Re: Windshield stuff, gas?

[dmiller@iea.com (Doug Miller)]

>>and they now have 130/100 watt outers with stock inners.  I don't have
>I have been reading continuously from all of you "high wattage fans" and do
>not yet understand this infatuation with high watt bulbs, the effectiveness
>of the light in much more connected to the >SHAPE< of the prism and it's
>>LOCATIO< than it is to high wattage, you are not improving the light (by
>much), you are mostly causing discomfort to other drivers on the road
>(using those ungodly powerful bulbs!!!!!), regardless of how well you
>lights are aimed!!!!!!!!!!!
>Why not just do a side by side comparison 55-60 versos 130-100 and maybe
>you will see that it is NOT much of an improvement!!!!
>Nomex on, flame me all you want!!!! (I am dead anyway, since I don't buy
>into this synthetic oil religion we have on the list!).
>Avi Meron
>86 5Kcstq
>A walking dead man

I agree that high output bulbs on low beams are not such a hot idea unless
you have quality Euro style lamps with a nice cutoff. I am anxiously
awaiting some 85w bulbs for my low beams (A6 Quattro Wagon with decent '97
PES-controlled pattern).  However, all bets are off for high beams where
beam pattern is less controlled and they shouldn't be on with oncoming
drivers in range anyhow.  More is better, and if you don't believe me, you
probably haven't tried it yourself.  The difference is hard to debate when
you see it and drive behind it.

Remember one important point, though.  No matter how well your beams
control the light and toss it down onto the road (even with a good cutoff)
there is one problem you cannot control.  On a rainy day, all that intense
light thrown down on the road will reflect right back up into oncoming
drivers eyes.  Watch it, or you're going to be exchanging insurance
information with a cataract ridden driver someday.

For rural drivers like myself, I can get away with it (low beams), and can
make an argument that I have better advance warning of deer.  Many of my
friends have had ungulates for hood ornaments and I hope never to do so.

If anyone wants a source for higher output bulbs for factory lights, email
me and I'll dig it up.  There is a guy in MI who invested his life savings
into a source and has been doing well ever since.  It is the only source I
know of for many stock lamps.

See ya,

Doug Miller
dmiller@iea.com