Several members have installed HID headlight conversion kits and others have expressed interest in doing so.
There are pros and cons for use of HID headlights. Among the pros are higher light output, "whiter" light and lower power consumption. Among the cons are that the narrow spectral lines of HID lamps can distort color perception, ie, the ability to differentiate one color from another. And, according to NHTSA and many researchers, the higher luminance of HID headlights can cause glare and temporary night blindness. This is not surprising since our eyes rapidly adapt to an increase in brightness but take minutes to adjust to reduced brightness.
European regulations require HID headlights to incorporate lens cleaners (to reduce glare) and automatic leveling (to maintain proper light distribution.) The US allows manufacturers and importers to self-certify their products. Conversion kits may or may not include these desirable safety features.
Most importantly, from what I have read, it appears that NHTSA has concluded that no HID conversion kit can satisfy Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for on-road use.
There are many products on the market that are not necessarily good for us or for those around us. Just because it is possible to install an HID headlight conversion kit doesn't mean that it is a good idea to do so. Members considering a conversion kit should be aware of the potential impact on other drivers as well as the electrical, visual and explosive hazards that accompany HID lamps.
The following may be useful to members seeking additional information about HID headlights.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_discharge_lamp (See especially the section on applications.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlamp
http://www.aa1car.com/library/hid_headlamps.htm (Includes info on NHTSA findings on conversion kits.)
http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/HID/x5kit.php (Includes a NHTSA review of a conversion kit and comments on conversion kits in general.)
http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/kim.ztv.html (The last sentence of the third paragraph expresses NHTSA's view on conversion kits. FMVSS are the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards which sets a maximum limit on headlight luminance.)
And the following may be useful to members seeking to understand the differences between HID and Halogen lamps.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_halide_lamp
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halogen_lamp
KNS
There are pros and cons for use of HID headlights. Among the pros are higher light output, "whiter" light and lower power consumption. Among the cons are that the narrow spectral lines of HID lamps can distort color perception, ie, the ability to differentiate one color from another. And, according to NHTSA and many researchers, the higher luminance of HID headlights can cause glare and temporary night blindness. This is not surprising since our eyes rapidly adapt to an increase in brightness but take minutes to adjust to reduced brightness.
European regulations require HID headlights to incorporate lens cleaners (to reduce glare) and automatic leveling (to maintain proper light distribution.) The US allows manufacturers and importers to self-certify their products. Conversion kits may or may not include these desirable safety features.
Most importantly, from what I have read, it appears that NHTSA has concluded that no HID conversion kit can satisfy Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for on-road use.
There are many products on the market that are not necessarily good for us or for those around us. Just because it is possible to install an HID headlight conversion kit doesn't mean that it is a good idea to do so. Members considering a conversion kit should be aware of the potential impact on other drivers as well as the electrical, visual and explosive hazards that accompany HID lamps.
The following may be useful to members seeking additional information about HID headlights.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_discharge_lamp (See especially the section on applications.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlamp
http://www.aa1car.com/library/hid_headlamps.htm (Includes info on NHTSA findings on conversion kits.)
http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/HID/x5kit.php (Includes a NHTSA review of a conversion kit and comments on conversion kits in general.)
http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/kim.ztv.html (The last sentence of the third paragraph expresses NHTSA's view on conversion kits. FMVSS are the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards which sets a maximum limit on headlight luminance.)
And the following may be useful to members seeking to understand the differences between HID and Halogen lamps.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_halide_lamp
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halogen_lamp
KNS