USA headlights vs other regions?

[TJ Hopland]

Can any of the non USA people that have converted to their regions spec lights or maybe USA people that have imported cars with other spec lights comment on what the real world to the average person differences are in how they operate?   

I know in some cases there are inspections that may have nothing to do with actual performance but I am wondering if inspections were not an issue would the average person really see a difference in a bad way?  If you have the 'wrong' style would you have to adjust them in such a way so you didn't blind people that they would not be any good to the driver?

I'm just asking these questions because we have had a few headlight threads going and from what I can tell the quality of what we can get in the USA for many of the applications of sealed beams is crap but people in other regions apparently have conversions available that use a seperate bulb in a housing like what we call composite headlights here.  I just wonder if importing some of these conversions could work for us in the USA?  And which spec/region would be the best or worst fit for us?

[Big Fins]

Reading what Bruce had always said about lights 'downunder', they drive on the right side of the vehicle on the left side of the road. Their headlights on low beam would have to 'dip' to the left and the high beams, up and to the right.

I read about the differing LED lighting in the EU and the way people complain about bright lights here. From what I read, the lighting has sensors to detect oncoming traffic and dim or brighten the lights in accordance to the needs of the sensors and ambient lighting.

A quick search on Amazon will give you quite a bit of "Fits This Vehicle" results. I amazed at what is still easily available at sites like Amazon for these cars. At least as far back as 1969.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

As John said, RHD countries have different requirements, especially Dip to the Left for Low Beams, and High Beams are the same everywhere, straight ahead.  When I used to import cars from USA, I would leave the Low Beam lights in USA, as they are useless here.   When I was doing RHD Conversions, the first thing to be removed was the Low Beam Headlight, and that went into the bin, smashed.

One thing that is happening down here is that with all the complaints about the new LED lights, and Light Bars, the Authorities are looking into this, and soon, uncontrolled light beams on Low will be outlawed.   Plus, it is illegal to use the LED Light Bars in residential areas.

But, the biggest problem all over the world is these high vehicles with their headlights so high above the "Normal" cars, I wouldn't be surprised if there are going to be regulations regarding these.   Nothing worse than being in front of a Dodge Ram or F350 in a Cadillac, at night.   Even the adjustable anti-glare rear vision mirror is overpowered.

The problem with using LED conversions in original headlights, where the globe is replaceable, the beam emitted doesn't comply.   In the fine print on most of their boxes stated that the lights do not comply with the Road Laws.  Especially the high-powered ones.

Lastly, when I was picking my Eldorado Convertible, I had to completely disregard the mid '70's as they had the rectangular lights.   Cannot get them down here.

Bruce.

[Big Fins]

Even sitting up high in my Peterbilt, LED lighting is overwhelming on the eyes. It doesn't get any better as I get older either.

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

We drive on the left here in the UK. My 54 CDV had the original USA headlights when I bought it. I replaced them with the same size sealed beam headlights with the mouldings in the glass correct for dipping on the opposite side. I also adjusted the headlights to point to the opposite side. All worked fine. The autronic eye works on my car but is on the wrong side of the dashboard for over here, so reflective street signs make the headlights dip, as soon as it is dark they go back to full beam which reflects on the street sign, then dips......

[Big Fins]

We drive on the left here in the UK. My 54 CDV had the original USA headlights when I bought it. I replaced them with the same size sealed beam headlights with the mouldings in the glass correct for dipping on the opposite side. I also adjusted the headlights to point to the opposite side. All worked fine. The autronic eye works on my car but is on the wrong side of the dashboard for over here, so reflective street signs make the headlights dip, as soon as it is dark they go back to full beam which reflects on the street sign, then dips......

Nice to know the 70 year old technology still works! I wonder if all that switching is creating high resistance in the controller contacts.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I always turn off the Autronic Eye simply because of the reflective roadsigns.   Plus, when driving out in the country, I have to dip my lights way before the oncoming car gets dazzled, because with my Halogen High Beams, the lights illuminate way further ahead than the original "candles"

Back in the days, I don't think reflective signs were around to cause the problem.

Bruce.  

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

Nice to know the 70 year old technology still works! I wonder if all that switching is creating high resistance in the controller contacts.

I've not had any problems.

[Roger Zimmermann]

When my '57 Brougham was restored, I drove once during the night. I noticed that, when I followed another car, I had to dim "manually" the headlamps as the rear lights emitted not enough light for the Autronic Eye.
When I drove up the small road to my store room, the lamps went up and down because of various reflextions, till the moment there was no more light! After that, I disconnected the Autronic Eye as it was not usefull in my region.
Years ago, there was a discussion about that system in a now inactive forum. It seems that also in the US the system was not always usefull.
When I bought my 2011 DTS, I was not aware that the car was equipped with a similar system. I discovered it by accident and gave it a try. I was surprised how well it was functionning even if, in my opinion, the dimming occured 1/2 second too late. Even if I found it good, I disconnected it (it's just a knob to push).

[76Caddy]

I really like having automatic dimming.  All of my Cadillacs, where it was available, had it except 1.  The 2019 XT5 does not have a "near or far" setting like the older ones and is a bit more sensitive to road signs.
I'm glad they brought it back.

Tim