[MEGA]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

Crikey I hope Mega doesn't read this thread!!!!

Hi there

[mowflow]

I don't agree that it's just aftermarket HIDs fitted into halogens that are too bright. I see loads of cars with OEM xenons fitted that are way brighter than they need to be. I don't see the point in flashing these people as it's not like they can turn them down or change them. I just make a point of not looking directly in that direction.

I agree that some DRL's are also stupidly bright. Most of the new Audis, Mercs and especially the citroen DS3. I generally hate the current DRL trend. Cars shouldn't be decorated like christmas trees and it seems like everyone is trying to out do each other with fancy light patterns. The variety within the Audi range alone is ridiculous, hideous and rather gay.

Edit: meant to add that LED taillights are also a pain in the arse. Don't know how many times I've been sat behind someone in a traffic jam feeling like I'm staring directly into the sun. Normal head and tail lights were safe enough for many many years. Why do we need brighter lights all of a sudden?

[Bomber]

Time to dig these bad boys out again and really give them something to moan about

[toxicnerve]

Originally Posted by mowflow

I don't agree that it's just aftermarket HIDs fitted into halogens that are too bright. I see loads of cars with OEM xenons fitted that are way brighter than they need to be. I don't see the point in flashing these people as it's not like they can turn them down or change them. I just make a point of not looking directly in that direction.

I agree that some DRL's are also stupidly bright. Most of the new Audis, Mercs and especially the citroen DS3. I generally hate the current DRL trend. Cars shouldn't be decorated like christmas trees and it seems like everyone is trying to out do each other with fancy light patterns. The variety within the Audi range alone is ridiculous, hideous and rather gay.

Edit: meant to add that LED taillights are also a pain in the arse. Don't know how many times I've been sat behind someone in a traffic jam feeling like I'm staring directly into the sun. Normal head and tail lights were safe enough for many many years. Why do we need brighter lights all of a sudden?

The problem with LEDs is that there is no lens to focus them and the light given off my LEDs naturally disperses in all direction (hence the glare and halo effect people see).

I don't understand how they pass type approval

[xenon]

It's quite possible to put a lens on an LED, focused or fresnel. BMW tend to use LED "tubes" for rear lights and LED arrays for brake lights and indicators which should be bright. LEDs (like strobe lights) have unique attracting properties and are good for brake and indicator lights. I agree that some taillights seem unnecessarily bright (Audis again...) and also there are those that insist on keeping the brake pedal firmly depressed at traffic lights.

None of these are as bad as fog light abusers....

[Em135eye]

Current crop of Disos and RRs have excessive DRLs/xenons as do X5s and X6s but apart from that, they're al good.

I'm looking forward to LEDs becoming mainstream as headlights - my LED light on my bike kicks ten shades of merde out of any HID light and uses a fraction of the power (which isn't relevant for cars but still handy) - they last longer too.

One (and this is the ONLY one!) advantage of halogens - new bulb cost me £12 fitted!!

[toxicnerve]

Originally Posted by xenon

It's quite possible to put a lens on an LED, focused or fresnel. BMW tend to use LED "tubes" for rear lights and LED arrays for brake lights and indicators which should be bright. LEDs (like strobe lights) have unique attracting properties and are good for brake and indicator lights. I agree that some taillights seem unnecessarily bright (Audis again...) and also there are those that insist on keeping the brake pedal firmly depressed at traffic lights.

None of these are as bad as fog light abusers....

I know. My point is on the DRLs mentioned (DS3 in particular) they dont.

[xenon]

Ah, you meant on DRLs - I thought LEDs generally. I agree - some of the LED DRLs are silly bright and distracting.

[Em135eye]

The RR Sport I saw yesterday looked like a complete chaviot with very silly DRLs. I really can't stand them (DRLs).

LED headlights are a different matter.

[creepy coupe]

Interesting article in BMW magazine, variable output LED's on the new 6 series, depending on driving situations, click on the arrows towards the back of the car.In the freedom and adventure section.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/e.../magazine.html

[xenon]

The (current) adapative headlights do that too. I know the 6 uses all-new LED technology but the variable light distribution is not new. The multi-media handbook on the CiC iDrive gives an animated demonstration and they look like stills from that clip.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by xenon

The (current) adapative headlights do that too. I know the 6 uses all-new LED technology but the variable light distribution is not new. The multi-media handbook on the CiC iDrive gives an animated demonstration and they look like stills from that clip.

Are you sure? I understand adaptive just moves the reflectors around, but output stays the same, unlike variable, which actually increases the output

[xenon]

It is very slightly different - with the LEDs it can change the brightness which is not possible with a xenon source but the same effect is achieved by varying the focal depth of the lens. Certainly on the F10 it has three settings as well as the cornering lights. Upto 43mph or something the light is pooled nearer the car then theres an medium range upto 65-ish and a long range above that. You can see it on an unlit road and the multi-media demonstration in the i-Drive handbook illustrates this quite well.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by xenon

It is very slightly different - with the LEDs it can change the brightness which is not possible with a xenon source but the same effect is achieved by varying the focal depth of the lens. Certainly on the F10 it has three settings as well as the cornering lights. Upto 43mph or something the light is pooled nearer the car then theres an medium range upto 65-ish and a long range above that. You can see it on an unlit road and the multi-media demonstration in the i-Drive handbook illustrates this quite well.

That makes sense, the diagram showed Adaptive and non-adaptive levels

[jinjur]

Daft really, I followed father in law home driving my wee Clio with what has to be the most yellow pack of Xenons fitted as standard.

He commented on how comfortable it was on his eyes and said that he was never dazzled at all, his mirror didnt even auto dim etc.

This simply has to be aimed at the aftermarket brigade

[MEGA]

...and specifically the 55w aftermarket brigade with the levels set wrongly.

[CarAbuser]

I find it's cheaper small cars (civic etc) with a short wheelbase that cause dazzling on bumpy roads.

I have dimming mirrors now so I don't notice rear glare so much but in my previous car it was always the chelsea tractors that caused most bother.

I always go out of my way to flash people with poorly adjusted lights, fog lights and the odd DS3 with eye burning fairy lights. I just hope enough people do it so that new DS3 owners start bothering their dealers about it.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by xenon

.....and also there are those that insist on keeping the brake pedal firmly depressed at traffic lights.

None of these are as bad as fog light abusers....

Quite so and talking of rear fog light abuse - what annoys me almost as much as the incandescent red glare on a perfectly clear night is that the driver, who's presumably heard the long range weather forecast predicting sea fog off the Newfoundland Grand Banks, thinks they're behaving responsibly .

[xenon]

I almost think front fog-light abuse is worse.

What gets me about the rear fog light brigade is those who use them in a city centre, for fcuks sake. Out on the Lincolnshire Fens in a pea-souper it's fair enough, as long as you turn them off if something comes up behind you and they've obviously seen you.

In town you get twats in front of you in a slight early mist, fog-lights on, sitting with their foot on the brake, at red traffic lights causing eye pain. And this, despite the fact that they can see a car perfectly easily 20 vehicles ahead who has no fog lights on. These cnuts should be shot.

[Em135eye]

Ford Escorts are terrible for rear fog light abuse - but mainly because it's really easy to knock them on by mistake!

I find the "everyone else is a terrible driver" brigade is often pretty poor at driving themselves.

[xenon]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

I find the "everyone else is a terrible driver" brigade is often pretty poor at driving themselves.

me too.

[Brennan]

hes just jealous of upmarket cars, Fact.