[uke92dude]

A bit off topic but I find it increasingly hilarious how more and more car manufacturers are finding more inventive ways to introduce the ubiquitous LED lights on their cars. Has anybody seen the latest Vauxhalls and Renaults? They look like Christmas trees. Bloody awful.

Worried about having a car with xenons? Nope. Is the government going to ban them on hundreds of thousands of cars? Nope!

[Dr Dave]

I have no problem with properly functioning OEM HID lighting but it's the aftermarket HID Market that grinds my gears. HID bulbs in standard halogen lamps don't work and cause glare, especially the high-output 55w ones that can be seen at many evening "cruises" up and down the country. It is these "offenders" who need targeting by the Police and VOSA at the roadside. (All in my opinion, of course!)

[Dizzle]

Can I add to the offenders list Mercedes Benz DRL's still not quite as bright as the DS3 but dazzling.

[CarAbuser]

Originally Posted by Dizzle

Can I add to the offenders list Mercedes Benz DRL's still not quite as bright as the DS3 but dazzling.

Approved. Another reason to be using sunglasses while driving at night.

[m1bjr]

Ken Perham ...

Seems everyone in the country these days thinks they are 'important'.
Everyone has 'a voice'.

No Ken, you really don't.
You are a nobody.


...a view backed by some eye experts, including Geoffrey Roberson from the Association of Optometrists.

"They [drivers with halogen lights] are not going to see as well or as far because their headlamps aren't as powerful - and they are going to have extra glare and discomfort that's produced by the HID headlamps.

"The consequence of that, maybe, is that they are less able to see pedestrians, cyclists, that sort of thing," he said.

So, what Mr Roberson means is that EVERYONE needs HID lamps.
Thanks for clearing that up.
Now we can all go back to sleep.

ZZZzzzzz

[ALF_E90]

I agree with the cabbie to some extent. I'm in my 30's and have 20/20 vision, but ever since HID's became common I have found some - not all - to be highly dazzling. I can't blame it on aftermarket kits either as some of the offenders are brand new Mercs and Rangies and the like.

Obviously the driver's improved vision has to be weighed up against the effect on other road users but the "industry expert" guy quoted above, who was on the One show and other TV programmes, did himself no favours by basically trying to claim that much brighter lights don't lead to greater problems for other road users. Anyone with the benefit of eyesight can see that they do - it is a question of ensuring they are properly set up so that the extra benefit to the driver outweighs the extra dazzle to other road users.

[parapaul]

I think that's possibly the main issue - setup.

I've been dazzled by as many badly aligned halogens as I have xenons/HIDs.

And I have to take MEGA's side in this too - I think properly aligned H7R HIDs in reflectors are fine. It's the prats who use the ordinary H7 HIDs that cause the glare.

[m1bjr]

I'm constantly dazzled at how many stupid feckers drive about with only one headlamp.

None of them HID interestingly enough....