Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

somedudevt t1_iuynray wrote

What do you drive? Modern lights are brighter than 10 years ago, most new SUVs and trucks set on low beam project as far as a high beam was a few years back, and some high beams are now downright blinding. My gut says you drive something lower to the ground, and drive slower than average leading to having people behind you on a regular basis. Most probably don’t have high beams on. But some may especially if your driving really slow. I sometimes forget to lower mine if I’m doing 60 and roll up on someone doing 35, my frustration about the slow driver fogs my mind and I forget to lower them (usually remember after a minute or so and then feel bad)

8

raptor3x t1_iuyq195 wrote

> Modern lights are brighter than 10 years ago, most new SUVs and trucks set on low beam project as far as a high beam was a few years back, and some high beams are now downright blinding.

They're brighter, but the beam pattern is also vastly better controlled. On a reasonably flat road if I'm driving against oncoming traffic I'd absolutely prefer to have a modern LED headlight coming at me than a traditional halogen in a reflector housing. Where this doesn't work out so well though is on roads with a lot of undulation (i.e. most of Vermont) where even with a well controlled beam pattern you're going to be periodically shining headlights directly into the cabin of oncoming traffic or cars you're following.

The real problem though is people who put HID/LED bulbs into reflector housings; now you get the worst of all scenarios: headlights output much more light, the beam pattern is completely unfocused because reflector housing cannot handle HID or LED lights properly, and to make matters worse while the ground right in front of the modified vehicle often appears brighter how far down the road people can actually see is decreased so they're more likely to run their high beams more often anyway.

On this note, self darkening rear view and side view mirrors are one of the best add-ons I've experienced yet for a car.

25

Zola_the_Gorgon t1_iuyr952 wrote

Thank you for this explanation! Everybody drives such large vehicles these days (why?) that most headlights shine into my rear-view mirror. I know that people aren't doing it on purpose, but this technical explanation makes me feel better anyway.

Stay between the ditches, friends.

14

somedudevt t1_iuyscxs wrote

It seems the more expensive the car the worse they blind you. I hate Acura’s with there damn so white it’s almost blue headlights.

9

ShinyNerfHerder t1_iv0xn4d wrote

But from the point of the driver.. they are so nice! I do feel bad as I drive an SUV with them from the factory and I line right up with people's rear view mirrors. I had one guy last year slow down to 35 on 89 and then slam the brakes. He yelled at me for having my high beams on.. I didn't, and they are aligned properly according to the dealer (I asked, as they are pretty damn bright when I drive my wife's Camry and she is behind me in the SUV) they are just bright from the factory .

I even let the nutjob see my high beams and he got back in his car real quick.

People are just angry!

1

aspiringharlequin OP t1_iuzh15j wrote

Indeed thanks for the explanation. I honestly have been resorting to putting on cruise control and folding my mirrors so I don’t literally go blind. It’s not safe but it’s safer than losing my vision, I don’t pass or do anything that would require my mirrors.

2

DaddyBobMN t1_iuyvuro wrote

That's part of it, but I do see a fair share of high beam users leaving them on all the time. Chalk it up to forgetful seniors? VT does have more of those per capita than many other states.

2

aspiringharlequin OP t1_iuzgu30 wrote

It’s a ‘17 Impreza base. Incandescent style lights for the record. Definitely lower to the ground

1