HID Lamps; Your opinions and experience

As I get older, and I find myself needing more and more light as the
lenses in my eye darken, I have noticed a definite need for more light
on night landings. My eye doc has recommended waiting a while on the
cataract surgery, as they are not so bad yet. Given that, I think
having a better view of the runway at night might save me my aircraft
and maybe my life if I were to install one. HID lamps seem to be the
cat's meow for this, but some things I have read have said they are
not worth the money. Some have said they are fantastic. I have never
seen a pair from behind the yoke as it is, and would like the opinions
of anyone that might have them in their airplane.
Also, what about installation approval issues?

Regards,
Bud

On Dec 31 2007, 8:38*pm, wrote:
As I get older, and I find myself needing more and more light as the
lenses in my eye darken, I have noticed a definite need for more light
on night landings. My eye doc has recommended waiting a while on the
cataract surgery, as they are not so bad yet. Given that, I think
having a better view of the runway at night might save me my aircraft
and maybe my life if I were to install one. HID lamps seem to be the
cat's meow for this, but some things I have read have said they are
not worth the money. Some have said they are fantastic. I have never
seen a pair from behind the yoke as it is, and would like the opinions
of anyone that might have them in their airplane.
* * *Also, what about installation approval issues?

* Regards,
* Bud

Just to give another perspective, the landing and taxi lights on my
DA42 are Xenon D15 lamps. I am NOT impressed with the amount of light
they produce. While I do see the light on the runway when I am close
(about ready to flare), the runway is not as well lit as I have seen
in some of the older Cessnas I have flown. They work, but are not
miraculous to me.

Cary

On Jan 2, 1:50*pm, Cary wrote:
On Dec 31 2007, 8:38*pm, wrote:

As I get older, and I find myself needing more and more light as the
lenses in my eye darken, I have noticed a definite need for more light
on night landings. My eye doc has recommended waiting a while on the
cataract surgery, as they are not so bad yet. Given that, I think
having a better view of the runway at night might save me my aircraft
and maybe my life if I were to install one. HID lamps seem to be the
cat's meow for this, but some things I have read have said they are
not worth the money. Some have said they are fantastic. I have never
seen a pair from behind the yoke as it is, and would like the opinions
of anyone that might have them in their airplane.
* * *Also, what about installation approval issues?

* Regards,
* Bud

Just to give another perspective, the landing and taxi lights on my
DA42 are Xenon D15 lamps. I am NOT impressed with the amount of light
they produce. While I do see the light on the runway when I am close
(about ready to flare), the runway is not as well lit as I have seen
in some of the older Cessnas I have flown. They work, but are not
miraculous to me.

Cary

I assume you have the D1S HID lamps as I can't find a reference to D15
lamps on the XEVision website. I notice that they profile the DA-42 as
coming standard equipped with them (nice plane by the way!). The
responses I got are similar to others I have talked to. It depends on
who you ask as to what they say. Guess I'll have to try and get a ride
behind some in order to make my own mind up. Thanks for the response!

Regards,
Bud

I think he is telling you his Xenon bulbs are not HID's.

I have the 25 watt hid's and love them. Sure I would have gotten 50 if I
could at the time. But there is still room on my nose strut. ; )

John



wrote:
On Jan 2, 1:50 pm, Cary wrote:

On Dec 31 2007, 8:38 pm, wrote:


As I get older, and I find myself needing more and more light as the
lenses in my eye darken, I have noticed a definite need for more light
on night landings. My eye doc has recommended waiting a while on the
cataract surgery, as they are not so bad yet. Given that, I think
having a better view of the runway at night might save me my aircraft
and maybe my life if I were to install one. HID lamps seem to be the
cat's meow for this, but some things I have read have said they are
not worth the money. Some have said they are fantastic. I have never
seen a pair from behind the yoke as it is, and would like the opinions
of anyone that might have them in their airplane.
Also, what about installation approval issues?

Regards,
Bud

Just to give another perspective, the landing and taxi lights on my
DA42 are Xenon D15 lamps. I am NOT impressed with the amount of light
they produce. While I do see the light on the runway when I am close
(about ready to flare), the runway is not as well lit as I have seen
in some of the older Cessnas I have flown. They work, but are not
miraculous to me.

Cary


I assume you have the D1S HID lamps as I can't find a reference to D15
lamps on the XEVision website. I notice that they profile the DA-42 as
coming standard equipped with them (nice plane by the way!). The
responses I got are similar to others I have talked to. It depends on
who you ask as to what they say. Guess I'll have to try and get a ride
behind some in order to make my own mind up. Thanks for the response!

Regards,
Bud

On Jan 3, 11:59*am, wrote:
On Jan 2, 1:50*pm, Cary wrote:





On Dec 31 2007, 8:38*pm, wrote:

As I get older, and I find myself needing more and more light as the
lenses in my eye darken, I have noticed a definite need for more light
on night landings. My eye doc has recommended waiting a while on the
cataract surgery, as they are not so bad yet. Given that, I think
having a better view of the runway at night might save me my aircraft
and maybe my life if I were to install one. HID lamps seem to be the
cat's meow for this, but some things I have read have said they are
not worth the money. Some have said they are fantastic. I have never
seen a pair from behind the yoke as it is, and would like the opinions
of anyone that might have them in their airplane.
* * *Also, what about installation approval issues?

* Regards,
* Bud

Just to give another perspective, the landing and taxi lights on my
DA42 are Xenon D15 lamps. I am NOT impressed with the amount of light
they produce. While I do see the light on the runway when I am close
(about ready to flare), the runway is not as well lit as I have seen
in some of the older Cessnas I have flown. They work, but are not
miraculous to me.

Cary

I assume you have the D1S HID lamps as I can't find a reference to D15
lamps on the XEVision website. I notice that they profile the DA-42 as
coming standard equipped with them (nice plane by the way!). The
responses I got are similar to others I have talked to. It depends on
who you ask as to what they say. Guess I'll have to try and get a ride
behind some in order to make my own mind up. Thanks for the response!

Regards,
Bud- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Bud,
You are correct, they are D1S HID lamps (I read the AFM incorrectly).

Cary