Date:         Wed, 10 Sep 2003 18:53:12 -0400
Reply-To:     Stan Harrison <sharrison@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stan Harrison <sharrison@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Subject:      [Fwd: Re: Headlamp upgrades to brighter lights - think of others]
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Sam

Even if they put out only the same amount of light for the driver, the
ones that are smaller diameter have a much greater power density at the
bulb, and so are painfully brighter to the oncoming driver. If these are
allowed, it must have been another lobbyist boondoggle.
     Stan
87 Syncro

sam.cooks wrote:

 > Volks - a contrary opinion on headlight upgrades to brighter lights.
 >
 > When you upgrade your headlights to brighter ones, you compromise the
 > safety of oncoming drivers, especially on winding, rural two lane
 > roads.  The stock lights are bright enough.
 >
 > Last Friday night I went into a very rural section of the Washington,
 > D.C. / Baltimore area to a night sky observing session of a local
 > astronomy club.  On both the way out and coming back, I was on unlit
 > narrow winding roads with very limited shoulders and constant small
hills.
 >
 > It was easy to tell the oncoming cars that had the "upgraded" lights
 > because they are still blinding you after they switch to dim and because
 > of the clear difference (in some cases) of the nature of the light
 > beam.  However, it was very hard to see the road afterwards and there
 > were several brief periods where I really almost couldn't see the road.
 > I had to brake and really slow down a few times to insure I stayed on
 > the road - waiting for my eyes to readjust.
 >
 > My stock headlights in my 85 Westy provided me with plenty of light,
 > switching between dim and bright when appropriate for the required
 > concerns for the safety of others traveling in the opposite direction.
 > Similarly, my stock lights on my 89 Syncro GL are sufficient.
 >
 > Just my $.02 worth.  This has been raised before, and it has been
 > pointed out that many of the brighter lights are also illegal in most
 > instances for just these safety reasons, but people keep putting them in
 > anyway.
 >
 > None of us is the only driver on the road.  But if you must put in
 > brighter lights, at least get them aimed properly.
 >
 >
 > --
 > Sam Walters
 > Baltimore, MD
 >
 > 89 Syncro GL, soon to have SA suspension and 15" disc brakes
 > 85 Westy Weekender, new to me 8/01/03
 > 84 Vanagon, original owner, soon to be retired, just too many problems
 >
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