Been looking at this whole crap headlight scenario.

 

Has anyone tried fitting new lights? (yes, it was sttarted by that conversion at Billing, but I refuse to pay £900 for it, I know I am tight, read the name)

 

I was thinking about someof these semi-spherical driving lights fixed into the front bumper, either side of the plate. Opinions? would this just look duff?

I keep wondering about something like this, only really tucked away into one of the existing holes in the front bumper so they work but are not on show. I have not done it because I dont know of a good light that really works that will fit.

Yes Jock - you are right, the standard lights are shite.

 

For a while now I have been doing a headlight upgrade which involves putting chrom like vinyl on the reflector. This has improved the light beam by at least 300%. If you look at my signature you will see it.

 

However, the lads that I have upgrade done will tell you that although the beam has improved big time, the vinyl does not stand up to the elements and eventually you get imperfections. The beam is still good but it just looks a but naff. If you have broad band you can see the video that I made before and after the upgrade but if not, mail me and I will send it to you:-

 

http://bagpuss.swan.ac.uk/dunk300zx/C_T/

 

However, I think I may have found a suplier that can coat the reflectors in proper chrome will a very robust and durable finish. His words were to me that it will be as hard as a painted panel on a car. I am still waiting for the ample to arrive so until then I can not confirm the finish but it did sound promising when I was on the phone to him.

 

I don't know what the prices will be yet but he did say that they will only be doing runs of it every month.

 

One thing that did make me chuckle is that he said that they had done a Mini Moto in chrome. Wouldn't mind have a buchers at it either.

Cos,

 

Can see why you upgraded your lights, they look worse than mine.

 

I have seen the tin foil upgrade, and agree (having seen your vid) it definately multiplys the amount of light put out, but as it can only be refracted light through the lens at the front, it doesnt give me the focussed beam I am looking for. Also, as you said, some of the films seem to cook in the heat and look well manky.

 

As a cosmetic upgrade, they look good, and I would be interested in how much the "chroming" comes in at, and how you think it fares under the heat

I agree with you Jock , I see no way that this upgrade can help with putting light "on the road" where we need it.

 

However there has been a lot of talk on this and many people seem to think it helps. I still doubt it though.

 

In my experience you cant beat a proper driving light (or a modern well designed head light) for down the road illumination. How one might deal with the dip beam is another matter.

This issue of putting the light beam in the correct place has been discussed in some detail in the past. The light is refracted correctly otherwise mine, and the other guys ars that have had the upgrade, would not have passed their MOT.

 

The issue of the film getting imperfections is not due to the heat, it is just down to the general elements. I'm sure any of the lads that have had the upgarde will tell you that the imperfections occurred without a lot, if any use of the lights.

 

I have found that even with one bulb blown, you can still see where you are going quite easily. Before I did the upgrade on my car, I nearly put myself on a central reservation because there were no street lights.

 

Don't take this the wrong way but I can't see how this can even be disputed anymore, the upgrade works as we have the proof to back it up.

If your post was directed at me, I do belive what you and others have said, its just I cant get my head round it working.

 

If it was not for the fact that my lights are ok, series 2 lights maybe better??, I would have a go just to see. I will however put in some good quality bulbs before anything.

 

No offence meant.

Have a look at an old thread of mine:

 

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16562&highlight=headlamp

 

Vijay

Originally posted by markstevens

If your post was directed at me, I do belive what you and others have said, its just I cant get my head round it working.

 

If it was not for the fact that my lights are ok, series 2 lights maybe better??, I would have a go just to see. I will however put in some good quality bulbs before anything.

 

No offence meant.

 

Mark

 

No offence was was intended or recieved.

 

Bulbs definately do make and difference and I have found some 55W laser blue bulbs that are virtually just as good as 100w jobbies. However, even with the upgraded bulbs, the chrome upgrade makes the beam better still.

 

I can understand the question some people had which was "How can chrome below the direction of the bulb, improve the beam?" My honest answer is, I don't know, but at a guess I would say that it is because of the refraction. Light hits the glass, some of it goes in the right direction, some of it is bounced on to the chromed areas which bounce back on to the correct area of glass which then gets beamed to where its meant to go. All I can say is that it works.

 

I suppose the only way to prove it would be to get 2 Z's with the same bulbs and make sure that the beam is the same to start with, upgrade one of them and test them again.

 

Vijay - Your last pictures does not appear.

Cos,

not doubting for a second that there is more "volume" of light, but as i said in my post, it is the focus that concerns me.

 

My lights as standard seem to be better than your originals,(from your film) but I would like a more focussed beam as well as more "volume".

sorted now Cos.

 

Vijay

just a thought, is there enough adjustment in the high beam to point it low enough to use as a driving light?

not sure, i haven't tried it. I wouldn't recommend it though.