Something needs to be done about aftermarket HID !!!!!!

Strider590

alastairq wrote: »

There is much discussion regarding the use of sidelights [or, parking lights]....whist driving.


I may be off-planet here, but I understood [without looking up the regulations] that, from a certain date, manufacturers had to fit what once was known as a 'dim/dip' device to the headlights...so that, if the sidelights only were in use, once the engine started, the headlights had to come on...but at a reduced voltage?

Thus, the vehicle could not be driven 'on sidelights alone?'

Dim-dip was removed mid-80's, parking lights moved into the headlamp unit and changed to sidelights. I think it was about 1986, because my Metro had parking lights in the bumper, but the next years model had them in the headlamp.

Joe_Horner

Strider590 wrote: »

Dim-dip was removed mid-80's, parking lights moved into the headlamp unit and changed to sidelights. I think it was about 1986, because my Metro had parking lights in the bumper, but the next years model had them in the headlamp.

My '95 Pug 405 has dim-dip and my '72 Daf 32 has front position lights (always the technically correct term btw) in the headlamps.

penthouse89

I don't have a set point of putting my lights on - I put on my lights when I feel it's necessary. Which is often.

My car is dark green. Try driving down a tree lined suburban avenue in a tree coloured car without having a Tiguan pull out infront of you. If my lights are on, I stand a bit more of a chance.

Generally speaking, I put my headlamps on in anything other than bright sunlight. I must add, my headlamps are correctly adjused and are the old style H7 bulbs, and don't blind other motorists.

I leave the side lights (or parking/position markers, if you prefer) on when I park for short times at the roadside. Unusually, however, my car has amber side lights on the front, don't know the legalities of this (pretty sure you're only allowed white showing to the front?) but it passed an MOT with them in and were in when I bought the car. These aren't suitable for driving on alone.

Stooby2

This forum amazes me at times - the OP made a point about HID lights that are too bright, and gets shot down because apparently he has an eye problem and his driving is terrible.

OK, according the Highway Code and law his reaction wasn't right. But he is right in his point about HIDs fitted to headlamps not designed for them. They produce a huge spread of dazzling light that isn't aimed correctly. Yes they may get picked up by the MOT, but that could take up to year. The chances of getting stopped by a police officer with the time and/or training to deal with them is marginal.

Having been dazzled by HIDs coming towards me several times - and it's no fun on a motorbike when you can't see beyond the oncoming* -I understand the OP's frustration and I'd also like to see the sale of aftermarket HID conversions banned.

*My eyes are fine, as is my road positioning.

Retrogamer

I'm not a fan of HID's period. Legal or illegal variants.
Some of the OEM fitments on legal ones blind me more than the illegally fitted ones.

Perfect example is Range Rovers originals seem to be much more dazzling due to their height (especially when behind you at traffic lights) than some guy running the not so bright 35watt ones in his VW Polo with reflector lenses.

Lum

Of the non-4x4s, Audi ones are by far the worst.

I would literally rather encounter a Corsa B with Chinese eBay HIDs than an Audi A4 with the stock HIDs.

Jack_Regan

londonTiger wrote: »

I got so frustrated behind the wheel of my car today that I slapped on the horn 3-4 times and flashed my full beam on 3-4 times as well.

I was turning right on a busy main road to my house. The traffic isn't filtered fully.

I neede dto turn right and the car opposite me was turning right too. SO we were both idle on the middle of the road. The other driver had those aftermarket HID on which shon straight into my eyes. It was so bright that it made everything else around it pitch black. If there was a cyclist coming along beside him with weak light I don't think I would have been able to spot it because the HID was overshadowing everything else.

Peeved me right off and it felt very dangerous for me to turn right because it felt like I was trying to cross the roads blind because I couldn't trust what I was seeing.

I got frustrated at the driver, flashed my full beam at him and then hit the horn a couple of times as I drove off.

But you still did it, didn't you?

almillar

I didn't see a couple of points mentioned so here we go -
What was the car? Are you sure the lights were aftermarket?
If you're both turning right, and he has dipped headlights on, they're dipping towards you (down and left from his POV) - if you're slightly downhill from him, you'll be getting it right in the eye.
If the other driver's lights are correctly set he's got every right to drive around with dipped beam on all the time.

Rover_Driver

Strider590 wrote: »

Dim-dip was removed mid-80's, parking lights moved into the headlamp unit and changed to sidelights. I think it was about 1986, because my Metro had parking lights in the bumper, but the next years model had them in the headlamp.

Dim-dip has not been removed, it is not required if vehicles comply with Community directive 76/756/EEC (in respect of other lights) and as most vehicles do, they don't need dim-dip headlights. Sch. 1, The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.

Basic Metros had the front position lamps in the bumper, in the same housing as the indicator. The up market ones had them in the headlight.