Are modern headlights too bright?
Poll: Are modern headlights too bright?
Total Members Polled: 878
Discussion
Yes, although the bigger issue is the way they are mounted.
Everyone is driving crossovers now, which puts the headlights up high, and they're positively blinding if you drive a low car.
Even my Mondeo is becoming a low rider by modern standards. It wasn't when it launched 20 years ago. Nissan Cashcow's have the worst headlights, if I get a mk2 one behind me, it shines directly into my rear view mirror. Yuck.
Absolutely no need for Xenons or LEDs. I'm convinced it's a crutch for making up for poor reflector design. The best headlights I've ever had were ordinary halogens, with ordinary bulbs. Mk1 Ford Ka. It would light up all 3 lanes of a motorway, and white out road signs that were literally miles down the road. The reflectors were so big you could clearly see the sun reflecting off them onto road signs and buildings during the middle of the day, and that probably played a role.
And yet, because of the way they were mounted and aimed, they weren't blinding to other drivers. I checked pretty carefully.
Everyone is driving crossovers now, which puts the headlights up high, and they're positively blinding if you drive a low car.
Even my Mondeo is becoming a low rider by modern standards. It wasn't when it launched 20 years ago. Nissan Cashcow's have the worst headlights, if I get a mk2 one behind me, it shines directly into my rear view mirror. Yuck.
Absolutely no need for Xenons or LEDs. I'm convinced it's a crutch for making up for poor reflector design. The best headlights I've ever had were ordinary halogens, with ordinary bulbs. Mk1 Ford Ka. It would light up all 3 lanes of a motorway, and white out road signs that were literally miles down the road. The reflectors were so big you could clearly see the sun reflecting off them onto road signs and buildings during the middle of the day, and that probably played a role.
And yet, because of the way they were mounted and aimed, they weren't blinding to other drivers. I checked pretty carefully.
Edited by GearKnob on Tuesday 11th January 22:23
GearKnob said:
Absolutely no need for Xenons or LEDs. I'm convinced it's a crutch for making up for poor reflector design. The best headlights I've ever had were ordinary halogens, with ordinary bulbs. Mk1 Ford Ka. It would light up all 3 lanes of a motorway, and white out road signs that were literally miles down the road. The reflectors were so big you could clearly see the sun reflecting off them onto road signs and buildings during the middle of the day, and that probably played a role.
And yet, because of the way they were mounted and aimed, they weren't blinding to other drivers. I checked pretty carefully.
I had an early E90 320d, with Halogens and moved to a 330i with Xenons.And yet, because of the way they were mounted and aimed, they weren't blinding to other drivers. I checked pretty carefully.
Edited by GearKnob on Tuesday 11th January 22:23
Xenons were a huge difference, but I preferred the full beam of the halogen car.
My current car has Matrix lights and I love them.
The other aspect of modern lighting is getting blinded by one's own lights. With the UK's love of excessive road ornamentation the number of times the lights on one of my cars is reflected back by road signage to laser my eyeballs ahead of a corner or important junction does seem to have increased. Trying auto dim doesn't seem to help as it's not exactly reliable nor ideal to be dropping off main beam during a fast corner.
But some of this I must offset by considering that my eyes are now 48 years old and will be slower to react than when younger and as such maybe we've always complained about dazzling lights as our eyes have aged to some degree?
What I do find absolutely mental is indicator repeaters on door mirrors that wrap round to face the driver. I can't even begin to wrap my head around the broken mind that did that to a car.
As some who grew up driving in London it was absolutely imperative to check one's mirrors when turning because of the high probability of some idiot trying bang past at the last second on two or four wheels. But even out on the open road, approaching a junction and planning to turn you want to do that split second final check that there isn't something in your inside or trying to pass on the outside. Yet you can't see anything in the mirrors because instead there is an incredibly bright orange flashing light right in your face.
On a BMW it was so blinding that I had to resort to gluing a tiny nub of plastic over the wrapped around section of lens to allow the car to be usable.
But some of this I must offset by considering that my eyes are now 48 years old and will be slower to react than when younger and as such maybe we've always complained about dazzling lights as our eyes have aged to some degree?
What I do find absolutely mental is indicator repeaters on door mirrors that wrap round to face the driver. I can't even begin to wrap my head around the broken mind that did that to a car.
As some who grew up driving in London it was absolutely imperative to check one's mirrors when turning because of the high probability of some idiot trying bang past at the last second on two or four wheels. But even out on the open road, approaching a junction and planning to turn you want to do that split second final check that there isn't something in your inside or trying to pass on the outside. Yet you can't see anything in the mirrors because instead there is an incredibly bright orange flashing light right in your face.
On a BMW it was so blinding that I had to resort to gluing a tiny nub of plastic over the wrapped around section of lens to allow the car to be usable.
