Self Leveling Headlamps?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,914
Likes: 4
From: Westford MA
Re: Self Leveling Headlamps? (JohnC)
I think my theory of auto-leveling lamps in the vette may have been right. According to the RPO list that's going around, it has:
"Headlamps, bi-functional high intensity discharge, include automatic exterior lamp control."
I think that means auto leveling but it might just indicate the twilight sentinel type of "control" However I would imagine that they'd list that as "twilight sentinel." Anyway, I'm looking forward to finding out if I'm right.
Scott
"Headlamps, bi-functional high intensity discharge, include automatic exterior lamp control."
I think that means auto leveling but it might just indicate the twilight sentinel type of "control" However I would imagine that they'd list that as "twilight sentinel." Anyway, I'm looking forward to finding out if I'm right.
Scott
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area Ca
Re: Self Leveling Headlamps? (LymanSS)
The leveling feature (whether auto or manual) is a necessity in order to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.
US DOT headlights simply scatter the light and that's OK for weak halogens but if you were to scatter the HID lights it would be blinding. Hence why these lame people that stick 100W xenon-look lights or retrofitting true HID lights in their US headlight lenses are just blinding the heck out of people. :mad
You will see that Euro regulations (which is used for HIDs) have a sharp cutoff. The light is not scattered at all. Most people that use HIDs for the 1st time (and driving down a bumpy road) think that their headlights are loose and "bouncing" due to the sharp cutoff. Again, this is to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.
[Modified by C6-XTSY, 12:27 PM 12/1/2003]
US DOT headlights simply scatter the light and that's OK for weak halogens but if you were to scatter the HID lights it would be blinding. Hence why these lame people that stick 100W xenon-look lights or retrofitting true HID lights in their US headlight lenses are just blinding the heck out of people. :mad
You will see that Euro regulations (which is used for HIDs) have a sharp cutoff. The light is not scattered at all. Most people that use HIDs for the 1st time (and driving down a bumpy road) think that their headlights are loose and "bouncing" due to the sharp cutoff. Again, this is to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.
[Modified by C6-XTSY, 12:27 PM 12/1/2003]
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,914
Likes: 4
From: Westford MA
Re: Self Leveling Headlamps? (C6-XTSY)
You seem to be talking mostly about beam pattern, rather than auto-leveling which is the topic of this thread. Yes, we all know that US DOT beam patters suck and the euro ones are better. But that's not really what we're talking about. Auto-levelling lamps are a different issue.
Scott
Scott
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area Ca
Re: Self Leveling Headlamps? (LymanSS)
You seem to be talking mostly about beam pattern, rather than auto-leveling which is the topic of this thread. Yes, we all know that US DOT beam patters suck and the euro ones are better. But that's not really what we're talking about. Auto-levelling lamps are a different issue.
Scott
Scott
[Modified by C6-XTSY, 10:51 PM 12/2/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,685
Likes: 753
From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: Self Leveling Headlamps? (C6-XTSY)
Id love to see self-levelling headlights along with Ligenfelter mods that will make it beat Hayabusas....just like the motor trend tested Ligenfelter 427 TT can... :jester
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
From: Prescott AZ
Re: Self Leveling Headlamps? (LymanSS)
I think my theory of auto-leveling lamps in the vette may have been right. According to the RPO list that's going around, it has:
"Headlamps, bi-functional high intensity discharge, include automatic exterior lamp control."
I think that means auto leveling but it might just indicate the twilight sentinel type of "control" However I would imagine that they'd list that as "twilight sentinel." Anyway , I'm looking forward to finding out if I'm right.
Scott
"Headlamps, bi-functional high intensity discharge, include automatic exterior lamp control."
I think that means auto leveling but it might just indicate the twilight sentinel type of "control" However I would imagine that they'd list that as "twilight sentinel." Anyway , I'm looking forward to finding out if I'm right.
Scott
I don't read it that way Scott. Both my GM cars are external controlled with the Daytime running lights or the regular lights on at all times.
:chevy
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 43,370
Likes: 0
Re: Self Leveling Headlamps? (JohnC)
After owning cars with Halogens and HIDs, I really don't care. But I suppose it sells, just like the "Bose" name :( I've had cars with Halogens that are as effective as any Xenon's I have owned. It's all in how well the are engineered, and aimed.
In fact the BEST headlight of any vehicle I have owned was on my Suzuki Hayabusa. It was just a projector Halogen. That single light gave me a better view of the road than any car I have ever owned.
I'd just as soon pass on the cost and weight of HIDs. But, I'm sure marketing will prevail, just like it does with Bose.(in case you didn't notice I'm not a fan of the Bose systems I have had, in any car).
In fact the BEST headlight of any vehicle I have owned was on my Suzuki Hayabusa. It was just a projector Halogen. That single light gave me a better view of the road than any car I have ever owned.
I'd just as soon pass on the cost and weight of HIDs. But, I'm sure marketing will prevail, just like it does with Bose.(in case you didn't notice I'm not a fan of the Bose systems I have had, in any car).
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in Michigan
Re: Self Leveling Headlamps? (GDP)
There is really no place for the ultra bright headlights in today's crowded roadways. Just what I want. Some self leveling mechanism to screw with! When I drive down the expressway, I hardly ever get to use my highbeams without being rude to the oncoming drivers. They're just something everybody wants but no one needs. IMHO :)
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Sayville NY
Re: Self Leveling Headlamps? (Rocketblock)
There is really no place for the ultra bright headlights in today's crowded roadways. Just what I want. Some self leveling mechanism to screw with! When I drive down the expressway, I hardly ever get to use my highbeams without being rude to the oncoming drivers. They're just something everybody wants but no one needs. IMHO :)
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in Michigan
Re: Self Leveling Headlamps? (needhlp)
There is really no place for the ultra bright headlights in today's crowded roadways. Just what I want. Some self leveling mechanism to screw with! When I drive down the expressway, I hardly ever get to use my highbeams without being rude to the oncoming drivers. They're just something everybody wants but no one needs. IMHO :) and your point is..... :rofl: :grouphug: :leaving:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Re: Self Leveling Headlamps? (C6-XTSY)
Hence why these lame people that stick 100W xenon-look lights or retrofitting true HID lights in their US headlight lenses are just blinding the heck out of people. :mad
