Re: Dead Horses

[dmiller@iea.com (Doug Miller)]

>Note that I'm _NOT_ saying that enhanced Euro lights are the best solution to
>every lighting problem.  They aren't.
>
>IMO - they _ARE_ the best approach if you need good night driving light
>with an
>absolute minimum of external excrescences.  Don't try and rally or race behind
>these lights - you can do a _LOT_ better with a specific application.
>
>And, as a final caution, if anyone tells you that Euros are _NOT_ as good as I
>say they are - make sure they know what they're talking about.  There seems to
>be considerable confusion as to exactly _what_ a Euro headlight actually is.
>
>--
> Phil Payne
> phil@sievers.com
> Committee Member, UK Audi [ur-]quattro Owners Club


Phil,

As one who has driven both Euro (in my definition, lamps conforming to E
standards) and American style lamps over the years, I agree with you.
Anyone who has not driven behind the great lamps you guys get across the
pond just doesn't understand.  Additionally, to drive in Europe facing
other Euro lamps coming back at you is to understand the whole concept
thoroughly.

During my years in the US auto industry, I became a lightning rod for
lighting issues by speaking out (loudly) against the US lighting standards
being the *WORST* in the world. Even third world countries have higher
standards, and it is well known in the ivory towers of the US auto industry
that this was done intentionally to protect the US lamp manufacturers. (If
we adopt EC standards here, then EC lamp manufacturers will immediately be
able to compete with US makers.  If we don't, this country is the only
place US design lamps are made, and the EC makers will have a tough time
tooling up for such an uphill battle against entrenched US lamp makers).

It is a little known US regulation that bulbs on US lamps must be placed
slightly out of the focal point of the lense!!  Since the focal point is
the technically ideal spot for the bulb, no manufacturer would do it except
to conform to the standard.  As a result, we have lamps that produce more
extraneous light than any country in the world.

I'd pay up to $300 for optional Euro lights on a new car here in the States
if it was a factory option.  Ditto for dashboard adjustable systems, and
ditto for rear fog lamps.  Instead, I resort to all manner of custom
harnesses, auxiliary lamps, and finding sneaky ways to obtain European
lamps.

Just had to get that off my chest.....

C'ya

Doug Miller
dmiller@iea.com
97A6Q Wagon, 93 LandCruiser w/diff locks (and well used skidplates), 71
LeMans Sport V8 Convertible.