Campaign against bi-xenon lights

Jon D · 05-11-2011, 07:50 AM

Anyone here with bi-xenons worried about this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13143206
Don't know about anyone else, but in 7 months with HID lights on my F10, I've never been flashed by oncoming cars.

xenon · 05-11-2011, 07:55 AM

It's the tosser xenon-wannabees that fit re-based HID bulbs into H7 bases and fit them to a parabolic reflector rather than a projector lens which is the issue. If they policed HID retrofits into halogen assemblies (which is illegal) then the problem would go. My last five cars have had factory xenons (and later bi-xenons) and I've never been flashed either.

Bomber · 05-11-2011, 08:00 AM

Typical moaning cabbie, I should start a campaign about cabbies cutting everyone up and thinking they own the road.

On a serious note, any headlamp that is not correctly adjusted is a danger, my opinion is that OEM xenons are safer as they auto adjust.

xenon · 05-11-2011, 08:01 AM

^ 100% agree - adaptive lights are even safer.

Bad halogens are as bad; re-based HID lights will never be right.

doughboy · 05-11-2011, 08:03 AM

+1, the beam pattern from pukka HID systems is clearly below the bumper line of oncoming cars so they are not dazzled.

Just read that article myself BTW over lunch!

Jon D · 05-11-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

It's the tosser xenon-wannabees that fit re-based HID bulbs into H7 bases and fit them to a parabolic reflector rather than a projector lens which is the issue. If they policed HID retrofits into halogen assemblies (which is illegal) then the problem would go. My last five cars have had factory xenons (and later bi-xenons) and I've never been flashed either.

Very good point, which I hadn't considered and I suspect the anti-xenon brigade haven't either.
The campaign homepage is here: http://www.lightmare.org/ and I think they should be made aware of your thoughts, but, other than signing the petition, I can't find a way to post comments.

Kerr · 05-11-2011, 08:09 AM

I've never been flashed either.

I do notice that some of the bigger 4x4s etc that sit a bit higher seem to be slightly blinding though.

doughboy · 05-11-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerr

I've never been flashed either.

I do notice that some of the bigger 4x4s etc that sit a bit higher seem to be slightly blinding though.

Yeh, usually cos they're sat 6 inches behind you with xenons blasting through your rear window!

Jon D · 05-11-2011, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bomber

Typical moaning cabbie, I should start a campaign about cabbies cutting everyone up and thinking they own the road.

Quite so, cab drivers are amongst the most aggressive I've seen.

mv57 · 05-11-2011, 08:58 AM

Halfords have a lot to answer for on this. Selling bulbs that are 50% 75% etc brighter than OEMs and claiming they are safer...

xenon · 05-11-2011, 09:01 AM

^^ hmm perhaps. I don't think brighter bulbs are necessarily the problem per se, it is poorly aimed bulbs which are the issue. A brighter bulb of the correct beam pattern and cut-off should be OK.

The big problem is re-based D2S bulbs in an H7 base, crammed into a parabolic refelctor with a non-fresnel lens. The cut-off and azimuth cannot possibly be correct but they fit in me golf bro, innit?

creepy coupe · 05-11-2011, 09:29 AM

I wouldn't worry too much, he's a 60 year old Cabbie, so near the end of his life cycle.

toxicnerve · 05-11-2011, 09:41 AM

Totally agree with xenon and others.

It's badly fitted/HIDs in halogen reflectors etc that is the problem.

LexS · 05-11-2011, 11:18 AM

I have HIDs retrofitted into my other car, they don't auto level so I've made sure the beam angle is correct and haven't had an issue yet. I can't see there being any issues so long as the cars produced with xenon's now have a levelling device.

My opinion is they should be made a legal requirement such as ABS is now, huge difference in visibility which has to be a safety aid for any driver.

dxb335d · 05-11-2011, 11:30 AM

Never got flashed in mine ever. So obviously there is nothing wrong with them!

chesney72 · 05-11-2011, 01:12 PM

I got flashed a few times over the dark winter mornings. Mostly when coming over a crest in the road and the dumb idiots coming the other way flash me thinking I'm on full beam

I even get flashed driving the golf with halogens in similar types of crests. I wish people would realise if you look at the road ahead instead of directly into somebody's light's and they won't blind you as much.

