Are HIDs really that bright?

deutschmann59 · 05-06-2006, 10:19 PM

Man, I was driving home today from a wedding and this same thing happened three separate times! I'd pass someone and then they'd flash on their high beams on me after I'd get in front of them...presumably in retaliation for my bright xenon lights (I didn't have my high beams on and I wasn't driving like an ass).

I've read many articles about HIDs being a hazzard to oncoming traffic, as well as cars in front of them. But geez, they aren't that bright!

This sort of thing is usually very isolated--happens maybe one in a hundred times of night driving people will think I've got my high beams on. But tonight, wow...three times!

Sorry, dumb post I know, but while I was driving home and this was happening, I thought it would have made for an interesting post.

nyyankee · 05-06-2006, 10:50 PM

They shouldn't be in anyones eyes because there auto leveling....If someone were to flash me I would flip on my highs to show them what HID's in the face is really like.

NaTuReB0Y · 05-06-2006, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyyankee

They shouldn't be in anyones eyes because there auto leveling....If someone were to flash me I would flip on my highs to show them what HID's in the face is really like.

my headlight does not auto-leveled........
i had to manually adjust them after i dropped my car.........

my headlights were shooting to ground......5 feet in front of me....

goIrish · 05-07-2006, 12:34 AM

probably just senior citizens flashing you.... Wanna talk about bright, the HID's on the newest 'Vette are bright as hell!!

poldim · 05-07-2006, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharp1183

Man, I was driving home today from a wedding and this same thing happened three separate times! I'd pass someone and then they'd flash on their high beams on me after I'd get in front of them...presumably in retaliation for my bright xenon lights (I didn't have my high beams on and I wasn't driving like an ass).

I've read many articles about HIDs being a hazzard to oncoming traffic, as well as cars in front of them. But geez, they aren't that bright!

This sort of thing is usually very isolated--happens maybe one in a hundred times of night driving people will think I've got my high beams on. But tonight, wow...three times!

Sorry, dumb post I know, but while I was driving home and this was happening, I thought it would have made for an interesting post.

Make sure they are adjusted properly. If you have doubts, take it to the stealership.

Broken1 · 05-07-2006, 04:40 AM

I adjusted my Xenons up a bit (there is a DIY on how to do it somewhere) and then people started flashing me - so then I adjusted it down just a tad.

I find it's only poeple in crappy cars that flash me (don't mean to sound snobbish like that) and also only when I'm really accelerating on a bumpy road (as the xenons bounce up and down)

The reason they flash, is because they 1) Don't know much about HID's and 2) The projector can give the image that the lights are brighter and dazzling.

:-)

poldim · 05-07-2006, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken1

I adjusted my Xenons up a bit (there is a DIY on how to do it somewhere) and then people started flashing me - so then I adjusted it down just a tad.

I find it's only poeple in crappy cars that flash me (don't mean to sound snobbish like that) and also only when I'm really accelerating on a bumpy road (as the xenons bounce up and down)

The reason they flash, is because they 1) Don't know much about HID's and 2) The projector can give the image that the lights are brighter and dazzling.

:-)

I think I've only been flashed once, and I also did the raising of the beams. I see ten times as many halogens that drive around with poor reflector design that blind everyone. Problem is just the fact that people tend to pay attention more to the blue light since its rare compared to the yellow halogens.

findtom · 05-07-2006, 12:05 PM

I have had that happen a few times to me, one time the guy really went apeshit.

Here's my theory...

For some reason, maybe it's the slightly low direction of the beam combined with the sharp "line" of light xenons have at the edges of where they're directed... if you're driving behind someone on a slightly bumpy road, everytime you hit a small bump that elevates the direction of the lights slightly it looks like you flashed your lights. I noticed this when I was moving my previous car and I had someone driving mine behind me.

ward · 05-07-2006, 12:05 PM

I'm just waiting for someone to flash me, so I can show them how bright the high beams are (hid, not halogen flashers)

findtom · 05-07-2006, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

I'm just waiting for someone to flash me, so I can show them how bright the high beams are (hid, not halogen flashers)

Yeah, the high beams are VERY bright on the E90 xenons.

poldim · 05-07-2006, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

I'm just waiting for someone to flash me, so I can show them how bright the high beams are (hid, not halogen flashers)

If you think our lights are good, drive a 7 series. I drive a 760, turn on the high beams, and the similar way that we get a rainbow arc and everything under it is lit, the 7's arc is twice the size and twice as bright. Its amazing....

nyyankee · 05-07-2006, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poldim

If you think our lights are good, drive a 7 series. I drive a 760, turn on the high beams, and the similar way that we get a rainbow arc and everything under it is lit, the 7's arc is twice the size and twice as bright. Its amazing....