CarCrazyDad said:
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
Made me laugh someone earlier said he thinks halogen bulbs travel better/further than LED 
the last car I had with halogens was a 2000 BMW 7 series. I've been in many cars with xenons which are SIGNIFICANTLY better. I've been in a few cars with LEDs, they're another level on. Some of the best LEDs I've used were from a 2013 BMW M6, I've also experienced one car with laser lights and they're superb! Anyone who thinks that halogens are as good is misguided in my opinion.
I certainly can understand his point. the last car I had with halogens was a 2000 BMW 7 series. I've been in many cars with xenons which are SIGNIFICANTLY better. I've been in a few cars with LEDs, they're another level on. Some of the best LEDs I've used were from a 2013 BMW M6, I've also experienced one car with laser lights and they're superb! Anyone who thinks that halogens are as good is misguided in my opinion. Some Xenons don't seem to do very well on Dark, country roads on full beam.
Great on dipped but you don't get the same output IMO certainly for many mid year cars (2005-2016)
Many new cars do have much better lights especially as a premium upgrade.
It's the old story of devil in the detail, different needs, different designs. Asking the lighting engineers to come up with a good performance solution for all circumstances given the space and shapes afforded by the designers is probably an almost impossible task.
otolith said:
DonkeyApple said:
On a BMW it was so blinding that I had to resort to gluing a tiny nub of plastic over the wrapped around section of lens to allow the car to be usable.
Well it's a BMW, you're not meant to actually use them!
OldDuffer said:
As I write 'Are modern headlights too bright?
Yes: 64%
No: 36%
When these things first arrived I would flash offenders. The reply would be high-beam. Now I don't bother. That battle is lost. Llights too bright on dip are here to stay. A very large majority find lights too bright, and whilst the rest of you rattle on about tech, when dip-beam dazzles for the majority the tech doesn't work.
Battle lost, it's an arms-race with no quick solution. I leave my lights on high-beam, and use eBay-grade cheapo over-glasses. I'd say this was socially irresponsible. Then again until govt makes moves to control headlamp power, it's no more belligerent than - against 64% - claiming the tech works.
At one point I thought it was 'just me'. Clearly it's the majority. A quick prod of search-engines, reveals it's a worldwide complaint.
I'm sure the judge will be happy to hear this explanation for the head on collision you have increased the likelihood of having by adopting this attitude.Yes: 64%
No: 36%
When these things first arrived I would flash offenders. The reply would be high-beam. Now I don't bother. That battle is lost. Llights too bright on dip are here to stay. A very large majority find lights too bright, and whilst the rest of you rattle on about tech, when dip-beam dazzles for the majority the tech doesn't work.
Battle lost, it's an arms-race with no quick solution. I leave my lights on high-beam, and use eBay-grade cheapo over-glasses. I'd say this was socially irresponsible. Then again until govt makes moves to control headlamp power, it's no more belligerent than - against 64% - claiming the tech works.
At one point I thought it was 'just me'. Clearly it's the majority. A quick prod of search-engines, reveals it's a worldwide complaint.
Edited by OldDuffer on Tuesday 11th January 18:50
Both our moderns have matrix lights that auto adapt the main beam, never been flashed in the 'normal' height car, the SUV style one often gets a flash (and that's also the newest car) on the flip side of this the oncoming lights look far brighter in the normal car so I can see why people think the taller vehicles are on main beam
SweptVolume said:
OldDuffer said:
As I write 'Are modern headlights too bright?
Yes: 64%
No: 36%
When these things first arrived I would flash offenders. The reply would be high-beam. Now I don't bother. That battle is lost. Llights too bright on dip are here to stay. A very large majority find lights too bright, and whilst the rest of you rattle on about tech, when dip-beam dazzles for the majority the tech doesn't work.
Battle lost, it's an arms-race with no quick solution. I leave my lights on high-beam, and use eBay-grade cheapo over-glasses. I'd say this was socially irresponsible. Then again until govt makes moves to control headlamp power, it's no more belligerent than - against 64% - claiming the tech works.
At one point I thought it was 'just me'. Clearly it's the majority. A quick prod of search-engines, reveals it's a worldwide complaint.
I'm sure the judge will be happy to hear this explanation for the head on collision you have increased the likelihood of having by adopting this attitude.Yes: 64%
No: 36%
When these things first arrived I would flash offenders. The reply would be high-beam. Now I don't bother. That battle is lost. Llights too bright on dip are here to stay. A very large majority find lights too bright, and whilst the rest of you rattle on about tech, when dip-beam dazzles for the majority the tech doesn't work.
Battle lost, it's an arms-race with no quick solution. I leave my lights on high-beam, and use eBay-grade cheapo over-glasses. I'd say this was socially irresponsible. Then again until govt makes moves to control headlamp power, it's no more belligerent than - against 64% - claiming the tech works.
At one point I thought it was 'just me'. Clearly it's the majority. A quick prod of search-engines, reveals it's a worldwide complaint.
Edited by OldDuffer on Tuesday 11th January 18:50
OldDuffer said:
As I write 'Are modern headlights too bright?
