American drivers have a blinding headlight problem. It could last for years

Re:American drivers have a blinding headlight problem. It co... by mannykannot on Thursday February 16, 2023 @10:37AM (#34820018)

I suspect that there is another issue beyond those given here. Today's beams seem much more tightly focused with a sharp cutoff, able to fill the allowed geometry at full intensity. As a result, it seems that cars on any sort of convex slope can project a beam with full intensity into the eyes of an oncoming driver, especially if there is also even a slight bend in the road.

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Re:American drivers have a blinding headlight problem. It co... by vanilla_nut on Thursday February 16, 2023 @10:40AM (#34820073)

It gets very nasty when potholes and uneven surfaces interact with these lights. Some roads produce an effect not entirely unlike a strobelight.

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Re:American drivers have a blinding headlight problem. It co... by MonkeyMalarky on Thursday February 16, 2023 @10:47AM (#34820190)

For a while I thought people were flashing their highbeams at me on a particular stretch of road. Turns out there's this nice and smooth bump from a patch job that's causing it when people drive over.

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Re:American drivers have a blinding headlight problem. It co... by smachiz on Thursday February 16, 2023 @10:39AM (#34820057)

The adaptive headlights can solve that by altering the projected shape in real time. It's neat to see what some of the EU cars do, I think they're standard on newer Teslas, and just require the right software in the US.

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Re:American drivers have a blinding headlight problem. It co... by hd95489 on Thursday February 16, 2023 @10:45AM (#34820148)

And that’s how we ends up with 5000$ headlights

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Re:American drivers have a blinding headlight problem. It co... by generaltsos on Thursday February 16, 2023 @10:52AM (#34820266)

My 2015 Ford has $1200 HID headlight assemblies, I am certain BMW/Porsche/Audi/MB are approaching or over 5 digits now.

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Re:American drivers have a blinding headlight problem. It co... by technothrasher on Thursday February 16, 2023 @11:01AM (#34820387)

Just looked up the price of a headlight assembly for my Porsche Macan. $4K MSRP, ~$3.1 Street price. But it is pretty cool to see it adjust in real time when going around turns or up and down hills.

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Re:American drivers have a blinding headlight problem. It co... by robohoe on Thursday February 16, 2023 @12:06PM (#34821489)

It doesn’t help that on a lot of Porsches from hot climates headlights’ protective coating deliminates/cracks. Repairs are in hundreds, but at least it’s a known and fixable problem. Still a pain considering how much these cars cost -_-

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Re:American drivers have a blinding headlight problem. It co... by saltcured on Thursday February 16, 2023 @01:45PM (#34823578)

Is that for one side or for a complete set?

I can't help thinking repair parts should be (morally speaking) offered at a regulated cost+plus price. I really can't imagine that headlights are 5-10% of the value in a new car, and so this seems abusive.

I think I'd enjoy a world where the manufacturer needs to provide an accounting of new product value and justify the cost of replacement parts. The total cost of all parts of a complete product should not be more than 100% of the material value of the new car, as offered. And by material value, I mean a value less than the total sale price, after already subtracting logistics/labor value adds.

And, in my perfect world, I would mandate an open logistics chain. If Amazon can provide better worldwide logistics to deliver a genuine part from the OEM to me, then I should have that choice rather than being captive to some manufacturer/dealer network.

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Re:American drivers have a blinding headlight problem. It co... by hd95489 on Friday February 17, 2023 @12:31PM (#34837603)

Spares are a primary profit center. If you remove the mark up there the base price of the vehicle will go even higher

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Re:American drivers have a blinding headlight problem. It co... by smachiz on Thursday February 16, 2023 @10:47AM (#34820181)

I think that's already what they cost on a Porsche or BMW...

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Re:American drivers have a blinding headlight problem. It co... by jasone on Thursday February 16, 2023 @11:11AM (#34820548)

Agreed. I was a bit disappointed the article didn't address this point.

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