Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 09:46:37 -0600
Reply-To: Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: WARNING: SOUTH AFRICAN QUAD LIGHT GRILLES INCITE ROAD RAGE...
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
The very first thing I did when I finished installing my SA lights was take
the time to aim them (Chris, I'm not suggesting that you didn't, but there
are probably folks out there that haven't done so yet). For proper aiming
procedures go to:
http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/aim/
These excellent instructions were put together by Daniel Stern Lighting (a
great source of info and a wonderful place to buy headlights and bulbs). It
took a bit of time to do the aiming, but it was worth it.
The next thing I did was have my friend come over in his average family car.
We spent some time driving around the neighborhood - me in my Vanagon, him
in his average family car. We drove back and forth past each other, I drove
behind him, I sat behind him (as if at a traffic light). All the while I was
using various combination of low beams, high beams, and driving lights. We
found what was acceptable and what wasn't. On the "Wasn't" side was driving
with the driving lights on while behind someone or approaching someone. I
think that the problem is that the driving lights are just mounted so high.
Not only that, the pattern they put out is very much a spot beam, very
concentrated in one area.
I later installed a set of the Projektzwo lower driving lights (mounted at
the height of the lower grill). I have found a couple of interesting things.
First, the light pattern put out by these lights is completely different
from that put out by the SA Grill driving lights. The Projektzwo lights have
a VERY wide, flat, straight beam. I also found that because these lights are
mounted lower than the SA driving lights it seems to be O.K. to drove in
traffic (even around town) with the lower lights on in conjunction with the
low beams. So far no one has flashed me for having the lower driving lights
on with the low beams (so far). This seems to be a good combination.
I did some interesting things with the switches for turning the lights on
and off. My primary driving light switch (purchased from The Bus Depot) is
mounts in the dash and looks like all the other VW switches (well, because
it is VW). It has 3 positions: off/lower light on/lower light on and upper
light on. Lower in the dash I installed an on/off toggle switch that can
turn only the Projektzwo lights off and keep the SA driving lights on (I
haven't quite figured out why I would want this combination, but putting in
the switch was very easy). Finally, I put in one other toggle switch. Rather
than being an on/off switch, this one is and a/b switch. In position "a" it
allows the driving lights to be turned on (either singly or together) any
time the parking lights are on. In position "b" it allows the lights (either
singly or together) to be on only when the high beams are on.
For must normal driving the H4 lights are great. They have a good beam
pattern. The Projektzwo lights, I think, will add a lot to safety. I will be
able to see all sorts of potential hazards (deer, loose animals, small
children, cars, etc.) approaching from the side of the road (the beam
pattern is that wide).
Here is how I will be using the lights. Around town I will most likely drive
with the low beams and the Projektzwo lights on. I will likely do the same
on the highway. When I am driving in the country I will have it set up so
that I can turn both sets of driving light on and off with the high beams. I
have tried all of these procedures and the results have been great. So far I
haven't seen any signs of pissed-off drivers.
As much as I love the looks of the SA lights, if I had to make a choice of
only one set of extra lights (SA or Projektzwo) the lower Projektzwo lights
would win easily. They produce a very wide beam pattern that can be used
almost all the time. I feel that the added measure of safety from the wide
pattern is worth it.
Bruce
>From: JordanVw@AOL.COM
>Reply-To: JordanVw@AOL.COM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: WARNING: SOUTH AFRICAN QUAD LIGHT GRILLES INCITE ROAD RAGE...
>Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 02:54:12 EST
>
>Ever since i've had the South African Quad driving light grill on my van,
>during nighttime driving (with driving lights on and low beams on) i've had
>people flash their high beams at me, and i get the occasional flip of the
>middle finger in the rear view mirror of the car in front of me if im
>driving
>behind someone.. but tonight takes the cake...
>
>i was on a local rd (PA rt 309) and was behind some guy in a pickup truck..
>had the headlights on low beam as usual, and the driving lights on. guy
>started going real slow, then slams on his brakes in the middle of the road
>-
>long haired crazy man gets out, starts threatening me that he's gonna "kick
>my F*ckin headlights out"..i explain that i DO NOT have my high beams on,
>that those are driving lights, like alot of other people have, exept that
>unlike most cars theyre not under the bumper.. so i switched my high beams
>on to show him..bad idea...it didnt make things any better.. i did a Uie in
>the middle of the road as this loose cannon started coming towards me..
>anyway..
>its totally PSYCHOLOGICAL... people see 2 sets of lights side by side
>(four
>nearly same-size illuminated lights in a horizontal pattern) and they
>automatically think you have your high beams on.. if these same size, same
>wattage SA driving lights were below the bumper, then nobody would mind at
>all. but people are so used to the older american cars w/ quad sealed
>beams
>that if you see a oncoming car w/ 4 headlights on at the same time on a
>horizontal pattern, then they must be running their high beams..
>
>sheesh...paid all this $ for the damn grille and its a life threatening
>situation everytime i use the driving lights.. yet i can drive my audi
>all
>the time w/ the 100w driving lights below the bumper in addition to the
>stock
>headlights on above the bumper, and nobody has a problem..
>
>chris
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