Proof that the high beams are inadequate

KentuckyKen

KentuckyKen

Well-Known Member
I’ve complained here before that the high beams are woefully inadequate and don’t add much more illumination further down the road than the low beams compared to all the cars I’ve owned. I feel like that at higher speeds I’m unsafely over driving them.

Well, I did a little experiment. I left my high beams on and drove for one week at night. This was in full darkness on illuminated and non-illuminated 2 lane, 4 lane (both w/wo center turn lane), and expressway with grassy median.
And guess what, after being approached by over a 100 cars (quit counting then), not a single one flashed me that I had my brights on. Not even one!!!

I rest my case...our high beams leave much to be desired.
Unfortunately, I don’t know any way to imorove them.

(But I still love my Clarity)
On the positive side, both do illuminate quite well to the sides and have the wavelengths that make reflective traffic signs stand out.
 
You left your high beams on on purpose?! Not cool.
If you inform all the car companies and the AAA about your proof I am sure they will start a campaign ASAP.
Do you have a petition yet?


If you think you are over driving them then you probably are, just slow down, problem solved.
 
It sounds like something is off with your lights Ken, I will photo mine if I can. My brights are too high, but the dims are good and don't blind anyone. If you weren't flashed with them on bright, there is definitely something up.

I don't feel I am overdriving the lows at all even at highway speed, however, on my i3 they are very low and feel as though I am overdriving at 45 mph. I need to tweak them up a bit.
 
prestoOne said:
You left your high beams on on purpose?! Not cool.
Click to expand...
Presto, obviously I would have ended the experiment upon the very first flashing to maintain safety. And I tried it out with a neighbor in my subdivision before going out on the road.
What was that saying you have about making assumptions?

Viking79 said:
It sounds like something is off with your lights Ken, I will photo mine if I can. My brights are too high, but the dims are good and don't blind anyone. If you weren't flashed with them on bright, there is definitely something up.
Click to expand...

Viking, thanks for the help. I’ve already had the dealer adjust them, but the highs and lows can’t be adjusted separately. If I could just find another Clarity to try at night side by side I could determine if it’s my high beams or my perception. When I compare it with a 2008 CRV side by side, it’s a dramatic difference though. I look forward to your pictures (if you can) to compare to mine.
 
KentuckyKen said:
Presto, obviously I would have ended the experiment upon the very first flashing to maintain safety. And I tried it out with a neighbor in my subdivision before going out on the road.
What was that saying you have about making assumptions?
Click to expand...
I didn't assume anything. You experimenting on people driving is not cool. Doesn't matter if it is 1 or 100. Not only is it unpleasant you put them at risk.
If you can't tell if your high beams are working have someone that has experience try them out or point them at trees on a farmers field or something.
 
KentuckyKen said:
I’ve complained here before that the high beams are woefully inadequate and don’t add much more illumination further down the road than the low beams compared to all the cars I’ve owned. I feel like that at higher speeds I’m unsafely over driving them.

Well, I did a little experiment. I left my high beams on and drove for one week at night. This was in full darkness on illuminated and non-illuminated 2 lane, 4 lane (both w/wo center turn lane), and expressway with grassy median.
And guess what, after being approached by over a 100 cars (quit counting then), not a single one flashed me that I had my brights on. Not even one!!!

I rest my case...our high beams leave much to be desired.
Unfortunately, I don’t know any way to imorove them.

(But I still love my Clarity)
On the positive side, both do illuminate quite well to the sides and have the wavelengths that make reflective traffic signs stand out.
Click to expand...
I agree KentuckyKen. The high beams are inadequate. They are just barely better than the low beams. I didn't do the same experiment but I've not had anyone flash their lights at me when I've been too slow to reduce to just low beams. My problem is trying to see deer at the side of the road ready to jump in front of my car. Our 2 Prius cars had wonderful high beams. The Clarity just isn't safe for me.
 
Here is a video I created, you can check to see if they are comparable to yours? I find I rarely use the high beams as they seem to only make signs 1/2 mile ahead light up and not much other benefit. The cutoff in the camera is probably more severe than I have with my eyes. Also, the camera mic really liked picking up the road noise with the AGC. I should see if there is a manual volume adjustment on this thing.


