Badly adjusted headlights rant

[Roverageous]

I was chatting with a marketing chap from a premium brand.

 

The whole thing with modern lights dazzling you as soon as they go over a bump is purely to do with the customer.

 

A harsh cut off of light apparently is deemed to look more 'premium' and that, apparently, is what customers demand.

 

They could easily smooth out the light cut off but don't.

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[chaseracer]

^ What?  World's gone farkin mad...

[chodweaver]

 

Problem being, what the fuck has happened to Northamptonshire apart from becoming a giant warehouse for all the Chinese plastic shit in the country, the population seems to have doubled in the last 5 years and everywhere you go there's thousands of houses going up and we have the same roads that couldn't cope 20 years ago (they have stuck lots of lights on roundabouts mind which operate 24/7 and have bollocksed it all up completely, the one roundabout that does need peak time only lights, Chowns Mill Irthlingborough doesn't get them, well done chaps), if i don't finish work till near enough 5pm i have to take all sorts of weird and wonderful village/lane routes home if i don't want to sit in the sorts of queues one would expect within the piggin North Circular, and obviously these routes present their own hazards.

 

 

And don't get me started on a lack of proper infrastructure...

 

Oh, look you have...

 

Effing years it took Berkshire CC to put a flyover in to bypass the infernal Coppid Beech roundabout on the A329(M)/A322. Then within fewer  years, they grant permission to some bunch of toytown housing developers to build an enormous estate within a mile of said roundabout. And what did they do? Route traffic from this estate to the Coppid Beech roundabout, with its sliproads to ease traffic onto the A329(M) in both directions? No. They interrupted the A322 again with a new roundabout, half a mile from Coppid Beech, that ALL the traffic passing between Bracknell and the M4 has to queue up for. How did this happen? Did the road designers who slaved over the Coppid Beech flyover get pensioned off, to be replaced by some subbie 'infrastructure consultants' who (probably with the aid of backhanders from all interested parties, but not the vast number of people who commute through this area) deemed the 'best solution' to be a new roundabout, so the developers could crow to their target market about how the estate has its own roundabout and direct access to the trunk road?...

 

etc. etc.

[cros]

My ex Royal Mail Commer PB had this too. No idea why. <trivia> handbrake was on the front wheels too </trivia>

 

Good to have been reminded of the Commer having its handbrake on the front wheels. Maybe it's because there's little weight at the back when unladen.

Years ago I drove an empty Perkins 4108 engined one and the noise was appalling. Recently a friend has purchased a petrol one and I was pleasantly surprised that it was quite civilised, esecially.in comparison with my J4.

I remember an early road test expressing surprise at the Commer's near 70 mph top speed and doubt that many users would have the courage to experience it for themselves.

[nisfan]

Theres been a few times when ive thought the rozzers were approaching from miles away only to be caught up and find out its a range rover.

[gordonbennet]

And don't get me started on a lack of proper infrastructure...

 

Oh, look you have...

 

Effing years it took Berkshire CC to put a flyover in to bypass the infernal Coppid Beech roundabout on the A329(M)/A322. Then within fewer  years, they grant permission to some bunch of toytown housing developers to build an enormous estate within a mile of said roundabout. And what did they do? Route traffic from this estate to the Coppid Beech roundabout, with its sliproads to ease traffic onto the A329(M) in both directions? No. They interrupted the A322 again with a new roundabout, half a mile from Coppid Beech, that ALL the traffic passing between Bracknell and the M4 has to queue up for. How did this happen? Did the road designers who slaved over the Coppid Beech flyover get pensioned off, to be replaced by some subbie 'infrastructure consultants' who (probably with the aid of backhanders from all interested parties, but not the vast number of people who commute through this area) deemed the 'best solution' to be a new roundabout, so the developers could crow to their target market about how the estate has its own roundabout and direct access to the trunk road?...

 

etc. etc.

 

Wellingborough, especially at the south end of the town down by Tescos, you'd think its a sleepy little place and it was and traffic coped, but they've built a small retail park one side of London Road and the other side another one that has Subways and McDonalds etc on, one set of lights for these two sites directly opposite?, fuck me no, we'll have two sets 25 yards apart operating 24/7 and not linked, there that'll show you plebs how to really fuck an entire end of the town up.

 

You think thats it?, dream on, they've now started on the long standing plans to build 5000 houses just to the east of this turmoil other side of railway station and eventually will link Welly with Irthlingborough to Higham Ferrers and Rushden, where do you think the traffic from this vast number is going to pass through on their daily commutes to Northampton or MIlton Keynes?

Other morning the traffic jam at 8am ish started at Rushden and went right along the A45 to Northampton and its regularly queueing from the edge of Welly right through to N'pton.

 

Everywhere you go there's bloody great housing estates going up, or more warehouses for Chinese shit or supermarket RDC's, soon the Rose of the Shires will be Concrete County...well except for the Chapel Brampton side where those who own the county live, that area seems to have missed out on all this development, amazing...oh and no new roads worth mentioning to take the likely doubling of traffic over the next ten years.

