H4's V's LED's - Real World Test
- Thread starter DaveyB
- Start date
Was that via their website initially or email?
Seriously though would it be a case of old lights off and a set of led light units in? I've found some for sale and they seem to have all the driver units etc on the back of the light unit. As discussed on another thread the washer facility isn't on all vans with led headlights. Can pauly confirm with the wiring diagrams?
Ah ok cheers will contact them too..
@Chickybumps as far as I am aware, without going into the vehicle schematics and wiring diagram, it should be a mod of loom, or a new sub loom, and new h7 lights that won't cost VW much, as they have them in stock anyway. It isn't as if we are asking for LED retrofitting are we? Oh and a bit of dealer time.
@T6 Dave yeah that's what I was thinking although I remember reading that there might be a function on the MFD. To be honest for me it has to be LED, especially after looking at those pictures. I'd happily pay a bit more and fit them myself if it was a loom change or adaptation. Just how good are those LED lights?? Wow!
Feel like a right idiot for not ticking that option.. and a right mug for driving with candle power. Right off to Facebook we go.......
Feel like a right idiot for not ticking that option.. and a right mug for driving with candle power. Right off to Facebook we go.......
Its way more complicated than that, there are many wiring similarities but also a few major differences, im working through this at the moment
I think getting the headlights changed is feasible but the leveling system is not a DIY job unless you are really committed and no what your doing
I think that this is getting confusing. To be clear..
I would settle for VW to do a free of charge "goodwill" upgrade from h4 to h7, as that would give good lights as far as I can see (sorry for the pun). This would be the easiest option for VW to agree, as is simples.
The LED retrofit, involves special sensors for self levelling of the lights as they are so bright. If the sensors fail, the lights revert to a lowered setting to avoid blinding some poor sod coming the other way. And I can't see them agreeing to this, but would willingly pay the required cost as would have been if I had chosen it at time of order.
Whilst I want better lights, I want it done right, and would like to see the h4 vs h7, vs LED test.
I would settle for VW to do a free of charge "goodwill" upgrade from h4 to h7, as that would give good lights as far as I can see (sorry for the pun). This would be the easiest option for VW to agree, as is simples.
The LED retrofit, involves special sensors for self levelling of the lights as they are so bright. If the sensors fail, the lights revert to a lowered setting to avoid blinding some poor sod coming the other way. And I can't see them agreeing to this, but would willingly pay the required cost as would have been if I had chosen it at time of order.
Whilst I want better lights, I want it done right, and would like to see the h4 vs h7, vs LED test.
I have a sneaking suspicion this was their plan.
There's a MUCH bigger margin on options than base vehicles.
And I still don't think those that have ordered vans with H4s should be in a position where they regret not shelling out an extra £1600+ for lights that actually work.
In my long history of driving and owning all sorts of vehicles, only a 57 plate LR Defender gave me serious concerns about it's headlights (I upgraded them); yet this vehicle has been out less than two years and LOADS are suffering from very poor night illumination. It's just not good enough.
Unfortunately my dealer made no effort to sell me better headlights. In fact I remember him commenting on how expensive the LED lights were. But no mention of how rubbish the standard H4s were going to be.
Additionally, on the Cali Beach the H7s are hidden away in the obviously titled "Exterior Pack" option, and at the time I ordered nobody knew what that option pack contained.
just have to hope for something aftermarket as time goes on.
I agree with you all, however if I may offer some advice since whilst I support all H4 owners and will do anything I can to assist, I have to do so from the sidelines as it does not affect me.
Whilst my photo's prove to us on this forum the significant difference that exists between the headlight units, it is not evidence that can be substantiated as there is no scientific method involved, that can provide for repeatability. Therefore as it stands at the moment if these photos were to be shown to VW they would deny what they were seeing, claiming that the camera settings were altered between vehicles. I give evidence regularly in court and run prosecutions, so whilst we are not talking about court action, the principal of evidence that stands up to challenge is likely to be the only way that you can get VW to pay attention.
I would therefore suggest a more scientific approach along the lines of what @t6Dave suggests is a good starting point I.e. Using light meters at a measurable/ repeatable distance that can be evidenced, as well as a camera where the settings are proven e.g by videoing the whole test where the camera settings can be shown to the recorder.
Detailed contemporaneous notes of the entire process will also help.
The one thing that I would also recommend to aid a more scientific approach would be to have the camera on a tripod, in the same position in front of the vehicles - and don't do it on an evening when any sane person would be indoors! Anyone got access to a large unit or aircraft hanger?
Whilst my photo's prove to us on this forum the significant difference that exists between the headlight units, it is not evidence that can be substantiated as there is no scientific method involved, that can provide for repeatability. Therefore as it stands at the moment if these photos were to be shown to VW they would deny what they were seeing, claiming that the camera settings were altered between vehicles. I give evidence regularly in court and run prosecutions, so whilst we are not talking about court action, the principal of evidence that stands up to challenge is likely to be the only way that you can get VW to pay attention.
I would therefore suggest a more scientific approach along the lines of what @t6Dave suggests is a good starting point I.e. Using light meters at a measurable/ repeatable distance that can be evidenced, as well as a camera where the settings are proven e.g by videoing the whole test where the camera settings can be shown to the recorder.
Detailed contemporaneous notes of the entire process will also help.
The one thing that I would also recommend to aid a more scientific approach would be to have the camera on a tripod, in the same position in front of the vehicles - and don't do it on an evening when any sane person would be indoors! Anyone got access to a large unit or aircraft hanger?
@DaveyB , thank you for your insight and suggestions, I agree with everything you have said. I would also note that the dslr camera records data about the lens setting etc on the file, also do not refocus the camera, set it to manual setting and exposure with lens set to infinity. The light meter that I'm thinking of costs £600, and gives the light measurements in various known and recognised formats and values
You also have to be very careful when it comes to digital media evidence, in that the card has to be downloaded to disk in a standalone specialist device, and not placed in a computer, with master copies of the disk kept. The computer places a digital fingerprint on the files, which any defence would suggest that the files could then have been doctored using software (we've all seen those internet pictures of 12 foot long pike that anglers have caught).
Yep, @DaveyB , you also need to keep the original card as it was, but this side of the evidence is only if going to court. So good practice would be to take pictures etc on first card. Insert new card and repeat test. This shows the results are repeatable, and gives you the second card to download images to computer etc, write lock via tab the first card and file for the shitstorm.
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