Why change to HIDS?

I owned an 04 Prius with halogen lights and now own an 09 with HID. In my opinion, the halogen lights are much better for visibility, cheaper, and less of a maintenance issue. The only reason I have HIDs is because I wanted the NAV system and you couldn't get NAV without HIDs. If it were inexpensively possible, I would switch back to halogens in a heart beat. Just my opinion...

 

Depending on the color temp of the HID bulbs, you can get just as much light out of them.
I've used HIDs for several years now and would never go back to halogen bulbs.
HID gives you the benefit of choosing a specific color temp... to suit your personal needs (snow/rain/whatever) or personal tastes (looks).

Stock halogens are normal, boring, and that ugly yellowish orangish color.
Get a nice set of 5000k or 6000k HIDs.
I can't see how someone would go back to halogen after using HID.

I think the light provided by HID is much more natural looking than halogens.
They are simple to install and don't require maintenance.

Check out Waterproof and Shockproof HID Kits - The best HID conversion kit resource for everything from drift cars to tractors!. That is where I bought mine and they work great...never had a single problem.

 

Halogen: 1,000 lumen @55 Watts
HID: 3,200 lumen @ 35 Watts

HIDs give 300x more light for 50% lower electricity.

 

in addition to the above, hids look cooler.

but, technically, they're illegal to install yourself on your street car.

 

Where did you hear that? That sounds like a most absurd law.

 

In some states, that is correct. Unless the HIDs are factory installed, a retrofit may not pass state inspection.

 

every legit HIDs seller has a disclaimer at their website. for example, the site nola linked above says:

Are these XENON HID light systems street legal?
No. All XENON HID conversion kits, no matter the source, are not DOT approved if installed outside of the factory. Moreover, in the U.S, this is not street legal for use on public roads. As a result, we officially endorse the kit for exhibition and off-road use and will only sell the kit to be used for these purposes. We are not responsible for buyers who violate the terms of sale. They will assume all responsibilities for any unauthorized or unintended use other than exhibition or off-road use.

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when i read that, it says in the US, they're not street legal. so, as far as i can tell, they do not vary state by state. canada may be different, i don't know.

i have done hid upgrades before and i've never gotten a ticket, but people should know before they do it.

 

Not the ticket I'd be worried about, so much as failing inspection. In MA, we have inspection yearly, and if they caught the HID's you might end up having to change them out every year

 

A pair of head lights would save 40 Watts. It is like getting one regen car icon (50 watt-hour) every 1 hour 15 mins.

MPG gain is very minimal.

 

Factory HID's light pattern is controlled so as to not blind oncoming drivers. Do it yourself kits are not, the bulb may not be exactly in the same spot as the halogen bulb it replaces and therefore the focus of the light may be way off.
99% of the DIY kits are not as good as the halogens they replace, and 100% of them are illegal. Why do you think they are illegal?
Some think they look cool, that's what they are good for.
There used to be some complete replacement headlight assemblies made by sylvania. Those worked and were legal, but real expensive.

 

What about LEDs? Are those illegal too?

 

What is not minimal is the cost difference to replace a bulb.

 

Are they really going to know the difference between a IV with standard halogens and a V with LEDs/HIDs?

 

Depending on the color temperature you get, the difference is actually pretty obvious. I mean after all, if you couldn't see a difference, what's the point of putting them in, right? And I do know for a fact that the inspection people (at least my local one) turn them on and check them pretty carefully, including for aim and pattern.

EDIT: Oh, you meant difference between the car as to whether or not it was supposed to come with them. Gotchya. If you keep the color temp reasonable, perhaps you could slide it through since the V comes with LEDs. Maybe. Our testing people here are damn finicky and seem to be the most knowledgeable techs in the dealership (no, not Toyota dealership), at least when it comes to finding a reason to fail your inspection.

 

Yes, they (and insurance companies) can't tell what package you have from VIN alone so you can probably get away with it unless you happen to get a Prius euthusiast inspector who knows SR or 15" wheel Prius doesn't come with LEDs.

 

I think the only way to get LED's would be to replace the headlight unit, and I don't believe that is illegal.
If you replace the headlight with one that is manufactured for HID's that's not illegal, what's illegal is putting HID's in a headlight not intended to have HID's in it.