LED headlamps -your views?
Discussion
DamianS3 said:
I don't as the bodywork is a mess but am going out tonight and will take a couple.
I use the halo is a DRL (I I like it) and switches to flash orange for indicator duties then goes back to halo.
The low beam is just fantastic.
Damian
That's pretty cool, never seen them on a 'S' but always thought about it, I was unsuccessful with the HID's I tried, did you rewire the headlights on a new fees or use existing?I use the halo is a DRL (I I like it) and switches to flash orange for indicator duties then goes back to halo.
The low beam is just fantastic.
Damian
I think there a tidy upgrade! So I take it the ring pulses/flashes amber when indicating & for the DRL the white ring is on?
Also mk1fan yours look great too, are they a complete new led unit you used?
I've had no luck when trying to bring my headlights a little more updated.. I'm kinda gutted now wasted £100 trying to get LEDs working on mine, even my tail lights wouldn't accept them without causing another bulb to go dim etc
Also mk1fan yours look great too, are they a complete new led unit you used?
I've had no luck when trying to bring my headlights a little more updated.. I'm kinda gutted now wasted £100 trying to get LEDs working on mine, even my tail lights wouldn't accept them without causing another bulb to go dim etc
I remember doing tests on halogen lights about 40 years ago. It was mainly driving lights not head lights. However some of the same things apply. The light source (filament or LED) has to be in the correct place in the reflector to get every thing to focus correctly. It also has to be the correct size. With H1 driving lights it was noticeable that a 100W bulb had a lot more light splatter than a 55W bulb due to the larger size of the filament. The LED light source is unlikely to be the size and shape the reflector is designed to operate with and remember the H4 bulb has its two filaments one behind the other so they will reflect differently. I am not going to say the LEDs won't function well but this is likely to be the issue with trying to get the performance on both dip and full beam working correctly.
I am not sure the modern lighting design is really about getting better performance as much as styling. The advantage with the newer polycarbonate lights is you can make them as ugly as you like and the manufacturers are really good at this.
I run normal H4s in my S1. The reason for this is that I avoid driving it at night if possible. There are an awful lot of 4WDs and SUVs in New Zealand and the lights on these are easily high enough to dazzle you even when on dip with the low seating position. There are no dual carriageways or motorways within 200km of me and even that one is only about 10km long so the issue with the lights on oncoming cars is real. I remember getting caught out a few years ago heading into a city after dark on the night before a three day weekend with heaps of traffic heading out for their weekend away. It was terrible.
Dave
I am not sure the modern lighting design is really about getting better performance as much as styling. The advantage with the newer polycarbonate lights is you can make them as ugly as you like and the manufacturers are really good at this.
I run normal H4s in my S1. The reason for this is that I avoid driving it at night if possible. There are an awful lot of 4WDs and SUVs in New Zealand and the lights on these are easily high enough to dazzle you even when on dip with the low seating position. There are no dual carriageways or motorways within 200km of me and even that one is only about 10km long so the issue with the lights on oncoming cars is real. I remember getting caught out a few years ago heading into a city after dark on the night before a three day weekend with heaps of traffic heading out for their weekend away. It was terrible.
Dave
NZDave said:
.... The light source (filament or LED) has to be in the correct place in the reflector to get every thing to focus correctly. ...... and remember the H4 bulb has its two filaments one behind the other so they will reflect differently. I am not going to say the LEDs won't function well but this is likely to be the issue with trying to get the performance on both dip and full beam working correctly.........
So the point is that plugging super-bright LED's into old fashioned reflectors (or even modern reflectors not designed specifically for the light pattern of the LED you are using) means that light will be splattered everywhere. Great for blatting down country lanes in pitch dark but anywhere else and you are making driving unpleasant at the least, and dangerous at worst, for oncoming drivers.NZDave said:
.... There are an awful lot of 4WDs and SUVs in New Zealand and the lights on these are easily high enough to dazzle you even when on dip with the low seating position. .....
Same issues here Dave. Just shows inconsiderate stupidity is a global problem.My V8S failed its MOT last year because the o/s light was fractionally to the right (old fashioned H4). The center of the light is 20" of the deck FFS. So if "rules are rules", how come all there are so many to
ers driving around in mobile search lights? 
Edited by v8s4me on Saturday 18th June 21:09
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