Now that the latest software updates have fixed many of the more serious problems with my car (ACC etc), I'm now more aware that the matrix headlights still don't work as I thought they were supposed to.

 

I've discussed this before with my dealer, who told me that in his personal experience of Skoda and a couple of other manufacturers' cars with this feature, they don't respond fast enough to be satisfactory on single-carriageway roads.  This confirms my experience in the 18 months I've owned the car that they work well on motorways etc. but on single-carriageway roads I find I'm being flashed frequently if I rely on them, so now always manually switch main-beam off when I see an approaching vehicle (just like I have on all other cars I've ever driven).

 

I'm left wondering if they really are working as designed or not.  There's a youtube video on the Skoda UK site showing them in use on a single-carriageway road,  so clearly Skoda's marketing department think they are intended for such roads.  However, if you watch the video closely (perhaps at reduced speed) from 0:24 to 0:26, you see that it takes a couple of seconds before the headlights adjust the beam for the oncoming car, during which time that driver would be dazzled.  

 

I think the problem illustrated by this video is that they (a) don't anticipate the other car coming round the bend the way we would (because we'd see its lights before the car itself appeared) and (b) even when the car is in full view it take a second or two to respond.

 

I suppose my questions is, am I expecting too much of this feature or should I continue to press Skoda Customer Relations over the fact that it doesn't work as advertised?

 

This is the video:  

 

So, speaking from a Mk3 POV (I know this is Mk4 territory) I find the exact same and as such, never use the auto high beam feature. As you describe, the system doesn’t detect what we as humans would (light about to come over the crest of a hill, or round a corner) which results in it waiting until the car is in full view. By which point, it’s too late.  My suspicion is that it’s a limitation of the technology. The camera needs a higher level of confirmation to prevent a load of false positives. But I’m no engineer, so maybe that’s total crap. 

I wouldn't say it's "just Skoda" but all makers who use "auto dipping" (too late for considerate driving) headlights.

@alancha did you check senzor sensitivity in serttings? There are 3 option I think. I have it on the one most sensitive setting and never been flashed by oposite car even in road like on video... Its working really well in my car

19 minutes ago, JirikH said:

@alancha did you check senzor sensitivity in serttings? There are 3 option I think. I have it on the one most sensitive setting and never been flashed by oposite car even in road like on video... Its working really well in my car

As it happens, a few days ago I did look at the settings and changed this one to the most sensitive setting, even though I wasn't completely sure what effect it would have.  As it's summer, I haven't driven in the dark again since, so I'll try it again next time I do.

5 hours ago, JirikH said:

@alancha did you check senzor sensitivity in serttings? There are 3 option I think. I have it on the one most sensitive setting and never been flashed by oposite car even in road like on video... Its working really well in my car

I also changed mine to the most sensitive ages ago and no longer get flashed.

It could happend, when you are on really long straight road, that car in opposite way could be dazzled, because long distance for camera, but its not fault of the system. There are some special conditions, where "human" works better than car, especially on this long straghts or for example you see that car is comming from the turn (you see the light of headlights) so you would turn of the lights sooner, but car itself needs some miliseconds to react when opposite car is visible for the camera.

Sensitivity setting is for light sensor, where matrix LED uses camera to detect cars. This setting should not affect matrix in any way.

I think problem with matrix LED (not only in Skoda) is the fact, that... other drivers are not used to them. What i mean, is that when passing a car with matrix, you can clearly see it's using long beam BUT you're not really dazzled. Many drivers are flashing, even though they are not dazzled.

So yes, matrix works as expected and is not dazzling, but you're being flashed by "overly sensitive" drivers, that are over-reacting.

Only situations where matrix do not work as expected are related to trucks. On some dual carriage roads, the barrier can block visibility of truck's lights to the camera, but it's driver is dazzled. On those roads system should not switch on high beam on the left (or right in UK) side to avoid this, but this is based on the sat-nav a believe, and not all roads seems to be marked correctly. Also when coming to a hill top, truck driver will be dazzled.

I was analyzing recordings from the dash cam, where i've been flashed, and i could clearly see, that matrix worked as expected, it was just other driver that was over-reacting.

17 minutes ago, JirikH said:

It could happend, when you are on really long straight road, that car in opposite way could be dazzled, because long distance for camera, but its not fault of the system.

Actually if it's a long distance, it's not really dazzling. But again - other driver can see you're on high beams, so can flash you. But he is not really dazzled yet.

1 hour ago, Felix2021 said:

Sensitivity setting is for light sensor, where matrix LED uses camera to detect cars. This setting should not affect matrix in any way.

OK - so that's what I wondered, although I don't think the manual makes it clear what's sensitivity is affected by this setting.  Having changed the setting I'll see if it makes any difference although it may be a week or two before I get a good chance to try it properly.

