I imagine that the method of using stick on deflectors isnt going to work too well with the projector beam units in the Octy II.

Any ideas how to easily make the change without having to remove the headlamp unit to flick a switch?

Thanks.

can;t you just use the stick on deflectors?

Projector beam units mean that the pattern of the beam is not "resolved" until it reaches its focal length. The previous type of headlamps, ie those which rely on a lens to set the pattern resolved at that lens, thats how the stick on convertors work, since they were stuck on the lens.. The stick on ones, used on a projector beam unit would simply lower the intensity of the light, not change the pattern.

Long winded I know, but there must be an easy way to do this without resorting to removal of the headlamp :-)

There is a guide to the switch method here.....

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/new-octavia/definitive-guide-adjusting-octy-2-headlamps-foreign-driving/60850/?highlight=headlight+unit

Not sure if you have seen that, but perhaps that is what you are trying to avoid? However, I guess they wouldn't have gone to the trouble of designing in the switch if there was an easy way.

My guide to changing the headlamp bulbs might help if you need any assistance on removing the unit...

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/technical-guides/new-octavia-headlight-bulb-change/69565/

I mean really--why bother? I stopped bothering 20 years ago when I wandered up and down the ferry queue and saw almost no-one else bothered. Then someone told me the police in France were taking an interest and had stopped him so he just stuck some insulating tape on both lamp glasses in what looked like a careful manner (he just stuck it anywhere and kept it as small as he thought he get away with) and the cops were very pleased and waved him off. I did this a couple of times then got fed up and stopped.

When I went to france last year I used a set of stick on thingys specially designed for projector headlights. It was basically a round disk placed strategicly over one quarter of the projector, when viewed directly from the front.

When I went to france last year I used a set of stick on thingys specially designed for projector headlights. It was basically a round disk placed strategicly over one quarter of the projector, when viewed directly from the front.

I did the same using the Halfords own brand set. They work fine. The Ocky was not listed but when asked the manufacturers said that diagram 8 was the correct one for the Ocky.

you'd have thought skoda could have used a simple rotational sysem..

my 1988 BMW has 3 screw on each dipped beam unit.

undo them and the whole assembly rotates to the right or left, allowing rapid switching from driving on the right to driving on the left.

the switch is a piece of cake to do. It takes me 5 mins to change the Xenon lamps over to lhd.

will you be able to explain to continental police that your car has a switch thingy which invloves removing the headlamp anyway ? Chances are if they are checking up they will want to see the stick on deflector - a quick review of Ferry queues usually reveals that I am the only bod who bothered anyway - prob easier to take stick on things which are visible to vigilant Police.... :-)

Which is pretty damn close to what I wrote above. Oh well nice to know Hugo agrees with me I suppose.:confused:

Indeed - my other car has xenon headlights that have a symmetric beam (ie they don't have a higher light pattern on the left side) - this means they don't need any form of correction for driving on the continent. However, not being able to explain all that, I fit beam deflectors to the headlight protectors (I believe you should not stick beam deflectors directly to the headlight with xenons due to the extra heat produced by the xenon lights) to save a discussion.

Indeed - my other car has xenon headlights that have a symmetric beam (ie they don't have a higher light pattern on the left side) - this means they don't need any form of correction for driving on the continent. However, not being able to explain all that, I fit beam deflectors to the headlight protectors (I believe you should not stick beam deflectors directly to the headlight with xenons due to the extra heat produced by the xenon lights) to save a discussion.

Do xenons actually produce more heat? I was under the impression that xenons produced a powerful but cool light (being a gas discharge capsule rather than an essentially tungsten bulb).

My solution has been to drive after dark on the continent using the fog lamps. Probably wholly illegal there and here, but I'm happy, the locals are happy (well, they don't flash me), so all is well.

I've no idea, but I certainly read it for my other car that it was advisable not to attach anything directly to the glass.