OMG HEADLIGHTS CR@PPY

[seboni121]

I know this has been done to death but, i swapped the OEM bulbs for H7 ultra xenon filled bulbs because OEM'S are crap, however went out last night on an unlit road for about 7 miles and seriously these headlights are dangerous, I dont know what to do now the lights are so poor any really good bulbs out there ?, what have other members done? I am totally shocked how bad these projector lights are my fabia pre facelift with 1 nightbreaker is better than this thing, which has 4 H7 bulbs in this headlight design must be flawed badly , so in short what should i change too aftermarket HIDS or which H7 will make a real difference ? , the main beam seems ok but when in dip cannot see a thing as we are very rural so no street lights so need good lights, I know the dipping system has a lot to do with the poor lights but surely this is dangerous, they should be recalled or something

[Confide]

Usually the "xenon"-filled are as crappy as the oem-ones... Osram Nightbreakers is what I'm gonna go with when I throw out the xenon I got in now .

[seboni121]

Usually the "xenon"-filled are as crappy as the oem-ones... Osram Nightbreakers is what I'm gonna go with when I throw out the xenon I got in now .

thanx confide, xenon look good but just as crappy as OEM'S as i said ive got nightbreakers in the other fabia but i think the dipping mechanism is the issue

[The PM]

This comment isn't meant sarcastically but as a constructive comment, as I've had three new cars over the past few years and found the lights to be perfectly ok, are you sure its not your vision? They should only light up a set distance in front when on dipped beam, which if they are set right should be plenty, I see lots of people with fogs on as well, all that does is light up the road directly in front of the car making it more difficult for them to see stuff further away, a complete waste of time... The other thing is to drive at a speed which suits the conditions, if you try to drive too fast on dipped beam then it will seem as if they aren't good enough 'cause you are trying to see further than the beam will allow you! By all means get those bulbs mentioned in that other thread, but maybe have your eyes checked out as well?

[raisbeck]

I know this has been done to death but, i swapped the OEM bulbs for H7 ultra xenon filled bulbs because OEM'S are crap, however went out last night on an unlit road for about 7 miles and seriously these headlights are dangerous, I dont know what to do now the lights are so poor any really good bulbs out there ?, what have other members done? I am totally shocked how bad these projector lights are my fabia pre facelift with 1 nightbreaker is better than this thing, which has 4 H7 bulbs in this headlight design must be flawed badly , so in short what should i change too aftermarket HIDS or which H7 will make a real difference ? , the main beam seems ok but when in dip cannot see a thing as we are very rural so no street lights so need good lights, I know the dipping system has a lot to do with the poor lights but surely this is dangerous, they should be recalled or something

Your not imagining things or at fault. The projector lights are rubbish. You can get adequate lighting by using Phillips Xtreme bulbs. Around 20 quid online if you hunt about.These bulbs help but the lights are still dire compared to normal relector type lights same as I had in my Mk1. Even the Citroen courtesy car I had recently was miles better with the lights.

Since my car had front end damage (long story very large deer unlit country lane)its got new headlight clusters. They aligned them for dip as high as allowable and it makes a difference with a longer reaching beam.

Our old Mk1 1 1.4 MPI Fabia has lights that are far superior. These projector lights in the Fabia are a big step backwards.

I like the Fabia, I really do and it has lots of really good features but the headlights...........oh dear

Edit: I also tried the Osram Nightbreakers before the xtreme. They are better than standard but the xtreme gave a very marked improvement even taking Placebo effect in to account

Edited 30 October, 2011 by raisbeck

[Matt-VRS]

I'm in exactly the same position as you. My Monte Carlo has single H7 projector lights so uses the main headlight for both high and low beam. They are pretty awful, barring an Avensis they are pretty much the worst I've used. As the MOT laws on retrofit HID kits are changing next year it seems the only real option is higher output bulbs. Everyone is recommending the Phillips so that's the way I'm investigating at the moment.

Personally I don't see why all manufacturers don't offer HID's as an affordable option. On a Polo I spec'd up they came in as a £750 option, that is just stupid!

[nockmeister]

Whilst driving through some country lanes the other night, I thought I'd moved the headlight level to it's lowest whilst cleaning...was shocked when I found it was in the max. These lights have the shortest throw of any lights i have ever driven with!

Personally I don't see why all manufacturers don't offer HID's as an affordable option. On a Polo I spec'd up they came in as a £750 option, that is just stupid!

Gawd know why Xenons aren't an option?? I assume its because they are projector lenses??

[P1TT8ULL]

Xenons are perfect with projector lights. They offer them in the cupras and bocanegras so not like the group ain't got the tech. I would say its more to do with trying to keep skoda the 'budget ' brand of the group.

[MartynVRS]

Yeah the lights don't seem deep enough if that makes sense but I've driven with a lot worse in the past

[Matt-VRS]

Whilst driving through some country lanes the other night, I thought I'd moved the headlight level to it's lowest whilst cleaning...was shocked when I found it was in the max. These lights have the shortest throw of any lights i have ever driven with!

Gawd know why Xenons aren't an option?? I assume its because they are projector lenses??

The Monte Carlo's are fitted with projector lights as standard. I've been warned off retro fitting HiD's to them though as they are not self levelling. I have been told they also carry the risk of electrocution in the event of an accident as they run at 23,000 volts.