 

1 hour ago, Felix2021 said:

Actually if it's a long distance, it's not really dazzling. But again - other driver can see you're on high beams, so can flash you. But he is not really dazzled yet.

I wish I could be sure of that!

I paid a good amount of extra money for the matrix lights and used them yesterday for the first time. 3 out of 4 drivers flashed at me multiple times...

11 hours ago, alancha said:

OK - so that's what I wondered, although I don't think the manual makes it clear what's sensitivity is affected by this setting.

It's altering light sensor sensitivity, so basically when car will switch from daytime running lights to dipped beam.

11 hours ago, alancha said:

I wish I could be sure of that!

I am sure of that. Been driving since 1998. Many times i have seen cars hundreds of meters away from me with their main beam on, and i was not dazzled until they came much closer (if they forgot to switch to dipped beam). It's the same with matrix.

13 hours ago, Felix2021 said:

I think problem with matrix LED (not only in Skoda) is the fact, that... other drivers are not used to them. What i mean, is that when passing a car with matrix, you can clearly see it's using long beam BUT you're not really dazzled. Many drivers are flashing, even though they are not dazzled.

So yes, matrix works as expected and is not dazzling, but you're being flashed by "overly sensitive" drivers, that are over-reacting.

That is complete and utter rubbish, as someone who is currently driving very long distances at night (20 hours door to door yesterday) I am constantly being dazzled by these matrix headlights and the inconsiderate drivers abdicating their responsabilities to them who no doubt also label me as overly sensitive.

 

The situation has gotten far far worse in the recent years probably due to so many new cars being bought during lockdown, autoroutes are by far the worse as the barrier prevents the sensors reacting to the headlights of oncoming vehicles. I have also had the experience of a vehicle behind me travelling at the same speed constantly putting up its full beam as soon as the distance between us increased beyond say 75m, its sensors were no longer picking up my tail lights but the lights dipped instantly every time I flashed my rear fog lights, I mistakenly thought it was the driver (early part of lockdown and I did not know what auto-lights were) so eventually I slowed to let him past & then drove behind him on full beam for 10 minutes.

 

If people are constantly being flashed then they must know they are causing discomfort and danger to oncoming drivers, if carry on regardless blaming the other drivers for being oversensitive then they are better words than inconsiderate to describe them.

 

When I am towing with considerable noseweight and/or with a loaded vehicle as last night I sometimes forget to use the headlight height adjust control, it only takes one flash from an oncoming vehicle for me to immediately remedy the situation and feel remorse, never blaming it on oversensitivity of the other drivers.

7 minutes ago, J.R. said:

autoroutes are by far the worse as the barrier prevents the sensors reacting to the headlights of oncoming vehicles

That's true.

But looking at rest of your post and way how you reacted, sorry to say, but you are oversensitive.

Also driving at night, there's quite a lot of cars with matrix LED also were i live and yes, i can see some people are using matrix's, but no, i'm not dazzled. There's a thin line between noticing matrix high beam, and being dazzled.

If what you say would be truth, matrix LED would never be allowed to be used on public roads, at least in EU. But they are.

Thankyou for your observations on my sensitivity, I'm sorry that I am unable to reciprocate.

 

Have you ever considered that by the age of 65 95% of people will have developed eye cataracts, or are they just being oversensitive?

 

If the sensors fail to react to the headlights of oncoming vehicles then the matrix headlights will remain on full beam pattern which is even more blinding than traditional halogen headlights, same deal if a driver forgets to dip his headlights which is something that we have all no doubt done at one time or another, we don't blame the other driver for being oversensitive

Edited 2 September, 20223 yr by J.R.

14 hours ago, Felix2021 said:

I was analyzing recordings from the dash cam, where i've been flashed, and i could clearly see, that matrix worked as expected, it was just other driver that was over-reacting.

 

How can you possibly know that the other drivers were over-reacting and that their vision and safety was not being impaired?

 

People don't flash their headlights for no reason.

 

Leaving your headlights on auto despite being flashed and then reviewing your dashcam footage for validation leaves me speechless, which is probably just as well.

57 minutes ago, J.R. said:

Thankyou for your observations on my sensitivity

Welcome...

58 minutes ago, J.R. said:

If the sensors fail to react to the headlights of oncoming vehicles then the matrix headlights will remain on full beam pattern which is even more blinding than traditional halogen headlights

Agree with that. Discussion here is about whether sensors fail to react, or not. From my observations they are not.

59 minutes ago, J.R. said:

same deal if a driver forgets to dip his headlights which is something that we have all no doubt done at one time or another, we don't blame the other driver for being oversensitive

Of course you're right. But again - from my observations sensor are not "forgetting" to react. They are reacting. It's just that perception of they matrix lights can be different, as they are brighter, but are not really dazzling.

44 minutes ago, J.R. said:

How can you possibly know that the other drivers were over-reacting and that their vision and safety was not being impaired?

Just judging by my own experience. And some other people.

