Black caps on headlights?
08-16-2009, 01:31 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 33
Bringing back this thread. I upgraded my headlights from stock to the Sylvania Superstars. The Superstars are better than stock but are still very poor. On well lit streets, I'm fine but on poorly lit streets, I'm miserable. It shouldn't be like this. I recently found out that my friends GT does not have these black caps and I saw a V6 Mustang in a parking lot recently that did not have these caps. Are you sure the caps serve a purpose? I fear they are blocking out valuable light that I can use. What can I do to upgrade my headlights? I do not want to go to HID route because they are illegal in my state and I don't want a fat ticket to pay. There has to be another way to get more light on the road, please help.
Thanks
Thanks
08-16-2009, 01:47 PM
#5
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Jasper, IN
Posts: 772
I have been doing a lot of research on getting better headlights for my mustang because I experience the same problem; bad lighting on poorly lit roads.
Now I am not sure about the 07 model but on the 06 (which is what I have) and the 05 those caps keep the light from blinding oncoming traffic. The cap is used so the light is directed toward the reflective coating around the bulb, which in turn, reflects the light onto the street. If the cap is removed, the light will not be controlled and will just shine outward. It would be like driving with your highs on, just not quite as bright.
The 07 model that you saw might be using different bulbs that have a coating on the tip of the bulb so the shield is not needed (I have heard of that on some types of bulbs) or the headlight is designed to control the light better so the cap is not needed. Don't really know, I am just sharing what I believe to be true.
Hope that helps or gives you a place to start.
Now I am not sure about the 07 model but on the 06 (which is what I have) and the 05 those caps keep the light from blinding oncoming traffic. The cap is used so the light is directed toward the reflective coating around the bulb, which in turn, reflects the light onto the street. If the cap is removed, the light will not be controlled and will just shine outward. It would be like driving with your highs on, just not quite as bright.
The 07 model that you saw might be using different bulbs that have a coating on the tip of the bulb so the shield is not needed (I have heard of that on some types of bulbs) or the headlight is designed to control the light better so the cap is not needed. Don't really know, I am just sharing what I believe to be true.
Hope that helps or gives you a place to start.
08-16-2009, 02:06 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 33
I have been doing a lot of research on getting better headlights for my mustang because I experience the same problem; bad lighting on poorly lit roads.
Now I am not sure about the 07 model but on the 06 (which is what I have) and the 05 those caps keep the light from blinding oncoming traffic. The cap is used so the light is directed toward the reflective coating around the bulb, which in turn, reflects the light onto the street. If the cap is removed, the light will not be controlled and will just shine outward. It would be like driving with your highs on, just not quite as bright.
The 07 model that you saw might be using different bulbs that have a coating on the tip of the bulb so the shield is not needed (I have heard of that on some types of bulbs) or the headlight is designed to control the light better so the cap is not needed. Don't really know, I am just sharing what I believe to be true.
Hope that helps or gives you a place to start.
Now I am not sure about the 07 model but on the 06 (which is what I have) and the 05 those caps keep the light from blinding oncoming traffic. The cap is used so the light is directed toward the reflective coating around the bulb, which in turn, reflects the light onto the street. If the cap is removed, the light will not be controlled and will just shine outward. It would be like driving with your highs on, just not quite as bright.
The 07 model that you saw might be using different bulbs that have a coating on the tip of the bulb so the shield is not needed (I have heard of that on some types of bulbs) or the headlight is designed to control the light better so the cap is not needed. Don't really know, I am just sharing what I believe to be true.
Hope that helps or gives you a place to start.
Thanks again
08-16-2009, 02:41 PM
#7
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Daytona Beach
Posts: 218
what state are you in? i think they are illegal in just about all states in you put in aftermarket ones. i never hear of people getting tickets for them though. and its even better that you have the cover things because they cause the hids not to glare and blind oncoming drivers. i would just do the hids because i highly doubt you will get a ticket.
08-16-2009, 03:34 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 33
what state are you in? i think they are illegal in just about all states in you put in aftermarket ones. i never hear of people getting tickets for them though. and its even better that you have the cover things because they cause the hids not to glare and blind oncoming drivers. i would just do the hids because i highly doubt you will get a ticket.
Thanks again
08-17-2009, 11:56 AM
#9
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Jasper, IN
Posts: 772
I read a lot about HIDs in this forum and the one place that gets countless praise is Retrosolutions. They have a rep on here that gives discounts. I am actually talking to him, asking some follow up questions before I purchase. I would talk to him; his name is Todd. Do a search for retrosolutions. You should find him.
As for the temp to get, it depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking just for improving your visibility then 4300k to 5000k is the way to go. Its white light and give the best visibility. After that you start getting a blue hugh to the light and less visibility. retrosolutions can explain it further if you don't follow me. Or you can just PM and I will try to explain it a little better.
Hope this helps.
As for the temp to get, it depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking just for improving your visibility then 4300k to 5000k is the way to go. Its white light and give the best visibility. After that you start getting a blue hugh to the light and less visibility. retrosolutions can explain it further if you don't follow me. Or you can just PM and I will try to explain it a little better.
Hope this helps.
08-17-2009, 12:01 PM
#10
Former Sponsor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 604
4300k will give you the most output and best color reproduction
Aside for that, you are at a great benefit to have the black caps/sheilds/cups, wahtever you want to call them in your lamps. In model year 06 Ford's producer stopped putting these into the lamps because for the most part the H13 bulbs they take are already coated. It saves $$$, that is the only reason they are not put into the lamps anymore. Problem is when converting to HID, HID bulbs are not coated and the caps are very important to have. Without the caps, you need to have the bulbs coated to prevent light escaping through the tops of the bulbs, and we are the only vendor/mannufacturer doing this to HID bulbs presently.
Aside for that, you are at a great benefit to have the black caps/sheilds/cups, wahtever you want to call them in your lamps. In model year 06 Ford's producer stopped putting these into the lamps because for the most part the H13 bulbs they take are already coated. It saves $$$, that is the only reason they are not put into the lamps anymore. Problem is when converting to HID, HID bulbs are not coated and the caps are very important to have. Without the caps, you need to have the bulbs coated to prevent light escaping through the tops of the bulbs, and we are the only vendor/mannufacturer doing this to HID bulbs presently.