Re: Blindingly Bright Lights

[Michiel van Wessem <jmvw@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks Jason,

That was a good answer. I've heard people complain about the shape of the
light that US low beams cast before. I suppose they could improve on that
in the US. However, consider that roads aren't always level and maybe even
European headlights could shine someone in the face going over a hill.

Well, enjoy your driving!

Michiel

At 10:54 AM 2/2/99 -0500, you wrote:
>At 10:56 PM 2/1/99 , Michiel van Wessem wrote:
>>Hey guys,
>>
>>It's not to be a smart@ss or anything, but don't you wonder if maybe you
>>would blind other people if you put in lights that are brighter then
>allowed? 
>
>That's a good question... and one that deserves an answer.
>
>The difference is really how the light is aimed, not how bright it is. As a
>disclaimer: I'm on the BMW List for recreation-- I think you guys have a
>great amount of intelligent conversation (at times, ahem), and I have
>enjoyed just about every minute I've spend behind a steering wheel of
>Bavarian Descent.
>
>With that said, I drive a VW Scirocco 16v...  and I have European lights,
>which use H4 bulbs for the outer (lo/hi beams), and H3 bulbs for the inner
>(hi beam only) lights.  I bought the setup because I was going to get
>killed with the horrid light output of the factory sealed beams.
>
>I have 90/100w H4s, and 100w H3s.  In European stock form, the car came
>with 55/60w H4s and 50w H3s.  
>	
>So, while I'm pumping out 180w low beams, I've never once been flashed,
>and, having driven in front of my car at night in a friend's E30 (also a
>low-to-the-ground-car) I was actually less blinded than I was from other
cars.
>
>The reason, being, of course, the E-pattern light cutoff.  The light,
>regardless of wattage, is cut off at about bumper-height.  The result is
>solid, pure white illumination of the road in front of me, without blinding
>oncoming cars.
>
>The high-beams, of course, are a different story.  With 400w coming from
>the lights, I exercise all caution when using them-- if there's even a
>shadow of doubt that someone might be coming around a curve ahead, I switch
>to low-beams... which, by the way, are more than powerful enough for
>cruising on contry roads in the dark at anything up to 70mph anyways.
>
>And, in regard to the PIAA Superwhite thread:  I tried out a set of
>"Hyperwhite" 55/60s, which were claimed (in writing) to be brighter than
>standard 80/100s, and probably brighter than my 90/100s.  In reality, they
>were no whiter than my clear bulbs, and were dimmer than the 55/60s I have
>as spares.  I couldn't see 15 feet in front of the car.  
>
>So, if you feel you need to, you can upgrade to higher-wattage bulbs
>without disturbing anyone, but you need to make sure your lights have the
>E-Spec cutoff, and your wiring can handle it.  (You'll probably need to
>relay your lights).  
>
>	My $0.02
>		Jason
>
>
>
>
>
>
>----------
>jason@domain.elided
>1987 Scirocco 16v
>57,000 original miles.
>http://members.aol.com/rocco16v  
>
>

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