Headlamp height

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Matty F 14 years ago

While there may be regulations for the height of tail lights etc, that really doesn't matter at all. The height of headlamps however is crucial. i.e. the height from the road to the middle of the headlamp. Granted that the headlamp should point downwards to some extent, but if it's incredibly high, say on a truck behind a car, if the headlamp is the same height or higher than a car's interior rear vision mirror, the driver will be blinded by the light. My rear vision mirror in a quality British car is 1100mm high (around

43"). Why on earth are headlamps allowed to be higher than 1100mm, anywhere in the world? Is there any conceivable vehicle used on a public road that cannot have its headlamps lower than 1100mm? Please give reasons.

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dennis 14 years ago

Tractors with loaders on the front.

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Matty F 14 years ago

Tailgating me at night at 100kph? I don't think so.

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The Other Mike 14 years ago

It's not unusual your regs could be the same as the UK where the limits are 500 - 1200mm. It's often the case that 'styling' considerations override the retinas of other road users.

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Dave Plowman (News) 14 years ago

My 15 year old BMW has an auto dimming rear mirror. Ace.

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Huge 14 years ago

The first time I bought a car with one of these I thought "Oh, yeah?"

But actually they are, as Dave says, ace.

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Andy Burns 14 years ago

Agreed, my last two cars had diming rear mirror, current car has dimming door mirrors too.

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Jethro 14 years ago

Ah, but does it auto dim the side mirrors ?

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Clive George 14 years ago

One of those tractors used for working over fields of tall-growing stuff?

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Jules Richardson 14 years ago

New BMWs come with a built-in feature to dim the driver ;-)

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The Natural Philosopher 14 years ago

Those normally have roof lamps for actual off road work.

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Tim Lamb 14 years ago

In message , "dennis@home" writes

I believe it is illegal to use *working lights* for road use.

regards

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Baz 14 years ago

Aren't BMW drivers already dim?

Baz

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Huge 14 years ago

Not any more. Audi has taken that crown.

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Hugh - Was Invisible 14 years ago

and Mercs

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Dave Plowman (News) 14 years ago

Those who make comments like this are best to state which makes they drive. So we can all have a good laugh...

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Bob Eager 14 years ago

+1

(not a BMW, TG)

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Graham. 14 years ago

My car has one, I but I don't use it much for the same reason that I wouldn't wear tinted spectacles for night driving. Yes it's more comfortable when someone behind dazzles you, but dimming the mirror might render that unlit bicycle about to undertake you invisable.

I can switch it off on this vehicle, I had to resort to bluetack in the sensor on the last one.

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Dave Plowman (News) 14 years ago

Not the same thing. 'Tinted specs' would reduce your vision regardless of the ambient light. The mirror reacts to bright lights falling on it. And if those are dazzling you, you'll not see a less bright light source in it. And in any case, door mirrors are more use for bicycles.

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Andy Champ 14 years ago

wear tinted

you invisable.

on the last one.

Mine's all manual. But the choice is between not seeing anything at all, because the top of the beam of the 4x4 behind is shining right in my eyes, or having restricted rear vision.

The wing mirrors aren't as bad as they are convex, so the light is dimmer. And that's where I see the bike.

Andy

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Headlamp height

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