HID headlight pattern?
 

Now that folks have had theirs a bit, I assume someone can answer this: what''s the headlight cutoff like on the RX-8?

For example, the S2000 has a very sharp cutoff at the top of the beam - it looks almost as if something is physically blocking the top of the beam. This means the light is very bright right in front of the car, but for example only scattered light makes it up to illuminate road signs.

By comparison the lights on the Audi TT and Porsche's Litronics throw a beam that is a bit more diffuse, with the result that the beam right in front of the car might be ever so slightly dimmer but the cutoff at the top of the beam is a bit more diffuse, so instead of an abrupt light/dark transition the beam sort of "fuzzes out" at the top. This also means road signs illumnate pretty spectacularly, and if they're reflectorized they may even illuminate a bit too brightly.

I've looked at the S2000 in the past, and to be frank the sharp cutoff of the beams is an issue for me as it means on hills you often can't see as far as you might like and in fact often have to use your high beams where you might not have to with the HIDs on other vehicles.

Here's a link to a photo showing what I mean with the S2000; note the abrupt light/dark transition at the top of the beam: http://www.s2ki.com/imagecatalog/customimageview/68650/

One more: http://www.burtmanindustries.com/s20...l_overhead.jpg

Without experince with others to compare, for me it is a sharp straight line cutoff. I noticed this last night when heading toward the dirver's side of a Civic. The beam was exactly even with the bottom of his window at the top edge of the door.

Your pic of the s2000 pattern is exactly what I see with the 8. Like you said, almost like something is physically blocking the beam across the top.

that's cause there is something blocking within the projector housing which gives you the sharp cutoff. It's suppose to be there. dont' worry

Not a worry, just a bit disconcerting if you're not used to it...