Somthing to share with everyone. this article was found in "The Star" under "Wheel" section page 18 starmag. dated today Sunday 21st August 2005.
A GROWING of premium cars are being fitted with Xenon High-intensity discharge (HID) lighting systems that are three times brighter than conventional halogen bulbs. But some oncoming motorist and pedestrians facing this powerful glare are seeing red.
Complaints are mounting that the bluish-white HID headlights blind motorist on the receiving end and that they are a safety risk.
But are these lamps always responsible for the blinding effect?
HID headlights are describe by the manufacturer as having an enormous advantage over conventional light in that they are at least two to three times brighter and last ten times longer while using less energy at the same time.
A mojor safety feature of the HID lamps is that they light up that side of the road where pedestrian, cyclist or motocyclist are mostly situated, according to the manufacturers.
The problems appears to stem mainly from internet shops selling cheap "Xenon" lighting kits. Prices range from anything between RM230 to RM1000
But beware! most of these sets don't conform to regulations because they can blind oncoming traffic up to 100 times above the permissible level, as if normal lights were constantly switch on bright.
"Selling them for vehicles not build for them is criminal. It's fraud," says the lighting expert of the German automobile association ADAC, Helmut Schmaler. "Xenon lighting needs expert adjustment for it to be effective".
In Europe, regulation require a cleaning and automatic distance control mechanism for HID lighting to minimise blinding of oncoming traffic. That means that the cost of installing Xenon HID lighting in older cars can cost anything above 1,500 euros (RM7,000)
The US National Highway Traffic safety Administration (NHTSA) is also looking into complaints and expected to announce new standards for HID lighting this year.
American motorist as being especially ired by the glare resulting from high-mounted HID headlights on sports utility vehicles (SUVs)
HID lights are also said to "Flash" oncoming traffic when travelling over bumpy or uneven roads.
Schmaler says this "flash" effect is quite possible with American vehicles because they have softer suspension systems.
But blinding is far more common, he adds, with vehicles fitted with normal halogen lamps which have a very narrow light exit.
the ADAC researchers have also found a difference between a "psychologically felt" blinding effect and real blinding.
The Xenon HID lighiting, if correctly adjusted and installed, was found to have more blinding effect than other lighting systems.
Motorist are advised, therefore to "keep their eyes glued to your side of the road" and not to stare into oncoming light. The interior mirroe should also be adjusted for night driving to avoid blinding from rear traffic. -dpa
A GROWING of premium cars are being fitted with Xenon High-intensity discharge (HID) lighting systems that are three times brighter than conventional halogen bulbs. But some oncoming motorist and pedestrians facing this powerful glare are seeing red.
Complaints are mounting that the bluish-white HID headlights blind motorist on the receiving end and that they are a safety risk.
But are these lamps always responsible for the blinding effect?
HID headlights are describe by the manufacturer as having an enormous advantage over conventional light in that they are at least two to three times brighter and last ten times longer while using less energy at the same time.
A mojor safety feature of the HID lamps is that they light up that side of the road where pedestrian, cyclist or motocyclist are mostly situated, according to the manufacturers.
The problems appears to stem mainly from internet shops selling cheap "Xenon" lighting kits. Prices range from anything between RM230 to RM1000
But beware! most of these sets don't conform to regulations because they can blind oncoming traffic up to 100 times above the permissible level, as if normal lights were constantly switch on bright.
"Selling them for vehicles not build for them is criminal. It's fraud," says the lighting expert of the German automobile association ADAC, Helmut Schmaler. "Xenon lighting needs expert adjustment for it to be effective".
In Europe, regulation require a cleaning and automatic distance control mechanism for HID lighting to minimise blinding of oncoming traffic. That means that the cost of installing Xenon HID lighting in older cars can cost anything above 1,500 euros (RM7,000)
The US National Highway Traffic safety Administration (NHTSA) is also looking into complaints and expected to announce new standards for HID lighting this year.
American motorist as being especially ired by the glare resulting from high-mounted HID headlights on sports utility vehicles (SUVs)
HID lights are also said to "Flash" oncoming traffic when travelling over bumpy or uneven roads.
Schmaler says this "flash" effect is quite possible with American vehicles because they have softer suspension systems.
But blinding is far more common, he adds, with vehicles fitted with normal halogen lamps which have a very narrow light exit.
the ADAC researchers have also found a difference between a "psychologically felt" blinding effect and real blinding.
The Xenon HID lighiting, if correctly adjusted and installed, was found to have more blinding effect than other lighting systems.
Motorist are advised, therefore to "keep their eyes glued to your side of the road" and not to stare into oncoming light. The interior mirroe should also be adjusted for night driving to avoid blinding from rear traffic. -dpa
