Headlight glare, it’s getting worse
Discussion
I’m not driving less but it definitely is getting worse,ironically being a farmer and early mornings bought some led bulbs for the car and it fails the mot!
https://highways-news.com/quarter-of-drivers-affec...
https://highways-news.com/quarter-of-drivers-affec...
I’ve never really had an issue being dazzled by OEM LEDs, though some are ridiculously bright and do dazzle, but most are fine.
The main issue I have when driving at night is older cars with Halogen headlights (particularly reflector halogens) with a cheap LED bulb stuck in, they really do blind you, and I’ve noticed when I’ve seen them they give really bad light output, so they’re pointless.
Also, badly adjusted halogen headlights, they can be worse than the most dazzling of LEDs.
The main issue I have when driving at night is older cars with Halogen headlights (particularly reflector halogens) with a cheap LED bulb stuck in, they really do blind you, and I’ve noticed when I’ve seen them they give really bad light output, so they’re pointless.
Also, badly adjusted halogen headlights, they can be worse than the most dazzling of LEDs.
Byker28i said:
Another factor is the number of SUV's etc. Higher headlights when compared to normal cars
I have a Mazda CX5 with LED headlights. On motorways they don't seem to annoy anyone, although they are bright, but I have been spending a lot of time on the A39 between Bridgwater and Minehead, where the road is up and down a lot and they seem to annoy an awful lot of people. I have had the headlights checked and they are all ok, the cut off when level is all in the right place, so I'm not sure what I can do. I have tried running on sidelights and fog lights, but that isn't really practical. They are adaptive, but even turning that off doesn't seem to make a difference. I'm one of these people with HIDs in place of older halogen. I can't see otherwise as everyone elses lights are so bright. My own car was casting a shadow if a modern car was behind me. Driving towards another car, there was no chance of seeing anything due to the contrast difference.
I expect some abuse but I didn't start this escalation.
I expect some abuse but I didn't start this escalation.
The frustration is that the technology is there with LEDs to dim them as appropriate and even the dipped beams seem excessively bright. Why not have some sort of urban/oncoming traffic mode which is lower power, then full monty when out on the open road/full beam?
Ironically the best defense against bright lights of other cars to help you see is bright lights on your own car.
Ironically the best defense against bright lights of other cars to help you see is bright lights on your own car.
I couldn’t tell you the make/model of the hundreds of cars I pass each morning on my commute, or whether the lights are OEM spec or not but I do believe that generally the glare has become worse in recent years.
I used to do this same commute 10 years ago when I was 30 and I feel its worse now. Maybe part of it is aging but at 40 I’m not exactly geriatric and my eyes are in good health. Modern lights are lovely to have but are a nightmare when everyone else has them!!
I used to do this same commute 10 years ago when I was 30 and I feel its worse now. Maybe part of it is aging but at 40 I’m not exactly geriatric and my eyes are in good health. Modern lights are lovely to have but are a nightmare when everyone else has them!!
I have adaptive LEDs (factory fitted, bought it used so I didn't get a say in it, and anyway that model seems to only have LED now be it adaptive or not adaptive) and they are crazily bright.
The other day I was driving past some roadworks in the middle of the night on a dark motorway, and the reflection from the silver reflective bit on the traffic cones were so bright that they were disturbing my eyes.
I find other people's LED headlights disturbing as well. I don't remember it being this bad when people just had xenon headlamps.
The other day I was driving past some roadworks in the middle of the night on a dark motorway, and the reflection from the silver reflective bit on the traffic cones were so bright that they were disturbing my eyes.
I find other people's LED headlights disturbing as well. I don't remember it being this bad when people just had xenon headlamps.
Shedding said:
I'm one of these people with HIDs in place of older halogen. I can't see otherwise as everyone elses lights are so bright. My own car was casting a shadow if a modern car was behind me. Driving towards another car, there was no chance of seeing anything due to the contrast difference.
I expect some abuse but I didn't start this escalation.
Are you sure the car behind you isn't bending the beam around your car, rather than casting a shadow? My BMW 4-series does this (adaptive xenons) and it's 10 years old. I expect modern LED based systems are even quicker/more intelligent.I expect some abuse but I didn't start this escalation.
