I've come to the conclusion that the stock RX-8 lights even on highs are inadequate for nighttime driving in areas that aren't lit. My question is twohold: First, can I manually readjust my highs so that they point up a little bit more? Second, are there options for driving (not fog) lights that I can install? If the highs were aimed a bit higher and I had a set of driving lights that had a nice wide spread to cover the sides the lighting might just be acceptable.

Standard lights are halogen. YOu can get xenon replacement globes which given 50% more light and it is muchwhiter, This should fix the problem.

Negative. I'm not interested in low beam performance. For my uses, I need to be on the highs and as far as I can tell, the factory and all aftermarket HID conversions are for low beams. Also, I need a far wider spread off to the sides than what the factory provides, and since the HIDs will not change the reflectors, it doesn't really solve my problem. I figure I probably have to go with a two prong solution; wide driving lights and a higher high beam.

Working on a Xenon hi-beam solution, capsules and ballasts aquired, relays wired, just have to "work around" the stupid daytime running light computer that we have on the Canuk RX-8.

Maybe I'll get it in over the winter.

S

Just get two or three of THESE bitches and mount them to the roof! Yeah!!
http://www.adventureaccessories.com/accessorypics2/lights/ipf/ipf900msr.229.jpg

I don't see any adjustment for the highs.

You can probably find a better (brighter) bulb for the high-beams. To make the high-beam more spread-out you *might* have some success from slightly frosting the bulb. You can do that with a product called "Armour-Etch". Here's a link to give you an idea of how that works:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=120285&highlight=armour

Perhaps a combination of frosting and a brighter bulb would fit the bill.

The etching cream deserves a couple of precautions

1 - it contains fluorine, which is very dangerous and even deadly; follow all instructions rigorously and research "HF poisoning" before you begin.

2 - it could weaken the glass. Probably not a danger since it is behind a cover and you're inside the car, but a grenading bulb could mess with the reflector. Some people report that etching the glass twice actually restores the strength -- this is what is done with frosted household bulbs.

3 - spreading the beam will probably take you outside of DOT specifications. But, it sounds like that is where you may want to be anyway. Be mindful of other drivers.

4 - if the bulb is quartz it will take a much longer time to etch than glass. I don't know what the high beam bulbs are made from.

check these out maybe?

http://www.hoen-usa.com/lowhigh.htm