Safe Speed Forums

Hi Guys

In an effort to improve my night vision, I've tried all of the usual bumf.
Dimming the internal clock & dials, having my eyes checked, making upgrades to the H1 lamps (55/60W only)

It's all because I think the VX Omega's lights are crap , I had standard Halogens on the last one (with Philips silver vision) - crap.
Newer 'projector' style on this one - again upgraded with Philips
lamps. - 100% better, but still not great. Sorry, but I'm just
comparing them to my old Ford Mundane-o. That had excellent
headlamps (and a heated front screen)!!!

I'm thinking - seriously - about getting one of these
http://www.visionbulbs.com/vb_product.php
I've contact the company - they seem well established and at £132.51
it a 'cheap' option. Anybody had any experience with the results of a conversion?

Going all the way & converting to VX issue Xenon's is just not gonna
happen. Far, far too much £££'s!

Dave

I used to visit the Fiat Bravo Forum, and several of the lads on there have had it fitted and been 'well-chuffed'!

Don't know if this is of any interest:

http://www.matey-matey.com/uprated_head ... ring.shtml

It's about VWs but I suspect it applies to other cars as well. A voltage drop at the headlights due to poor wiring can cause poor illumination. They show you how to improve the wiring: it worked pretty well for me.

HID lamps are great, so long as you aren't being dazzled by them.

However, I know a little something about the eye and how these lights work. I would steer well clear from the blue tinted HID lamps (10k), especially if used while mainly on fast roads:
They will significantly reduce visual acuity (at the fovea)
They also contain large amounts of UVA (one brand has a peak of 361mn, great if you like cataracts)

I would recommend colours not much more than 6k (sunlight equivalent).

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Views expressed are personal opinions and are not necessarily shared by the Safe Speed campaign

I believe that the vehicle needs to have self-levelling headlamps and a headlamp washing system to be road-legal with HID lamps. Also check out that the headlamp covers (on the front) won't be affected, although I expect they won't be a problem.

I have heard good reports about the Philips Vision Plus bulbs (filament), they are supposed to be very good.

Gareth

Yeh, 5k or 6k are the most 'useable', and are 'brilliant white' & 'ice white' respectively. (10 & 12k are far too blue & purple & are NOT UK road legal anyway).



Not sure about that, I have level adjustment (adjust to suit prevailing conditions / driver in front etc.) but no washers. But then again - neither does a Merc 'A' class.
I've put the Philips lamps in the last few cars I've had. By and large an improvement over 'standard' halogens, but still just not doing it for me.

I know it's an old post, but I've just found this:-

http://www.torquecars.com/forums/f56/hid-upgrades-2478/

The ninth post is very 'eye-opening'!

This document from the Department for Transport suggests both self-levelling AND washers are required for both factory fit and aftermarket HID setups, along with a few other requirements for aftermarket installations. As for the A-class, the Mercedes website suggests all variants of this car have either halogen or projector headlamps as standard, with HIDs being an option which includes the fitting of washers and dynamic range adjustment...

And as for your Omega... you're not the first person to complain about the standard headlights on them, so if you're planning to get another Omega after this one, make sure it's an Elite - the factory fit xenons on those are lovely

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Chris

They're technically illegal (in the same way that the factory fit HIDs on my car are technically illegal), so it's up to you whether you want to knowingly break the law or not.

From a safety point of view, fitting HID bulbs, even if they're designed to directly replace a H4 or whatever, will knock your alignment out so be prepared to get that adjusted immediately after fitting or at least before you next drive in the dark.

Also, if possible try and arrange to sit in another car and have someone drive past yours from a variety of angles / directions. While the main focus of the light should remain the same the splash pattern may be different, possibly more widespread and/or more annoying. Some headlight designs take to aftermarket HIDs better than others. If yours aren't going to dazzle/blind/annoy other road users then it's not so bad.

Still illegal though.