Date:         Wed, 10 Sep 2003 08:04:09 -0400
Reply-To:     "sam.cooks" <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "sam.cooks" <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Headlamp upgrades to brighter lights - think of others
In-Reply-To:  <BB842CEC.7AE1%tornadored@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Volks - a contrary opinion on headlight upgrades to brighter lights.

When you upgrade your headlights to brighter ones, you compromise the
safety of oncoming drivers, especially on winding, rural two lane
roads.  The stock lights are bright enough.

Last Friday night I went into a very rural section of the Washington,
D.C. / Baltimore area to a night sky observing session of a local
astronomy club.  On both the way out and coming back, I was on unlit
narrow winding roads with very limited shoulders and constant small hills.

It was easy to tell the oncoming cars that had the "upgraded" lights
because they are still blinding you after they switch to dim and because
of the clear difference (in some cases) of the nature of the light
beam.  However, it was very hard to see the road afterwards and there
were several brief periods where I really almost couldn't see the road.
I had to brake and really slow down a few times to insure I stayed on
the road - waiting for my eyes to readjust.

My stock headlights in my 85 Westy provided me with plenty of light,
switching between dim and bright when appropriate for the required
concerns for the safety of others traveling in the opposite direction.
Similarly, my stock lights on my 89 Syncro GL are sufficient.

Just my $.02 worth.  This has been raised before, and it has been
pointed out that many of the brighter lights are also illegal in most
instances for just these safety reasons, but people keep putting them in
anyway.

None of us is the only driver on the road.  But if you must put in
brighter lights, at least get them aimed properly.


--
Sam Walters
Baltimore, MD

89 Syncro GL, soon to have SA suspension and 15" disc brakes
85 Westy Weekender, new to me 8/01/03
84 Vanagon, original owner, soon to be retired, just too many problems

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