Why do the HIDs not look like HIDs?

ESanders2 · 03-30-2007, 10:19 PM

I really love the look of the typical projector (small, round) style HID headlamps. Toyota puts these on the upper level Camrys. So I was disappointed when I saw the Prius HIDs because they look exactly the same as the regular Halogens on the Prius.

So what's the deal with those? Every car equipped with HID headlights from the factory gets the round projector bulbs? In my experience, the only halogen styled HID lights are aftermarket and don't produce the same light quality.

Does the HID on the Prius give off the characteristic bluish purple HID look? Do they look the same as all the other HIDs at night?

**efusco** · 03-30-2007, 10:22 PM

They have an initial blue hue that fades to a cool white pretty quickly. They look like HIDs at night and are bright like every other HID.

Frankly I love the Prius HID style/light. They do the job, they aren't some gaudy purple hue that screams "I spent too much for flashy headlights", they just do their job well.

iaowings · 03-30-2007, 10:29 PM

My friend has a prius with hid lights. I was driving his car once and I must say you do notice the difference between regular prius lights and the hid lights.

**Tideland Prius** · 03-30-2007, 11:36 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SandMan @ Mar 30 2007, 08:19 PM) [snapback]415291[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I really love the look of the typical projector (small, round) style HID headlamps. Toyota puts these on the upper level Camrys. So I was disappointed when I saw the Prius HIDs because they look exactly the same as the regular Halogens on the Prius.

So what's the deal with those? Every car equipped with HID headlights from the factory gets the round projector bulbs? In my experience, the only halogen styled HID lights are aftermarket and don't produce the same light quality.

Does the HID on the Prius give off the characteristic bluish purple HID look? Do they look the same as all the other HIDs at night?
[/b]

a) The Camrys don't have HIDs

The Prius HIDs are definitely noticeable and aren't even close to halogens. Are you sure you don't have halogens? lol. When I see a Prius with HIDs, I know it's HIDs (other than having a US licence plate). IT's definitely white even in bright daylight when you look at the front of the Prius
c) You haven't been looking around have you. The Acura CSX has non-projector HIDs (maybe you haven't seen any cause you're not close to the US/Can border). The last gen Maxima had non-projector HIDs. So did the Infiniti QX4, Infiniti I35, Toyota Sienna, LS430, GS300/430. Need I list any more?

ESanders2 · 03-31-2007, 01:08 AM

A) Actually the Camry Solara version does have HIDs. To quote Edmunds, "Although the Toyota Camry sedan is all-new this year, the 2007 Toyota Camry Solara remains largely unchanged mechanically. However, there are a few notable changes. The front and rear of the car have been restyled and LED taillamps and optional HID xenon headlights have been added"

By far most HIDs have been used in a projection lamp because it focuses the light better.

C) I'm not knocking the HIDs on the Prius, i just wanted to know if they "looked" the same as most other HID lights out there. I didn't want to spend the extra money on them and have them look like Halogens.

**Tideland Prius** · 03-31-2007, 01:36 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SandMan @ Mar 30 2007, 11:08 PM) [snapback]415374[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

A) Actually the Camry Solara version does have HIDs. To quote Edmunds, "Although the Toyota Camry sedan is all-new this year, the 2007 Toyota Camry Solara remains largely unchanged mechanically. However, there are a few notable changes. The front and rear of the car have been restyled and LED taillamps and optional HID xenon headlights have been added"

By far most HIDs have been used in a projection lamp because it focuses the light better.

C) I'm not knocking the HIDs on the Prius, i just wanted to know if they "looked" the same as most other HID lights out there. I didn't want to spend the extra money on them and have them look like Halogens.
[/b]

a) You didn't say Solara :P . Yeah, HIDs are new for 2007 on the Solara.

b ) True but it's also easier to put aftermarket on projector bulbs that are halogen without glare

c) err.. it should. That is.. 4300K. Couldn't you just go to the dealer at night?

