On Wed, 28 Apr 2004, Jack wrote:

> Very funny.  I gather you're a flat-lander that sees only in black & white.

Nah, I was just being sarcastic.

> But understand that it's still a compromise between good illumination for
> one driver and interference with others.  I've pointed out that under some
> circumstances even the best, computer designed, beam in the world can still
> hit an oncoming driver square in the eyes.

Sure.  But I don't see how the E-code lights being described here will
make that *worse*.  I don't think it's a reason for people not to upgrade
their headlights.

> I've been momentarily blinded by ordinary lights under those circumstances
> and I don't look forward to having my retinas charred by the new ones.

I think the new HID lights are actually far worse in this area than even
upgraded regular headlights.  That purplish color seems to create a longer
afterimage than the yellow-white of a normal headlight bulb.

My pet peeve, personally, is people with tall SUVs or jacked-up pickup
trucks that have headlights level with my head.  It's especially bad when
I'm being tailgated by a vehicle like that in my wagon.  Some states have
laws specifying a minimum headlight distance above the road surface; I
think there should also be laws giving a *maximum* height.

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'86 Volvo 240DL wagon
'82 VW Vanagon Westfalia Diesel