JDM HID reflectors VS US Halogen reflectors

[Orient Express]

I was looking at the Civics at the Honda.jp webstite today, and I noticed that in Japan, the Civic HID options use a reflector headlight and not a projector headlight.

With all of the discussion here about the superiority of Projector vs. Reflector headlights, I was wondering why Honda would choose to use Reflectors on their Domestic market cars.

Here is a picture taken from their website of a JDM Civic HID headlight:



and one of a US Civic headlight with the HID conversion.



Would someone like to take a swing at what the differences are?

[trickyazn]

hid reflectors are cheaper, but needs to have R&D since its HID

hid reflectors vs halogen reflectors = hid has better cutoff, means no blinding

but projectors > reflectors in terms of cutoff

[Exeon]

Seems on the JDM headlight, the bulb shield is covering fully on the right side, whereas USDM one exposes for glare

[HondaFREAK]

the pattern on the reflector facets are different. the HID one refracts the light in a more even pattern and reduces glare, and keeps the cutoff sharper than a Halogen reflector. if you look at the facets of the US honda with the conversion..the facets are smaller and are probably more incremental whereas, the halogen facets are larger, and squarish.

Less glare, better distribution of light...take for example the IS300's reflectors...not as good as projectors..but it's pretty good...but projectors don't always allow you to see the hidden road signs because of the cutoff.

[Tim]

You're asking what comes down to an economics question. In Japan, HID is much more widely accepted and more widely demanded than in the US market. Economies of scale dictates a lower cost to provide HID parts as more are produced. Other cost-cutting measures are also employed to keep the lower end models less expensive. However, in nearly EVERY high-end Honda vehicle, HID projectors are utilized (Accord, S2000, Legend, etc).