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LED Headlights
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May 18, 2023 10:29:11   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
StanMac wrote:
If you need the level of brightness provided by these new headlights to see well enough to drive at night, you do not need to be driving at night. By allowing you night vision impaired people to safely drive at night, you are impairing the night vision of those who have good night vision and don’t need ultra bright headlights to safely see at night. If the spectrum of these LED headlights were set to match the spectrum of the incandescent lights, the glare problem would not be near as bad.

Stan
If you need the level of brightness provided by th... (show quote)


I take your points, but one of the reasons HID and LEDs improve illumination at night is because they are cooler (higher K) than Halogens, which are warmer (lower K). The eye, when dark adapted, is more sensitive to blue light. Makes them better for the driver’s visibility, but worse for oncoming drivers IF they are too high, poorly aimed or have a poor pattern. Good lighting CAN improve safety and visibility (most people “overdrive” their lights at highway speeds), BUT they must be at the right height, properly aimed and with a proper pattern. As long as I can remember, the US lighting regulations have been behind many European countries in this respect.

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May 18, 2023 11:05:30   #
BebuLamar
 
They banned incandescent lamps for household use they might as well banned for automotive uses.

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May 18, 2023 11:29:29   #
Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal
 
Don, the 2nd son wrote:
I share your pain. Many drivers seem not to know how to select lower beam but more likely just don't seem to give a dram! There seems to be a pervasive "you can't make me" attitude in our society these days. PLUS why do drivers feel they need these piercing high intensity lights in our well lit city streets? I see many driving with no lights at all because the streets are so well lit they don't need them to see their way. Headlights in most cities function simply so others can see you coming.
I share your pain. Many drivers seem not to know ... (show quote)


Lots of "other" things here.
Lots of people get tired of "fixing" their yellowed lenses.
But ebay will sell them 80 to 120 watt LED equivalents for cheap!
And you can get them in rainbow colors! FREEDOM!
AND I was in Long beach recently, in our Ford.
I went and got gas, made it three blocks, and got pulled over.
Kops wait there. Lotsa folks have "auto" headlights- it gets dark, they turn on.
Long Beach has halogen street lights, and the cars thinks it's daylight.
Plus THEY are yellow- its a bit disturbing to drive there-
and then that street light just in front of you just turned red.
Yowza!
OH! This is still LA,CA. The kop says I'll write a misdemeanor- no points!
It also means "no contest".
You are not allowed to contest these tickets- just pay the money citizen!
You still want to contest it- no problem! Sign here ...
Now you owe the ticket, plus egregious court costs, and watch your language!

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May 18, 2023 11:29:41   #
pendennis
 
alberio wrote:
Well the NTSB had their head stuck somewhere where the light don't shine. I've had halogen headlights on cars in the past that covered the road plenty far enough to see whatever needs to be seen.


My post was merely to provide some data to Jerry. I worked in the auto industry for over 38 years, and dealt with the NTSB a number of times.

The problem with halogen lamps is their high operating temperatures and high voltage usage. The LED's have a distinct advantage when it comes electrical draw v. light output. Automakers are limited to 12 volts of usable power, and that has to be spread among an increasing amount of equipment drawing that power.

I've owned a number of cars with halogen bulbs, and they do provide great lighting.

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May 18, 2023 11:32:13   #
PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA
 
jerryc41 wrote:
CBS News did a bit on the dangers of LED headlights. Lots of accidents and injuries have resulted from those lights shining in the eyes of oncoming drivers. It's especially bad when the lights are a bit out of adjustment or when the driver leaves them on high beam. I wonder if they needed approval before being put on cars. I know that in 1957, states had to pass laws very quickly to allow cars with four headlights to be sold there. I dread driving at night because of the LEDs.

