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Recommend LED bulbs in headlights

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Old Feb 7th, 2019, 13:47   #41
Clogs
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Default Totally unconvinced of the need for LED headlights

There are too many new cars with badly adjusted high intensity headlights blinding on coming traffic for people to think that more need be added by changing the headlamp bulb. It seems that the more expensive the new car, the worse the blinding effect on other road users.

As MoT testers have revealed the light scatter from a bulb not designed to be used in a headlight without a lens, without self levelling and only with a reflector will cause other road users problems.

Volvo drivers have a reputation and it isn't always a good one - safe and smug while oblivious to others on the road - which will be made worse by old Volvos with high intensity headlights that cause on coming traffic to slow or even stop.

No one in their right mind is going to put LED headlights in a classic car, and pre 2000 cars will be classic cars soon.
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Old Mar 25th, 2019, 09:45   #42
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Rather than start a new thread, I thought I'd add to to this.

OK, legalities aside, I have tried my best to research and try an LED kit in a 2007 Mercedes CLS, fitted with OEM projectors. The lens are crystal clear but the bulbs were about 10 years old. I tried a set of expensive halogen Osram night breakers but, the light is useless.

I went for one that I personally believe is one of the better ones (claimed to be dot approved, claimed beam cut-off, claimed to mimic the bulb length/filament etc etc etc) rather just just buying anything randomly.







Despite the CLS having probably the worst DIY design ever, as the assembly and bulb are buried so deep and recessed within with minimal space, the Novsight units pictured, fitted inside the light assembly without issue and the protective cap could be fitted back on without issue. Also I bought the additional decoders but, these were not required as the build in ones were sufficient, providing instant and consistent light without flicker.
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Old Apr 6th, 2019, 22:21   #43
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Just went out in the Mercedes tonight, so its my first time with LEDs.

They are an improvement over halogens, give a noticeable improvement in light and for about the same price as a set of short lived bright halogens such as Philips race/ Osram night breakers these LEDs are worth it. I really like the instant full light output over the few moments needed with HIDs.



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Old Apr 6th, 2019, 22:35   #44
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I have those in my S60. One has been having the occasional flicker, and has now gone off. I need to see whether it's that the connection has come apart or whether it really has failed after c3 months. I hope it's the former.
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Old Apr 6th, 2019, 22:40   #45
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Originally Posted by Bonefishblues View Post
I have those in my S60. One has been having the occasional flicker, and has now gone off. I need to see whether it's that the connection has come apart or whether it really has failed after c3 months. I hope it's the former.

I believe Novsight have good customer care so may be worth getting in touvh with them if its the product.
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Old Apr 21st, 2019, 19:59   #46
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UPDATE

I changed from one style of Novisght H7 to a later/updated DOT approved version as I didn't realise the first set I installed were not DOT approved. The later does offer a better beam spread/pattern (fitted in an OEM projector headlight of a Mercedes CLS).

Original


New



Original


New note the lack of hot spots and better spread


General visual shots;



In person there is no glare, it looks like it does above but, for the shot below, I could not improve my photo skills.



Also on a side note, on this particular, despite the units having built in decoders, I still had to buy further additional decoders as the the bulbs would independently with no time pattern turn off and then back on after a few seconds, despite showing no issues over 15 minutes of running in the workshop.
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Old Apr 21st, 2019, 21:26   #47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DSK View Post
I believe Novsight have good customer care so may be worth getting in touvh with them if its the product.
It was the product. Failed in 10 weeks. I have gone back to standard bulbs.
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Old Apr 29th, 2019, 12:14   #48
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Can the C70 have any projectors retrofitted into the housing which would then make LEDs acceptable?
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Old Apr 29th, 2019, 18:23   #49
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You have these.
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File Type: jpg PFV905296_large.jpg (22.8 KB, 4 views)
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Old Apr 29th, 2019, 19:31   #50
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Default The problem is not MOT pass/fail......

Quote: "I changed from one style of Novisght H7 to a later/updated DOT approved version as I didn't realise the first set I installed were not DOT approved."

When you see LED headlight bulbs (size H4, H7 etc) marked "DOT" or "CE" being sold as replacements for traditional incandescent bulbs.... that is a con trick. The original complete light fitting with incandescent type bulb, reflectors, projector lenses etc, is what was qualified by the manufacturer during the design phase of the car as compliant with national and international regulations. Fitting an after market LED bulb is not compliant because retro qualifying them all in the many designs of incandescent type light fittings will not happen. There is absolutely zero in it for the car manufacturers. Thus after market LEDs in headlights are not road legal and probably never will be.

Forget that you might be lucky getting past the next MOT test. But think about talking to the insurance companies, lawyers and courts if you are unlucky enough to have an accident where the police start inspecting your car. (Just saying.)
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