the retina will not be greatly different from halogen vs HID if you are talking time of exposure to the light. The HIDs seem to be only "flashing" the light at the oncoming cars whereas the halogens are constant.

BTW if you look directly at almost any headlight as you pass a car, you are effectively blinded for a few seconds with regard to central vision.

Yes I am an eye doc.

 

Too much beureacratic red tape ... If you ask me, simply have nothing else to investigate I guess? Wasting taxpayer's money!

 

The news report tonight qouted that NHTSA had recieved 100 complaints about HIDs. Imagine that! Maybe we could get 100 people to complain about how ugly and distracting the Pontiac Aztec is and start a study to have that taken off the road too.