Adaptive Headlights

[StevieDB9]

Hi everyone :cheesy:

I've been looking at a few cars (started saving) and been looking on the Ford website to see what optional extras some of the cars have so I can look out for them on used cars. noticed that the focus had as an option was adaptive headlights that turn as you corner so the light beam curve round the corner. I would have loved this (as well as HIDs) but not seen any examples of focusesess with these options.

So started looking to see if they could be retrofitted, but as expected the headlight units cost a fortune and the unit needs to be wired into the ecu for which the loom isnt even installed. So in a word no, it cant be done.

But, after some more googling i came across a new(ish) product from Hella (so not cheap junk) that is designed especially for retrofitting, and is designed especially for certain models including the focus mk1 and 2 (but not 2.5 unfortunately which is what i'm after) golf mk5 and a few vauxhalls i think. These systems are built into the headlight units which swivel when you turn the wheel. But there is also a universal system which utilises a pair of spot/fog lamps for the same function.

Good demo here:

http://dynabeam.hella-online.com/EN/index.html

http://b2c.hella.com/b2c_hella/b2c/init.do?language=en&country=en&shop=de_com&scenario.xcm=hella_com

Decent video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRfTW3YujyY&feature=related

just wondering what you guys thought?

 

[Yugguy]

Howdo, you after a Focus ST? I've seen a few of the 2008 onward facelift versions with adaptive lights.

 

[HDi fun]

Hi everyone :cheesy:

I've been looking at a few cars (started saving) and been looking on the Ford website to see what optional extras some of the cars have so I can look out for them on used cars. noticed that the focus had as an option was adaptive headlights that turn as you corner so the light beam curve round the corner. I would have loved this (as well as HIDs) but not seen any examples of focusesess with these options.

So started looking to see if they could be retrofitted, but as expected the headlight units cost a fortune and the unit needs to be wired into the ecu for which the loom isnt even installed. So in a word no, it cant be done.

But, after some more googling i came across a new(ish) product from Hella (so not cheap junk) that is designed especially for retrofitting, and is designed especially for certain models including the focus mk1 and 2 (but not 2.5 unfortunately which is what i'm after) golf mk5 and a few vauxhalls i think. These systems are built into the headlight units which swivel when you turn the wheel. But there is also a universal system which utilises a pair of spot/fog lamps for the same function.

Good demo here:

http://dynabeam.hella-online.com/EN/index.html

http://b2c.hella.com/b2c_hella/b2c/init.do?language=en&country=en&shop=de_com&scenario.xcm=hella_com

Decent video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRfTW3YujyY&feature=related

just wondering what you guys thought?

Citroen had this in the 1960's with dipped beams that literally turned when the steering wheel was turned. Citroen DS and amaserati engined SM.

MOdern adaptive lighting uses the front fogs to achieve a similar purpose. Mercedes-Benz has been doing this for a few years now. THe lamps don't turn they just illuminate on the inside. So, turn left, the left fog comes on. They've made it a soft switch operation so it doesn't suddenly catch needless attention of other road users.

Does it work? Yes, absolutely. Is it worthwhile? NO - not in my opinion. fogs only illuminate the road surface. If a driver is driving observantly then the illumination 6 feet infront and to the side of the car is needless.

You cannot make light beams curve, but the way. You can only change their direction at source.

 

[StevieDB9]

yeah the old ds, that was a mechanical linkage lol

yeah i've seen the mercedes and indeed the fog lights dont rotate but this set from hella do, I know its not really a necessity but I thought it was a nice touch, I like having bang up to date technology in smaller cars, especially when its filtered down from cutting edge stuff from mercedes a few years ago :amuse: you could say that an attentive driver doesnt need the IR headlights that the current high spec mercedes driver has, and i would agree whole-heartedly, but I would still like it for the "look what my car can do factor" down the pub lol :cheesy:

lol i know light can't bend round corners lol it just seems that way in relation to the forward direction of the car, well you can bend light, i sat through many lectures in theoretical physics and quantum mechanics from long enough to know that it can :blink:, but i think thats a discussion for a differnt forum! :amuse:

Yeah i would love an st, especially the Mk2.5 focus st, but dont think i could afford the insurance or the toad tax, unfortunately! :sad2:

 

[HDi fun]

"yeah the old ds, that was a mechanical linkage lol"

Was it now? I thought it was hydraulic like just about everything else on the car.

 

[StevieDB9]

after much googling i've found that the D series was a mechanical linkage whereas the SM series is hydraulic lol :amuse:

 

[HDi fun]

OK - that's cleared that one then. These adaptive lights I see now do seem remarkably pointless.