I think you may be generalizing a bit too much in this case. Projectors are an excellent device for headlights, both tungsten as well as HID but they are not a requirement for HID use; there were reflector headlights originally designed for use with HIDs, passed US DOT requirements and sold for street use. In fact, the "R" series of HID lamp, such as D2R types, were designed specifically for reflector housings.
There is nothing fundamentally different about a filament producing light as compared with a short arc producing light.
As far as retrofitting HID's into reflector housings originally meant for tungsten lamps, I have found the resulting beam quality all over the place with some really horrible results (H7 in Expedition housings), quite a few fair results and some really quite good results (the C-14 headlight buckets do pretty well with HIDs). C-14's fitted with aftermarket HID lamps are not particularly bad for oncoming traffic as they still produce a very crisp cut- off line and provided they are adjusted correctly I find them kinder to the eye than, say, a lot of other motorcycles using the high beam, or motorcycles equipped with the very common pair of secondary lights which are not only illegal but truly a bad idea as they have no forward shield and hence, no cut- off line at all.
Of course all retrofits of HID lamps (or burners) into any housing not originally made specifically for them is illegal but then again, so is changing the exhaust system on a road vehicle to an uncertified type (which is all of them as far as I know).
But at any rate, it is simply not correct that HIDs cannot be used well in reflector housings; the OEM and DOT certified versions are actually excellent. I am not talking about any retrofit here but rather original designed reflectors using HIDs as the light source. Put another way, reflectors and HIDs are perfectly compatible and by no means an unusable combination.
And some projectors do not do well at all with HIDs if they were originally designed for tungsten lamps. Some Chrysler products I have seen will not maintain a crisp cut- off line, produce a LOT of glare and are simply not suited for that conversion IMO.
Brian
I will say this again and again and again until I die...
The ONLY way you should EVER run HID's is if you do a projector retrofit, with projectors. If you use HID Bulbs in a standard reflector housing, not only does the output suck comparatively, the light is scattered every which random direction, to include blinding other drivers. You want to be seen, not blind people so they cant see you.
The reflectors are carefully engineered to work with Halogen bulbs. HID Bulbs are much longer, and put out a different pattern and MUCH more light. But, because of the difference in the shape and positioning of the light source, that's a lot of energy for a very negative effect.
By installing projectors, you are directing the light source where it needs to go... Out of other drivers eyes, and down the road, in a very smooth manner. Not only will that make it easier for you to see, but it will keep other drivers from being blinded, and if aimed right, will appear "Flicker" at them as you're going down the road with small bumps etc. THAT will make you more noticeable in a good way.
Theretrofitsource.com has all of your needs... Seriously... I'm not associated with them in any way, just a very happy customer who has friends who are also very happy customers. Look into the Mini H1 or Mini D2s. The Mini D2s is what i plan on retrofitting to eventually.