44 minutes ago, J.R. said:

People don't flash their headlights for no reason.

Correct. Question is, if reason is really valid?

45 minutes ago, J.R. said:

Leaving your headlights on auto despite being flashed and then reviewing your dashcam footage for validation leaves me speechless, which is probably just as well.

And where did i say that? That was my first drive with matrix, and after each flash i was changing manually to dipped beam. It was only at home, when i started to review the recordings and found out, that they were flashing me for no reason.

There is a degree of perception, many oncoming headlights that I would previously have thought had been left on full beam, whilst still at a distance and before they get close enough to become a problem with dazzle, turn out to be matrix headlights which have adapted but from being on the recieving end, in my view not enough, these don't get a flash from me. Driving some distance behind a matrix light equipped vehicle especially on a slow RH curve on an autoroute I can see the beam pattern adapting in response to oncoming vehicles.

 

Night time driving is far more fatiguing now than it was a couple of years ago, I recognise from being a passenger that the view for the driver is much better with LED Matrix lights and hence less fatigue but others pay the price.

 

You cannot know that the oncoming drivers on your recordings were flashing at you for no reason as you were not in their vehicles, you know that your system was adapting the beam pattern, I suspect not enough as I find is the case with very many oncoming vehicles I encounter, i don't think adjusting the sensitivity will change that.

Edited 2 September, 20223 yr by J.R.

7 hours ago, Felix2021 said:

found out, that I believed that they were flashing me for no reason.

Correction inline, bold.

9 hours ago, Felix2021 said:

But looking at rest of your post and way how you reacted, sorry to say, but you are oversensitive.

 

Sorry but this is rubbish. Even if your mirrors are active someone driving behind you on full beam will make your head hurt in less than 15 seconds. Its massively disturbing and I have also done the same - letting them go and putting full beam behind. Its a lesson. Roads are public, we (most) all pay taxes, no reason to be a**holes.

11 hours ago, J.R. said:

Have you ever considered that by the age of 65 95% of people will have developed eye cataracts

This is an important factor that nobody has yet commented on.

 

According to 1 ophthalmologist I have the very beginning signs of a cataract in one eye, and it's been very clear that I notice oncoming headlights slightly more than I used to even when properly dipped.

 

So it's entirely possible that even with Matrix headlights working properly an oncoming driver will perceive them as glaring.

Edited 3 September, 20223 yr by PetrolDave

11 hours ago, J.R. said:

There is a degree of perception, many oncoming headlights that I would previously have thought had been left on full beam, whilst still at a distance and before they get close enough to become a problem with dazzle, turn out to be matrix headlights which have adapted but from being on the recieving end, in my view not enough, these don't get a flash from me.

And that's what i'm talking about

11 hours ago, J.R. said:

You cannot know that the oncoming drivers on your recordings were flashing at you for no reason as you were not in their vehicles, you know that your system was adapting the beam pattern, I suspect not enough

Not really. I can clearly see the "pocket" created by matrix for those cars, and they are well within this "pocket" all the time.

That could be a problem in more premium cars, which have higher resolution of LED matrix, if the are even slightly mis-calibrated. But in O4 resolution is quite low, so the "pocket" is always big enough.

4 hours ago, KenONeill said:

Correction inline, bold.

Read above...

3 hours ago, MP1983 said:

Sorry but this is rubbish.

That's what you think...

3 hours ago, MP1983 said:

Even if your mirrors are active someone driving behind you on full beam will make your head hurt in less than 15 seconds.

I think you're not aware on how matrix works...

3 hours ago, MP1983 said:

Its massively disturbing and I have also done the same - letting them go and putting full beam behind. Its a lesson. Roads are public, we (most) all pay taxes, no reason to be a**holes.

And don't you think, that what you've done made you the same a**hole? More often than not, those guys behind you are on full beam by a mistake, whilst you are doing that on purpose. And you are not the one to teach them a lesson, it's job for police.

2 hours ago, PetrolDave said:

So it's entirely possible that even with Matrix headlights working properly an oncoming driver will perceive them as glaring.

Well, that's true. Question is, if we should stop developing new technologies? If someone is wearing glasses, that person has to wear glasses in the car, that's the law.

I'm not a doctor, but maybe there should be similar regulations for people with cataracts? It can be cured.

@Felix2021 Blocked for @$$hatted arrogance.

3 hours ago, Felix2021 said:

I'm not a doctor, but maybe there should be similar regulations for people with cataracts? It can be cured.

Someone should tell the NHS that, two examples in my own family:

 

- my older brother has cataracts in both eyes but the NHS refuse to operate to cure them as "they're not bad enough".

 

- my uncle had one cataract operation done in March 2022 and was told to expect the other eye to be done "within 3 months". It's now 6 months later and there's no sign of his local hospital calling him in for the other cataract operation.

9 hours ago, KenONeill said:

Blocked for @$$hatted arrogance.

🤣