Is it normal to have such a sharp "cut off" with these HID headlights?
It the light projects out about 20 feet and then goes BLACK !
It takes some getting used to after regular headlights.
Anyone out there need to get their lights adjusted on a brand new ride ??

 

It is normal. My two previouse cars had HID's and the cut off was the same. I wouldn't suggest adjusting them up as you may blind on comming traffic.

 

it's normal, not only HID, my 00 Accord has the same cut

 

It may be normal to Hondas/Acuras, but this trait isn't shared among all car makers. Toyota/Lexus' xenon headlights for example don't have sharply defined edges. BMW doesn't either. (At least the 328, X5, IS300 and RX300 don't based on first hand experience )

The bi-xenon "flaps" that come down on the TL to cut down the light angle contribute to the distinct "lines" you see.

 

The sharp cutoff is defined by the projector HID setup, as opposed to a reflector HID setup, which does not have a sharp cutoff.

Most HID fanatics prefer a super sharp cutoff, and the new TL projectors are highly desired for people who retrofit HID headlights into their car.

 

I don't know if I like the sound of that. When I had my Audi A6 I noticed that most retrofits I saw used A6 projectors. I also saw alot of these projectors, among others, being sold on e-bay. My guess is that most if not all of these were stolen. I just hope the headlight/hood design of the TL is enough of a deterrent to would be thieves.

 

It takes some time to remove all obstacles to HID... it seems totally different to 2nd Gen. headlight.

 

the sharp cutoff of the HID is by design and is the correct safe way to light the roads with HID. since the lights are so bright its important to not blind traffic in front.

 

Agreed on blinding drivers, but I have to question the overall technology.

Is it better to see crystal-clearly and brilliantly for a whopping 20 yards in front of you, or....

Is it better to see a hazy and fuzzy light for 75 yards in front of you?

Truth is, when I'm on a very dark and secluded untraveled road I absolutely have to turn on the hi-beams for fear that I'd crash into a tree.

In my 20+ years of driving, I've never experienced this type of reliance on the hi-beam switch. It stands to reason that I shouldn't have the visibility I'd get on a terrible foggy night on perfectly clear and normal nights.

What is the benefit of these xenon's if their benefit (spectacular clarity) is completely outweighed by their detriment (short range)?

Here Bolt, here's a sandwich that tastes 100x better than a Big Mac but it's only the size of an M&M so we're sorry if you're going to be hungry after your meal.....

BJ

 

Bolt is right on- this gets scary, and I'm on the high beams all the time. Also, I can see about 5-10 yards further on the right side then the left. Would this indicate that my dealer didn't align the headlights properly?

 

Normal. This is part of the efforts of not making opposite drivers blind.

 

I recommend turning on the foglights. They are not HID and they extend the range illumination.

 

The fogs are not xenon, so they look non-luxury and cheap. It's a luxury car, after all.

 

yea i never use the fogs. Only in the rain at night. They look like a**
Need to get me a pair of new pair of fogs to make it look a little better.

 

I rarely use the fogs since I think they make it look like your high beams are on. I know the fogs are aimed lower but if they were physically located lower I would feel better about using them. I know when I've seen opposing night traffic with 4 lights on like that I always thought they had high beams on.....now I'm not so sure. I love the HID clarity but agree that the implementation makes you wonder if it's any better with the brighter light/shorter distance combo.

 

I tried to raise the left headlight aiming point. It is impossible, where it's at is a far as it will go!

 

Ditto, my old I35 had Xenon HIDs and they had a much better thorw, they did not have sharp cutr off.

 

do like i did, put hid in the fogs. the reflectors aim is more in front and to the sides. they also illuminate the signs better. i have yet to get flashed while they are on.

 

SmokeTL, could you tell us what HID fogs you have put into? Brand? Model? Price?

Thanks.

 

I got some cheap hids from a spot called Street Dreams in bloomfield. I bought cheap because I didn't know if I was gonna like it, and wanted to minimize the expense. they were Helio ballasts, with 8000k bulbs...(nasty) I swaped out the bulbs for phillips 6000k...(much better). IMO they do what the halogen fogs were supposed to do with out resorting to hi-beams. Price was $350 for original bulbs and balast, new bulbs were $230 I think, if you get a better ballast w/ 6000k it should come out to the same. install was easy.

 

hmmmm HID in the fogs huh?? interesting please post some pics of the lights installed if you can.

 

I will when I get a chance. I never really wanted post any pics on here, people have seen the car already, and/or have a bunch of sh*t to say about something they aren't even paying for.

 

Someone in this thread mentioned the distinctive cut-off of the HID headlights. I really like the cut-off, but I wish it were a clean, straight line. Instead, each headlight displays a jagged cut-off. I can post a picture later, but here's the gist of it:

_______________
WhiteWhiteWhite \_____________
WhiteWhiteWhiteWhiteWhiteWhite

(Beautiful white light below the line, dark above it.)

Is this how it's "supposed to be"? If you're gonna have a distinct line, shouldn't it be nice and straight?

 

it is a good thing to have a sharp cutoff

 

I had aftermarket lights from pia to lesser kinds and ever since i got this car i dont want to go back to regular lights and to me i think there great,for some reason they light up the street/highway sign very well to me.
My .02

 

Do I have problems to understand what you drew? This is the view you've seen from your driver seat, and you had left-side projected HID farther than right-side's, right?

Why I feel my right-side's is shooting farther than left-side's... :o

 

Not exactly... it's not a left vs right headlight thing.

I aimed my car at the closed garage door, then covered the left headlight. I then get the line I drew... not straight, but jagged like that. Then I go over and cover the right headlight and I see the same jagged look. Together, it seems doubly jagged.
I'll snap a pic of it, if I can.

What I'd like to see when I aim my lights against a wall (or garage door) is a straight, clean line.

Anyone else have the same pattern with their car? I figure that's probably just "how they're made", or a limitation of HID, but I'm not sure.

 

it's supposed to be jagged, and the driver side is supposed to be lower than the passenger side, unless you like blinding people

 

ya thats true.dont want to blind the driver ahead of you thats unlawful.

 

Okay, so it's not just me. (And yes, I did draw it backwards... my driver's side cutoff line is lower than my passenger side.)

I just think it would look a lot cleaner if the line were perfectly straight. Thanks!

 

...

Try to cooperate with beam and fog light will let you see better. Unfortunately, this cutoff HID really reduce its light's projecting distance. :o