HID Installed + Question (56k Beware)

[liquidzyklon]

Alright, so I got my 4300K HIDs installed earlier this week and took some pictures for before and after (car is not on the exact same location, but side mirror was lines up against a lamp post). But I have a question concerning glare.

Before Picture
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7373/halogenimg2192fluroscen.jpg

After Picture
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/4323/hidimg2222lowbeamfluros.jpg

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7430/trial2img2216fluroscent.jpg
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/457/trial2img2217fluroscent.jpg

Above two pictures of the cut-off (close and far) and my question follows:
How bad are those "bubbles" above the cutoff to oncoming drivers?

[omalak]

I don't think you need to worry much about the glare, the headlights already have a projector lens, that should contain the light to where it needs to be..

In terms of the low cut off, you will probably need to align the lights (horizontally) I have yet to adjust mine..

but honeslty with a 4300k bulb i highly doubt it poses any glare to traffic. the stock HIDS on the GT are what 4000k? 4300k?

dont worry :)

and yeah by default the passenger side light is aimed slightly higher than the driver side (correct me if i am wrong)

[Fuman]

your cut off seems good but im unsure about the bubbles, this is the first time i have seen it.

[mazdathree]

those bubbles seem weird....i dont have that problem at all....the cutoff is quite nice.

[liquidzyklon]

omalak, what do you mean lowcut off? The height is the stock and my car ain't lowered :)

Why do you want to adjust the light horizontally? Make it further to the right to blind pedestrains and see road signs?

We have halogen projectors stock instead of HID projectors like on the GT (w/ HID option) so there are some differences but I would say our projectors should be sufficient if we didn't have those little bubbles above the cutoff.

mazdathree, your GT doesn't have these bubbles? But yours doesn't come with the HID option, right? Might be some difference between GX/GS to the GT.

Here are my stock picture with the cutoff, and I just noticed that the bubbles are also there...

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2849/img2172cloudy.jpg

[omalak]

sorry i meant vertical adjustment.. to get the light pointing up a bit higher...

i never paid attention to the bubbles i wonder if i have them.. mine is a GS..

i didnt know the projectors in the GT and GS/GX were different lol :blush

[Gizzmo_jr]

Yeah those "flares" are always gonna be there with the halogen projector bowls. Let me explain with pictures....everyone like pictures :)

You have this
http://i40.tinypic.com/64qxpf.jpg

caused by these
http://i42.tinypic.com/6pp5d1.jpg

but you really want this
http://i42.tinypic.com/2qw3ewx.jpg

so you'll need grind those away and get these
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3421/3400830888_3450212d49.jpg
^^^ my version, EVO8 HID clear lens
http://i40.tinypic.com/2qxw16s.jpg
Frosted halogen projectors on the left, clear HID lens on the right

[omalak]

ahhh nice explanation gizzmo... How much did the evo projectors run you? i guess you were the one who picked em up from m3f eh..

[Gizzmo_jr]

When I saw them go up for sale, I PM'ed him SOOOO fast. They are nearly impossible to find under $100US, but I did.

[Thrizzl3]

i didnt even notice that with my HID's..

[mazdathree]

mazdathree, your GT doesn't have these bubbles? But yours doesn't come with the HID option, right? Might be some difference between GX/GS to the GT.


I dont have HID projectors. There is some glare but not so much....but it seems like you took the picture with your car very close to the wall and thats why those bubbles are brighter. I haven't tried that so I may have them but from far it doesnt seem that bad and is not noticeable....I'll try it out and let you know.

[Jeff0]

Same result with my GS...

[liquidzyklon]

Thanks Gizzmo_jr for the great info.

It would seem that all Mazda3 that have halogen as stock will have those bubbles if you take a picture of your cutoff against a wall (more visible when closer and less when further). This is not visible when you drive or hardly visible. Mazda3 GT that have HID projectors don't have this problem.

As long as my lights are properly aimed (stock aiming and stock height so far), I shouldn't have too much issue with blinding oncoming traffic.

[stormin84]

When I saw them go up for sale, I PM'ed him SOOOO fast. They are nearly impossible to find under $100US, but I did.

i did...haha

[PKock]

Ok so I know this post is a couple months old but its relevant to my question and I figure its better than making a new post. Ive been thinking of getting HIDs for my '07 GS and the biggest reason is because I find the cutoff on the lowbeams is very short. I drive Hwy 89 most nights and find I could use more light but because of traffic often cant use my highbeams. When changing to HIDs did you guys find the cutoff line was futher out or did it remain the same as its strictly controlled by the projectors lens?
PK

ps. Gizzmo thats some awesome work on those lights.

[liquidzyklon]

As shown in my before and after pictures in the original post. I would say that the cut off between halogen and 35W HID are about the same. It's just that everything is now brighter. If you want distance, high beams have the advantage because they are suppose to be high and blind oncoming drivers at night.

Though, I've heard of people claiming that 55W HIDs can project further and thus no need for highbeams. But those are just claims with not photos so I take it with a grain of salt.

[PKock]

Hmmm interesting. I kind of thought thats what it would be. I figured that the projectors would control the cutoff point. So I'll have to try and find some pictures with the 55w ones. thanks man.
PK