Is it time to ban LED Headlights

SDK^ · 27 Dec 2021 at 20:20

My matrix lights work amazingly.
Puts a dark box around any cars in front and moves with them.

Rroff · 27 Dec 2021 at 20:32

I'm assuming it is matrix lights but they don't seem to handle mid-size vans and pickups very well - had a number of instances where someone came up behind me and in the rear view mirrors their headlights were normal but the wing mirrors were like looking at the sun. One recently I had to pull over and let them past as it was compromising my ability to see ahead.

Was interesting seeing one coming the other way in light fog through an S shaped road layout where you could see the dark spots for a couple of other vehicles moving with them but overall I don't think the tech works as well as the concept yet.

ShiWarrior · 27 Dec 2021 at 21:58

SDK^ said:
My matrix lights work amazingly.
Puts a dark box around any cars in front and moves with them.

no idea what these are

so i looked up, pretty amazing

Rroff · 27 Dec 2021 at 22:07

It really isn't working like this video for me:

Especially on my pickup I think it is misunderstanding the profile of the vehicle vs the rear lights and only blacking out 75% of the area it needs to.

Sin_Chase · 27 Dec 2021 at 22:44

I've found the matrix LED lights on my Mach E to be largely reliable so far.

Where they perhaps struggle to keep up is when I'm driving behind someone through alternating curves. Can sometimes lag behind depending on the speed of the bend opening up.

Seems to pickout cars and is more cautious than aggressive in detection.

SDK^ · 27 Dec 2021 at 23:50

Rroff said:
I'm assuming it is matrix lights but they don't seem to handle mid-size vans and pickups very well - had a number of instances where someone came up behind me and in the rear view mirrors their headlights were normal but the wing mirrors were like looking at the sun. One recently I had to pull over and let them past as it was compromising my ability to see ahead.

Was interesting seeing one coming the other way in light fog through an S shaped road layout where you could see the dark spots for a couple of other vehicles moving with them but overall I don't think the tech works as well as the concept yet.

Seems to work well on my car.
Each headlight contains 84 Pixel LEDs, controlled by a front-mounted camera. Depending on what it detects, the LEDs are switched on and off individually, adjusting the beam to always provide optimal illumination.
It can shade out up to five areas in front of the car, ensuring maximum visibility in all situations without dazzling oncoming traffic.

https://www.polestar.com/uk/polestar-2/pilot-pack/pixel-led-headlights/

Rroff · 27 Dec 2021 at 23:59

SDK^ said:
Seems to work well on my car.
Each headlight contains 84 Pixel LEDs, controlled by a front-mounted camera. Depending on what it detects, the LEDs are switched on and off individually, adjusting the beam to always provide optimal illumination.
It can shade out up to five areas in front of the car, ensuring maximum visibility in all situations without dazzling oncoming traffic.

https://www.polestar.com/uk/polestar-2/pilot-pack/pixel-led-headlights/

It isn't so much a problem when oncoming but when someone is following me with them in my pickup it only seems to black out about 75% of the centre of my vehicle and especially as I have big wing mirrors slightly higher than most cars or SUVs I get completely dazzled from them despite their headlights being normal in the rear view mirror (obviously there is always a bit of difference but not to this extent). Same with some medium sized vans but not as bad - still to an unsafe level though.

theone8181 · 28 Dec 2021 at 08:44

While matrix leds are cool, I'd assume that the vast majority are just normal leds rather than a bank of them. Aren't matrix normally a paid extra, and quite a new thing iirc.

Dangerous Dave · 28 Dec 2021 at 10:23

Audi Digital Matrix headlights look good effectively a black and white projector in each headlight that allows it to project sat nav directions onto the road in front of the car and very fine control over turning off areas.

Stu999 · 28 Dec 2021 at 12:24

theone8181 said:
While matrix leds are cool, I'd assume that the vast majority are just normal leds rather than a bank of them. Aren't matrix normally a paid extra, and quite a new thing iirc.

Yes, they’re mostly an expensive option. That’s why you still get blinded by the Nissan Jukes and Qashqais with their fixed, standard LEDs. I always notice it when there’s an undulation in the road and it’s like they’re flashing at you.

FireTwo · 28 Dec 2021 at 13:48

its time to ban cars without led headlights tbh

Stu999 · 28 Dec 2021 at 14:12

FireTwo said:
its time to ban cars without led headlights tbh

They are a lot better than halogens, I just wish they were calibrated properly.

Steven Rimmington · 28 Dec 2021 at 14:19

Started getting flashed lately which I found was strange, can only put it to down to the adaptive LED matrix headlights in the new Skoda VRS. I have started turning the auto-off as it obviously is far too bright. Shame really as they are a massive upgrade to the older LED headlights in the older gen.

Stu999 · 28 Dec 2021 at 14:24

Steven Rimmington said:
Started getting flashed lately which I found was strange, can only put it to down to the adaptive LED matrix headlights in the new Skoda VRS. I have started turning the auto-off as it obviously is far too bright. Shame really as they are a massive upgrade to the older LED headlights in the older gen.

This video is quite interesting (from 5:33 for comparisons on the road), the Octavia Matrix lights actually looked best.

Is it possible you just have full beam and not auto full beam on?

Steven Rimmington · 28 Dec 2021 at 14:32

Stu999 said:
This video is quite interesting (from 5:33 for comparisons on the road), the Octavia Matrix lights actually looked best.

Is it possible you just have full beam and not auto full beam on?

Hi, I definitely don't have auto high beam on, this is activated by the indicator stork. The Auto-Matrix is a button by the main headlight switch, I might take it to Skoda for them to have a look, I have heard a software fix that solves most issues.

mjt · 28 Dec 2021 at 14:53

Dangerous Dave said:
Audi Digital Matrix headlights look good effectively a black and white projector in each headlight that allows it to project sat nav directions onto the road in front of the car and very fine control over turning off areas.

Watched that the other day. Looks amazing!

Currently looking at Q7s with matrix LED and with Laserlight. They look immense but can’t help but think they’re complete overkill. those digital ones are something else though.

Stu999 · 28 Dec 2021 at 15:26

Steven Rimmington said:
Hi, I definitely don't have auto high beam on, this is activated by the indicator stork. The Auto-Matrix is a button by the main headlight switch, I might take it to Skoda for them to have a look, I have heard a software fix that solves most issues.

Ah, yeah seems simple enough to use. Hope it gets sorted for you.

Penfold101 · 28 Dec 2021 at 18:30

Steven Rimmington said:
Hi, I definitely don't have auto high beam on, this is activated by the indicator stork.

The image this conjures up in my head is far funnier than it should be…

Steven Rimmington · 28 Dec 2021 at 20:26

Stu999 said:
Ah, yeah seems simple enough to use. Hope it gets sorted for you.

Hopefully it's just a quick software fix. It's quite an expensive option I think £1500 on the base spec, they come as standard on the VRS.

Penfold101 said:
The image this conjures up in my head is far funnier than it should be…

Yes I can now see this

not sure why on earth I have called it a stork :confused:

must be too much Christmas beer!

Penfold101 · 28 Dec 2021 at 21:12

Steven Rimmington said:
Yes I can now see this not sure why on earth I have called it a stork must be too much Christmas beer!

Is there such a thing, really…?