HID Questions...

After driving a few cars with HID headlights at my new valet job... I've come to realize that HIDs *are* actually beneficial to almost everyone. My headlights are pretty dim and during the night I've hit several potholes, a tree stump someone dropped off at a spot I go trailblazing, and once (very sad to say) even a brown dog.

I feel like I could have avoided almost all of these if I had HIDs.

My questions are:

(1) Do HIDs require glass lenses? My Corolla only has plastic lenses, but they are VERY clear as I just replaced them.

(2) I've read multiple "opinions" on US Laws about HIDs... some say you can't put them on cars that weren't designed to use headlights because the light's arc is different, some say they are illegal in the US because they're too bright, and others say it doesn't matter because a cop won't check your lights. What's the truth on HID Law?

(3) Even if it is illegal, what do you guys recommend buying? 6000K or 8000K? What brands? What online shops would you buy from?

Thanks a bunch in advance! Let there be light for my 'Yota and me!!

You might be confusing HIDs with aftermarket bulbs. An HID system is a complete system that requires more than just replacing the bulbs. Its a separate ballast module and a specific bucket designed to focus the arc beam.

The truth on the law is that the lights must meet DOT requirements. On headlights, the bulbs may not be more than 55w low beam and 65w high beam. But, as you know, the wattage doesn't indicate how much light is actually produced.

With HID lights, the car's manufacturer has to submit their car to the DOT to make sure the lights pass inspection. So, to randomly add HIDs to a car not originally equipped with them is not entirely legal. You are basically making your own headlights in that case, which means they haven't been tested by the DOT.

With normal headlights, they all use one of four, already-approved replacable bulbs. Basically that means that any of the replacement bulbs you buy at the parts store are legal.

All regular headlights are like a light socket. The bulbs are effectively the same making the same light. The headlight bucket is designed to accept an H4 bulb, and regardless of which H4 bulb goes in there, it makes the same focused beam on the road. HIDs are completely engineered buckets, lights, refractors, ballasts, and relays. You can just replace your bulbs with HIDs.

Its possible that someone makes a kit to fit HIDs in your car, which means they've already done the DOT approval process, but its not just a bulb, its a whole system.

OK... I understand that replacing my headlights will require a whole HID system, or kit... but my real question is will these kits work with my plastic headlamp lenses (assembly, whatever you wanna call it).

I just couldn't possibly see HIDs being *that* effective with plastic lenses, but tons of people sell kits without the glass lenses.

This seller ( http://www.migicute.com/h93tcorolbmh.html ) does sell them with what appears to be glass lenses, but they're 600 friggin' dollars.

Everybody else sells kits without the lenses, and I don't find much "custom tailoring" to my vehicle other than finding the adapter to match my 9005 or 9006 headlights.

HIDs would be just as effective with plastic lenses as regular headlights would be. I'm not sure why you think plastic won't do as well.

Sure, its not as optically perfect as glass, but there is no way to tell a difference unless the plastic is scratched.

And, yes... HIDs are expensive. I'm surprised that you found them for as little as $600. An HID kit from Sylvania for my Chevy is $1800

check the link for light infromation: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/home.html

HIDs would be just as effective with plastic lenses as regular headlights would be. I'm not sure why you think plastic won't do as well.

Sure, its not as optically perfect as glass, but there is no way to tell a difference unless the plastic is scratched.It's not really scratched, but it is "cut". There are cuts that the manufacturer put in there, and the plastic is definitely more opaque than glass... that's why I ask. Here's what my current plastic lenses look like: http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/details/QQToyotaQQCorollaQQReplacementQQHeadlightQQ1993199 7QQ20-1745-00.html

And, yes... HIDs are expensive. I'm surprised that you found them for as little as $600. An HID kit from Sylvania for my Chevy is $1800$600 is still too much for me. I guess I'll have to get the cheaper $150ish kits and keep my plastic lenses.

Thanks for the help, Curtis!