1388 replies to this topic

[fezzasus]

 

You know, I'm lookin forward to the upgrade as much as everybody else as the standard ones aren't great, but they're a damn sight better than some cars out there, after all, its not like they're the old sealed beam units or something (guess I'm showing my age a little though!)

 

+1 I think the vx headlights are OK. You should all try driving one of the early Mercedes ML's the lights are shockingly awful on those.

 

 

Headlight technology has made massive improvements in the last 20 years, it started with the move away from standardised 7 inch units in the US and has allowed the industry to really develop and diversify now the manufacturers have greater control of the design. The reason I'm developing these headlights is to address the high cost of replacement parts, however the cost of providing significantly better lighting while conducting this exercise is negligible so I would be doing a disservice not to.

[CocoPops]

So Tom, where are we today? Do you have proto units? Do you have moulds? Do you have suppliers? etc etc

[techieboy]

You know, I'm lookin forward to the upgrade as much as everybody else as the standard ones aren't great, but they're a damn sight better than some cars out there, after all, its not like they're the old sealed beam units or something (guess I'm showing my age a little though!)

  +1 I think the vx headlights are OK. You should all try driving one of the early Mercedes ML's the lights are shockingly awful on those.

As long as they've been properly re-aligned after slamming the suspension and adding rake, they're okay. Especially with some better bulbs in. The B6 Audi A4, despite having projector headlights was truly woeful unless you'd ticked the Bi-Xenon option on the order form.

[fezzasus]

So Tom, where are we today? Do you have proto units? Do you have moulds? Do you have suppliers? etc etc

 

Lee, i'm not going to go into much detail until I have confirmed sample parts from the suppliers, as many things and timings can change and I don't want people committing to obtaining replacement parts from me to a fixed time frame just yet.

[fezzasus]

 

 

You know, I'm lookin forward to the upgrade as much as everybody else as the standard ones aren't great, but they're a damn sight better than some cars out there, after all, its not like they're the old sealed beam units or something (guess I'm showing my age a little though!)

  +1 I think the vx headlights are OK. You should all try driving one of the early Mercedes ML's the lights are shockingly awful on those.

 

As long as they've been properly re-aligned after slamming the suspension and adding rake, they're okay. Especially with some better bulbs in. The B6 Audi A4, despite having projector headlights was truly woeful unless you'd ticked the Bi-Xenon option on the order form.

 

 

Frankly I'm surprised anyone orders halogen bulbed cars any more, I can only assume they haven't experienced xenon units for themselves.

[Mangham54]

 

 

You know, I'm lookin forward to the upgrade as much as everybody else as the standard ones aren't great, but they're a damn sight better than some cars out there, after all, its not like they're the old sealed beam units or something (guess I'm showing my age a little though!)

  +1 I think the vx headlights are OK. You should all try driving one of the early Mercedes ML's the lights are shockingly awful on those.

 

As long as they've been properly re-aligned after slamming the suspension and adding rake, they're okay. Especially with some better bulbs in. The B6 Audi A4, despite having projector headlights was truly woeful unless you'd ticked the Bi-Xenon option on the order form.

 

 

Neither the Focus, nor the Up have projector headlights but the difference in quality of beam pattern and stability of light across the 'flood' is remarkably different. But both are a magnitude better than the VX I had.

 

Both have new bulbs, of the same type and make.

[fezzasus]

Projector design makes a significant difference too, which is why the VX beam pattern is still pathetic with HIDs fitted.

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

I like the start up noise of HIDs

[Gilgamesh]

btw, will it be as easy as today to replace the HID bulbs? I mean today if a bulb fails it only takes couple of minutes to replace it (I always keep a few bulbs in the car)

[fezzasus]

btw, will it be as easy as today to replace the HID bulbs? I mean today if a bulb fails it only takes couple of minutes to replace it (I always keep a few bulbs in the car)

 

I've got an '06 105k vectra with original HIDs, so it won't be that frequent. These are D3S bulbs so screw into the back of the projector unit, one quarter turn and the bulb comes out, easier than changing a normal bulb.

[Dunk]

Like most VX owners, I'm really looking forward to these going into production. Love the thoroughness of your work Tom.

[Dunk]

*note to self - if you've nothing to say...

[Chris P Duck]

Any update on this? Seems to have gone quiet unless there's been an update in a different thread I've missed?

[fezzasus]

     Headlight Lens Covers    

 

Lenses are done, focus now moving to the rest of the unit.

[Gilgamesh]

     Headlight Lens Covers    

 

Lenses are done, focus now moving to the rest of the unit.

 

very good about the complete unit  

[Chris P Duck]

Yeah I saw the separate thread re the lenses, but it's the whole unit that interests me! Any idea of a possible timescale? 2015?

[Andy_VX]

Me too, been patiently waiting, I really can't wait! My VX is exactly how I want it apart from my hateful lights!!  

[Acidpopstar]

I may have missed Fezz's ideas around the spec for the lights. Can you shed any light

[fezzasus]

I'm not going to commit to timings at this point. Because these will be injection moulded, I only get one shot at getting it right, and even when the design is right I can't promise the timing won't slip from supply issues or shipping.

 

Simply put, I don't want anyone reliant a timing that I provide.

[TheRealVXed]

No reliance from me, however presumably if you are going to injection mould a choice of colours would be available?

 

or would these follow the standard VX colour schemes?  For example.  I wouldn't want all black...