cb@hlwpc.UUCP (Carl Blesch) (01/19/85)
I've seen some new headlights on a handful of cars lately. I'm hardpressed to describe them, but they seem to be wider than the standard rectangular headlight -- maybe even as wide as two adjacent headlights in a four-headlight system. The Audi 4000S is one car that has them -- they were prominently featured in a head-on shot of that car in a magazine ad. The ad copy simply refers to "new European headlights (that) improve visibility." Aren't headlights supposed to be (somewhat) standardized in Canadian/American cars or cars built overseas for export here? Is this yet another allowable "standard?" You see, I have this headlight fetish (just love the slanting headlights on my '83 Celica -- I'll never forgive Toyota for hiding them on the '84+ Celicas!), so someone please satisfy my curiosity! Carl Blesch
haapanen@watdcsu.UUCP (Tom Haapanen [DCS]) (01/19/85)
In article <469@hlwpc.UUCP> cb@hlwpc.UUCP (Carl Blesch) writes: >I've seen some new headlights on a handful of cars lately. >I'm hardpressed to describe them, but they seem to be wider than >the standard rectangular headlight -- maybe even as wide >as two adjacent headlights in a four-headlight system. >Aren't headlights supposed to be (somewhat) standardized in >Canadian/American cars or cars built overseas for export here? >Is this yet another allowable "standard?" The new headlights have two advantages: first, they are considerably more aerodynamic, resulting in greater performance and fuel economy; secondly, they provide more light. They are generally large --- the European Audi 100 (ie 5000S) has headlights the size of the entire U.S.-spec 5000S twin headlight assembly. Amazing light-power! The cars that I know of currently that have these new lights are the Audi 4000S, Audi Coupe, Lincoln Mark VII, Nissan Maxima, Toyota Cressida, VW Jetta, VW GTI. The Toyota and Nissan lights are not quite as obvious as the others. Indeed, the headlight standards in the U.S. were very stringent (and dated) until recently. No quartz-halogen headlight, no non-standard sizes, no this, no that. The consumers will now reap the benefits of this deregulation. The only deterrent is that the new headlights are somewhat more expensive, and thus likely will not find their into true econoboxes. However, quartz-halogen lights have replaceable bulbs, which are fairly inexpensive. \tom watmath!watdcsu!haapanen
hrs@houxb.UUCP (H.SILBIGER) (01/21/85)
The new headlights have the advantage of aerodynamics. They also give the car designer another variable to play with. They are considerably more expensive. If one gets broken in an accident, you will be out $100+ instead of $20. This will eat up the gas savings in a hurry. In addition, the seal between the lens and the reflector depends on a gasket. If it fail your reflector will tarnis, reducing light output. This is very noticeable in Europe, where you often see cars with dull reflectors. It is true that US designed sealed beams, even the halogen ones, give a much poorer light pattern than modern Euopean headlights, but this is because of poor design. I have replaced the headlights in both my cars with Cibie' BOBI units, one has 7" round and the other 5x7 rectangular. The BOBI's are sealed beams with replaceable H4 halogen bulbs. They are bright and provide a superior pattern with sharp cutoff. Furthermore, they are less than $40 per pair, and if a filament burns out you can replace the bulb for $6.- I even carry a replacement bulb, although the H4's will last longer than a standard sealed beam. Herman Silbiger
mab@hou4a.UUCP (Michael Brochstein) (01/21/85)
These new headlights can be found on a few cars this year and the number will increase in coming years. They are part of a modernization of the American (NHSTA) rules concerning headlights. Previously only a few designs were allowed to be used on American cars. The modernization was to go from a system of approving specific designs to one where performance criterea was the issue. The new rules allow different shapes as long as the light is of certain brightness, spread, aiming ability, strength of front lense,etc. You can see these type lights on the Continental Mark 7 and on the new VW Golf. By making headlights flush, the aerodynamics of the car can be improved. This is one rule change that the NHSTA has made recently which makes sense. -- Michael Brochstein AT&T Information Systems, Holmdel, NJ ihnp4!hou4a!mab (201) 834-3482
lrd@drusd.UUCP (DuBroffLR) (01/24/85)
Herman Silbiger Are you sure? Aren't sealed beams just that -- sealed during manufacture, with NO replaceable parts? I have H4s on all my vehicles (cars and motorcycles), and have never heard them referred to as sealed beams, since the reflector, lens, and bulb are seperate, individually replaceable items that are NOT sealed together. My understanding is that a sealed beam headlight is a throw-away unit.
mayer@rochester.UUCP (Jim Mayer) (01/24/85)
I haven't seen them, but they are discussed in the 1984 edition of "The Car Book" (Jack Gillis, Tilden Press, 1984). Instead of being sealed beam headlights they have a replacable bulb and a separate lens cover. He basically doesn't like them, but lists the following points: Good points: o They will allow more aerodynamic cars -> better fuel efficiency. o The individual bulbs will be cheaper to replace than a sealed beam unit. Bad points: o The lenses will cost more then $80 to replace according to the Moror Vehicle Manufactures Association. o Given the new (junk) 2.5 mph bumpers the lenses are likely to break a lot. o They may not be necessary to improve fuel economy. -- Jim Mayer Computer Science Department (arpa) mayer@Rochester.ARPA University of Rochester (uucp) rochester!mayer Rochester, New York 14627
hrs@homxb.UUCP (H.SILBIGER) (01/25/85)
Re DuBroff comment on sealed beams: The sealed refers to the fact that the reflector and lens are sealed such that the atmosphere can't get to them.' Cibie' has fused a small glass envelope internal to the reflector assembly. The H4 elements fit into this envelope, and are thus replaceable.
mab@hou4a.UUCP (Michael Brochstein) (01/29/85)
While these new headlights may cost more that the regular sealed- beam type they have advantages that outweight their cost. Before I mention the advantages, let me say that the cost of these will come down for reasons I will give. ADVANTAGES ---------- 1. The new law allows flexibility in meeting the new lighting standards. This will allow the headlight manufacturers much more legroom than before in meeting these standards. The NHSTA is interested in the end-result. Newer and better materials may now be tried. Cheaper headlights may result from the use of these newer designs. 2. The aerodynamics of cars will improve since shape is not now mandated by law. 3. An important advantage is that the performance of headlights may improve because of the use of different light patterns, brightness levels, and other factors. -- Michael Brochstein AT&T Information Systems, Holmdel, NJ ihnp4!hou4a!mab (201) 834-3482