Eric
 
Eric, thank you for the “illuminating” video. With no other Clarity near me that’s all I have to go on. Of course the camera is not the same as the good old Mark 1 eyeball, but it looked like the high beams didn’t show up any more of the road past where the low beams did. Did it seem that way to you?

Tonight, I will try both and post video from my Rexing dash cam.
Thanks again.
 
I notice that the high beam does illuminate the road sign at just before the 50sec mark quite a bit, you can see at around 57 sec when he turn off the high beam the sign post almost disappear. This is a very dark road and if the high beam illuminate higher, there is nothing for it to reflect the light back so there seems to be no difference but when the road sign show up, it does show there is a difference between the 2. Am I making any sense?
 
Just to be clear, I find the brights mostly useless. They light up some road signs down the road as iluvscuba points out and they make the area where the dims already light brighter, but they don't light the sides much (they do some, but not as much as some other cars).

However, I find the dims adequate even for rural highways at night.
 
Well it is only a camera but that doesn't look right.
What is the deal with the light being focused on that part of the road? Does nothing there.
Anyone try to have the dealer adjust them or did someone at Honda just think high beam meant higher current?
 
Hmmm.... I find the Brights to be better or the same as my 17 Volt.... and better than my 14 Volt... but not as good as my 2013 Lexus IS 350..... Conclusion... if a deer jumps out in front of you, chances are seeing him jump out at you isn’t going to help.... Around where I live they usually side swipe you in which case having a solar flare would not have helped?. Just my thoughts ....Happy Father’s Day guys!


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
While the LEDs have the wavelengths that make reflective signs “pop” and standout out very well, what Viking and I are observing is that the high beams don’t illuminate the road or cars hardly any further out than the low beams.

Presto, i previously posted that dealer had adjusted mine and I agree with you that the focus point doesn’t help any.
Unfortunately, there is only one adjustment for up/down, so the highs can’t be adjusted separately. No one has found a right/left adjustment which would be useful in correctly and safely adjusting the highs up a little and a little away from the approaching cars as is customary.
So I don’t see a solution for this.

If you really want to see how unhelpful the high beams are just park your Clarity side by side with another car at night on a flat area and alternate the high beams between them. I saw a big difference.
 
51dzf8TWSbL._SL1200_.jpg


$37… Problem solved

https://www.amazon.com/Inch-LED-Light-Bar-Lumens/dp/B00AYZB6Z4
 
KentuckyKen said:
Eric, thank you for the “illuminating” video. With no other Clarity near me that’s all I have to go on. Of course the camera is not the same as the good old Mark 1 eyeball, but it looked like the high beams didn’t show up any more of the road past where the low beams did. Did it seem that way to you?

Tonight, I will try both and post video from my Rexing dash cam.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
I'm in agreement. I'm assuming these aren't just regular h11s or something but haven't verified. Not to take us off track, but back up lights leave something to be desired as well. Going to subscribe to Honda tech info for a day later this week, will take a look at options.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 
prestoOne said:
I didn't assume anything. You experimenting on people driving is not cool. Doesn't matter if it is 1 or 100. Not only is it unpleasant you put them at risk.
If you can't tell if your high beams are working have someone that has experience try them out or point them at trees on a farmers field or something.
Click to expand...

prestoOne ease up. His experiment was not out bounds. Growing up in BFE South Georgia on long, desolate, far off the beaten trail roads, it was customary for folks to leave their “brights” on all the time. The only times it really bothered me was when they where behind me.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
Viking79 said:
Here is a video I created, you can check to see if they are comparable to yours? I find I rarely use the high beams as they seem to only make signs 1/2 mile ahead light up and not much other benefit. The cutoff in the camera is probably more severe than I have with my eyes. Also, the camera mic really liked picking up the road noise with the AGC. I should see if there is a manual volume adjustment on this thing.


Eric
Click to expand...

Good video. Seems like brights need to reach farther. But am I the only person waiting for a deer to dart out in front of you?
 
The camera was over my shoulder, I was watching the road. I purposefully went to an area with fewer deer as well. I have had to brake for deer about 3 times the past week though in other areas ;)
 
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