V8Cobrakid · 03-31-2007, 01:42 AM

There are two type of housings for HIDs; projectors and reflectors. HID is a builb type. It requires a ballast unit. They are much brighter than Halogen bulbs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-in...discharge_lamp

There used to be an article floating around about the difference between Projector and reflector. It's rather simple. You either have a reflector ( like the prius ) and you move the reflector.... or.... you have a projectors and you only move the lens in front of the reflector casing.

Bill Merchant · 03-31-2007, 01:49 AM

I've always disliked projector HID headlights. While they look sort of cool and ray-gunish when seen up close and from the side, the color fringeing they project into my eyes from an oncoming car is really annoying. I like the Prius HID's sharp cut-off and even illumination.

ESanders2 · 03-31-2007, 02:04 AM

<_<

V8Cobrakid · 03-31-2007, 02:22 AM

Lexus has really nice projector HIDs. My parents rx400h has really nice lights. they never seem intrusive from the other direction. Just below and always below the eye.

03-30-2007, 10:19 PM	#1
ESanders2 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 47 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I really love the look of the typical projector (small, round) style HID headlamps. Toyota puts these on the upper level Camrys. So I was disappointed when I saw the Prius HIDs because they look exactly the same as the regular Halogens on the Prius. So what's the deal with those? Every car equipped with HID headlights from the factory gets the round projector bulbs? In my experience, the only halogen styled HID lights are aftermarket and don't produce the same light quality. Does the HID on the Prius give off the characteristic bluish purple HID look? Do they look the same as all the other HIDs at night? __________________ Everything in My Life I Owe to My Cat "Jingles"

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03-30-2007, 10:22 PM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 18,007 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 100 Thanked 471 Times in 263 Posts Friends: 41	They have an initial blue hue that fades to a cool white pretty quickly. They look like HIDs at night and are bright like every other HID. Frankly I love the Prius HID style/light. They do the job, they aren't some gaudy purple hue that screams "I spent too much for flashy headlights", they just do their job well.

03-30-2007, 10:29 PM	#3
iaowings Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 450 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	My friend has a prius with hid lights. I was driving his car once and I must say you do notice the difference between regular prius lights and the hid lights.

03-31-2007, 01:08 AM	#5
ESanders2 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 47 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	A) Actually the Camry Solara version does have HIDs. To quote Edmunds, "Although the Toyota Camry sedan is all-new this year, the 2007 Toyota Camry Solara remains largely unchanged mechanically. However, there are a few notable changes. The front and rear of the car have been restyled and LED taillamps and optional HID xenon headlights have been added" By far most HIDs have been used in a projection lamp because it focuses the light better. C) I'm not knocking the HIDs on the Prius, i just wanted to know if they "looked" the same as most other HID lights out there. I didn't want to spend the extra money on them and have them look like Halogens.

03-31-2007, 01:42 AM	#7
V8Cobrakid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: s.f. bay area Posts: 2,946 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 10 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts Friends: 5	There are two type of housings for HIDs; projectors and reflectors. HID is a builb type. It requires a ballast unit. They are much brighter than Halogen bulbs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-in...discharge_lamp There used to be an article floating around about the difference between Projector and reflector. It's rather simple. You either have a reflector ( like the prius ) and you move the reflector.... or.... you have a projectors and you only move the lens in front of the reflector casing.

03-31-2007, 01:49 AM	#8
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 4,096 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 19 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts Friends: 62	I've always disliked projector HID headlights. While they look sort of cool and ray-gunish when seen up close and from the side, the color fringeing they project into my eyes from an oncoming car is really annoying. I like the Prius HID's sharp cut-off and even illumination.

03-31-2007, 02:04 AM	#9
ESanders2 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 47 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	<_<

03-31-2007, 02:22 AM	#10
V8Cobrakid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: s.f. bay area Posts: 2,946 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 10 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts Friends: 5	Lexus has really nice projector HIDs. My parents rx400h has really nice lights. they never seem intrusive from the other direction. Just below and always below the eye.