I have been doing some night driving in my new MCSc and have found the visibility on twisty roads to be a major problem at higher speeds. I do not have xenons or driving lights. On straight roads I find the high beams on the standard lights to work wonderful with lots of well lit road way off into the distance. However, when the road becomes twisty, I can only see what is directly in front of the car. There is not enough light emitted out sideways to see far enough through the turn.

I searched the forums for info on driving lights and could only find posts on whether or not they looked good or the factory vs. aftermarket dilema, etc., but not anything on actual performance of the lights.

I would imagine that if I installed driving lights they could be turned slightly outwards to give a wider field of vision. Can anyone give me advice on this? Are driving lights the answer to my problem?

Thanks,
Kris

 

Umm, drive the twisties during the day...

Okay seriously though, I have the Alta Rally Style Light bar, http://www.altaminiperformance.com/p...r/lightbar.htm

The IPF lights have kinda a dual-lens design. They call it a fog/driving lamp. The lens has a square section inside that has vertical lines, to diffuse the beam like a fog lamp, but the remaining outer circle is a smooth parabola, meant to send out a long high-beam pattern. It gives you both fog and highbeam light. The picture below shows this a little bit, sorry not a head-on shot...

The beam is both spread out, and at the same time, very focused, the best of both worlds. Bear in mind, I only have 2 of the 4 lights that normally come with the Alta kit, because of New York State's front license plate requirement... Imagine if I had all four hooked up! My night vision is spectacular. I spotted 4 deer this winter much sooner than I could've before, of that I have no doubt.

 

When I had my last convertible, twenty-five years ago, my favorite time to drive it was on warm summer nights under the stars and moon. Now, with my new one, I am reliving those experiences though it has not exactly been warm yet. Sure do like those heated seats.

I did not realize there was difference in beam spread between the driving lights and the fog lamps. This makes sense though. Therefore, I guess my original idea of just turning the driving lights out a bit would not really do what I need.

I like the idea of the IPF lights but prefer the look of the driving lamps mounted above the bumper. Does anyone know if the PIAA kit has a wide spread like a fog lamp or is it more of a high beam pattern?

 

i just keep my front plate under my passenger seat. if a cop pulls me over, "it just fell off"

 

Bump.

Let me simplify this. Has anyone noticed a wider spread of light after adding PIAA or similar driving lights?

I do not need more light straight out in front. The high beams are adequate for that. I just want to be able to see farther through the turns which requires more light to the sides.

Kris

 

when I first got my Mini I have four driving lights on the front...


SEE!!! and I could drive down some VERY VERY dangerously twisty roads at night as fast as the day...cause it was that bright....these were only 55 w..so with a set of piaas with 85 w super whites you'd prolly do well....

 

Cafe--as you look for lights look for a "fog" pattern it will diffuse light to the sides not down the road.
In my old Rally car I ran 2 of Hella's "fog" for general flood lighting and 2 of the "driving" pattern they had a long beam pattern that I used to light waaaaay down the stages.
The key as you already put it is to turn the lights out a touch they will already should have a wide field of scatter due to the fog nature but to aim them for the corners will help looking deeper into the apex.

These are a bit large for the Mini but here is the lights I ran on the Stage car.
http://www.hella.com/produktion/Hell...4000_Metal.jsp

Here is Hella's answer for the Mini, looks to be a bit more pencil than flood.
http://www.hella.com/produktion/Hell...FF200_mini.jsp

This is a great example of the difference in beam focus
http://www.hella.com/produktion/Hell.../Model_450.jsp

 

jonnieoh,
Not to hijak the thread but how much space is there between the lights? I know the Alta site says it'll fit 6" lights but the lights I like to use are 7". I thought about just using 3 w/ one mounted in the center. I just didn't want to spend all that money and be unhappy w/ the results.

 

If you angle your driving lights to see around corners, it is actually better to angle them inwards and have the beams cross in the middle.. . . .

Also, check the height adjustment on your headlamps. Many of them come from the factory aimed too low. . .

 

No, there is little spread of light pattern when adding PIAA driving lights. I do notice a very wide spread on the front fog lights and Zenon lights used together. I have the PIAA 540 kit and it only enhances forward viewing. Unfortunately for you, the Zenon are superb for what you are looking for. As have others suggested, get the alta rally bar and angle the lights outward, or do the same with the PIAA. Mine shine very white and would work well I think.

 

Great, I think I know now what I need to look for.

Does anyone know of a nice fog lamp with a chrome back that could be mounted on the Alta bar?

Kris

Edit: Looking closer at the Hella site it looks like the FF200 Chrome comes in either a fog or driving lamp.

 

The alta light bar is pre-drilled for four of the 6" IPF lights. My lights pretty much butt right up to the sides of the license plate frame.

Now, if you don't need to have the license plate in the front, you could certainly mount 3 of the IPF lights. There's plenty of space to do so, but you'd just have to drill a hole in the very center of the bar that holds the lights... I attached a front view of my car for you... click on the thumbnail to enlarge...


jonnieoh,
Not to hijak the thread but how much space is there between the lights? I know the Alta site says it'll fit 6" lights but the lights I like to use are 7". I thought about just using 3 w/ one mounted in the center. I just didn't want to spend all that money and be unhappy w/ the results.