Xenon Lights - Anyone else find them really distracting

PixelTrawler

Hi

Does anyone else find xenon lights really distracting at night. I find they dazzle you much more then the halogens.

A lot of the bmw's and mercs and range rovers have them now and they seem to be getting more popular.

I find when they flash across your mirrors at night its very distracting since they are more intense then the halogens. Even with the rear view mirror in the anti dazzle mode, the lights still flash across the side mirrors.

I see people giving out about idiots with blue lights under their cars, but these bluey xenons drive me up the wall.

Its especially bad when its a jeep behind you since they are in your line of vision.

Recently Ive had to let a car over take me as its lights seemed out of line and the xenons were flashing in my side mirrors over every bump. It was that distracting it was dangerous.

BostonB

Bit of a pain alright, especially when they are mis aligned. If the problem car is behind I just let it pass.

PixelTrawler

Manageable if its just the odd car but if it gets like germany you'd be slowing to let them pass a lot more.

Was on the autobahns recently and the xenons are getting very common over there. Seems over here they are getting more and more common too.

Not fun, especially coming into the long dark winter evenings again.

BostonB

Driving in Germany isn't a problem I have very often. You could get driving glasses which would filter the glare.

PixelTrawler

I wear glasses already (with anti glare / anti reflective coating ):)
Good tip though.

Its just the xenons that i find a little dazzling. The halogens dont bother me at all. And I know im not the only one who thinks the same having chatted to a few people recently.

I was down around Munich last month and it seemed the xenons are everywhere. Have to say though driving on the roads over there is a joy.

DJ Hafez

Fantastic things if your the person behind them!

Masada

there only a problrm if they are alligned wrong, the point exactly on the road the same as halogen lights but there a lot safer on dark country roads.,

JohnCleary

Xenon's are the biz (Unless you need to replace them or the ballast)

But as said, can give you a sore head if they're shining onto you. I don't have a problem with them on car's, but those fcuking Range Rovers that stand about a mile high off the ground, hence lights shining right in your face.... :mad:

PixelTrawler

The jeeps are the worst alright.

Was reading a bit about them last night. The EU ruled that cars with xenon lights had to have self cleaning lens and auto leveling systems due to the extra glare on other drivers.

Don't know if this is true ( it was on wikipedia = grain of salt ).

If its true it would be nice if it auto leveled them a bit lower down.

I'd be happy to see them banned on Jeeps, and possibly cars, but definitely jeeps.

Just out of curiosity, how much better are they from behind the wheel.

Owen

Aftermarket Xenon bulbs, and HID kits are a pain in the ass. Factory fitted Xenons aren't. My own MINI has factory Xenons and they self level when the car is turned on. A mate's MINI has a HID kit he put in himself, and it's like having sloth from the goonies behind you when driving with him.

JohnCleary

Aye factory fit Xenon's are self levelling, but you can manually adjust the height of them still under the bonnet.

And yes, afaik xenon's must have self cleaning thingys

Atomic Pineapple

JohnCleary wrote: »

Aye factory fit Xenon's are self levelling, but you can manually adjust the height of them still under the bonnet.

And yes, afaik xenon's must have self cleaning thingys

this is only on new cars though isn't it?

retro fit xenons dont have to have the self levelling or self cleaning.

i too find them very annoying at night on the country roads

ambro25

Have factory Xenons on Impreza 06, and indeed they are self-levelling (but dunno about the self-cleaning bit).

Xenons > Halogen > white bulbs > yellow bulbs (IMHO - driven with all types for extended periods/all seasons).

Agree that misalignment (esp. in vertical plane) must be a problem mainly to be found with retrofits.

That would however depend on whether the retrofit is a bulbs-only affair (problematic) or, much less commonly, the entire optical block (self-levelling, so not so problematic).

(PS - nothing new though, since Citroën have had self-levelling headlights for donkeys' years ).

My next want: directional self-levelling (e.g. à la C5, or DS 40 years ago) xenons.

Anan1

ambro25 wrote: »

My next want: directional self-levelling (e.g. à la C5, or DS 40 years ago) xenons.

My mother has them on her 320d. Very impressive, although they'd want to be for €2,000.

cantdecide

I don't have them but when they first came out they blinded but now I don't even see them any more, really. Maybe they've blinded me.

We could go back to the 50's with the 6V lights- that wold be better for the retinas (maybe not so good for your NCB though)

ambro25

Anan1 wrote:

Very impressive, although they'd want to be for €2,000.

In pure Yorkshire style: Hhhhaaaooow much?

Anan1

ambro25 wrote: »

In pure Yorkshire style: Hhhhaaaooow much?

