My recently acquired Fabia came with a set of budget Ebay HID dip beam lamps.

They provide loads of light of the right colour (white) and make night driving much easier on my old eyeballs but there is an issue!

There is no clearly defined cut off as provided by standard halogen lamps, shine them at a wall and there is just a faint cut off pattern and quite a lot of light output above the cut off.

So far this seems not to offend anyone, I don't get "flashed" by oncoming drivers and no one I follow appears to be agitated in any way. However this is probably because the headlights are adjusted very low even when set as high as possible using the dashboard adjuster.

And now the point!

One of the lamps has failed, so a replacement is needed, and meanwhile I have put standard halogens back in, Presto! the sharp cut off is back :-) Along with the usual gloworm output :-(

A couple of question arise, oh Wise Ones!

Do any HID lamps that I can sensibly obtain and fit give a nice sharp cut off like the standard halogens?

If so which ones and where can I get some?

Are the fit and connections going to be compatible with my existing igniter coils? ie. are the connections an industry standard?

Any info on this gratefully received.

Goffy

Try H7R's

Give me a mo I'll see what I can dig up for you!

http://www.hids4us.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=41&product_id=120

Stick with 4300k, With Xenons Less is more, If that makes sense!

You could try those anti-glare or H7R's to see if it makes a difference.

However, be aware that next year, non OEM Hids may fail the MOT without washers or auto levelling.

You could try those anti-glare or H7R's to see if it makes a difference.

However, be aware that next year, non OEM Hids may fail the MOT without washers or auto levelling.

A case of enjoy it while it lasts!

You could try those anti-glare or H7R's to see if it makes a difference.

However, be aware that next year, non OEM Hids may fail the MOT without washers or auto levelling.

I had a set of these for 6 months, but I've since replaced them with uprated bulbs, and I can't believe the difference between them.

Yes they were very bright, but the "proper" bulbs that are designed to go in the reflectors actually provide much more usable light on the road, rather than it being scattered all over the place.

Thanks for the tips everyone, I'll look up the H7R idea before I order replacement lamps.

Went out after dark last night, the standard halogens arn't too bad actually, maybe I would be better off trying some PIA super dooper H7s, they are a bit salty price wise though at up to £60pr, anyone tried them?

Looked up H7R HID lamps, ordered a pair!

Thanks again guys.