Kurt in NJ
Well-known member
If you want to see in the distance the beam has to be focused.
To use existing reflectors the light source has to originate in the same location as the original bulb .
Even the shape of the filament makes a difference (straight vs V )
The first picture is without the lens, it is original old production bulb, you can see the focused beam with very little scatter.
Second picture is with lens on, defined cutoff with lower band of light wider to light road without blinding oncoming drivers.
Third picture is a direct fit halogen bulb, pretty good pattern, much brighter, it is a 35 watt bulb that gives no problems with stock generator, sockets, the only problem is that it isn’t made anymore, the difference in pattern is the filament is straight instead of the original formed as a V , the filaments are side by side as original bulb .
The 4th picture is the halogen bulb without lens, the background is bright because of camera somehow changing exposure but the focus of the beam isn’t as good ( car wasn’t moved, the beam isn’t as parallel, it continues to get larger further away)
A good reasonably focused beam lights the road , I feel comfortable driving over 50 at night, ther is a dark no streetlights road I drive at night, there’s a rise that when you crest it there’s a curve .7 mile away that has signs , they all light up
If without the lens the bulbs whatever kind they are make that defined beam the headlights will light the road without blinding the birds , pedestrians and other drivers..
To use existing reflectors the light source has to originate in the same location as the original bulb .
Even the shape of the filament makes a difference (straight vs V )
The first picture is without the lens, it is original old production bulb, you can see the focused beam with very little scatter.
Second picture is with lens on, defined cutoff with lower band of light wider to light road without blinding oncoming drivers.
Third picture is a direct fit halogen bulb, pretty good pattern, much brighter, it is a 35 watt bulb that gives no problems with stock generator, sockets, the only problem is that it isn’t made anymore, the difference in pattern is the filament is straight instead of the original formed as a V , the filaments are side by side as original bulb .
The 4th picture is the halogen bulb without lens, the background is bright because of camera somehow changing exposure but the focus of the beam isn’t as good ( car wasn’t moved, the beam isn’t as parallel, it continues to get larger further away)
A good reasonably focused beam lights the road , I feel comfortable driving over 50 at night, ther is a dark no streetlights road I drive at night, there’s a rise that when you crest it there’s a curve .7 mile away that has signs , they all light up
If without the lens the bulbs whatever kind they are make that defined beam the headlights will light the road without blinding the birds , pedestrians and other drivers..