In Europe, cars have had bright, adaptive headlights that light up more of the road, yet do not blind oncoming drivers. Maybe in another fifty years, we'll be allowed to have them here.
CBS News did a bit on the dangers of LED headlight... (show quote)


I have LED lights on my motorcycle and run high beams during the day, but at night, the low beams are focused and cannot shine above a certain level. That level is below the point where it would shine into the view of oncoming drivers. Both my cars have a similar light pattern and I believe they have LED headlights.

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May 18, 2023 11:59:34   #
Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York
 
jerryc41 wrote:
CBS News did a bit on the dangers of LED headlights. Lots of accidents and injuries have resulted from those lights shining in the eyes of oncoming drivers….


Jerry, I do understand your reluctance to drive at night. But look at the alternatives. What!…Wait!…. You won’t be able to see much if you keep your headlights off and save on the car batteries. The other alternative is to get a good flash light and you or someone else hold it out the window. If you’re driving alone, use your left hand to hold the flashlight and keep your right hand on the steering wheel. This only works for right handed drivers like me. LOL!

This is the price we pay for really expensive cars but not knowing how to drive in a considerate manner for others. Where is my horse-drawn buggy when I need it?

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May 18, 2023 12:04:08   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Scruples wrote:
Jerry, I do understand your reluctance to drive at night. But look at the alternatives. What!…Wait!…. You won’t be able to see much if you keep your headlights off and save on the car batteries. The other alternative is to get a good flash light and you or someone else hold it out the window. If you’re driving alone, use your left hand to hold the flashlight and keep your right hand on the steering wheel. This only works for right handed drivers like me. LOL!

This is the price we pay for really expensive cars but not knowing how to drive in a considerate manner for others. Where is my horse-drawn buggy when I need it?
Jerry, I do understand your reluctance to drive at... (show quote)


Yes, I do save my car's battery when driving at night. I keep the headlights off until I either see a car coming toward me, or I get close to the car in front of me. When I get very close to either car, I switch on my headlights.🤣

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May 18, 2023 12:44:31   #
ecblackiii Loc: Maryland
 
jerryc41 wrote:
CBS News did a bit on the dangers of LED headlights. Lots of accidents and injuries have resulted from those lights shining in the eyes of oncoming drivers. It's especially bad when the lights are a bit out of adjustment or when the driver leaves them on high beam. I wonder if they needed approval before being put on cars. I know that in 1957, states had to pass laws very quickly to allow cars with four headlights to be sold there. I dread driving at night because of the LEDs.

In Europe, cars have had bright, adaptive headlights that light up more of the road, yet do not blind oncoming drivers. Maybe in another fifty years, we'll be allowed to have them here.
CBS News did a bit on the dangers of LED headlight... (show quote)


Jerry, your imagination is playing tricks on you. The complaints about headlights shining in opposing drivers' eyes existed long before LED headlights were invented. It's not the headlights, it's the drivers that refuse to dim them or don't use auto dimmers that cause the problem! And European headlights are not better than U.S. headlights! I've owned European cars and driven there! The Europeans were once way ahead of the U.S. by allowing halogen headlights. But, now the U.S., European and Asian manufacturers all use either halogen or LED headlights. They increase safety by illuminating the roadway much further than the puny incandescent lights that we used to have. LEDs have an added advantage of lonfger life, perhaps for the lifetime of the car.

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May 18, 2023 13:07:59   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
ecblackiii wrote:
Jerry, your imagination is playing tricks on you. The complaints about headlights shining in opposing drivers' eyes existed long before LED headlights were invented. It's not the headlights, it's the drivers that refuse to dim them or don't use auto dimmers that cause the problem! And European headlights are not better than U.S. headlights! I've owned European cars and driven there! The Europeans were once way ahead of the U.S. by allowing halogen headlights. But, now the U.S., European and Asian manufacturers all use either halogen or LED headlights. They increase safety by illuminating the roadway much further than the puny incandescent lights that we used to have. LEDs have an added advantage of lonfger life, perhaps for the lifetime of the car.
Jerry, your imagination is playing tricks on you. ... (show quote)


It's more than imagination.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7CX1bN-9To
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0nBlZwUT3s

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May 18, 2023 13:29:05   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
jerryc41 wrote:
It's more than imagination.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7CX1bN-9To
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0nBlZwUT3s


Jerry, I notice that your second link discusses adaptive headlight technology, which has been available in Europe for about a decade, but is just now being considered for American cars. It’s a big help in avoiding glare while providing better illumination, but can be an expensive option at present. Hopefully it will eventually become available on all cars at a reasonable price.