My favourite bit was when she subverted God knows how many millions of BMW marketing spend by referring to her Angel Eyes as 'Fairy Lights'..

PixelTrawler

So are we stuck with these things then, or is there any hope they'll bring in a proper standard, including of course for after market fit outs, that doesnt remove your retinas... Might be worth getting in touch with the road safety authority and ask their opinion on this one.
Might drop them an email this evening and see.

All it takes is a moments distraction sometimes, esp at night, to have a nasty accident.

Side Note: Do BMW really call them Angel Eyes? You'd know the marketing bunnies were involved alright:p.

Alun

Joebloggs4817 wrote: »

So are we stuck with these things then, or is there any hope they'll bring in a proper standard, including of course for after market fit outs, that doesnt remove your retinas... Might be worth getting in touch with the road safety authority and ask their opinion on this one.

Yes, I've always found it a bit bizarre to say the least that factory fitted xenons have to have auto-levellers and headlamp washers fitted, but aftermarket ones (mainly the ones that are just xenon bulbs in a normal reflector housing) don't. I mean, I guess the decision to place these restrictions on factory-fitted ones was done for very valid reasons, i.e. to minimize glare, so why don't they equally apply to aftermarket ones if the reasons were so compelling?

ptashka

BostonB wrote: »

Driving in Germany isn't a problem I have very often. You could get driving glasses which would filter the glare.

at night ??????!!!!!!

Owen

ptashka wrote: »

at night ??????!!!!!!

During the day, European countries tend to have day time running lights, DRL.

MarkN

I think anyone who moans about xenons needs to drive a car with them.

They are just such a brilliant piece of kit, particularly bi-xenons which I have had in 3 cars now and anything that can spread more light, particularly brighter light, is going to make things better and safer.

I drive through the Phoenix Park on a daily basis, often at night (no smart comments!) and I can see deer lurking at the grass edge contemplating darting out far earlier than someone without xenons - just one example.

Matt Simis

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1Y1-110693531.html

"Xenon Light 'Saves Lives,' Says TUeV Rheinland Study and Protects the Environment!"
18% Fatality reduction (find that hard to believe, but meh) and better for the environment.

wet-paint

@Ned, Are your lights not down so low as to never be in other drivers' eyes? I don't know how low the ride height is in new minis, but I know it affected one of the lads in his 1985 mini, he was so low that the dims in other cars were still dazzling him, and his full lights never bothered others.

vorbis

I hate those lights!

I don't care if the driver thinks it makes driving safer for him. You're making it more uncomfortable every single driver you drive behind. They're like the ultimate selfish indulgence. Oh look, I can see more, never mind that the guy in front of me is having to squint due to the brightness. Should be banned the lot of them.

MarkN

Would ya get a grip !

wet-paint

vorbis wrote: »

I hate those lights!

I don't care if the driver thinks it makes driving safer for him..

You disagree that being able to see farther at night makes for a safer drive?

BostonB

wet-paint wrote: »

You disagree that being able to see farther at night makes for a safer drive?

Depends, could dazzle someone and they could drive into you. But you'd see it coming at least.

jimmycrackcorm

BostonB wrote: »

Depends, could dazzle someone and they could drive into you. But you'd see it coming at least.

Is that because if you are dazzled you will naturally put your foot down? Better ban headlights too then...

BostonB

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

Is that because if you are dazzled you will naturally put your foot down? Better ban headlights too then...

Well I was thinking more of steering into the path of someone as you are dazzled and can't see. I dunno why you think someone would accelerate as a reaction.

zilog_jones

I find mis-aligned lights (any type) and SUVs behind me shining their lights directly in my mirrors ('98 Fiesta) much more annoying than any xenons.

mike65

I don't like them, Irish roads are too bumpy for them to be both effective and safe for others.

Night vision is the future anyway!

Mike.

PixelTrawler

MarkN you've hit the nail on the head of the advantage and the problem.

The fact that they spread more light, especially brighter light, is exactly the problem for other drivers.

It may be safer for the user of the xenons, but I feel less safe when dazzled by xenons.

Its exactly why a standard is needed. Perhaps I've mainly been having a problem with after market badly fitted xenons, I can't say for sure. Theres is an issue of other road users safety to be considered here.

Misaligned xenons are a menace on the eyes (admitedly mis-aligned halogens are bad too, though the xenons seem to flash more off the side mirrors even with the rear view mirror dimmed), and suvs with them is another problem to solve since they are higher up to start with.

Owen

vorbis wrote: »

I don't care if the driver thinks it makes driving safer for him. You're making it more uncomfortable every single driver you drive behind. They're like the ultimate selfish indulgence. Oh look, I can see more, never mind that the guy in front of me is having to squint due to the brightness. Should be banned the lot of them.

