[QUOTE]Originally posted by lex400sc
It's all in the optics. OEM spec'ed HID optics will give you the optimal source focal points, lens curvature, reflector depth and curvature, reflector cap. The optics distribute the increased lumen output of the arc capsule bulb farther ahead on the road, wider to both sides, and directly in front of the subject vehicle.

Halogen optics are very different. Since the halogens don't produce a third of what HID does in terms of light intensity, any light the halogen bulb produces must be concentrated where the lgiht is neede most: straight ahead of your car. Now imagine putting an HID light bulb in that halogen chamber. You will produce 3 times as much light in the same area where it is not needed. Result is glare, blinding, unmanaged light. [/QUOTE

Okay, I'm beginning to "see the light" Now, how was this acheieved with the Civic, or any other non OEM HID vehicle, since it has lenses designed for halogens?

 

Again I will re-emphasize that the folks at Philips DO NOT suggest people putting D2S bulbs into D2R HID systems (D2S bulbs into the GS HID system for example). The D2S were designed for projectors, and they made 2 types (D2R and D2S) for a reason. The D2S bulbs might be brighter because they don't have the strip, but the long-term effect is still unknown, and which might include the destruction of the bulbs themselves due to improper light reflection and heat distribution.

So if the HIDs are not projectors, DON'T USE D2S. Why go brighter for now and buy another set of D2R bulbs in the future when these D2S bulbs crack on themselves?

 

First of all I did not realize the GS had a reflector. Yes, the D2R bulb should be used with reflector HIDs. But this isn't for heat distribution reasons. It is for light disribution reasons. The painted strip is the shield in the reflector HID that prevents unwanted difraction outside the beam pattern. They made the D2R bulb for reflector beam HID systems, and made the D2S bulb for projector beam HID systems....

But I said in *kit* conversions, it doesn't matter. Why? Because the entire headlight was not designed for HID lighting to begin with. How is there improper light and heat distribution in a D2S bulb that was designed as D2S? Are you saying the reflector or cap will cause this imbalance? Any heat generated comes from within the bulb itself and I only see a D2R bulb as preventing heat radiation. Any heat that is subsequent from a reflective surface within the housing is dissapated heat which doesn't have as high an effect as a strip of reflective paint on the surface of the bulb would. Who is telling you this anyway? Are you saying Philips engineers or just posters at the Philips web forum?? I know many people that use D2S in kit conversions for reflectors. There haven't been an reported cases that I've heard of with a D2S bulb that cracked in a reflector housing for any reason. For the record a D2S bulb is 400 lumens brighter than an identical D2R.

 

i'm pretty much sure that's just about anyone who ever posted picture with their HID with cut-off line those are D2R not D2S, and that's how they got this line focused.

 

are you saying that all lexus gs models 98+ that came with HID have different headlights from the one that didn't come with it?

the one that came with my kit, those are D2S.. is there a way i can somehow "aim" the light with one direction instead of blowing it away in *every* direction?

 

This is what I am wondering. I'll bet they are the same - the reflector lens pattern. If anyone has a 98-00 LS w/o HID I can get a pic of a '99 with HID.

-Nick

 

um.. which size are those?

 

I think it's DD2R

 

are you sure? they look like D size to me)

 

Yes slightly different. Cosmetically they may look the same, but internally quite a bit different. A1, if you D2S bulbs crack on you because they are in a reflector, you'll be the first one. If you want to get rid of blinding light, you can focus the HID downward if at all possible with your headlights. I know my car will only adjust the low beams laterally. Otherwise you'll have to stick a visor at the base of your headlight to block all light that reflects upwards of a certain point.

Nope, all BMWs have projectors. The cut off is obtained by a shield behind the lens. The Lexus retrofits were D2R though.

 

i'm wondering..

can i change my whole headlight then?

 

I ordered D2S at autolights.com, they did not have D2Rs for a while. The guys told me that the bulb was modified to fit my HID OEM socket. They also told me that if it does not work for me I can return them. They convinced me that it is fine to use this bulb as a lot of people bought them and no complains so far. I know that D2r has a strip for a purpose but I'm willing to check out D2s. Does any body else using them? Hopefully cut of is created by optics not the strip on the bulb and will just produce more light. Take a look at your HIDs at night, the area with a beam is only about 1/3 of the whole light.
:eek: I just want more light for my money

I have well aligned HIDs stock, but pissed people do flash lights at me once in a while ??? Should I swithch back to halogen. LOL???? Halogen kit anybody? E-bay? 22000k?

I'm planning to take some pics and then take a car for a test drive

I consider my OEM leveling system pretty good, GS HID OEM are ell focused and in my opinion blind people less than BMW, MB and other HIDs I see on the road.

 

I don't know about KIT conversions but if you're just talking about swapping bulbs in HID systems then they do not recommend D2S bulbs in D2R systems. That's what a TECHNICIAN/ENGINEER at Philips said when he gave me the 1st Ultinons to test before it was released.

 

Yeah, you're correct on that. I wouldn't mess with swapping D2R with D2S in a stock reflector HID system. The strip is there as a shield, which answers GS300.ru's question. GS300.ru, if he'll let you return them, try plugging one in and comparing the two types side by side. You should see stray beams of light on the D2S. If not then you just got yourself brighter headlights for nothing (well almost)!


A1, if it's the same dimension (which I'm sure they are) than you could change your whole headlight, but I wouldn't sweat it unless it bothers you that much. It all really boils down to cost effectiveness (I don't know how much oem HID headlights cost for GS, but they aren't cheap from any manufacturer). With the OEM HID you'll get everything an HID-equipped GS will have except auto-levelling, which is no biggy. Bumps on the road only last a fraction of a second anyway. Best bet is to wait and hunt around for good deal on a pair from e-bay or junk/salvage yards. At that point you can sell your kit, which shouldn't be hard because the Hana-based Vision/K2 kit is the most widely used aftermarket HID on the road. The only reason I want OEM HIDs is the tight beam pattern and the color flicker (however, kits can "throw" color too if installed on projectors). A sharp cut-off is only for show-off factor to me, and not all that important. How important it is for you to have all these features versus how much you're willing to spend is the real question.


It's funny how people flash you and complain about stock HIDs when they all abide by strict government regulation. The reason people get blinded by stock HIDs is because they are strangely attracted into staring at them, not because they are distracting and blinding. So it's their fault they are getting annoyed by them, not yours.

 

You are the Test mule!! let me know what happens!. I want to put the OEM d2Rs in my other car.
I don't think they will produce heat or what...what I think will happen is that the lower part of our headlight unit will also light up!

If I get flashed...I flash them back with my 100 watt highbeams
then they usually go away. I never have a problem with people in front only people in the opposite direction. Usually going over a hill is when I notice hids in my eyes. so maybe they assume I have my highs on.