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May 18, 2023 13:56:35   #
gpc
 
Jagnut07 wrote:
Jerry, we do have adaptive headlights here. I have had them on my Jaguar since 2008. When you drive around a bend the headlights turn a light up a better view around that bend in the road. I also have them on my 2013 BMW X5. However, the BMW recently came up with a fault on the control unit for them and they no longer turn when I go around a bend. I got a quote to repair and the fix is to replace one headlight unit at $3000. If I get this one fixed the other side will probably fail soon after. I guess technology can come at a price.
Jerry, we do have adaptive headlights here. I hav... (show quote)


My 2010 Mazda 3 came with adaptive headlights, stock. Rain sensing wipers, too.

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May 18, 2023 14:25:02   #
Ollieboy
 
jerryc41 wrote:
Yes, that's a bad term because it means several things. The lights we have here are not like the lights in Europe because they shine in the eyes of oncoming drivers. I can spot an LED car a miles away, literally. If they have the high beams on, I might as well close my eyes. Looking at the right side of the road doesn't help if it looks like an A-bomb went off in front of me.

I remember the old, cheap sealed beam headlights. They could be replaced in a few minutes. To replace a headlight bulb now, we have to squeeze our hand into a small space and deal with a small, thin spring. Replacing the whole headlight unit on my Fit would cost over $100, and that's the discounted price from third party sellers.

That control unit costs more than a top-of-the-line computer. It probably cost $25 to manufacture. That's typical for car electronics. They feel justified to charge outlandish prices for cheap electronics.
Yes, that's a bad term because it means several th... (show quote)


Cars in Europe with left side driving have headlight
lenses designed specifically to favor the right side of the road, the opposite of the US

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May 18, 2023 14:25:58   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
gpc wrote:
My 2010 Mazda 3 came with adaptive headlights, stock. Rain sensing wipers, too.


Adaptive as in self leveling or self turning, or adaptive as the European standard of “shading” the headlamps when a car is oncoming or in front of you plus automatic low beam/high beam switching? I didn’t know that technology was available in 2010

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May 18, 2023 15:30:58   #
clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa
 
rpm wrote:
Jerry, I totally agree with you & Tri-X. Some of these guys here in Houston love their jacked up trucks with the lift kits & big tires. If one gets behind you on I-10 or I-45 your in real trouble. Some of these trucks are like 36" off the ground! There's no way one could lower the lights enough to not blind the driver in front of you. And Dodge Ram truck drivers are the worst! They think they own the road, & I promise do it on purpose.


Owning two of your much reviled Dodge Ram trucks I am proud to be part of your “worst” category. I use them to haul trailers sometime which upsets the attitude of the truck. This causes the front end to go up and causes the headlights to be improperly aligned. I know this and am annoyed when an approaching vehicle blinds me. I don’t want to be that guy. So what I’ve done is add accessory air bags. There is an onboard compressor that levels the vehicle. One has switches and gauges accessible on the side of the seat base framework, the other is controlled by a remote—sort of like a garage door opener with switches and a pair of digital TPMS pressure gauges. Not really cheap but keeps on coming traffic from thinking they are being approached by a Dodge Ram.

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May 18, 2023 15:41:01   #
rpm Loc: Houston, TX
 
I applaude you on your effort Clint. Some one from Washington state might certainly do that but these Texans are of a different breed. Very few of them pull a trailer... I suspect ego plays a part on the big truck scene here in Houston. And the fact that it floods bad here now & they like to drive in deep water splashing others.

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