That is quite possibly the most narrowminded post I've read on here. I do an exceptional amount of night time driving, as I play with a band at weekends, and usually end up coming home around 3/4am. Xenons have made my life much easier, and allow me to see easily at night without straining my eyes.

They make me safer, and consequently, the roads safer. The sooner old fashioned lights are done away with (With their 100 year old design and tech), and a new standard for Xenons is brought in, the better. For the record, most of you moaning and whining here about Xenons are affected by the aftermarket light clusters/bulbs. Factory fitted items are much better indeed, and do self level, and have washers fitted as part of the standard.

PixelTrawler

ned78 wrote: »

They make me safer, and consequently, the roads safer.

Not quite correct, its not as simple as that. I agree they may make you safer. When Im dazzled by them, aftermarket or no, I do not feel safer. If im distracted and have an accident the roads are not then safer by others use of xenons .

Im sorry you feel its "moaning and whining" but its not an astetic thing here, its a saftey issue - or a balance of safety as its an issue with pros and cons currently, and I agree with you, a standard is required.

Also to say its just aftermarket xenons is also not the only problem. SUVs with xenons are higher up and are definitely worse.

I cant imagine many 07 Range Rover drivers fitting cheap after market xenons and Ive been blinded by them plenty of times.

colm_mcm

I don't get "blinded" by xenons and HID's because I don't stare at them.

PixelTrawler

Thats what Im doing wrong all this time...:eek:

Owen

colm_mcm wrote: »

I don't get "blinded" by xenons and HID's because I don't stare at them.

It's amazing how many people just can't look away Colm! They feel compelled to stare at the oncoming headlights. Just keep your eye on your own section of road, and it's nigh on impossible to be dazzled.

Ice_Box

if anybody needs brighter bulbs you can now get Osram Nightbreaker Halogen bulbs that are 90% brighter than standard bulbs. No need for after market xenon kit. I put the these in my dads car and he noticed a huge difference. I use phillips xtream power +80%, they're good too. These bulbs are 100% legal.

http://www.powerbulbs.com/product_list_search.asp?criteria=night+breaker

Victor_M

I've recently fitted after market HID's to my car, there is a huge difference in the light output.
Where can you get your lights professionnaly focused? Just to make sure they aren't dazzling anyone else.
Thanks

copacetic

BostonB wrote: »

Well I was thinking more of steering into the path of someone as you are dazzled and can't see. I dunno why you think someone would accelerate as a reaction.

why would you steer into the path of someone when dazzled? You would slow down not jerk the wheel?

Cmar-Ireland

Crazy the amount of people complaining about being blinded buy HID's.... With all their fancy arguements about them, you would think they would have the cop on to LOOK AWAY :rolleyes:

Anan1

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

Crazy the amount of people complaining about being blinded buy HID's.... With all their fancy arguements about them, you would think they would have the cop on to LOOK AWAY :rolleyes:

From the road, yeah? Good thinking Batman.

Cmar-Ireland

Anan1 wrote: »

From the road, yeah? Good thinking Batman.

Not from the road, from the lights Robin;)

smitas5

I think there was a point made earlier on. it doesn't matter if it's HID or a halogen bulb you have. If it's badly pointed then it can distract the traffic in the front. even the fog-lights can do damage to oncoming traffic. HID is the way to go and they last 8-10 times longer anyway. Adjust them well. Keep the lights clean if you do not have the washers.

cantdecide

I was showing my mother how to drive recently (!) in advance of her test. She's been driving for 11 years and failed the test about 3 times. She passed this time but she always complained about driving in the dark.

I brought her out and we took to the backroads and after about an hour of telling her to stop looking at the lights and look at the ditch instead, she was as comfortable at night as day since. I realised it was that she actually had the same problem on the backroads during the day. I told her it was the same thing- ignore the car, focus on the ditch and the gap, ASSUME they will do the same and you'll be sound as a pound. You WILL instictively know if someone is about to smash into you.

So yes, this was at least one case of paying attention to the wrong thing when out driving. So yes, look away and don't look directly into the light when when driving at night. Watch the road properly instead. This is the case whether lights are xenon or halogen.

peasant

Looking away is all well and good, but as mike said, on bumpy roads that doesn't work ...at some stage those lights will shine right down your pupil no matter where you're looking.

Cmar-Ireland

Wear shades... :cool:

tuxy

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

Wear shades... :cool:

I already do because of all the fog lights.

Vegeta

mike65 wrote: »

I don't like them, Irish roads are too bumpy for them to be both effective and safe for others.

Night vision is the future anyway!

Mike.

on the button

smitas5

If I recall correctly then there is night vision already in the new S class Merc