Been reading several threads about HID and replacement brands and different color temperatures. Several mentioned that the blueish ones are illegal in California and maybe some others. Why is blue banned?
A bluish white hue of 6000k is perfectly legal, but anything darker may be mistaken as a cop car. You know, impersonating an officer of the law. That's why its illegal.
It is not such a bad thing, being illegal that it. We do not see well in the blue spectrum so by installing blue-tinted headlights you actually decrease your ability to see at night. This is not a good thing for public safety.
Actually ALL aftermarket HID kits are illegal under federal law. Luckily for most people it's seldom enforced. It's only legal to use FMVSS (DOT) approved bulbs in an approved OEM lighting unit, and I've never seen a DOT approved kit on the market. (Hint: They won't approve one!) This is also why the phrase "For off-road use only" often appears on these kits when sold through reputable retailers. It's the loophole. If you do install one of these kits and don't wish to be pulled over, I'd recommend you at least stick with 6000k or lower, and definitely aim them conservatively!
I would double check that number. Home front projection Tvs are calibrated to 6500k and it is certainly not in the blue hue range what so ever. Considered close to daylight.
In the realm of automotive HIDs, especially aftermarket systems, 6000k usually has a blue tint to it. I feel it is still mostly white when warmed up but could be borderline ticket material. When viewed head on they have a bluish tint but on the road they were mostly white. I had 6000ks on my Chevy and GMC trucks. Disregard the horrible beam pattern. TYC lights were not designed for HIDs at the time.
I should also note that the home aquarium lighting industry uses some weird kelvin ratings as well. I generally used 10,000-12,000k lighting (metal halide) on my coral reef tank and it was only slightly blue whereas 20,000k bulbs were very blue but nothing like the 12,000k HID lighting which is purple!
Michigan law clearly states that any blue lighting is illegal, whether on the front, rear, sides, or underneath. It doesn't matter if it is flashing or not. Tom
