Are the beach lights really that bad?

[Ksar-el-kebir]

Try these: It's what I use

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01LYNVQBC/?tag=vwcalifornia-21

Got LEDs on this one but on the previous one fitted GE megalight +150; they were good!

 

[B J G]

There is this Vanstyle conversion if money permits and grill cutting is OK.

https://www.vanstyle.co.uk/van/lazer-spot-light-twin-grille-p-6470.html

 

[Nolan]

Short term I've ordered a set of these as they are meant to make it better.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NMEEOV2/?tag=vwcalifornia-21

Long term I'm looking for a set of the H7 light units but they don't seem to come up for sale very often.

I thought I'd ordered my van with the H7 lights but it seems there was a miscommunication with the dealer early on (my quote I showed him listed exterior pack and the one I got back didn't then I presumed lights & vision would have included it). All very frustrating but I'll get there in the end.

Well I fitted them tonight, first impressions are good but it's hard to judge without living with them for a few days.

Fitting took about 30 minutes and I have sore hands now (I didn't need to remove the airbag or anything though)

 

[Gary&Heather]

There is this Vanstyle conversion if money permits and grill cutting is OK.

https://www.vanstyle.co.uk/van/lazer-spot-light-twin-grille-p-6470.html

I must admit when I saw these in use they were very impressive.

 

[B J G]

I must admit when I saw these in use they were very impressive.

My concern in relation to the light output is that in dipped mode (which traffic dictates is main use) they would have no benefit plus if going from high power mainbeam to dip you would get a sense of being plunged into semidarkness. If they have a dip function then that would solve that issue..
I've had that problem before with halogen spot lights that worked in conjunction with mainbeam operation.

 

[CaspersCali]

Had the beach about 2 months now. Telling myself the H4 were passable...until tonight.
Badly lit A road, wet conditions....sweet baby jesus I couldnt see any sign of the beam. Nearly drove up the verge. Ridiculously bad in a vehicle like this.
Time to look at h7's ir try some updated bulbs in the meantime.
Morale of the story for future beach owners. You read that the H4's are terrible...its true they are!

 

[calikev]

Agree i am putting in night breakers in for now as i rarely drive at night but shocking

 

[Cloud Dodger]

Yes, they are bad, when driving at night, in rain and or with oncoming vehicles headlights the H4's just get drowned out. We have had the Beach since beginning of this month and the lights don't seem to bother me as much (must be getting use to them) plus I don't drive much after 5pm.

They must be just the right side of legal for DOT to allow them.

I have bought some Osrams but not fitted them yet.

 

[calikev]

I have also ordered some white drl bulbs

 

[B J G]

Had the beach about 2 months now. Telling myself the H4 were passable...until tonight.
Badly lit A road, wet conditions....sweet baby jesus I couldnt see any sign of the beam. Nearly drove up the verge. Ridiculously bad in a vehicle like this.
Time to look at h7's ir try some updated bulbs in the meantime.
Morale of the story for future beach owners. You read that the H4's are terrible...its true they are!

Not H4's but H7's

Cali has all 4 fitted with Philips Racing Vision +150% and much better in dip & mainbeam.

Our Citroen has GE +150% in dip and seemed better than Philips ones. Now put Osram +150% in Citroen mainbeam (wasn't much difference between just dip and mainbeam on) and big improvement now

I'd rate Osram - Ge - Philips in that order; note +150% versions (actually +50% as they take 100% as being the same as standard)

I see Osram do a +150% in H11, the fog light, so about to buy and fit those in the Cali..

 

[Calimili]

I see Osram do a +150% in H11, the fog light, so about to buy and fit those in the Cali..

I thought I was done with work on the Cali for this year, you just got me busy again..

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

I thought I was done with work on the Cali for this year, you just got me busy again..

I know it’s expensive but mine has LED headlights. Worth the extra and doesn’t need adapters for countries that drive on the wrong side of the road.

 

[B J G]

I thought I was done with work on the Cali for this year, you just got me busy again..