I've never been flashed by another driver in the 4-series when using adaptive high beam, but I have been flashed numerous times in the OH's Mercedes EQA when using dipped beam, which seems to backup the theory of SUV/crossover type cars causing dazling due to the relative height of the headlamps.
I blame those silly crossover SUV things that are higher up than cars of 20yrs ago, equipped with much brighter led technology. Us poor folk in anything lowered and small dont stand a chance! My 1994 Audi 80 has projector headlights with a regular bulb and they're fine for visibility if its just me on a B-road, but dual carriageways and motorways with the oncoming traffic its a nightmare!
resolve10 said:
Shedding said:
I'm one of these people with HIDs in place of older halogen. I can't see otherwise as everyone elses lights are so bright. My own car was casting a shadow if a modern car was behind me. Driving towards another car, there was no chance of seeing anything due to the contrast difference.
I expect some abuse but I didn't start this escalation.
Are you sure the car behind you isn't bending the beam around your car, rather than casting a shadow? My BMW 4-series does this (adaptive xenons) and it's 10 years old. I expect modern LED based systems are even quicker/more intelligent.I expect some abuse but I didn't start this escalation.
I've never been flashed by another driver in the 4-series when using adaptive high beam, but I have been flashed numerous times in the OH's Mercedes EQA when using dipped beam, which seems to backup the theory of SUV/crossover type cars causing dazling due to the relative height of the headlamps.
I think the problem is fundamentally down to the human eye not being suited to the contrast range of incredibly bright lights and a dark, unlit road.
Edited by Shedding on Monday 17th February 12:31
Debaser said:
The only headlights I have a problem with are cheap s
t aftermarket ones that scatter light all over the place.
Yep. t aftermarket ones that scatter light all over the place.
It's only the Ebay specials / not-for-road-use 'upgrades' that I have an issue with.
And the idiots who don't dip or have cars with useless 'High Beam Assist'.
Awful things...
Can't tell if they're indicating, can't see obstructions in the road, can't see potholes, unlit roads are a complete no-go, driving during the months when there are more hours of darkness becomes a miserable experience that leaves you relieved when you reach your destination in one piece.
But it's fine because the person driving the car who has them can see better. I'm alright Jack.
Can't tell if they're indicating, can't see obstructions in the road, can't see potholes, unlit roads are a complete no-go, driving during the months when there are more hours of darkness becomes a miserable experience that leaves you relieved when you reach your destination in one piece.
But it's fine because the person driving the car who has them can see better. I'm alright Jack.
Not all LEDs are the same in quality, Philips make some priced just over £100 a pair and can be up to £150 if you don't shop around, these give exactly the same light pattern as the halogen bulb if anything clearer cut off, but the light is whiter and brighter...Ultinon 9200 for anyone interested.
There are other makes probably equally as good, Osram spring to mind, but Philips offer extended warranty up to 5 years if you register with them, how easy or not that warranty would be to claim on haven't a clue.
Not something to.buy the cheapest unknowns.
Resigned myself to crap lights forever till i was issued a new Scania middle of last year, LED headlights which are a revelation after nearly 50 years going back to tungsten bulbs which were awful.
Am yet to be flashed by anyone else due blinding in either vehicle.
Half the problem out there is, often cheap, bulbs fitted badly, closely followed by misaligned (nudge damaged) headlight adjustments, a pound for every bulb found fitted half pissed up over the years would pay for a decent holiday.
Why do some people find it so difficult to adjust headlights correctly, there's two adjustering screws normally takes 5 minutes.
There are other makes probably equally as good, Osram spring to mind, but Philips offer extended warranty up to 5 years if you register with them, how easy or not that warranty would be to claim on haven't a clue.
Not something to.buy the cheapest unknowns.
Resigned myself to crap lights forever till i was issued a new Scania middle of last year, LED headlights which are a revelation after nearly 50 years going back to tungsten bulbs which were awful.
Am yet to be flashed by anyone else due blinding in either vehicle.
Half the problem out there is, often cheap, bulbs fitted badly, closely followed by misaligned (nudge damaged) headlight adjustments, a pound for every bulb found fitted half pissed up over the years would pay for a decent holiday.
Why do some people find it so difficult to adjust headlights correctly, there's two adjustering screws normally takes 5 minutes.
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