School me on headlights!

[Kcaps]

I've searched a ton, and have been reading this forum for a LONG time, but I still don't understand headlights!

Can someone school me?

What are the options?

How are they different?

I read a ton about smileys, but how are they different from the US ones?

Pics would be very helpful. Thanks for the help in advance!!

[bmwguy325is]

Searched huh?
Page two 8th link down

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=270592

Dont get HIDs

[jaywood]

Depo smoked smilies with DDM tuning HIDs (lows and highs). I've had them for almost 2 years now and have had no issues at all with them. MUCH brighter than the stock (on my car) sealed beams (90 325i)

[e30trooper]

Searched huh?
Page two 8th link down

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=270592

Dont get HIDs

lol why?

[AndrewBird]

The factory housing are not designed for HID bulbs and scatter the light. Read this:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

[Kcaps]

Searched huh?
Page two 8th link down

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=270592

Dont get HIDs

I've read that, but I guess I am more interested in the part that guy already knows. He says they "look different" but I'm struggling to see any noticeable differences once on the car. Are these different headlight options for aesthetics of the car, light distribution, both or neither?

[bmwguy325is]

The factory housing are not designed for HID bulbs and scatter the light. Read this:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...nversions.html

YOU ROCK!

I've read that, but I guess I am more interested in the part that guy already knows. He says they "look different" but I'm struggling to see any noticeable differences once on the car. Are these different headlight options for aesthetics of the car, light distribution, both or neither?

Ok so yes there is some aesthetics to the different lights.
So US market lights have glass lenses and look clear in nature.
The key with Euro lights is the "smile" in the bottom half of the lens. This has to do with the euro standard on light dispersion.
Then there are smoked euro lights look black when not on.
Below are a pic of each. Mind you the euro clear lights the owner has tinted the highs.

[JasonC]

YOU ROCK!

Ok so yes there is some aesthetics to the different lights.
So US market lights have glass lenses and look clear in nature.
The key with Euro lights is the "smile" in the bottom half of the lens. This has to do with the euro standard on light dispersion.
Then there are smoked euro lights look black when not on.
Below are a pic of each. Mind you the euro clear lights the owner has tinted the highs.

The first set of lights you posted are Euro nonsmiley lights. You can see the City lights in the low beam.


With the euro lights the cut off will have an up kick on the end like this


Where the US ellips will be kind of flat

[bmwguy325is]

The first set of lights you posted are Euro nonsmiley lights. You can see the City lights in the low beam.

Thanks sorry Im on a small screen. Looked like an example of US lights.

[reelizmpro]

The term "Scatter" gets tossed around a lot. I wonder if it applies to projectors cuz mine don't scatter. In a typical reflector housing like H4/H1, sure but not sure if it matters much with a projector (ellipsoids). If they do, they scatter where I want the light. I look at it this way...a halogen bulb has limited performance and lifespan. An HID retrofit kit has better performance and lifespan, especially when you can get the kit for $50 with a lifetime warranty and replacement bulbs cost $15 which is the same or less than halogens. HID retrofits may not be as great as a true HID system setup but at only 10-20% of the cost for the most fragile thing on the front of your car...I'll take the retrofit. It's still better than halogens or performance halogens which do not last. The propaganda about HID retrofits being unsafe and risking public safety is nonsense. This is only the case if the lamps are not aimed properly. Improperly aimed lights may get by with halogens but are highlighted and magnified with an HID kit. It's not the HID kit's fault. Sorry for the rant.