Xenon Headlamps - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

81Wagon · #31 05-10-2004, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LarryBible
You know, I just had a thought. Ever since Xenons came out, there have been a number of blue bulbs that have been put on the market so that people can make you think that they have Xenons. I wonder if these are actually what are irritating your eyes rather than the real Xenons?

That is a possibility. I've never pulled anyone over to ask them what kind of blue lights they use, after all. Maybe real xenons are not as blue and don't cause as much glare... I don't know for sure. Which is why in any case I think there should be better regulation and testing of headlights before they can legally be sold/used. The blinding blue lights I have encountered, xenon or not, should definitely not be legal.

Quote:

Originally posted by LarryBible
Try driving on the roads that I drive and you will want all the light you can possibly have. The roads are narrow, hilly and winding. There are deer and escaped livestock to deal with. In this part of the country, most Cattle breeds are very dark colored, many are black.

The dual-headlight system I mentioned earlier seems like it would be a good solution there - plenty of light when you need it :-).

BoostnBenz · #32 05-11-2004, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 81Wagon
Eeek, your dad is a brave man to let someone go at his eyes with a laser. I don't know about Brian, but I don't find glasses to be much of a bother. I only wish my (*$@# optometrist had told me at the beginning that nearsightedness is reversible when caught soon enough. Of all the nearsighted people I know, the only one who was told by his optometrist was already far beyond the point of redemption; it's got to be a big cover-up so that they can sell you an expensive new pair of glasses every couple of years .

It really wasn't that big of a deal, he went to a real popular (~6 month waiting list) place in canada to have it done. It was still pretty new to the states but in Canada it was done for years before. A long time ago they couldn't correct certain things but it seems like with the newest type of surgery that they can pretty much correct all that stuff. I think it cost my dad $1200 or so, that is 4 pair of glasses! The fact that you don't have to mess with them anymore is priceless.

Nope, I tried the cute "hyper white" bulbs before, while I still have them in the high beams they didn't last a week in the lows. Those lights are still annoying but on a different level than the Xenons.

I know the 20 feet or so in front of my car in the oncoming lane is a little less than ideal but I almost never get flashed so it must be tolerable. I'd rather blind a few people and be able to see myself than to just know where the line is and hope for the best that nothing is in the lane or ditch ahead.

Sounds like it is time to move Larry.

Dervman · #33 05-11-2004, 09:54 AM

Quote:

The blinding blue lights I have encountered, xenon or not, should definitely not be legal.

Ontario (Canada) has recently banned the 'Blue Bulbs'.
Although the blue coating actually reduces light output, many people fit higher wattage bulbs and that can significantly increase glare.

Another problem is that some of the cheaper aftermarket bulbs are not carefully aligned with their mounting bases so when fitted this changes the headlamp alignment. Very few people bother to have their lights re-aligned after a bulb change - and with properly manufactured bulbs you shouldn't have to.

Andy.

psfred · #34 05-11-2004, 11:30 PM

I can tell, I believe, the difference between xenon filled halogen and HID xenon bulbs -- the peculiar purplish color of the HID bulbs (and the tiny reflectors) are a giveaway.

I suspect I see considerably more near UV than most folks -- for instance, I can see the "bee purple" spots on yellow flower as a shiny spot. HID bulbs put on LOTS of blue/near UV (charataristic of any high voltage discharge lamp), and I suspect this is what bothers me. They are literally painful in full sunlight, for instance.

Blue headlampst just look stupid, they don't bother me (other than wiping out my night vision).

I'd rather have "dull" lamps with less blue light -- I can see more with them once my eyes adapt. Try turning your dash lights down to the point you can just see the guages at night and see if you can tell a diference in appearant distance lighting -- I find I can see MUCH better outside the car with the interior lights very low. Green dash lighting is insane -- requires a huge increase in headlight power to see anything!

Larry:

I know what you mean about dark, winding roads -- fits the road I hit that stupid deer on recently. Driving lights work wonders there -- even fog lamps help, since you can see the giant rodent's eyes reflecting in them!

Peter

BoostnBenz · #35 05-11-2004, 11:50 PM

While dull lights can be sufficient for empty road driving when you have a Ford Excursion practically attached to your rear bumper with its headlights lighting your interior nicely it is hard to see the road ahead. I need to work on my window tint some more, the dreaded rear window is next

However once done the tint will only let about 5% of light pass through it so night driving will become a little bit easier, I still should get some 35% tint for the front windows (not legal in my state, but works nicely).

I agree, turn the dash lighting down and focus on the road more, but again this is when I'm out of the city.

Guilty as charged, I upped the wattage in my "hyper white" bulbs as well. It is the only reason I can justify leaving the high beam bulbs in there. Well I also think it looks cool when the lights are off and my car has blue "eyes."

michakaveli · #36 05-11-2004, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by psfred
I can tell, I believe, the difference between xenon filled halogen and HID xenon bulbs -- the peculiar purplish color of the HID bulbs (and the tiny reflectors) are a giveaway.

I suspect I see considerably more near UV than most folks -- for instance, I can see the "bee purple" spots on yellow flower as a shiny spot. HID bulbs put on LOTS of blue/near UV (charataristic of any high voltage discharge lamp), and I suspect this is what bothers me. They are literally painful in full sunlight, for instance.

Blue headlampst just look stupid, they don't bother me (other than wiping out my night vision).

I'd rather have "dull" lamps with less blue light -- I can see more with them once my eyes adapt. Try turning your dash lights down to the point you can just see the guages at night and see if you can tell a diference in appearant distance lighting -- I find I can see MUCH better outside the car with the interior lights very low. Green dash lighting is insane -- requires a huge increase in headlight power to see anything!

Larry:

I know what you mean about dark, winding roads -- fits the road I hit that stupid deer on recently. Driving lights work wonders there -- even fog lamps help, since you can see the giant rodent's eyes reflecting in them!

Peter

Sounds like you have a vision problem.

Maybe some "Blu-Blockers" would help?

It almost sounds as if you are purposely looking for the intense blue and purple light refraction off of the projector based HID lamps so that you can rant and rave about them

psfred · #37 05-12-2004, 12:41 AM

It's not on purpose, believe me, it's more like a sharp stick in the eye. Not funny at all.

A yellowish filter on the lamp to remove the near UV would take care of the problem with no effect on lighting for the vast majority of people.

Note that dark window tint also prevents you seeing anything along with eliminating glare.

Peter

BoostnBenz · #38 05-12-2004, 12:49 AM

Sure I watch every car on my side anywhere in my sight, but what is most important is ahead of me, not beside or behind me. I do find a few things annoying, but all in all I think it is worth tinting. I can see outside (top of antenna normally) easier than out my back window when looking into my rearview mirror with sunroof open during the day, it is a good deal harder backing up at night, also I can rarely determine if the car behind me is a cop or not but other than that I can see just fine around me and can see better at night. I'm going to try just the rear 5 windows tinted for a little while, if I don't think it is enough I'll tint the front ones as well. I may try something lighter than I had in the 84 to help with the above issues without costing to much night driving ease.