HID units in standard headlights

found this info when reading another thread.
something i never knew..

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/aftermarket-hid-headlamps

fairly well known , but there are still those who go ahead regardless

tacr2man said:

fairly well known , but there are still those who go ahead regardless

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......and a common cause of arguments....

blue beasty said:

......and a common cause of arguments....

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................no it's not...

..........yes it bleedin well is...

Behind you !

like the way it states:

The Department for Transport takes the view that it’s not legal to use lighting kits to convert standard halogen headlamps to HID xenon headlamps

there is no argument, simple fact without having to wade through the whole document

So am I correct in saying its ok to buy a brand new BMW or Merc that burns your eyeballs out when coming towards you or sitting behind you, because the EU has said that's allowed?

But its not ok for me to try and improve my existing lights, unless I spend a fortune on new units that still laser f--k out folks eyes?

Sounds about right..

meego said:

So am I correct in saying its ok to buy a brand new BMW or Merc that burns your eyeballs out when coming towards you or sitting behind you, because the EU has said that's allowed?

But its not ok for me to try and improve my existing lights, unless I spend a fortune on new units that still laser f--k out folks eyes?

Sounds about right..

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Have to be self leveling I believe.

Not only self levelling

Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self levelling (which can be
for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have
"self levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with
the main beam.

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Not exactly a cheap, quick or legal fit putting after market HID into Land Rovers


Brendan

meego said:

So am I correct in saying its ok to buy a brand new BMW or Merc that burns your eyeballs out when coming towards you or sitting behind you, because the EU has said that's allowed?

But its not ok for me to try and improve my existing lights, unless I spend a fortune on new units that still laser f--k out folks eyes?

Sounds about right..

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OE HID headlights are desinged so that they don't blind oncoming vehicles. HID lamps have a different beam pattern to normal headlights, so unless you fit a headlamp unit that is deigned for HID bulbs you will be blinding oncoming traffic.

I find aftermarket HIDs are less annoying than ultra bright LED DRLs.

Now they do need stopping.

Interesting. I thought it was just me but headlights on some new cars I find blinding at particular angles.

You learn something new every day. There's a Wheeler Dealers episode where they push HIDs

clarkkent said:

Interesting. I thought it was just me but headlights on some new cars I find blinding at particular angles.

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Its not just you. Its a bloody bollocks and its only a matter of time before it causes a serious accident. May have already for all we know.

meego said:

Its not just you. Its a bloody bollocks and its only a matter of time before it causes a serious accident. May have already for all we know.

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What amazes me is that manafacturers or vehicle safety agencies haven't addressed this serious design fault.

clarkkent said:

Interesting. I thought it was just me but headlights on some new cars I find blinding at particular angles.

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I agree with you there , For a few seconds you are driving blind.

If these things are illegal in this country why when I brought up this thread do I find an advert for a company selling them? Xenon HID Lights Conversion Kits

Would this not make Landyzone an accessory? :hysterically_laughi

Yoyodyne said:

If these things are illegal in this country why when I brought up this thread do I find an advert for a company selling them? Xenon HID Lights Conversion Kits

Would this not make Landyzone an accessory? :hysterically_laughi

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If you read their T&C's, in section 18, they admit that they are not road legal and are for off road use only.

You can buy all sorts for 'off road use only' generally it says so somewhere.

Unfortunately, wanting them/having them and not spending 2 minutes with google to ask the question isn't the same as them being legal.

It's not like it's a hidden secret.

People do fit them without problems (except for wondering why everyone else is driving through hedges) but that's not the same as legal either.