Headlight Upgrade

[White Thunder]

Are these headlights sealed? I’m not happy with the light output, is there anyway to upgrade the headlights?

They all come with LED, headlights, what more do you want?

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[NatePabrant]

I think part of the flashing you is that the low beam has lights coming from 2 parts of each headlight, so people see what they think are 4 head lights and think low and high beam lights are on even with just the low being on.
An inner light comes on for high beams so light is coming from 6 places (3 from each light) with high beams on.

That sounds right

 

[Automan21]

They all come with LED, headlights, what more do you want?

Lasers lol

 

[Montana]

They certainly are not the best LED's on the market...

My previous Tacoma had a much cleaner spread and was brighter too. TBH, they are better than the previous Escape I had though. Those were the halogen setups and it was awful, maybe even the worst vehicle lights I've ever had.

I was expecting a much cleaner output on these headlights.

 

[gp1200x]

I have the BAP and low beams are fine... doubt there is any difference on Lariats between BAP and non Bap.... Add your own fogs below for more light. Leave factory lights alone for warranty issues.

 

[TxMike64]

They all come with LED, headlights, what more do you want?

You're not understanding. LEDs for headlights have inherent problems. The light is the wrong wavelength, it's too blue and it essentially turns off your night vision. The high frequency blue light causes more glare, and becomes less perceptible to the human eye over distance. The short wavelength is more easily absorbed by water (rain, snow, sleet, ice) than long wavelength lower frequency yellow (red) light.

Yes, it's true that LEDs are more efficient, last longer, have a higher power output than incandescent/halogen bulbs, and are very easy to package in creative styles. But that extra power is not useful energy. HIDs have a tremendously better and a tremendously more useful light output than LEDs, but cost much more, have higher input power demands, and shorter lifespans, as well as being more challenging to package. In a market where people want zero maintenance, lower entry cost, and have to comply with unrealistic government mandates, the LED fits the bill even though it's not the best option.

 

[colinl]

You're not understanding. LEDs for headlights have inherent problems. The light is the wrong wavelength, it's too blue and it essentially turns off your night vision. The high frequency blue light causes more glare, and becomes less perceptible to the human eye over distance. The short wavelength is more easily absorbed by water (rain, snow, sleet, ice) than long wavelength lower frequency yellow (red) light.

Yes, it's true that LEDs are more efficient, last longer, have a higher power output than incandescent/halogen bulbs, and are very easy to package in creative styles. But that extra power is not useful energy. HIDs have a tremendously better and a tremendously more useful light output than LEDs, but cost much more, have higher input power demands, and shorter lifespans, as well as being more challenging to package. In a market where people want zero maintenance, lower entry cost, and have to comply with unrealistic government mandates, the LED fits the bill even though it's not the best option.

great post. absolutely without question, the xenon hid lights on my 2003 Evo 8 were the best I've ever had.

 

[H.Gage]

What are you talking about?
I have had my truck for a week now and I've been flashed 3 times.
They are super bright, putting out a wide beam without that look of 2 headlights. And the brights are very bright.
Also, it was explained to me by the dealer that the headlight assembly (you can not just replace the bulb) is not covered in the "bumper to Bumper" warranty and that they are about $600 each - if you could find them.
What are you talking about?

I have the same complaint. My eyes are just fine. The are very bright if you are reading the road signs. Driving in rain the blacktop disappears but the road signs glare back at me. Ford has a history of poorly designed headlights.

 

[BlueRaven]

I think all the people that are not liking the low beams need to have their night vision or cataract testing done. i have astigmatism, too. i wear glasses cuz of that. I hardly ever use the high beams on my old 22 or new 24. i drive 20 miles one way highway at night each day. twice a day. only issue i have had is fog or snow driving. getting yellow fogs to compensate for the bright white leds.

i see deer, racoons, skunks, and pheasants way before i could in my 18 corolla iM hatch with properly aimed hid projectors. You want to know what bad headlights are, buy a 2000's gm.

 

[dalola]

There are actual (DOT) minimum standards that automotive lighting must meet, beyond that, comparing different applications is pretty subjective.

The Mav LED reflector H/L's are pretty average by all accounts, when compared to the current market & standardized testing. However, if compared to a vehicle price point, I'm sure they move up in rank considerably.

The best OEM H/L's I've experienced were on my wife's Acura RDX, the 7-lens LED projectors (co-developed with either Stanley or NAL, I forget which...). They were really impressive, and very noticeably superior to my Mav. But that is also a $60K vehicle, so they should be better.

Given the price of the Mav, I have no complaints.

 

[bigcat1185]

I have the same complaint. My eyes are just fine. The are very bright if you are reading the road signs. Driving in rain the blacktop disappears but the road signs glare back at me. Ford has a history of poorly designed headlights.

Exactly.

 

[bigcat1185]

There are actual (DOT) minimum standards that automotive lighting must meet, beyond that, comparing different applications is pretty subjective.

The Mav LED reflector H/L's are pretty average by all accounts, when compared to the current market & standardized testing. However, if compared to a vehicle price point, I'm sure they move up in rank considerably.

The best OEM H/L's I've experienced were on my wife's Acura RDX, the 7-lens LED projectors. They were really impressive, and very noticeably superior to my Mav. But that is also a $60K vehicle, so they should be better.

Given the price of the Mav, I have no complaints.

I modded Acura TSX projectors into a Honda headlight housing. They were incredible.

 

[bluesteel]

It's amazing how different our experiences can be with something as seemingly simple as headlights. Maybe a big part of it is what other/previous vehicles we're coming from.

I last had a 2017 Escape. Headlights when I bought it used were awful. I replaced with higher-end Sylvania halogens. After that, lows still weren't great, but I was very satisfied with the highs - good spread and great throw distance.

With the Mav, I am really happy with the lows, but I find that the highs add little or no "throw" and just illuminate, well, higher.

Maybe I should check the adjustment. If the highs are pointing higher than necessary, maybe something is getting wasted. I just recently had the driver's side light replaced after a collision, though, and I would like to think the shop properly installed and adjusted the new $1,632.40 light (that's itemized on the invoice sheet), but everything about the light(s) is the same as before that.

As far as the lights being too bright and blinding people.... if you drive two-lane rural highways in the dark and can go many minutes without seeing anyone else, it is nice to have the highs as bright as technologically possible.

 

[bigcat1185]

I think the people that are getting flashed is due to automatic high beams that most newer cars have now. The Mavericks click on and off constantly, and I see the same from other vehicles on the road.

 

[The Real Maverick]

I’m talking about wanting brighter headlights, I thought that was clear in my original post.

They are more than bright enough.
The factory AIM is off, apparently in many trucks that hit the street.

Try adjusting them first.

I adjusted mine and the stock ones are TWICE as good now.

No joke.

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