 

I have every sympathy if Bracknell is your regular route, the few times i had to deliver cars to the rental site down by the town centre one way was hell.

We're all fucked though, its only the Jocks and Taffs who live in the middle of nowhere going to live their lives out in comparative peace.

[The Moog]

moaning old bastards

Luckily there isnt a thread for that sort of thing ...  

[Noel Tidybeard]

Yeah, I never understood what's wrong with Sealed Beams.

 

the fact they give out about fork handles worth of light?

[AMC Rebel]

Wellingborough, especially at the south end of the town down by Tescos, you'd think its a sleepy little place and it was and traffic coped, but they've built a small retail park one side of London Road and the other side another one that has Subways and McDonalds etc on, one set of lights for these two sites directly opposite?, fuck me no, we'll have two sets 25 yards apart operating 24/7 and not linked, there that'll show you plebs how to really fuck an entire end of the town up.

 

You think thats it?, dream on, they've now started on the long standing plans to build 5000 houses just to the east of this turmoil other side of railway station and eventually will link Welly with Irthlingborough to Higham Ferrers and Rushden, where do you think the traffic from this vast number is going to pass through on their daily commutes to Northampton or MIlton Keynes?

Other morning the traffic jam at 8am ish started at Rushden and went right along the A45 to Northampton and its regularly queueing from the edge of Welly right through to N'pton.

 

Everywhere you go there's bloody great housing estates going up, or more warehouses for Chinese shit or supermarket RDC's, soon the Rose of the Shires will be Concrete County...well except for the Chapel Brampton side where those who own the county live, that area seems to have missed out on all this development, amazing...oh and no new roads worth mentioning to take the likely doubling of traffic over the next ten years.

 

I have every sympathy if Bracknell is your regular route, the few times i had to deliver cars to the rental site down by the town centre one way was hell.

We're all fucked though, its only the Jocks and Taffs who live in the middle of nowhere going to live their lives out in comparative peace.

 

It's the same everywhere sadly.  I moved here from Northants (wee village nr Kettering) 10 years ago.  It was busier here anyway, but the roads are getting more and more fucked up - and 4000+ houses are due to be built here with naff all road or public transport improvements.

[AMC Rebel]

Good to have been reminded of the Commer having its handbrake on the front wheels. Maybe it's because there's little weight at the back when unladen.

Years ago I drove an empty Perkins 4108 engined one and the noise was appalling. Recently a friend has purchased a petrol one and I was pleasantly surprised that it was quite civilised, esecially.in comparison with my J4.

I remember an early road test expressing surprise at the Commer's near 70 mph top speed and doubt that many users would have the courage to experience it for themselves.

 

Ah yes (un)happy memories.  Mine had the 4108 - it was slow, noisy, smelly and smoky.  I used mine for my mobile disco - one icy night after a gig there was zero grip at the rear in the untreated car park, even full of indefeasibly heavy chipboard bass bins, wooden boxes full of vinyl and amplifiers with cast heatsinks.  Being ex-RM it had the sliding doors which you could lock open - so I put it in gear, let the clutch up and jumped out.  A quick push to get it moving was enough and I jumped in and drove off.

 

Good stuff about the RM - full 18mm partition, laminated glass all round - GR5 for security.

[scaryoldcortina]

I'm amazed that either of these things are even legal.

Austin FG series trucks put the brakelights on with the handbrake.

[PhilA]

the fact they give out about fork handles worth of light?

Decent halogen sealed beams put out a surprisingly large amount of light when they don't have old, thin wiring, corroded connectors and old switches to all drive the series resistance up.

 

With decent gauge wires and relays driving the lights the 5" sealed beam lamps on the front of my FD Victor were comparable in output to many modern cars with filament lights.

 

On the 30+ year old stock wiring, switch etc., they were particularly hopeless.

 

--Phil

[Ghosty]

Whenever something blinds me, it's always a fuggin crossover. The current Mazda CX-5 seems to be the worst offender, followed by Crapqais and Sportfridges.

[paulplom]

I've taken to wearing my shades at night. It helps no end.

[PiperCub]

Add to this rant - over-bright LED rear lights that incorperating the indicators so when the brakes are applied you can't see the indicators (eg: Range Rovers)........... Genius.

[garethj]

Lights are bright because safety.  You wouldn't want less safe would you, think of the kittens?

 

Some cyclists are the same with their flashing lights and it used to be that people would ride motorbikes with main beams on.  The problems however are:

 

1. The mindset of "I've got lights on, he must be able to see me" is fundamentally wrong

2. With bright lights it gets very difficult to judge how far away and how fast the other vehicle is travelling.  This is largely a bad thing.

 

But most people think that bright lights are a fucking forcefield so they will never go away.

[Sheefag]

♫ It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas ♫

[Rocket88]

Further to other observations.......................oncoming twats who refuse to dip their sodding headlights...................I'm seriously thinking of investing in one of those illegal laser pens..............................

