Headlight beam deflectors.

[jonandshell]

I for one have NEVER seen a foreign vehicle with headlight beam deflectors on.

As a result, we don't bother fitting any when we hit the Continent!

Although we do carry some just in case!

Now, has anyone ever been stopped and fined for not having beam deflectors on whilst abroad? Are you more likely to be gassed?

I feel its time for a survey!

 

[DavidG58]

not me personally but a friend ........................................

 

[grasscutter]

I always fit beam deflectors because if I am gassed and the police inspect the MH all will be legal.

 

[Taran_Las]

I fit them every trip but to make sure I don't wear them out too quickly I avoid driving in the dark.

 

[jhorsf]

I always drive on the left so dont need them

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[jonandshell]

Mmmmm, still nobody actually stopped!

Are headlamp deflectors the new sleeping gas?

 

[Trikeman]

Slightly 'off piste' but does anyone know how to remove the yuck that's left after removing the damn things,,,,,,, without cocking the Ducato headlamp cover up?:Angry:

Trikeman.

 

[jonandshell]

Slightly 'off piste' but does anyone know how to remove the yuck that's left after removing the damn things,,,,,,, without cocking the Ducato headlamp cover up?:Angry:

Trikeman.

No, that's why we don't stick 'em on in the first place!

We never did get it off our old Boxer. Its probably still there!oh:

 

[TheDentons]

We have travelled to the continent for years mainly by motorcycle apply some black tape to your headlamps in a triangle we have been stopped and as long as the tape is intact we have had no issues

 

[DavidG58]

and theres another survey for you, for the majority of MHers who fit these devices, (do we trust surveys?!) how many then leave them on in the UK, or do they remove at the point of embarkation (not too sure that is a real word) from the continent?

I remember the days we all bought yellow paint for our headlights, then got to France and found most had white headlights!! Try getting that off

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[magicsurfbus]

Slightly 'off piste' but does anyone know how to remove the yuck that's left after removing the damn things,,,,,,, without cocking the Ducato headlamp cover up?:Angry:

Trikeman.

Meths.

I just spare a bit from my evening pint for wiping the headlamps with.

 

[wingman]

I bought a set of headlamp 'protectors' from a reputable e-bay retailer. They came with black adhesive material and discreet etchings on the lens to aid correct alignment to divert the headlamp beams. They were pricey (40 odd quid) but we'll worth it. You simply clip them on for each foreign trip, then unclip them once back in blighty and store them for next time. No cleaning off old adhesive or risking damage. No need to buy new stickers for each trip either.

Some headlamp lens are made from a sort of plastic and adhesive tape reacts badly with the lens surface, leaving nasty burned-in witness marks.

With these clip-ons, you get the value-added aspect of protection against stones damaging the headlamps too!

I didn't use their black tape, I bought 'Eurolite' adhesive deflectors (£3.50 ebay) and stuck those to the protectors. Job done!

Yes, a bit pricey and you'd probably get away without being stopped BUT I'd rather not be blamed by the gendarmerie for an accident where the other driver (clutching at straws) said he was 'blinded' by my vehicle.

 

[Stephen & Jeannie]

Fizzzzzzzz !!!

Meths.

I just spare a bit from my [HI][HI]evening pint [/HI][/HI]for wiping the headlamps with.

For a BIG night out, try mixing it with a teaspoon of bi-carb....makes a Bushman's Champagne !!

 

[Scout]

I have the "marked" protectors on 24/7 and carry black tape just in case I feel the need to drive at night, which is not very often, the tape comes of easy and squert of fairy liquid gets ride of the gluey residue

 

[Mr Colpot]

I am not being a goody-goody but I always fit them whenever I go to France as I believe its the law there. I rarely drive at night but have put the lights on in the rain and am happy that I am not dazzling oncoming drivers. I fit them at the ferry/tunnel terminal going out and remove them before boarding coming back.
I believe I read somewhere that most foreign cars dont have their dipped lights angled to the verge but are pointed straight (I may be wrong on this) so they dont need to be corrected.

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[Forestboy]

Never fitted them in over 25 years driving abroad and never been stopped and we've used car motorbike and motorhome. Only time I've been stopped is on the motorbike in China where the police kept stopping me and tried to make me turn off the headlight which wouldn't turn off. But they really just wanted a photo of themselves with the bike.

 

[ericonabike]

I'd put this in the same category as 'you must carry a full set of bulbs when abroad'. In France it's illegal to travel with defective bulbs. As is the case here. There is no law requiring you to carry bulbs with you - just a requirement to replace them if they blow. How many people here do you imagine carry a full set of bulbs at all times? Given the number of one-eyed monsters you see driving around, the irony is that some of them will dutifully buy a set of bulbs to travel to France, not realising that one of their headlights is already out...

