Just thought we could tell by the arrangement on the Octavia RS II picture, if it was Bi-Xenons or not.

As far as I know, Bi-Xenons aren't an option on Octavia 2 cars. Only xenon dipped beam and halogen for full beam. I've driven a mate's Superb and the bi-xenons are excellent. I just wish Skoda would introduce them for the Octavia range.

I'd never have a car without Xenons again (had them on the Polo GTi and Fabia vRS so far and I love them).

They are excellent ...... at blinding the oncoming driver .....discuss .........

:agree:

They please those with them, especially if they've had them adjusted for maximum blinding effect, but the rest of us have to drive towards them, and along motorways at night with them following us - had a RangeRover following me the other night with two pairs of the bu99ers on, could hardly see after a few miles (and they reflect in the door mirrors too, before I get told to dip my mirror )

On the other hand, I'd like to see lights that light up the edges of the road better, without being illegal, for those occasions when you're blinded by oncoming headlights on unmarked roads and really need to see the edge of the road to judge the gap for passing.

It would be separate bulbs I'm sure. Need to ask a Superb owner who has bi-xenons.

Superb is bi xenon explanation below:-

There is one Xenon discharge bulb and a shutter assembly on the Superb light unit so light is used for dipped and main with a baffle unit that operates between dip and main, the unit also has a additional normal bulb that comes on with main beam.

All I can say is WOW on dipped and main beam a bright white light with loads of spread on dip and main - dont half miss it on my other cars with std lights.

Whats the 2 different types of Xenons ? Do they always stay on with Full beams ?

Normal Xenons = Xenon main bulb, Main beam - normal H7 bulb

Bi- Xenon (Skoda Superb)+Xenon main bulb+ Xenon main beam

:agree:

They please those with them' date=' especially if they've had them adjusted for maximum blinding effect, but the rest of us have to drive towards them, and along motorways at night with them following us - had a RangeRover following me the other night with two pairs of the bu99ers on, could hardly see after a few miles (and they reflect in the door mirrors too, before I get told to dip my mirror )

On the other hand, I'd like to see lights that light up the edges of the road better, without being illegal, for those occasions when you're blinded by oncoming headlights on unmarked roads and really need to see the edge of the road to judge the gap for passing.[/quote']

I totally agree. No point lighting up the road better for you, when youve blinded the bloke coming the other way, he's still going to hit you. I hate all these bright lights on cars, constantly getting dazzled by them coming the other way or in my wing mirrors.

Also I have standard lights on my fabia and have no problem seeing in the dark with them. £500 for an upgrade you dont need in my opinion.

Bi- Xenon (Skoda Superb)+Xenon main bulb+ Xenon main beam

Just for clarity - I think its what you are saying... the Superb has one Xenon bulb per side it stays on ,on main and dip beam a baffle assembly is used to acheive both main beam as well as dipped beam from the single gas discharge unit - an additional standard bulb is also illuminated on main beam.

They are excellent ...... at blinding the oncoming driver .....discuss .........

Agree -however tend to find more of a problem from interior and door mirror dassle. When driving cars with Xenon I always try to keep more of a distance than with standard lights.

I have never got used to the manual self dipping mirrors seem too dark on dip. However the electrochomatic dipping mirror on the Superb is excellent clear rear undazzed view.

One thing that helps on the Octavia RS with blue tinted side mirrors is that this reduces dazzle - cant understand why these aren't fitted on the Superb - not sure about Fabia?

Agree the blue tinted side mirrors are better, but still not much defence against the Rangie with its lights 4 feet off the floor and two pairs of Xenons :(

Properly adjusted xenons should not blind oncoming traffic. I know the Land Rover lights you are referring to however, and I agree, they are bl*dy annoying.

The lights I find most blinding beyond that Land Rover one are those who have put extra bright bulbs into a car that has not got their lights adjusted properly, read: blatently out, which blinds everyone.

I actually find the Xenons less blinding to 'look against' then badly adjusted headlights on non-Xenons. The thing with Xenons is that they have a very 'hard' cutoff point between super-bright and 'nothing', whereas non-Xenons tend to have a bleed of light beyond that edge, which with extra bright bulbs may blind others on a more regular basis.