It's a tough decision, stick with standard and risk and accident. Go with an upgrade bulb but still lack something, fit HIDs and risk a boll@cking from the police or possibly worse.

Edited 30 October, 2011 by Matt-VRS

[seboni121]

This comment isn't meant sarcastically but as a constructive comment, as I've had three new cars over the past few years and found the lights to be perfectly ok, are you sure its not your vision? They should only light up a set distance in front when on dipped beam, which if they are set right should be plenty, I see lots of people with fogs on as well, all that does is light up the road directly in front of the car making it more difficult for them to see stuff further away, a complete waste of time... The other thing is to drive at a speed which suits the conditions, if you try to drive too fast on dipped beam then it will seem as if they aren't good enough 'cause you are trying to see further than the beam will allow you! By all means get those bulbs mentioned in that other thread, but maybe have your eyes checked out as well?

PM, I do wear goggles but only for reading, however you can see how many people having problem!, so will probably go with the phillips extreme or similar,

[BossFox]

Headlights seem fine to me... :wonder:

Maybe it's because the Fabia II is for pottering about.

[Fatbloke]

It may be worth getting the headlamp aim checked once you have decent bulbs in. I adjusted mine up when I bought the car because they were both too low and uneven. If you are concerned about doing this get an MOT station to do it and adjust it up to the optimum.

[seboni121]

It may be worth getting the headlamp aim checked once you have decent bulbs in. I adjusted mine up when I bought the car because they were both too low and uneven. If you are concerned about doing this get an MOT station to do it and adjust it up to the optimum.

is this easy to do, i will get the phillips extreme or osram night breakers, will the garage do the re-adjustement or can i do it myself

[The PM]

however you can see how many people having problem!,

Not many as a percentage of the cars sold... But as long as you have them correctly adjusted and you don't dazzle me then I'm fine with you propping up the after market car accessory business!

[the mad monk]

i think the lights are better than the mk1 but then again i always had one bulb out so i guess it would be you needed the hands of a midget to change them

Edited 30 October, 2011 by the mad monk

[daydotz]

i had a new polo bluemotions the headlights in that are useless

[seboni121]

Not many as a percentage of the cars sold... But as long as you have them correctly adjusted and you don't dazzle me then I'm fine with you propping up the after market car accessory business!

I may not need to do anything with the lights, may be jumping to volvo or opting for the L&K Octavia soon

[Auric Goldfinger]

The wife's Vrs (mkII) has wonderful lights but there not the projector ones, Dipped beam with a separate Main Beam.

I don't like the Black Pack either, I would have thought that the Chrome Inserts will give a better reflected light than the Black inserts

Just my Thoughts,

[Matt-VRS]

The wife's Vrs (mkII) has wonderful lights but there not the projector ones, Dipped beam with a separate Main Beam.

I don't like the Black Pack either, I would have thought that the Chrome Inserts will give a better reflected light than the Black inserts

Just my Thoughts,

Black light inserts have nothing to do with the reflectors. The only part of the black light that has an exposed bulb in is the 501 sidelights and these are purely sidelights so no useable light output. The only driving light omitted on the black lights is from the projectors to keep the appearance as dark as possible. Both high and low beams are taken care of by the single projector light. The rest of the light is purely to make it look cool

[delta925]

I agree the dipped beam is poor.

My previous Audi A4 had projectors too. Until I joined this site I had not read around the subject but I always thought dipped beam was significantly worse than the Rover 400 I had before.

I have just put Night Breaker Plus in my dipped beam projectors. The lit area is significantly better but emphasises the sharp cut-off and that the nearside beam does not reach much further than the offside. I always thought the nearside dipped beam should reach significantly further.

Hence this

It may be worth getting the headlamp aim checked once you have decent bulbs in. I adjusted mine up when I bought the car because they were both too low and uneven. If you are concerned about doing this get an MOT station to do it and adjust it up to the optimum.

sounds worth doing.

At least the Elegance has the 4 bulb set up.

I feel for those with the projector only setup cutting off part of the beam for dipped

as discussed on this thread

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/216531-headlight-advice-info-please/page__view__findpost__p__2550555__hl__solenoid__fromsearch__1

[Leon-y-k]

I always did wonder how the full beam managed to get brighter so quickly from normall brightness....however how reliable are these units after many years of use?!

[seboni121]

So what we need is a definate answer! in our opinion which LEGAL H7 are the best on the market, because I for one dont want to be shelling out again for bulbs,we know the OEM are cr@p and the xenon filled one's are just as bad, so could this be a pole? I need to know as do all of us which ones are best, I will pop to the dealers to vent my dissapointment of the lights and they may be able to set the dip higher? so can we please make a plea to all the people who have changed there oem for aftermarket bulbs and there marks out of 10, let the fight begin

[Leon-y-k]

I've just been looking at bulbs too, I'd also like to know whats the best H7 bulb you can get without doing a conversion.

[seboni121]

I've just been looking at bulbs too, I'd also like to know whats the best H7 bulb you can get without doing a conversion.

looks like either nightbreakers or philips extreme ? but really I dont have a clue, ive allready forked out about £120 on both furbys lights between the LEDS and headlights