Yes: 64%
No: 36%
When these things first arrived I would flash offenders. The reply would be high-beam. Now I don't bother. That battle is lost. Llights too bright on dip are here to stay. A very large majority find lights too bright, and whilst the rest of you rattle on about tech, when dip-beam dazzles for the majority the tech doesn't work.
Battle lost, it's an arms-race with no quick solution. I leave my lights on high-beam, and use eBay-grade cheapo over-glasses. I'd say this was socially irresponsible. Then again until govt makes moves to control headlamp power, it's no more belligerent than - against 64% - claiming the tech works.
At one point I thought it was 'just me'. Clearly it's the majority. A quick prod of search-engines, reveals it's a worldwide complaint.
Good lord.Yes: 64%
No: 36%
When these things first arrived I would flash offenders. The reply would be high-beam. Now I don't bother. That battle is lost. Llights too bright on dip are here to stay. A very large majority find lights too bright, and whilst the rest of you rattle on about tech, when dip-beam dazzles for the majority the tech doesn't work.
Battle lost, it's an arms-race with no quick solution. I leave my lights on high-beam, and use eBay-grade cheapo over-glasses. I'd say this was socially irresponsible. Then again until govt makes moves to control headlamp power, it's no more belligerent than - against 64% - claiming the tech works.
At one point I thought it was 'just me'. Clearly it's the majority. A quick prod of search-engines, reveals it's a worldwide complaint.
Edited by OldDuffer on Tuesday 11th January 18:50
Incredible.
iphonedyou said:
OldDuffer said:
As I write 'Are modern headlights too bright?
Yes: 64%
No: 36%
When these things first arrived I would flash offenders. The reply would be high-beam. Now I don't bother. That battle is lost. Llights too bright on dip are here to stay. A very large majority find lights too bright, and whilst the rest of you rattle on about tech, when dip-beam dazzles for the majority the tech doesn't work.
Battle lost, it's an arms-race with no quick solution. I leave my lights on high-beam, and use eBay-grade cheapo over-glasses. I'd say this was socially irresponsible. Then again until govt makes moves to control headlamp power, it's no more belligerent than - against 64% - claiming the tech works.
At one point I thought it was 'just me'. Clearly it's the majority. A quick prod of search-engines, reveals it's a worldwide complaint.
Good lord.Yes: 64%
No: 36%
When these things first arrived I would flash offenders. The reply would be high-beam. Now I don't bother. That battle is lost. Llights too bright on dip are here to stay. A very large majority find lights too bright, and whilst the rest of you rattle on about tech, when dip-beam dazzles for the majority the tech doesn't work.
Battle lost, it's an arms-race with no quick solution. I leave my lights on high-beam, and use eBay-grade cheapo over-glasses. I'd say this was socially irresponsible. Then again until govt makes moves to control headlamp power, it's no more belligerent than - against 64% - claiming the tech works.
At one point I thought it was 'just me'. Clearly it's the majority. A quick prod of search-engines, reveals it's a worldwide complaint.
Edited by OldDuffer on Tuesday 11th January 18:50
Incredible.
I've had occasion to flash my lights in anger (dangerously undertaking/cutting in Tesla) once in my VW Tiguan that is usually left on auto lights and auto main beam dip.
As I furiously pulled the lever to flash him in the conventional manner I think I only managed to switch repeatedly from auto main beam dip to manual main beam dip, I don't think any flashing actually happened.
I know I should know how the controls of the car work but I only use manual light controls so infrequently that I don't really know how they work. I'm slightly ashamed to admit this, next time I'm in the car at night I'll have a fiddle with the lights to educate myself.
As I furiously pulled the lever to flash him in the conventional manner I think I only managed to switch repeatedly from auto main beam dip to manual main beam dip, I don't think any flashing actually happened.
I know I should know how the controls of the car work but I only use manual light controls so infrequently that I don't really know how they work. I'm slightly ashamed to admit this, next time I'm in the car at night I'll have a fiddle with the lights to educate myself.
paralla said:
I've had occasion to flash my lights in anger (dangerously undertaking/cutting in Tesla) once in my VW Tiguan that is usually left on auto lights and auto main beam dip.
As I furiously pulled the lever to flash him in the conventional manner I think I only managed to switch repeatedly from auto main beam dip to manual main beam dip, I don't think any flashing actually happened.
I know I should know how the controls of the car work but I only use manual light controls so infrequently that I don't really know how they work. I'm slightly ashamed to admit this, next time I'm in the car at night I'll have a fiddle with the lights to educate myself.
Just leave them on main beam. It's the best solution until the Gubberment steps in (with a carer and some wet wipes, I assume). As I furiously pulled the lever to flash him in the conventional manner I think I only managed to switch repeatedly from auto main beam dip to manual main beam dip, I don't think any flashing actually happened.
I know I should know how the controls of the car work but I only use manual light controls so infrequently that I don't really know how they work. I'm slightly ashamed to admit this, next time I'm in the car at night I'll have a fiddle with the lights to educate myself.
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