 

[Allanm]

We have headlight protectors with the appropriate bits masked out, a breathalyser kit, spare bulbs, warning triangle, fluorescent vests, first aid kit, snow chains, a tub of Lidl rock salt (now..) and a SatNav with danger zones instead of speed camera warnings
Don't see the reason not to have them.

Allan :thumb:

 

[fatbuddha]

We have headlight protectors with the appropriate bits masked out, a breathalyser kit, spare bulbs, warning triangle, fluorescent vests, first aid kit, snow chains, a tub of Lidl rock salt (now..) and a SatNav with danger zones instead of speed camera warnings
Don't see the reason not to have them.

Allan :thumb:

likewise bar the rock salt (although might think of that for next winter's skiing)

the reason you need headlight deflectors in Europe is that, for some reason, UK vehicle lights have an asymmetric beam which slant towards the left. when driving on the right in Europe, this left facing beam can dazzle oncoming drivers if you don't mask it out.

the reason you won't see headlight deflectors on Euro cars in the UK is that Euro light beams are symmetrical so the shine straight down the middle of the lane so won't dazzle UK drivers.

 

[Forestboy]

I seem to remember being told my Hymer has a screw on each headlight which you turn depending which side of the road your driving on so it correct for left or right but I've never looked for it. Would like to say I never drive in the dark when abroad but I do. Having said I don't fit beam benders there are two on my van which were on it when I bought it and I've never taken them off because of the mess they leave behind and it went through its mot two weeks ago with them on. :Blush:

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[fatbuddha]

the reason I use headlight protectors with the relevant areas masked out when in Europe is quite simple - they take 30 seconds to fit and don't leave any marks on the main headlight glass. they have an added bonus when driving in more mountainous regions where grit is used a lot in winter of damage protection.

I take them off when driving in the UK

 

[WynandJean]

I'd put this in the same category as 'you [HI]must carry a full set of bulbs when abroad'. [/HI]In France it's illegal to travel with defective bulbs. As is the case here. There is no law requiring you to carry bulbs with you - just a requirement to replace them if they blow. How many people here do you imagine carry a full set of bulbs at all times? Given the number of one-eyed monsters you see driving around, the irony is that some of them will dutifully buy a set of bulbs to travel to France, not realising that one of their headlights is already out...

The stupidity of this really hit home when my (French = Renault) car had a headlight bulb 'go'. "OK", I thought, "pop down to local garage, buy bulb and pop it in". Well, couldn't see how to get at bulb so returned home, crawled underneath, climbed on top, wedged my arm into positions I was seriously concerned that I might not be able to get out of! Conceded that I wasn't going to be able to manage it. Looked in the manaul where it listed the job under 'return to dealer'
OK I'll take it to local garage, they'll manage it. Two garages looked and said, "no way". I then rang Renault dealer who said, "yes, book it in and we'll do it". BOOK IT IN to swap a lightbulb? Guess how much? £50! Yes, £50 to change a lightbulb! as they have to remove a large
chunk of engine!

Sooooooooo....what's the idea behind carrying spare bulbs? oh:

Wyn


So what is the point

 

[fatbuddha]

The stupidity of this really hit home when my (French = Renault) car had a headlight bulb 'go'. "OK", I thought, "pop down to local garage, buy bulb and pop it in". Well, couldn't see how to get at bulb so returned home, crawled underneath, climbed on top, wedged my arm into positions I was seriously concerned that I might not be able to get out of! Conceded that I wasn't going to be able to manage it. Looked in the manaul where it listed the job under 'return to dealer'
OK I'll take it to local garage, they'll manage it. Two garages looked and said, "no way". I then rang Renault dealer who said, "yes, book it in and we'll do it". BOOK IT IN to swap a lightbulb? Guess how much? £50! Yes, £50 to change a lightbulb! as they have to remove a large
chunk of engine!

Sooooooooo....what's the idea behind carrying spare bulbs? oh:

Wyn


So what is the point

exactly - what is the point of carrying headlight bulbs! I carry a set in a plastic case but I have absolutely no idea if they'll fit my headlights - I've had them years so probably not. I don't even know if I could do a user replacement in the 1st place (as per Wyn's experience) as I've never checked. But if I ever get stopped an asked if I have any spare bulbs, I can genuinely say yes - just don't ask me what they fit!!

that's another good reason for the headlight cover - less chance of blowing a bulb and finding you can't sort it out easily when abroad!!

