Seeing as Octy drivers are far more observant than our 148mph License-Losing Fabia bretherin.....

Has anyone seen proper, legal, OEM, Factory-Fitted, HIDs in reflectors? So far all I've seen is them used in projectors (like the Octy). Would it be safe to assume that all HIDs are in projectors?

I also found a way to simply describe the difference between halogen OEM and HID retrofit........

If you get a Maglite style torch, switch it on and point it at the wall, you'll get a proper full-on beam pattern as the light-source relates to the reflector as an optimum. (This is like a halogen correctly installed)

As you unscrew the lens you'll notice the beam pattern will deteriorate. This is because the light-source is no longer in an optimum position in relation to the reflector. The result is light being scattered into all the wrong places and dark patches appearing. (Just like a retro-fit HID) This also happens when a halogen it fitted wrongly, usually giving the impresson of 1 light on dip and the other on main-beam.

Obviously this relates more to reflector technology than projector technology, but then most retro-fit HIDs are usually done to reflectors.

Edited 27 January, 201214 yr by RainbowFore

Oi... don't tar us all with the same brush :p

Waveydavey's Lexus has OEM xenons in reflectors. There are little cups around the bottom of the bulbs to stop scatter.

The OEM Bi-Xenons fitted to my Audi A8 are in standard reflector headlamps and not Projectors. At first I didnt realist they were Xenon, but the members of another forum have confirmed that they are and that they are also very expensive.

You need to have them re-sett by a mot center ,then no light scatter :yes:

Honda Civics also come with OEM Xenons in reflectors.

Was just about to chip in with the Civic answer, then refreshed and saw Mark's answer!

Yes, Civic shape about to be replaced. I actually went to try one as I was considering a purchase at one point. The EX spec level has them as std. I have to say though, because they're not fired through a projector I found the light output and quality wasn't as good as an OEM projector xenon setup.

Renault Lagunas had OEM xenon in reflectors too. As do/did some Volvo's

You can get Anti Dazzle kits for reflector type headlights. They have a strip or shroud on the bulb to prevent the dazzle.

Was just about to chip in with the Civic answer, then refreshed and saw Mark's answer!

Sorry Steve - I must be able to type faster than you...

The problem with the Civic xenon's is because they aren't through projectors they look like those tacky 'xenon look' bulbs from Halfords!

You need to have them re-sett by a mot center ,then no light scatter :yes:

I didn't think MOT centres we allowed to adjust anything. (Certainly for the MOT anyway)

Besides, there's still only so much adjustment you could do to compensate for the different point-of-origin of the light source if fitting DxR and DxS into a halogen unit. Certainly if you're using a single reflector (e.g Felicia), you'd end up putting the main-beam into a useless position.

Well they did it before the mot, just altered it using the machine used to check the alignment . Mine are projectors though

Mine are projectors though

Yeah, I've been talking about reflectors....... :doh:

Sorry concentrating too much about your latter part of post

Just to throw another few into the mix, S2000's and the old shape Accord Type R's also have reflector housings with OEM Xenon bulbs.

You can get Anti Dazzle kits for reflector type headlights. They have a strip or shroud on the bulb to prevent the dazzle.

You can indeed, I got a set for my BMW with reflector specific bulbs which were supposed to be anti-dazzle. I paid a hefty premium for them too.

Load of tosh. Got flashed numerous times by other drivers, even after adjusting them so far down that I could hardly see where I was going, and the beam pattern was awful.

Morale of the story, if you have refelctor housings, don't even think about a HID kit, it won't be worth it.

Bulbs H7 normal, bulbs H7R with antideflector

I think H11 also has this type of bulb

The bulb itself has some type of paint so the pattern of the beam is limited so it won´t scatter all over the place.

Edited 29 January, 201214 yr by alberg

The bulb itself has some type of paint so the pattern of the beam is limited so it won´t scatter all over the place.

Yes, that's the theory anyway.

As I said above though, the reality is that it still scatters and the beam pattern is terrible. :(

I'm getting really grumpy in my old age; I got out of the car at a set of lights the other week and told the little pratt in the fiesta behind me that he was blinding all and sundry, including me with his cheap s*ite ebay HIDs in his reflector lights. He had no idea what I was on about. No wonder the DOT are clamping down on aftermarket kits when idiots like that are fitting them.

rant over :-)

I'm getting really grumpy in my old age; I got out of the car at a set of lights the other week and told the little pratt in the fiesta behind me that he was blinding all and sundry, including me with his cheap s*ite ebay HIDs in his reflector lights. He had no idea what I was on about. No wonder the DOT are clamping down on aftermarket kits when idiots like that are fitting them.

rant over :-)

:thumbup: :rofl: