Headlamps..again

[Dr Fingers]

Well, done a lot of searching around here but still not come up with the answer to the DREADFUL headlamps.

Have tried this polishing kit with it's wet/dry and various compounds

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/39008-HEADLIG ... 7675.l2557

...and that has helped, a bit. Also fitted Night Eater bulbs, and they help, but I'm still struggling to see where I'm going in these dark and wet nights. Have had to resort to leaving front fogs on.

Not so bad on full beam, but dipped are atrocious and virtually disappear when oncoming traffic shows up.

I see new lights are listed in the club store (£211 each ) which really isn't an option.

I did see a thread somewhere about fitting Vauxhall Astra lights, but can't find it anymore.

Does anyone know if they are a viable alternative for my '95 AFT: or have any other suggestions? Apologies for raising what seems to be an old chestnut, but I really can't live with mine as they are.

Derek

[the laird]

I had similar trouble used xeron from amazon with some elbow grease it made a vast improvement.also upgraded power of bulbs
Hope this helps

[weebrian]

Take a look here :- viewtopic.php?f=44&t=52598&hilit=Astra+lights&start=0

[mikeonb4c]

I resorted to re-fitting the FDB that came with mine and mounting 100w spotlights on it that work with main beam. Very effective and i can cope with headlights only when dipped, as i don't have to flick an extra switch, just flick on main beam. My spots are set to minimise dazzle.

[Simon Jones]

I've got the later style with clear polycarbonate lenses which look pants when they go cloudy. 10 minutes with some rubbing compound on a buffing wheel made a huge difference.

Before:


After:

[Dr Fingers]

I resorted to re-fitting the FDB that came with mine and mounting 100w spotlights on it that work with main beam. Very effective and i can cope with headlights only when dipped, as i don't have to flick an extra switch, just flick on main beam. My spots are set to minimise dazzle.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is 'FDB'?

Was trying to figure out if it's possible/legal to mount extra lights that are dimmable with the mains?

Derek

[Dr Fingers]

Take a look here :- viewtopic.php?f=44&t=52598&hilit=Astra+lights&start=0

Link not working?

Thanks

Derek

[Simon Jones]

Fender Defender Bars AKA bull bars

[francophile1947]

Have had to resort to leaving front fogs on.

Just remember that you could get your collar felt for using foglights when visibility is not restricted by fog etc - cost me £30, but that was a few years ago.

[Bogmonster40]

Have had to resort to leaving front fogs on.

Just remember that you could get your collar felt for using foglights when visibility is not restricted by fog etc - cost me £30, but that was a few years ago.

Are you serious ???? Mine are never off ! I had no idea this was an offence.

[Simon Jones]

Fog lights used in clear visibility is illegal and also a pet hate of mine.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-adverse-weat ... 234-to-236

A quote from this website...

http://www.smartdriving.co.uk/Driving/D ... og/Fog.htm

"Craze or just crazy? There seems to be a 'craze' amongst some drivers to use front
fog lights as driving lights when visibility is good. By doing this, you run the risk of dazzling other drivers who may the smash blindly into your car... Using front fog lights in clear weather is an offence but the rules are rarely enforced."

[helen&tony]

Hi
I have Astra lights...not easy to fit, but the ones I have are quad lamps...2 bulbs for each lamp and dip stays on...BUT...should you want to fit spotlights, I reckon you could try a set of dippable spotlights from these people:
http://www.outbackautomotive.co.uk/p0/k ... 223458.htm
I have a set of KC daylighters from them...EXCELLENT on dark unlit roads with no markings!
Cheers
Helen

[Dr Fingers]

[quote="Simon Jones"]Fog lights used in clear visibility is illegal and also a pet hate of mine.

I understand that, and I don't use them in 'clear visibility', but actually so far the bongos fogs don't seem to be worrying oncomers, I haven't had a single flash of annoyance as yet. Obviously this is not ideal, that's why I'm looking for a solution, but I'm struggling to see where I'm going on a dark wet night with a lot of oncoming traffic, and that surely is more dangerous.

Sounds like additional dippable spots, properly set up, might be the answer..

thanks for Helen's link, will investigate.

Derek

[Dr Fingers]

http://xenonhid4u.co.uk/xenon-hid-light ... -kits.html

Anyone tried these?

Derek

[dave_aber]

Aye. The short answer is that they do work (surprisingly), but are not as much of an improvement as you might be looking for.

And, technically, they are illegal without headlamp self-levelling and washers. You may well get pulled over for using them, probably not as likely as if you fit them to a corsa or similar boy-racer machinery.