quote:

ORIGINAL: sir_nasty

I'd settle for not having a busted headlight....  Cement truck got me a couple of days ago, shattered big hole in the front glass lens, bulb still works for now....

I didn't read all of that article but it would appear his biggest issue is with beam pattern and such?  If that's the case then why not just get the actuall true conversion kit (if available)

Ludedude: I really don't believe that any HID conversion kits out there undergo any real engineering, if they did you would probably see these kits mass produced by companies like Sylvania or Philips and sold at major auto parts stores.

From the Sylvania link: To install HID lights you will need new reflectors and optics that are specifically designed for that light source.   SYLVANIA does have a solution for some vehicles, with the Xenarc retrofit kits.

quote:

ORIGINAL: falkore24

An HID retro bulb fits into the holder for the halogen (simple enough).  Based on your first link, the HID would eminate light through the "sweet spot" as well as a bit beyond since the HID light comes from the glass surface and the bulb only shines from the filament.  Since our car's halogen headlights are not aimed like your BWM example, I don't think that system really fits this discussion.  The note from the second link is justified with referance to the ballast and igniter rather than optics -- please don't skew info to favor your opinion. 

I do agree that halogen fixtures are not optimized for HID use, but to claim that the light output would be all messed up with a conversion kit is wrong.  I think that everyone (meaning less informed people and those without advanced physics training, not you :) has to do their own research, but that doesn't seem to be the case lately.  Also, I welcome a debate (your view = HID conversion creates a bad light output; my view = while not optimized, light output is not bad) on a worthwhile topic (not shooting the messanger!!)

I have aftermarket TYC projector fixtures that came with halogen H1 bulbs for low and high beams.  I retrofitted the low beams to HID bulbs and recently (since the pictures were taken) upgraded the high beams to better halogen bulbs.  I don't really like HID's for high beams since in the NYC metro area, you can't really keep your beams on for any length of time.  Switching on and off repeatedly is bad for HID's (electronics).

quote:

ORIGINAL: ludedude

Falkore24, in response to your second posting on this thread:

I am having difficulty understanding what you are trying to say in the first paragraph. But if you have independent research conducted by photometric engineers to support your case then by all means where is it? Note, I would not consider website photos of beam patterns shining on the ground or on garage doors as independent or reliable or scientific research. I seriously doubt you even read the article on the web link in my original post or watched the YouTube video on that same link. I am not making this stuff up because I hate HID or something, nor do I have anything to gain from this debate if you want to call it that.

But I think we are in agreement on your second paragraph (sort of).  That is essentially what I was trying to say, that you can't expect to have a good beam pattern by sticking a HID bulb into a headlight designed for a halogen filament bulb. If you get a good pattern it would be a matter of luck.  And again unless you have a light tunnel and photometric equipment you really can't claim you have a good legal beam pattern just because it looks good shining on the ground.

Please don't claim my INDEPENDENT research citations are skewed when you have NONE to support your own arguments, it only makes your point of view appear biased and uninformed. You simply state some of my points are irrelevant or don't fit but you do not back it up. You wouldn't sell HID kits by any chance?

Those pics do look good, but you can't really tell just by looking at pics. Dang they look good.