I have a 2015 Accord with xenons as standard, all the usual stuff with it, washers, self levelling etc. Our other vehicle, the 2005 L200 truck has non-oem replacement LHD-right dip headlamp units with uprated H4 Osram Nightbreaker halogen bulbs and they are better on the pitch-black country roads round here in Brittany than the original units, and the xenon units in the Accord!
I have aftermarket HID headlamp bulb kits in both my motorbikes, we have to have headlights on in daylight here on motorbikes, if you buy quality kits the beam cut-off is sharper, and less scatter than a conventional bulb set-up.
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I'm genuinely not trying to be obtuse, honestly I'm not, but really? Sure, of course, very occasionally, you get someone who forgets they're on high beam or whatever, but if you encounter a situation like that, then just don't stare at it. It's really no big deal is it?
It does strike me, that there are sometimes those who are more "prepared", shall we say, to be upset about things, than is strictly necessary...;-)
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The irony iof the light wars is that more now equals less.
Super nukem lights breed even more super duper brighter lights because one cannot be beaten in the race to have the blingiest campest lights on the road, whether at the front or the rear.
Go back 30+ years and the roads were much more pleasant, no one had these super bright lights so you kept a decent amount of night vision, headlights generally were dimmer but didn't such sharply cut of beams so that the dark road beyond the beam wasn't such a contrast from the section lit by the beam, and importanly people knew how to use the dipswitch, it never ceases to amaze me how so many drivers these days never ever use main beam even if on a deserted unlit country road they'll stubbornly stick to dipped beam, presumably why some cars now have automatic LED dipping lights because the person behind the wheel can't manage a dipswitch.
In cities we drove around quite safely on side lights alone where there were street lights, again night vision was kept intact, and unlit pedestriands and other roads users weren't so invisible as they now are, but then cities were nicer places 30+ years ago, places i now only visit if well paid to do so.
Edited by gordonbennet on 25/03/2018 at 23:25
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Go back 30+ years and the roads were much more pleasant, no one had these super bright lights
Hmm, I'm not so sure - Back in the early 80's upgraded bulbs (eg 100w) were legal - pre 1/4/86 I think. I remember fixing burnt out wiring and switches because of this!
Saying that I do miss the floor operated dip/main switch you had on some cars
Edited by Big John on 25/03/2018 at 23:37
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Go back 30+ years and the roads were much more pleasant, no one had these super bright lights
Hmm, I'm not so sure - Back in the early 80's upgraded bulbs (eg 100w) were legal - pre 1/4/86 I think. I remember fixing burnt out wiring and switches because of this!
Saying that I do miss the floor operated dip/main switch you had on some cars
I don't miss not being able to declutch and dip the lights at the same time.
Mind you, a floor operated dip switch would be great in an automatic; something for your left foot to do.
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I'm genuinely not trying to be obtuse, honestly I'm not, but really? Sure, of course, very occasionally, you get someone who forgets they're on high beam or whatever, but if you encounter a situation like that, then just don't stare at it.
Sorry, I just don't buy this. Whether you have perfect vision or not, and whether or not you take the precaution of not staring at the offending lamp(s), anything else in your field of vision is pretty much in darkness. It's the overall bright/dark contrast that is the problem for many people, including me.
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Ok then, let me try to explain what I mean in a different ( and entirely tangential ) way ;-)
If you're on a fast, off road descent on a mountain bike, ( stick with me a moment longer it'll hopefully all become clear ! ) you are often dealing with rapidly changing terrain, sight lines, grip and especially, obstacles.
It's really good form not to hit the big solid ones, like trees or large boulders, because they tend to spoil your day. However, there's a peculiarity in the way we're all wired up that tends to make us fixate on the thing you really don't want to hit, and if you stare at it, you just head towards it anyway, temporarily neglecting your intended route, despite telling yourself that it's a really bad idea.
The recognised technique is to, of course, register the hazard, but to concentrate instead on the route of avoidance, keeping the hazard in your peripheral vision only.
So, back to bright oncoming headlights ! Much the same technique applies, register their presence of course, but don't fixate on them and focus on the route you need to avoid the oncoming vehicle.
Anyway, that's what I do and so far so good. It's all about taking control of your own brain rather than letting it control you.
But, like I said before, different folks, different strokes I suppose.
;-)
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Hopefully the MOT from May will help solve this problem - unless you simply substitute standard bulbs just for the test..
I read, as they are not OEM they should be reported to insurance company or your not insured,they are classed as upgrades/modifications, which I wasnt aware of,but should of been
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Referring to the tester's manual for the MOT from May, aftermarket HID conversions are a definite fail, but there is no mention of LED's causing a problem.
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