Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site houxb.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxj!houxm!ahuta!houxb!hrs
From: hrs@houxb.UUCP (H.SILBIGER)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: What are these new headlights?
Message-ID: <406@houxb.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 21-Jan-85 08:41:07 EST
Article-I.D.: houxb.406
Posted: Mon Jan 21 08:41:07 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 23-Jan-85 07:08:26 EST
References: <469@hlwpc.UUCP>, <844@watdcsu.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 28

The new headlights have the advantage of aerodynamics.
They also give the car designer another variable to
play with.
They are considerably more expensive. If one gets
broken in an accident, you will be out $100+ instead
of $20. This will eat up the gas savings in a hurry.
In addition, the seal between the lens and the reflector
depends on a gasket. If it fail your reflector
will tarnis, reducing light output.
This is very noticeable in Europe, where you often
see cars with dull reflectors.
It is true that US designed sealed beams, even the
halogen ones, give a much poorer light pattern than
modern Euopean headlights, but this is because of
poor design.
I have replaced the headlights in both my cars
with Cibie' BOBI units, one has 7" round and the
other 5x7 rectangular. The BOBI's are sealed beams
with replaceable H4 halogen bulbs. They are bright
and provide a superior pattern with sharp cutoff.
Furthermore, they are less than $40 per pair, and
if a filament burns out you can replace the bulb
for $6.-
I even carry a replacement bulb, although the H4's
will last longer than a standard sealed beam.

Herman Silbiger