Both car's got MOT'd in January and both were well in the limits for beam pattern.

HID's are def too bright in halogen lights. I bought a set a few years ago for the golf as I wanted better lights. I went for the lowest K rated so they were as close to OEM and not chavvy blue. Took them off cos they were clearly too bright plus they failed to give me better vision.

Dr Dave · 05-11-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

Totally agree with xenon and others.

It's badly fitted/HIDs in halogen reflectors etc that is the problem.

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

225_AB · 05-11-2011, 02:30 PM

We have very few street lights in my area so I have been flashed a few times as people think that I am on full beam (when I am not) so I flash them back if I react quickly enough.

toxicnerve · 05-11-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc_ab

We have very few street lights in my area so I have been flashed a few times as people think that I am on full beam (when I am not) so I flash them back if I react quickly enough.

Are you 100% sure your levellers are working?

225_AB · 05-11-2011, 05:31 PM

Yep working fine. Because of the lack of street lights us oldies get dazzled more easily than you youngsters. I have noticed that some cars are almost uncomfortably bright with no surrounding light but I love my headlights.

toxicnerve · 05-11-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc_ab

Yep working fine. Because of the lack of street lights us oldies get dazzled more easily than you youngsters. I have noticed that some cars are almost uncomfortably bright with no surrounding light but I love my headlights.

I've found the bloody DRLs on the Citroen DS3 are like lightsabres being thrust into my eyeballs!

Those fuckers are stupidly bright even in broad daylight!

Dizzle · 05-12-2011, 02:38 AM

An email went round work yesterday from a colleague for an online petition..

http://www.petition.co.uk/blinding-v...s-or-lightmare

To which I felt the need to defend OEM Xenons but I do agree that certain aftermarket kits or bulbs, mostly originating from the middle east and are not EU regulated and so are probably sold for ‘show use only’ are being used by many drivers.

DRL's...admittedly some LED ones can be dazzling, referring to Audis and +1 on the shitroen DS3 here as they have a row of LED’s directly in view where as ours dissipate the light in the halo.