I keep thinking that but----

 

[Neilos]

Ours has the twin halogen H7s same as the standard ocean. I’m quite impressed with them, they’re more than adequate. Front fogs have helped too recently but I only use when conditions allow, even without those the headlights are fine and I don’t feel urged to upgrade them. Interestingly I just fitted the Philips 150% bulbs in my golf and they do make quite a big difference. That’s H7 again, will replace the van bulbs with those once they go. LED lights - never had them, I’m sure they’re great for the driver, not so good for everyone else! Some are so bright and distracting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Volkywagen]

Ours has the twin halogen H7s same as the standard ocean. I’m quite impressed with them, they’re more than adequate. Front fogs have helped too recently but I only use when conditions allow, even without those the headlights are fine and I don’t feel urged to upgrade them. Interestingly I just fitted the Philips 150% bulbs in my golf and they do make quite a big difference. That’s H7 again, will replace the van bulbs with those once they go. LED lights - never had them, I’m sure they’re great for the driver, not so good for everyone else! Some are so bright and distracting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Properly installed (factory) TUV LED headlights are fine, and great if you are the driver behind the wheel for visibility. There are a lot of people now that try and copy them with Uber bright bulbs that need the beams controlling with something like a projector lens. HID bulbs are the worst for this if not controlled. The blue/white light given off by LEdS is great for vision, and a lot safer in my opinion. I wouldn’t buy another vehicle without them now going forward.

 

[MattBW]

I was looking at upgrading my headlights and this made me laugh today

 

[Ch1pbutty]

I was looking at upgrading my headlights and this made me laugh today

View attachment 54658

Also, alot of people feel the need to have their foglights (sorry "driving lamps") permanently switched on.

 

[MattBW]

Dont see it as often as I used to, although some folks I think use them as DRLs instead.

I do wish I had the turning lights on mine, I need to add fogs but I suspect the turning part is expensive to add after the fact.

 

[B J G]

Dont see it as often as I used to, although some folks I think use them as DRLs instead.

I do wish I had the turning lights on mine, I need to add fogs but I suspect the turning part is expensive to add after the fact.

After upgrading the headlight bulbs I couldn't see much difference when the turn lights came on.
Since upgraded the fog bulbs and I can tell the difference.
Had it on my previous BMW as well and wouldn't say worth going to the expense of adding them as a turn function, with the standard bulbs that is.

 

[Maxx]

As many people have said, responses here are subjective. My subjective response, having owned a beach for 1 month today, is that I frequently now check if I have actually go the lights turned on. This is in-part due to my previous car having auto-lights but it is mostly due to how poor the lights are, which is particularly noticeable when you travel from a road with lighting to one without, which is normally when I have check if I forgot to turn them on.

 

[Volkywagen]

As many people have said, responses here are subjective. My subjective response, having owned a beach for 1 month today, is that I frequently now check if I have actually go the lights turned on. This is in-part due to my previous car having auto-lights but it is mostly due to how poor the lights are, which is particularly noticeable when you travel from a road with lighting to one without, which is normally when I have check if I forgot to turn them on.

Most modern street lighting is now LED - where are the haters!?

 

[Volkywagen]

I was looking at upgrading my headlights and this made me laugh today

View attachment 54658

Grab a bargain Matt

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Most modern street lighting is now LED - where are the haters!?

LED street lighting is great; now there is no need for headlights, driveway lights or bedroom lights!

There was no street lighting outside our house ( in 60mph stretch) , then 27 new houses were built in the field behind our house and LED lighting was installed on ‘health & safety’ grounds. The speed limit remained at 60mph.

 

[Volkywagen]

LED street lighting is great; now there is no need for headlights, driveway lights or bedroom lights!

There was no street lighting outside our house ( in 60mph stretch) , then 27 new houses were built in the field behind our house and LED lighting was installed on ‘health & safety’ grounds. The speed limit remained at 60mph.

View attachment 54664View attachment 54665View attachment 54666

nothing a good catapult wouldn't sort out

 

[Maxx]

LED street lighting is great; now there is no need for headlights, driveway lights or bedroom lights!

There was no street lighting outside our house ( in 60mph stretch) , then 27 new houses were built in the field behind our house and LED lighting was installed on ‘health & safety’ grounds. The speed limit remained at 60mphView attachment 54666
[/QUOT

LED street lighting is great; now there is no need for headlights, driveway lights or bedroom lights!

There was no street lighting outside our house ( in 60mph stretch) , then 27 new houses were built in the field behind our house and LED lighting was installed on ‘health & safety’ grounds. The speed limit remained at 60mph.

View attachment 54664View attachment 54665View attachment 54666

If you forget to close your blinds, do you wake up with a tan?