HaHa..Its like turning the sun on

poldim · 05-07-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyyankee

HaHa..Its like turning the sun on

Pretty much. Flick a lever and BAM!, daylight.

ward · 05-07-2006, 05:52 PM

it's great for when people cut you off at night!

E90Fleet · 05-07-2006, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poldim

If you think our lights are good, drive a 7 series. I drive a 760, turn on the high beams, and the similar way that we get a rainbow arc and everything under it is lit, the 7's arc is twice the size and twice as bright. Its amazing....

Intersting thing is they use the same bulbs as the E90

The difference comes down to headlight size and spacing

One of the most difficult headlights to get good light from of the current range of BMW is the Z4.
Becuase of its small size low position and close spacing its hard to get good light from it, and they give off the "weakest" light of all BMW Xenons ( although again, they have the same bulbs )

volsfan0911 · 05-07-2006, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goIrish

probably just senior citizens flashing you.... Wanna talk about bright, the HID's on the newest 'Vette are bright as hell!!

Yeah - but then you run into the "no auto level" plus they're saddled with halogen high beams. GF has a TSX, and her headlights can be pissers, same as the 'Vette. At least the '05. Did they change anything for '06??

05-06-2006, 10:19 PM	#1
deutschmann59 Captain 176 Rep 737 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: e90post.com iTrader: (0)	Are HIDs really that bright? Man, I was driving home today from a wedding and this same thing happened three separate times! I'd pass someone and then they'd flash on their high beams on me after I'd get in front of them...presumably in retaliation for my bright xenon lights (I didn't have my high beams on and I wasn't driving like an ass). I've read many articles about HIDs being a hazzard to oncoming traffic, as well as cars in front of them. But geez, they aren't that bright! This sort of thing is usually very isolated--happens maybe one in a hundred times of night driving people will think I've got my high beams on. But tonight, wow...three times! Sorry, dumb post I know, but while I was driving home and this was happening, I thought it would have made for an interesting post.
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05-06-2006, 10:50 PM	#2
nyyankee The Ultimate Posting Machine 42 Rep 419 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325I Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ft.Lauderdale iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	They shouldn't be in anyones eyes because there auto leveling....If someone were to flash me I would flip on my highs to show them what HID's in the face is really like. __________________ DISCLAIMER: Poster makes no guarantee that the above expressed information is accurate, complete, current, funny, new, spelled correctly, or grammatically correct. The above-stated information is instead provided on an "AS IS" basis, and is subject to revision with or without notice.
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05-07-2006, 12:34 AM	#4
goIrish Enlisted Member 0 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wyoming iTrader: (0)	probably just senior citizens flashing you.... Wanna talk about bright, the HID's on the newest 'Vette are bright as hell!!
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05-07-2006, 04:40 AM	#6
Broken1 Addict 203 Rep 2,074 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 40i M-Sport Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	I adjusted my Xenons up a bit (there is a DIY on how to do it somewhere) and then people started flashing me - so then I adjusted it down just a tad. I find it's only poeple in crappy cars that flash me (don't mean to sound snobbish like that) and also only when I'm really accelerating on a bumpy road (as the xenons bounce up and down) The reason they flash, is because they 1) Don't know much about HID's and 2) The projector can give the image that the lights are brighter and dazzling. :-)
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05-07-2006, 12:05 PM	#8
findtom Colonel 129 Rep 2,658 Posts Drives: E60 545i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 545i [0.00]	I have had that happen a few times to me, one time the guy really went apeshit. Here's my theory... For some reason, maybe it's the slightly low direction of the beam combined with the sharp "line" of light xenons have at the edges of where they're directed... if you're driving behind someone on a slightly bumpy road, everytime you hit a small bump that elevates the direction of the lights slightly it looks like you flashed your lights. I noticed this when I was moving my previous car and I had someone driving mine behind me.
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05-07-2006, 12:05 PM	#9
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	I'm just waiting for someone to flash me, so I can show them how bright the high beams are (hid, not halogen flashers)
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05-07-2006, 05:52 PM	#14
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	it's great for when people cut you off at night!
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