Got my Guidematic installed back in the Fleetwood tonight. It is now working flawlessly thanks to John Oldenburg. If you want to get yours working he is great. Can't recommend him highly enough.
Several years ago, when I had my first '56 Cadillac, I installed an Autronic Eye on it. It, too worked perfectly. I found a couple of idiosyncracies about it that I didn't especially like. First, while the device picks up oncoming headlights nicely, it operates (dims your lights) too late. Stated otherwise, I like to drop my beam as soon as I can see oncoming lights. Even from a mile away, my high beams can be annoying to an onccoming driver.
Secondly, on the Autronic Eye, and I believe the later Guide-Matic, there is an amber filter behind the lens in the pickup head; for why, I don't know. If you approach a flashing amber traffic light, the headlights go nuts, following the flashing amber light! More funny, than annoying, though.
It is a very nice option to have as a "Talking Point", but actually useless in real life.
I test mine occasionally, to make sure that it is still working, and I think the best time to use it is out on the open road, where there are no overhead lights, signs or other possible illumination distractions.
Plus, as I have installed "brighter than sunlight" high beams, I dip my own lights at the hint of anything oncoming.
Bruce. >:D
I don't think they're useless. I really like the option. Used it all the time on my 76, 82, and 89. Don't drive my 67 much at night but it has it and it works. Wish my 95 Fleetwood had it, but the way the computer operates the headlights, can't really add the option without major modifications.
Tim
I'm very particular about absolutely everything working on my car. That was one of them
John calibrates to be more functional in modern day traffic - not that the car will see much night driving however.
Now to get the signal seeker working - likely needs lubrication. One day.
"...Secondly, on the Autronic Eye, and I believe the later Guide-Matic, there is an amber filter behind the lens in the pickup head; for why, I don't know. If you approach a flashing amber traffic light, the headlights go nuts, following the flashing amber light! More funny, than annoying, though.
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I remember that, it made me laugh like heck :)
I installed the Guide-Matic on my 61 Coupe DeVille and it worked OK. It seemed to dim the lights kind of late. But I found that I had it aimed a bit high. Once I aimed it properly it was much better.
I am under the impression the amber filter was to make it more sensitive to red light so that it would dim when you came up behind another car.
I have it on my 68 ELDO but it is pretty much useless as all the reflective signs, road edge markers, and lane divider reflectors all keep the lights on dim all the time.
It is fun at safety check, they tell me the headlights wont stay on high, so I tell them about the Guide-Matic and how it works. Some are amazed some are annoyed.