Most cars that are too close behind will end up blinding you.

I don't disagree with the point about blinding the person coming towards you totally negating the xenons though, and each to their own

Agree the blue tinted side mirrors are better, but still not much defence against the Rangie with its lights 4 feet off the floor and two pairs of Xenons :(

I know what you mean, I am sure the electrochomatic auto dipping mirror technology would help in side mirrors and may already be used in some up market cars mirrors.

In the case of the landrover I long back to my Rover 100, which has mirrors that will reflect such fine light straight back to the blinding car when adjusted 'properly'

I've never had one of those auto-dippers, out of interest (sorry its a bit OT), how do you find the response time etc on those, would you recommend getting such a thing if it was an option?

The auto-dipping rearview mirror is great and, unlike my previous Laguna, the Octy has a button which allows you to turn the auto-dip or dimming facility off or on!

Still wish my car had xenons tho!

I detest zenons with a passion. They look good, and everyone who has them seems to like them, but just like Nick says, my god they are a pain. Anyone who adjusts them up to the legal max - well done. A round of applause for you - i'm glad YOU can see where you are going.

I've never had one of those auto-dippers' date=' out of interest (sorry its a bit OT), how do you find the response time etc on those, would you recommend getting such a thing if it was an option?[/quote']

Seemless that why in my mind they are so good its unnoticable and visibility of rear traffic etc is maintained without looking dark. Not really bothered now by rear dassle except door mirrors. I would recommend it as an option and it falls in my mind as another great recommended "safety/confort" option such as reversing sensors

Just for clarity - I think its what you are saying... the Superb has one Xenon bulb per side it stays on ,on main and dip beam a baffle assembly is used to acheive both main beam as well as dipped beam from the single gas discharge unit - an additional standard bulb is also illuminated on main beam.

It makes sense that the same lamp is used for low/high beam in the Superb because the foglights are integrated into the main lights. There wouldn't be enough space for 3 separate lamps.

I'm sure xenons are great but i can think of better ways of spending over

I know what you mean, I am sure the electrochomatic auto dipping mirror technology would help in side mirrors and may already be used in some up market cars mirrors.

"Up market cars" ? I had the electrochrome rear view mirror on my Megane and believe me, it's NOT upmarket.

Why are they so expensive anyway. They are just discharge lamps. I can buy a 150w metal halide discharge floodlight for the house for under £70.

You have to up the voltage from 12v as opposed to the 240 you already have at home, though.

In the case of the landrover I long back to my Rover 100' date=' which has mirrors that will reflect such fine light straight back to the blinding car when adjusted 'properly'

I've never had one of those auto-dippers, out of interest (sorry its a bit OT), how do you find the response time etc on those, would you recommend getting such a thing if it was an option?[/quote']

The auto dipping rear view mirror in my Octy is very quick to respond. Wouldn'y be without it now. Unfortunately the wing mirrors don't autodip. In the L&K version the wing mirrors and seat adjust automatically when you unlock the car. in addition the side mirrors autodip and also automatically tilt downwards when you go into reverse to give a better view of the kerb.

Tnx for the feedback on the auto-dippers (let's see if anyone has retro-fitted one to a Fabia next )

Thanks for all the feedback guys, it has made some interesting reading. I have Xenons on my current 406 Coupe which I dont rate at all but after reading some of the reponses it may be that they are not set up properly.

I think I am swaying towards standard with upgraded bulbs, I probably need to find a dealer with a demo car fitted with xenons to really make my mind up.

Why are they so expensive anyway. They are just discharge lamps. I can buy a 150w metal halide discharge floodlight for the house for under

Seemless that why in my mind they are so good its unnoticable and visibility of rear traffic etc is maintained without looking dark. Not really bothered now by rear dassle except door mirrors. I would recommend it as an option and it falls in my mind as another great recommended "safety/confort" option such as reversing sensors

I was trying to describe to someone the other day what the auto-dipping mirror looks like when it's dipped and was struggling to think of an analogy Might just be easier to take them out in the car!!!

I also wish I had the dipping side mirrors too ... I wonder if there's a react-to-light style coating that could be applied to them as a half-way solution? Anyone know? :confused:

Chris