Halogen Projectors on Late Model Vehicles are Offensive!

[Erik1213]

There is a new trend in automotive lighting technology that is becoming a nuisance. Halogen projectors on late model vehicles are horribly dazzling to other drivers on the road. The biggest offenders seem to be products by Ford, GM, Hyundai/KIA and Toyota. These halogen projectors have a point of light that comes out of the center of the lens and it absolutely blinding to me while driving in the opposing lane of traffic. Reflector designs from the same makes are no where near as offensive as these new light technologies. These lights are much more intense than even HID lighting on comparable models.

Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[TEEJ]

Nope, have not seen ANY halogen projector headlights, only HID projectors around here.

Where are you?

 

[Erik1213]

Charlotte, NC area. I'm surprised you don't see halogen projectors. They are surprisingly common on late model cars.

 

[TEEJ]

Its possible I could not tell what the emission source was and assumed the projectors were HID?

What's the difference in pattern or tint you are seeing?

Is it possible that they are simply miss-aimed?

 

[alpg88]

or not halogen at all, could be those hid kits. inside halogen headlight, i see lots of them in nyc

 

[Erik1213]

That is possible because when my vision is above the shield in the projector ("cutoff" as it is called) the light does take on a similar blue tint.

The difference seems to be that the light output from a halogen reflector or HID projector, or even an HID reflector is the light is not as intense under the cutoff. The cutoff also seems lower on HID systems and reflector halogen systems than these halogen projectors. The aim on almost all new vehicle headlights seems to be much higher than what my headlight aimer at work allows for. Especially on halogen projectors.

If they are just misaligned, they are coming from the factory that way because a new Ford Explorer that was behind me this morning was very offensive.

 

[Erik1213]

or not halogen at all, could be those hid kits. inside halogen headlight, i see lots of them in nyc

Definitely not HID "kits". I can spot those from a mile away. Those are the most horrible things ever and they are completely unenforced for their illegality around here. A man claiming to be a law enforcement officer had some in his Jeep that were probably the most offensive I have ever seen in my life. He had the nerve to tell me that "I am a cop and these lights are legal."

 

[-Virgil-]

It sounds as if you're particularly glare-sensitive. Most US-spec projectors do have design features intended to provide uplight for overhead reflective road signs. This may be a ridge across the face of the projector lens, or a chip/wedge cut out of the bottom of the lens, or texture on the surface of the lens, or one of several other techniques. At close range this looks like a bright spot of light on the projector lens. However, "bright" is a relative term; the amount of light from this uplight feature is rather low and not within the range that tends to cause substantial disability glare.

 

[Erik1213]

Does this uplight tend to bias to the right on standard headlight assemblies but go to both sides on the halogen projectors?

 

[alpg88]

i find that yellow glasses help somewhat with glare, i do wear them at night, most of the time. try them it may work for you. the glare will not go away compleatly, but it will make it more tolarable.

 

[Farcry1010]

i find that yellow glasses help somewhat with glare, i do wear them at night, most of the time. try them it may work for you. the glare will not go away compleatly, but it will make it more tolarable.

I agree, I installed an hid kit for my moms accord. I took it out after a few days. it wasn't legal so after a year I came across starrhid kit for her car and it is awesome & DOT compliant projectors. I have to agree that these lights that are blinding are people that are putting in a 8000K or higher HID bulb that doesn't belong in that housing. they don't have a clue. they do it to look cool.

 

[JMSinMD]

Does this uplight tend to bias to the right on standard headlight assemblies but go to both sides on the halogen projectors?

I think what you are referring to is referred to as squirrel finders which seem to be found on halogen projectors exclusively vs hid projectors.

 

[-Virgil-]

No, the uplight features are on HID projectors as well. Also on halogen and HID reflector headlamps. And the light is more or less symetrical because the test points for overhead sign uplight, in both the US and the UN/European beam standard, are in the zone bounded by points 2 degrees up and 4 degrees up, 8 degrees left and 8 degrees right.

By the way, they are not "squirrel finders"; that appears to be a term used mostly by those who don't understand that the need for uplight for overhead signs is both real and legitimate.

 

[-Virgil-]

Nope, have not seen ANY halogen projector headlights, only HID projectors around here.

Halogen projectors are highly common all over the world.

 

[-Virgil-]

The difference seems to be that the light output from a halogen reflector or HID projector, or even an HID reflector is the light is not as intense under the cutoff

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. The light under the cutoff isn't as intense as what?

The cutoff also seems lower on HID systems and reflector halogen systems than these halogen projectors

The cutoff placement is not a function of the type of headlamp optic. Various cutoff shapes are allowed in the NAFTA region -- it can be a European-type staggered cutoff with a horizontal cutoff below horizontal on the left side of each beam and an upward ramp or stairstep on the right side of each beam, it can be a flat cutoff straight across the top of the beam, etc.

The aim on almost all new vehicle headlights seems to be much higher than what my headlight aimer at work allows for.

I agree that some headlamps are misaimed, but not "almost all". That suggests there might be a problem with your headlamp aimer or how it is being used.

You also don't mention what kind of car you're driving. Is it something small and low to the ground?

 

[Erik1213]

I meant to type over the cutoff. Halogen projectors seem to let a lot more light go above the cutoff and into my eyes. Even HID lights (projector and reflector types) are less offensive than these new halogen projectors.

My statement about "almost all" being misaligned, I meant to say that they seem to be misaligned because of how much light seems to go "up" instead of "down".

 

[Hilldweller]

I've seen mention of installing rebased HID capsules into halogen projectors on many car forums. Maybe this is contributing to the OP's problem.
My wife's FIAT has bi-HIR projectors and I've seen many a FIAT fitted with HIDs to replace the HIRs. Nasty.

 

[subwoofer]

I like the OP have notice a growing trend of dazzling headlights on newer vehicles. Personally I find all 'projector' lights dazzling due to the small emitting area and in some cases the colour of the light appears very white/blue and this adds to the harsh look.

Many modern vehicles look like they have full beams on when it is just the added dazzle of the headlight design. I hope the lighting regulations can be updated to counter this.

 

[mcnair55]

There is a new trend in automotive lighting technology that is becoming a nuisance. Halogen projectors on late model vehicles are horribly dazzling to other drivers on the road. The biggest offenders seem to be products by Ford, GM, Hyundai/KIA and Toyota. These halogen projectors have a point of light that comes out of the center of the lens and it absolutely blinding to me while driving in the opposing lane of traffic. Reflector designs from the same makes are no where near as offensive as these new light technologies. These lights are much more intense than even HID lighting on comparable models.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Personally i think you are well and truly exaggerating.No motor manufacturer would get approval to make a vehicle that dazzles the on coming motorist.:shakehead

 

[Albert56]

They might be useful on a dark stretch of Autobahn at 240 km/hr, but in urban and suburban streets HID lights are complete overkill and actually dangerous because of the intense, concentrated beam they project. I've had instances where I've almost been blinded by the glare (even in my mirror from a car behind me). They're more of a danger than a safety feature.

Unnecessary obnoxious comments deleted. - Norm