 

[Landy lover]

Twice we have been checked once at Calais and once at Dunkirk to see if we had the converters fitted - it was very brief - just waved down as soon they could see them on the headlights just waved us on with a thumbs up - did not even stop the wheels turning it was that quick.

As far as changing bulbs go some motors need the wing removed - another one the radiator and another the front bumper and skirt - ridiculous really - until they invent the everlasting bulb I think it should be a part of the type approval process that even the least mechanically minded should be able to easily change a bulb with the minimum of tools.

 

[mikebeaches]

I bought a set of headlamp 'protectors' from a reputable e-bay retailer. They came with black adhesive material and discreet etchings on the lens to aid correct alignment to divert the headlamp beams. They were pricey (40 odd quid) but we'll worth it. You simply clip them on for each foreign trip, then unclip them once back in blighty and store them for next time. No cleaning off old adhesive or risking damage. No need to buy new stickers for each trip either.

Some headlamp lens are made from a sort of plastic and adhesive tape reacts badly with the lens surface, leaving nasty burned-in witness marks.

With these clip-ons, you get the value-added aspect of protection against stones damaging the headlamps too!

I didn't use their black tape, I bought 'Eurolite' adhesive deflectors (£3.50 ebay) and stuck those to the protectors. Job done!

Yes, a bit pricey and you'd probably get away without being stopped BUT I'd rather not be blamed by the gendarmerie for an accident where the other driver (clutching at straws) said he was 'blinded' by my vehicle.

I also have a pair of clip on protectors / deflectors that are fitted to the headlights before going abroad in the spring. Usually away for a month - then back to UK - before returning to the continent again late August. Normally leave them on in the UK during summer - lights little used then, in any case. And then remove the deflectors in the autumn, when we return home for the winter. :thumb:

If anybody is interested, here's a useful illustrated link to photos and instructions for fitting deflectors to the Fiat X250:

http://deepredmotorhome.com/headlampdeflectors.php

Mike

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[jonandshell]

likewise bar the rock salt (although might think of that for next winter's skiing)

the reason you need headlight deflectors in Europe is that, for some reason, UK vehicle lights have an asymmetric beam which slant towards the left. when driving on the right in Europe, this left facing beam can dazzle oncoming drivers if you don't mask it out.

the reason you won't see headlight deflectors on Euro cars in the UK is that Euro light beams are symmetrical so the shine straight down the middle of the lane so won't dazzle UK drivers.

Sorry to disagree, but having lived in Germany and having to fit Euro lights to a Brit car pass a British Forces Germany roadworthy test, I know that to be untrue.
Euro headlamps are the mirror of ours.
It also explains why I am forever being dazzled around Norfolk and Lincolnshire, there's loads of Eastern European workers, and cars, round here!
All the reason to get your own back on Johnny Foreigner when touring abroad!!!

 

[jonandshell]

Further to my last post, during my army service in Germany, I also carried out inspections on lhd Army vehicles, including staff cars and vans.
All these, when inspected with the beam tester, had sloping beams!

And when our unit moved back to the UK, the first job was to swap headlights on EVERYTHING!

 

[Phill D]

Further to my last post, during my army service I also carried out inspections on Army vehicles, including staff cars and vans.
All these, when inspected with the beam tester, had sloping beams!

i have that experience also ( too many years ago to remember ) but this:-

the reason you won't see headlight deflectors on Euro cars in the UK is that Euro light beams are symmetrical so the shine straight down the middle of the lane so won't dazzle UK drivers.

is a current quote from the AA website.... it could be wrong but i read it there also

 

[Trikeman]

Meths.

I just spare a bit from my evening pint for wiping the headlamps with.

Nice one old chap - ours still had the sticky stuff left on and this was gathering road dirt, this led to them getting black, shitty and looked awful.

Just nicked some meths from SWMBO's supply and used a rag to apply it. I waited a few minutes and away it came,,,,,, like two new headlamps - changed the whole look of the front end and not a trace they had been there.

Next time at a meet, the pint of meths, for you, is on me.... Great tip.:thumb:

Regards,

Trikeman.

 

[jonandshell]

i have that experience also ( too many years ago to remember ) but this:-

the reason you won't see headlight deflectors on Euro cars in the UK is that Euro light beams are symmetrical so the shine straight down the middle of the lane so won't dazzle UK drivers.

is a current quote from the AA website.... it could be wrong but i read it there also

Is that why they sell beam deflectors for Euro cars to be legal in Britain on the ferry?!

The next time I am at a warehouse with foreign lorries present, in the dark, I am taking a photo of their beam pattern!

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