05-11-2011, 07:50 AM	#1
Jon D Brigadier General 224 Rep 3,016 Posts Drives: 2022 840d Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Campaign against bi-xenon lights Anyone here with bi-xenons worried about this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13143206 Don't know about anyone else, but in 7 months with HID lights on my F10, I've never been flashed by oncoming cars.
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05-11-2011, 07:55 AM	#2
xenon Major General 1397 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	It's the tosser xenon-wannabees that fit re-based HID bulbs into H7 bases and fit them to a parabolic reflector rather than a projector lens which is the issue. If they policed HID retrofits into halogen assemblies (which is illegal) then the problem would go. My last five cars have had factory xenons (and later bi-xenons) and I've never been flashed either. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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05-11-2011, 08:00 AM	#3
Bomber Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 299 Posts Drives: F15 2015 X5 40D M Sport Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Essex iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 BMW X5 F15 40D [0.00]	Typical moaning cabbie, I should start a campaign about cabbies cutting everyone up and thinking they own the road. On a serious note, any headlamp that is not correctly adjusted is a danger, my opinion is that OEM xenons are safer as they auto adjust.
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05-11-2011, 08:01 AM	#4
xenon Major General 1397 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	^ 100% agree - adaptive lights are even safer. Bad halogens are as bad; re-based HID lights will never be right. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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05-11-2011, 08:03 AM	#5
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	+1, the beam pattern from pukka HID systems is clearly below the bumper line of oncoming cars so they are not dazzled. Just read that article myself BTW over lunch!
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05-11-2011, 08:09 AM	#7
Kerr Brigadier General 112 Rep 4,021 Posts Drives: BMW M235I Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Aberdeen iTrader: (0)	I've never been flashed either. I do notice that some of the bigger 4x4s etc that sit a bit higher seem to be slightly blinding though.
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05-11-2011, 08:58 AM	#10
mv57 Lieutenant 22 Rep 421 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Winchester iTrader: (0)	Halfords have a lot to answer for on this. Selling bulbs that are 50% 75% etc brighter than OEMs and claiming they are safer... __________________ E90 330d M Sport, space grey, auto, E9X Picture game / 5 MPH / double bhp / The Beatles zebra crossing / Gordon Ramsays restaurant / Michelin star /
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05-11-2011, 09:01 AM	#11
xenon Major General 1397 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	^^ hmm perhaps. I don't think brighter bulbs are necessarily the problem per se, it is poorly aimed bulbs which are the issue. A brighter bulb of the correct beam pattern and cut-off should be OK. The big problem is re-based D2S bulbs in an H7 base, crammed into a parabolic refelctor with a non-fresnel lens. The cut-off and azimuth cannot possibly be correct but they fit in me golf bro, innit? __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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05-11-2011, 09:29 AM	#12
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	I wouldn't worry too much, he's a 60 year old Cabbie, so near the end of his life cycle.
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05-11-2011, 09:41 AM	#13
toxicnerve Colonel 97 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Totally agree with xenon and others. It's badly fitted/HIDs in halogen reflectors etc that is the problem.
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05-11-2011, 11:18 AM	#14
LexS Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 203 Posts Drives: E90 320d M Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	I have HIDs retrofitted into my other car, they don't auto level so I've made sure the beam angle is correct and haven't had an issue yet. I can't see there being any issues so long as the cars produced with xenon's now have a levelling device. My opinion is they should be made a legal requirement such as ABS is now, huge difference in visibility which has to be a safety aid for any driver. __________________
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05-11-2011, 11:30 AM	#15
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 949 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Never got flashed in mine ever. So obviously there is nothing wrong with them! __________________ 997.2 GT3
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05-11-2011, 01:12 PM	#16
chesney72 First Lieutenant 23 Rep 386 Posts Drives: JB4 G5 335i Sport Touring Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Scotland iTrader: (1)	I got flashed a few times over the dark winter mornings. Mostly when coming over a crest in the road and the dumb idiots coming the other way flash me thinking I'm on full beam I even get flashed driving the golf with halogens in similar types of crests. I wish people would realise if you look at the road ahead instead of directly into somebody's light's and they won't blind you as much. Both car's got MOT'd in January and both were well in the limits for beam pattern. HID's are def too bright in halogen lights. I bought a set a few years ago for the golf as I wanted better lights. I went for the lowest K rated so they were as close to OEM and not chavvy blue. Took them off cos they were clearly too bright plus they failed to give me better vision.
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05-11-2011, 02:30 PM	#18
225_AB Major 65 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: May 2010 Location: buckinghamshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 M235i [0.00] 2009 BMW 330D [0.00]	We have very few street lights in my area so I have been flashed a few times as people think that I am on full beam (when I am not) so I flash them back if I react quickly enough.
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05-11-2011, 05:31 PM	#20
225_AB Major 65 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: May 2010 Location: buckinghamshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 M235i [0.00] 2009 BMW 330D [0.00]	Yep working fine. Because of the lack of street lights us oldies get dazzled more easily than you youngsters. I have noticed that some cars are almost uncomfortably bright with no surrounding light but I love my headlights.
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05-12-2011, 02:38 AM	#22
Dizzle Major 56 Rep 1,255 Posts Drives: F30 335xD Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: UK, Staffordshire iTrader: (0)	An email went round work yesterday from a colleague for an online petition.. http://www.petition.co.uk/blinding-v...s-or-lightmare To which I felt the need to defend OEM Xenons but I do agree that certain aftermarket kits or bulbs, mostly originating from the middle east and are not EU regulated and so are probably sold for ‘show use only’ are being used by many drivers. DRL's...admittedly some LED ones can be dazzling, referring to Audis and +1 on the shitroen DS3 here as they have a row of LED’s directly in view where as ours dissipate the light in the halo.
	Appreciate 0 Quote