Poor night visibility with original style headlights?

[spartacus]

Drove the Cerb to work today, noticed on my way home tonight coming off a dark dual carriage way onto a pitch black switchback and had real problem judging where the kerb was, had to slow right down for a few moments, not sure if its just a peculiarity of that road, my poor night vision or a general problem with the original style lights not having a very wide beam spread. I have seen the other thread running at the moment about replacement headlight units so presume it maybe the headlights rather than me?

Do the later Tuscan/speed 12 style headlight conversions make that much difference to night driving, or do they just look good?

[byker28i]

I've heard the later ones just look good and aren't as good as lighting the path.

How about replacing the bulbs with some of those Phillips 50% brighter ones - or is it a spread problem? I can't say I've noticed a problem with my lights.

[Touching Cloth]

I am thinking of an HID kit like done on a Griff here:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=308006&f=9&h=0

HID kits now about £80 off ebay so seriously come down in price and that is what the chap with the Griff used. Saw a Chim on a Tunnel Run with a similar kit (his was supplied and fitted by Racing Green for about £500 but essentially the same) and it was seriously bright and really impressive, also once up and running they draw a lower current as well so you don't run the risk of fecking the wiring like I have heard you can do with brighter bulbs.

[TVRWhoa]

I got so fed up with the original headlights on country unlit roads, that I bought Joospeed's HID conversion.

My god the difference is phenomenal, they are literally the difference between night and day.

Downside, I get flashed at least eight times a night when I've got them on, the favourite trick is when I'm behind someone is they put their rear fog light on in an attempt to let me know they 'think' I have my main beam on accidentally - when I do then put it on main beam, I can see everything in their car and the three cars in front.

I flashed some bloke once at an unlit junction and they stayed on main beam, he puts his hands over his face (I did laugh - once I'd got them off).

My partner says it is very difficult to look in the rear view mirror when I'm behind her in the car and they're on dip beam.

It does pass a M.O.T oh and they have been adjusted to the minimum setting in an attempt to stop dazzling oncoming vehicles, although I'd probably say for some people they are too bright (judging by the flashing).

I think the problem is that the standard reflector on the cerb, blasts the light in all directions, as a test I can light up a blue motorway sign 'brightly' from three quarters of a mile away, if I turn the lights to side lights the blue sign goes dark, so it gives you a measure of the power of them LOL

Would I change them back, no, they are too good and I feel I can drive confidently at night on unfamiliar roads, eventually I'll probably upgrade to gas discharge lights a.k.a cerb lightweight pods, as the HID conversion although good I feel is too dazzling for other road users.

Just my tuppence worth really.

[byker28i]

I fitted the 50% brighter phillips bulbs on my wifes MX-5 and they change was amazing so I'm considering the same on the Cerbera. They are still rated at 55w/60w so the wiring doesn't suffer, they just use a different metal/gas.

I have to say those HID ones look the business though

[jensena]

byker28i said:

I fitted the 50% brighter phillips bulbs on my wifes MX-5 and they change was amazing so I'm considering the same on the Cerbera. They are still rated at 55w/60w so the wiring doesn't suffer, they just use a different metal/gas.

I have to say those HID ones look the business though

Dave - You've already got those, I I fitted them myself

[hbeck]

[quote=byker28i]I've heard the later ones just look good and aren't as good as lighting the path.
quote]

Totally agree with that, the pod lights on mine (dipped beam) are crap, defo a job to this winter is to fit TC light upgrade.

[byker28i]

jensena said:

byker28i said:

I fitted the 50% brighter phillips bulbs on my wifes MX-5 and they change was amazing so I'm considering the same on the Cerbera. They are still rated at 55w/60w so the wiring doesn't suffer, they just use a different metal/gas.

I have to say those HID ones look the business though

Dave - You've already got those, I I fitted them myself

That'll be why I think my lights are good then Nice one Alan.

[V8Cerbera]

I recently had a bulb blow and took the original to the local parts store. They looked at it and noted "80/100watt - thats for off road use, normal is 55/70watt". I don't seem to have a problem with seeing things in the dark.

I noticed that the lights on the Tuscan were bloody bright coming back from LT. Had the anti-dazzle switch on the rear view most of the way home.

Edited by V8Cerbera on Thursday 30th November 06:55

[BLUETHUNDER]

H.I.D,s are the way to go.Ive got them fitted on my Cerb,RR,and the wifes Aclass.

[tvr_Edd]

got HID's on my cerbera and they are absolutely awesome

[TVRWhoa]

Hi guys could you tell me what HID bulbs you have got in yours, and whether you are using the standard refelctor, I think mine are H4 bulb output 7K, thanks a lot.

[philcerbera]

Did any of you guys go for low/high HID kits and do you understand what are the pros/cons? Its unlcear from the litereature which to choose for the Cerbera.

Cheers, Phil

[tvr_edd]

I got mine from Joo at trackcar, not sure what they are but they are bloomin awesome at night, makes driving it so much nicer and easier