Date:         Wed, 28 Apr 2004 13:18:00 -0700
Reply-To:     Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Subject:      Re: E-codes w/ 9004 bulbs?
Comments: To: Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

A valid observation, but it applies to all cars not just vanagons with upgraded headlights. We all drive the same roads no matter how imperfectly laid out, and the same hills, curves, bumps, potholes, etc, that affect one vehicle will affect them all. It is my guess that there are far more post 1991(the last year for the vanagon) automobiles on the road, then pre `91 models. Most any vehicle that is post `91 has better headlights then a vanagon, by upgrading your vans headlights with better lenses and bulbs you are bringing your van up to the level that it should have been from the beginning. I could even argue that in some instances upgraded headlights will increase the safety of oncoming traffic. If I am driving down the street one night with my wimpy, stock headlights and a child, moose, dog, etc runs into the road I may instinctively swerve to avoid them, and end up hitting an oncoming vehicle. With upgraded headlights I have the extra visibility necessary to see them fa
r enough in advance to respond without endangering anyone. Some situations are unavoidable, but we owe it to ourselves, our families, and other drivers to make our vehicles as safe as reasonably possible.

Mark in AK


----- Original Message -----
From: Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Date: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 12:35 pm
Subject: Re: E-codes w/ 9004 bulbs?

> One factor I haven't seen mentioned in this debate ...
>
> Many roads are not layed out on perfectly FLAT terrain, which
> seems to be
> the assumption here.  It doesn't take much much of a hill to
> eliminate that
> carefully calibrated 3% angle and get oncoming lights square in
> the eyes.
> Uncomfortable enough before, but now with these super-bright
> lights you
> almost have to pull over until you can see the road again.  Add to
> that the
> probability, no - the certainty, that relatively few headlight
> systems will
> keep that ideal alignment over time due to lack of maintenance or
> whatever.
> //Jack
>
>
> > You are correct, with correctly aimed (3% down and directly
> ahead) e-codes
> > you are a nicer fellow to on coming traffic than using 9004s.
> >
>