Elio Headlights

[Ekh]

The news tonight covered an iihs report on the efficiency of headlights in a host of current SUVs. Four were poor but acceptable, five were marginally acceptable, and the rest flunked. Henceforward IIHS will not issue the highest safety rating for cars not rated "acceptable". This would apply to Elio which will be safety tested by IIHS.

In general they felt the makers were treating headlights more as style and brand identifying goodies than for their Illuminating power and safety. The test measured actual light returning to the driver from a distance straight ahead, in gentle left and right turns, and in sharp left and right curves. Glare was also measured -- you flunk if glare is excessive, regardless of amount of light projected and returned.

What do you think Elio should do about this problem? The headlights on the P4 and P5 look as if they might have a hard time throwing a zillion candle power down the highway, let alone good lighting along the side of the road.

What would it take to make Elio headlights truly exceptional?

Here is the iihs report
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/most-small-suv-headlights-rate-poor-in-iihs-evaluations

 

[acamara]

LED Headlights are starting to get approval in the North American Market and have great ratings from what I have been reading so I would like to see the Elio finished product with LED lights around

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

What would it take to make Elio headlights truly exceptional?

Money. Buckets of money.

Most urban and suburban areas are so lit-up now that headlights are almost redundant. I live in the exurbs and every little intersection, bridge, and corner has a streetlight. The one-lane bridge right in front of my house is lit at both ends! Point being, I don't think Elio needs "exceptional" headlights, just "good enough".

I think the only way to make exceptional ones now would be LEDs. They are getting so cheap now that you can stack on all you need for very little money. Their tiny footprint, low power consumption, and low heat generation make them much easier to package. Where the buckets of money still have to go is designing the capsules and lenses to control and project that light. That is a big, big expense.

 

[Ekh]

Money. Buckets of money.

Most urban and suburban areas are so lit-up now that headlights are almost redundant. I live in the exurbs and every little intersection, bridge, and corner has a streetlight. The one-lane bridge right in front of my house is lit at both ends! Point being, I don't think Elio needs "exceptional" headlights, just "good enough".

I think the only way to make exceptional ones now would be LEDs. They are getting so cheap now that you can stack on all you need for very little money. Their tiny footprint, low power consumption, and low heat generation make them much easier to package. Where the buckets of money still have to go is designing the capsules and lenses to control and project that light. That is a big, big expense.

I live on a twisty country road 2 miles from the nearest streetlight. It is hilly, too. In the opposite direction it's about 5 miles to a lighted intersection. Deer abound (as they do in suburbia). I need good headlights.

 

[WilliamH]

Money. Buckets of money.

Most urban and suburban areas are so lit-up now that headlights are almost redundant. I live in the exurbs and every little intersection, bridge, and corner has a streetlight. The one-lane bridge right in front of my house is lit at both ends! Point being, I don't think Elio needs "exceptional" headlights, just "good enough".

I think the only way to make exceptional ones now would be LEDs. They are getting so cheap now that you can stack on all you need for very little money. Their tiny footprint, low power consumption, and low heat generation make them much easier to package. Where the buckets of money still have to go is designing the capsules and lenses to control and project that light. That is a big, big expense.

I'm in such a rural area that there isn't a street light within 10 or 20 miles of my house.
But, on a cool winter night, the stars are like bright crystal lights in a sea of blackness.
Guess I'll have to put some kind of driving lights on my Elio.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

I live on a twisty country road 2 miles from the nearest streetlight. It is hilly, too. In the opposite direction it's about 5 miles to a lighted intersection. Deer abound (as they do in suburbia). I need good headlights.

I'm sure you do. But you are the exception and not the rule now.
Elio has a limited budget and will do the best they can.

One note: If they were LED you wouldn't be able to upgrade them with brighter bulbs. OEM LED headlights are non-serviceable. If they "burn out", you have to replace the whole capsule for a tidy sum.

 

[Ekh]

I'm sure you do. But you are the exception and not the rule now.
Elio has a limited budget and will do the best they can.

One note: If they were LED you wouldn't be able to upgrade them with brighter bulbs. OEM LED headlights are non-serviceable. If they "burn out", you have to replace the whole capsule for a tidy sum.

I'm not sure you're right about the buckets of money. The issue seems to be the design intent. For all those SUVs the design intent was to look sexy. The need is for good illumination. I think Elio runs the risk of falling into the wrong camp on that one.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

Economical, Exceptional, Stylish. Pick two.

 

[Coss]

I use Sylvania Ultra Silver Stars for the highbeam and low beam.
If the high, shuts off the low beam when they're on, I add a relay so all bulb elements light (pretty bright)
But for driving lights I plan on the LED's like these:
LED "Work light" <ha ha> (they can't call them driving lights, little too bright)
little 8 bulb

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EA0ZB7...TF8&colid=1SCNEKMMZFQTE&coliid=I1PU19YP7RW1EU

4x4 spot or flood

https://www.amazon.com/Auxbeam-wate..._SR160,160_&psc=1&refRID=26V2PV327PSTCHEZC0KB

 

[Mel]

I'm sure you do. But you are the exception and not the rule now.
Elio has a limited budget and will do the best they can.

That may be the exception in Marylandistan, but it's pretty common in rural Texas.