Blinded by the light

[Kent McLean]

Someone on the Miata list posted this pointer to Consumer Reports
review of headlights.  Naturally, an Audi figured in the report.  The TT.
It wasn't pretty.

Quoting the report:

    "Both types of lights [HID and halogen] produced our worst performers.
    The HID-equipped Audi TT's low beams lit only to our 200-foot marker...

    "While even 200 feet of lighting may sound like enough, it may not be.
    Based on typical reaction times and braking distances, drivers traveling
    at 50 mph need 237 feet to see a pedestrian, hit the brake pedal, and
    stop in time. Wet or icy roads and higher speeds increase braking
    distance, while fog, glare, and fatigue reduce visibility."

So it seems our beloved quattro is negated by sh!tty headlights. What else
is new? To add insult to injury:

    "The farthest so far: the inexpensive, halogen-equipped Mazda Protegé5.
    Its low beams illuminated our 600-foot marker without creating a glare
    problem."

The short link to the report:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?S300269F3

Kent
'89 200 TQ, "Night Train" with 80/100W Euros