[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by mcrews

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edit: here is what you are missing or don't seem to understand.
1. the test is a low beam test.
2. the correct halogen bulb probably has a cover on the tip.
3. ALL hid bulbs require a metal shield to provide a cutoff
4. the hid bulb that was installed is being sold as a direct replacement of the low beam halogen.
5. NOTHING is being un-aligned by the tester.
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1. Agreed.
2. If you say so.
3. Depends on the light housing. Mine already has that.
4. Yes.
5. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARG! You really do not see it! You just don't!

Look at the H line in both graphs!

I put them side by side to make it more obvious.
The point of highest intensity on the halogen lamp hovers below the -2 degree line.
The point of highest intensity on the HID lamp is much higher; it hugs the H line. The HID lamp aims 2 degrees higher than the halogen!

Every time you change a lamp you have to check the alignment, even tiny differences in the manufacturing process can make a big difference in the direction of the light exiting the lamp house.

The testers did not realign after inserting the HID lamp. It beams its light straight out. It should have been turned down by 2 degrees.

If you compare the test results and compensate for the misalignment then suddenly the HID does not fare that bad. Yes it is still brighter straight ahead, as can be expected with a lamp that bright, but nowhere as bad as the unaligned test suggests.