I need driving impressions from those of you lucky enough to drive the new 06 impreza at night. Projectors/polyelipsoid lights look expensive, but are they as effective at night? or in snow? This is a two part question one for HID's and another for non-HID's. Im only interested in the low beam quality. No need to answer all of them. Just pick some. Thanks.

Non-HID's -> Is the 06 Impreza light pattern better/worse compared:
1) '02-03 Impreza (non-HID)
2) '04-05 Impreza (non-HID)
3) 04 Legacy (non-HID)
4) -01 GDC/RS (non-HID)

HID's -> Is the 06 STi light pattern/intensity better/worse compared to the '04-'05 WRX STi (OEM HID) or 04 Honda S2000

I purposely did not include '02 JDM STi projectors or morettes coz this is originally right hand drive and/or not USDM. I also did not include intensity in the non-HID criteria coz better bulbs can be replaced/used which can fix that problem.

We did a E55 retro to my 04 STI. I have ALOT of light on the road and into the side fields etc. THe high beams are also HID, as the E55 lights are Bi-Xenon, plus I still have the stock high beams.

I have BIG light......................... :banana: :disco:

Maybe Subaru knew they needed more light etc.

Myles

is this is news or rumor thread?

Yes, projectors work, no this is not a news or rumors thread. Mods please move to general forums. :)

I can't live without my JDM converted HIDS!

Projector HIDs are FAR superiorer than regular reflective HID. EVEN more so compare to regular halogen light. Only variable will be how far do they project out?? Some OEM company (ie. lexus and nissan/infinity), they purposely angle down the headlight which results in SHORT distance of beams. In the other hand, Audi aligns the headlight little higher so the beam will go further out and BLIND more people as well.

HID's have a problem in snow unless the new ones come with washers? The HID bulbs do not heat up the housing enough (compared to incandescent) to melt the snow that builds up on them.

Didn't the list of changes on the 06 STI include an auto leveling switch for the HID's? I remember reading something like that in one press releases posted on this forum.

Projector HIDs are FAR superiorer than regular reflective HID. EVEN more so compare to regular halogen light. Only variable will be how far do they project out?? Some OEM company (ie. lexus and nissan/infinity), they purposely angle down the headlight which results in SHORT distance of beams. In the other hand, Audi aligns the headlight little higher so the beam will go further out and BLIND more people as well.
All headlights are aimed down when aimed properly. The people who aim their headlights straight are mis-aiming them, and AFAIK it is against DOT regulations to do so. I believe there is a standard which says how far the beam should project out in front of the vehicle on a level surface, it shouldn't vary from light to light. Now, how much light you get within the defined arc is a different story.

I have projector type headlights (low beam only) on my B9 Tribeca. It's very nice. The beam is quite wide from side to side and has a clear cut off line on top. It's much better than the reflect type head lights I had with my other Subies.

the k6 sti projectors are very good.

they have a nice cutoff that is crisp, and have a generous spread out as well.

the lenses are NOT gonna look like the s2000, or bmw however; they dont bend the light to the point of the twinkle.....

with a 10K bulb it looks very kewl, i must admit.........

http://www.gsxrpaddock.com/files/better8bestnt_178.jpg

I've got the new projectors on my Legacy GT,, I like em,,

Rudy

the k6 sti projectors are very good.

they have a nice cutoff that is crisp, and have a generous spread out as well.

the lenses are NOT gonna look like the s2000, or bmw however; they dont bend the light to the point of the twinkle.....

with a 10K bulb it looks very kewl, i must admit.........

http://www.gsxrpaddock.com/files/better8bestnt_178.jpg


can you take a picture of your cuttoff at night?

sure, i will.

i have been meaning to photo the lamps anbd lights on this at night...

.....................___________
____________/

(my rendering...lol)

Nice car! Congrats.
I love the new color.

the k6 sti projectors are very good.

they have a nice cutoff that is crisp, and have a generous spread out as well.

the lenses are NOT gonna look like the s2000, or bmw however; they dont bend the light to the point of the twinkle.....

with a 10K bulb it looks very kewl, i must admit.........

http://www.gsxrpaddock.com/files/better8bestnt_178.jpg

Already changed out your rims huh?

i also have the my06 stil and i love the lights, and they are very clear and crisp. they also have a level adjustment for the sti, dont know about the wrx though.

Another vote for beam pattern pics against a wall at night :D

I'm assuming the Tribeca and Legacy Projectors are the same since they're halogens. So K6 is the brand name of the projectors? Never heard of the name :confused:

I believe k6 is ese's shorthand for 2006... ;)

Yes, i'd love to see the beam pattern against a wall at night. This may be a stretch but if you would include one of each covering the left and then the right light@ a 20 ft or more distance. I really appreciate it. Let me know if you need me to host the photos. The higher the resolution the better.

I know it is the law in certain EU countries that Xenon lights must have a self level adjustment mechanism and water washers in order to prevent dazzling oncoming drivers. I know for a fact the UK requirement is for head lamp washers as a minimum with Xenon lights.

:)

The pattern has a very crisp edged but it falls a bit short in my opinion. My '02 WRX low beams covered a large area in front, the '06 hids clip about 50 feet out whenthey are run full up. It's kinda weird because the edge of the light is very sharp so everythig up to 50 feet is in bright white light, eveything past 50 feet is black. With the '02 lows you had a gradual increase in visibility from about 75 feet out.

It takes some getting used to. I drive with the hids all the way down during the day so I don't blind people and run them up at night so I can see.