[cros]

Decent halogen sealed beams put out a surprisingly large amount of light when they don't have old, thin wiring, corroded connectors and old switches to all drive the series

 

resistance up.With decent gauge wires and relays driving the lights the 5" sealed beam lamps on the front of my FD Victor were comparable in output to many modern cars with filament lights.On the 30+ year old stock wiring, switch etc., they were particularly hopeless.--Phil

Exactly. I have two vehicles with Lucas sealed beams, two with Lucas 'pre focus' type bulbs, 2 with genuine Wipac Quadoptic halogen units, 2 with Indian Autopal halogen units. All are round 7 inchers, all wiring is in good condition because frayed knicker elastic is a poor electrical conductor. I also have a car with prewar dipping reflector type headlamps so I'm acquainted with what dire lighting is like.

The Quad optics with standard halogen bulbs are great lights, no contest. 15 years ago you could buy a new pair for around £25 and the job was done. The Autopal is an inferior imitator but I've seen them for as little as 12 quid a pair so they seem to have the Landrover/ cheap old car market sewn up and are adequate. Decent 7" sealed beams are not far behind in effectiveness, what they lack in brightness is compensated by a better controlled beam pattern and I value the fact that they don't deteriorate like old bulbs or modern plastic units. The novelty about this lot is that they don't change colour and blind oncoming traffic.

[carlo]

Couldn't agree more with all of this.  In the very dark countryside where I now live I rarely drive at night because it really is too dangerous, you can hardly see the road ahead with oncoming traffic in the other direction.  I really don't understand why these lights are legal.

[Supernaut]

I thought it was just because I've previously had surgery on my eyes that I was sensitive to oncoming headlights at night, but I have noticed that when something similar in age to my car  (so late 90s to early 2000s) comes the other way, I'm fine. It's just moderns that dazzle me even when on dipped beam.

 

I also think that the increasing trend for fucking crossovers isn't helping, as they sit that much higher, combined with the super-bright lights, making them extra dazzling at night for people in normal-shaped cars.

[forddeliveryboy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_byaU4xGWFQ

 

 

[Noel Tidybeard]

the big citreon, fait, peogeut, vans are some of the worst offenders- especially the ambulances round here cos the lights get left on then the rear air suspension is lowered which makes the aim worserer

[Skut]

I have begun to worry that the use of very bright LCDs for indicators is making older punier bulb indicators seem almost invisible.   More than once I have been signalling and other drivers are just failing to notice them until its nearly too late.   Its not that they are particularly hard to spot, rather that many drivers have their powers of observation turned down as they expect anything important to announce itself through an explosion of colour and light,   

[Jerzy Woking]

MMercedes have an "auto dip", at least my mates C250 AMG had it. It was the most annoying device ever and rarely if ever worked properly. All they seemed to do was dip the lights from main beam about 10 feet short of the car coming the other way smashing into her.

 

I've a 22 year old Harley Davidson with a 6 inch headlamp. Not the brightest light ever made (I'm still using a 55w bulb in it),  but the beam pattern is excellent. I can ride it flat out (well, up to when the handling turns to jelly) on unlit lanes no problem.

[scaryoldcortina]

The Farmer's Anti Automobile Association of Pennsylvania ordered that automobiles travelling along country roads at night must send up a rocket every mile and then wait 10 minutes for the road to clear. The driver may then proceed with caution blowing his horn and shooting off roman candles.

[garethj]

Good idea.  Anything less is just PLAYING WITH CHILDREN'S LIVES

[Wilko220]

Since front foglights have become the symbol of every blind dim-wit...

 

 

On the subject of front fogs, what is it with this new phenomenon of them coming on - on one side of the car - when the steering wheel is turned in that direction.

 

Is this some kind of magic which enables the driver to see around corners? Or just some kind of secondary signalling system, acknowledging that manually operated indicators are too much effort for the modern motorist?

[sierraman]

I would imagine modifying the indicators to work on the fogs would cause a fail on the MOT.

 

Same for these that 'mod' diesels to billow dense black smoke out the back when they boot them. Not entirely sure the motive behind that? Convince neighbours your injectors are shot? I seem to spend my time trying to stop the thing from chucking all the shit out the exhaust.

I also see a lot of older golfs etc on rims with excessive camber and tyres that clearly don't fit properly. Surely poor roadholding aside that's an MOT fail?

 

Probably it's a good job I'm not an MOT tester, I'd go to town on these fuckers.

[AMC Rebel]

Same for these that 'mod' diesels to billow dense black smoke out the back when they boot them. Not entirely sure the motive behind that? 

 

Smoke bombing the cyclist you've been stuck behind for ten minutes when you pass?  I was tempted to give one bloke both barrels of my (unmodified but no DPF) Discovery the other morning - I was following a lorry along a road with cars parked the other side - there was a bloke on a bike ahead.  Said cyclist, very decently I thought, hops up onto the empty pavement to let the lorry pass - then turns around, clocks me, and hops straight back into the road in front of me.  Dunno what that was about.