......and there are different headlights manufactured in this world for different applications in different countries.
I had an interesting Private Conversation message sent to me this morning, that essentially started out as doing me a 'solid'....in that I wasn't going to be called out for making up fantasy stories in public. While I appreciate the gesture, I also didn't need the advice, as what I have already stated is the truth.
There are indeed two different headlight/headlamp (headlite for the uneducated) variations made for different markets in the world today.
As some of you may not be aware, not every country drives on the right hand side of the road, and not all cars are "left hand drive". There are many other countries in this world (we call it Earth) which require citizens to drive on the left hand side of the road, and therefore have a recommendation that all cars have the steering wheel to the right of centre of the vehicle's longitudinal dimension. I can do pictures for anyone not keeping up here so far.
It therefore stands to reason that the headlights in different system's cars would need to be aimed at the opposite side of the road, to avoid the likelihood of blinding on-coming traffic.
Vehicles that are left hand drive (and driven on the right hand side of the road) have traditionally being manufactured with headlights which are aimed to direct the majority of the beam intensity to the right hand side of the road.
The opposite is also true. As in - vehicles that are right hand drive (and driven on the left hand side of the road) have the majority of their beam intensity aimed at the left hand side of the road.
The exception is that (apparently) there are some new models coming out which have headlamps which are aimed straight ahead, and have automatic adjusters to send the beam left or right. These same vehicles also have the ability to turn the headlights into the direction of a corner as it is being taken. They can also adjust to maintain High Beam when there is no approaching traffic - dipping when opposing traffic approaches.
The difference between Left Hand, and Right Hand traditional headlights is in the Glass lens AND the Reflector. Sealed and Semi sealed beams have this difference built in.
For the likes of the United Kingdom - when citizens take their private Right hand drive vehicles across to Europe, where the majority of countries are Left hand drive, the headlights must be at a minimum fitted with lens correcting sticker/decals. The reduces the chances of blinding on-coming traffic. It also reduces the output capacity of light (Lumen output) of the headlights...but is a small price to pay instead of changing headlights.
LED and Halogen style 'lamps' (or globes as some call them) are NOT directional. The lamps can be used in any country, provided they are the correct size and wattage etc.
It is the Glass lens and reflectors which are different.
I hope that this clears up the difference of opinion that is floating around right now.
Thanks to @Kern Dog for encouraging me to contribute more in the Tech forums.
I had an interesting Private Conversation message sent to me this morning, that essentially started out as doing me a 'solid'....in that I wasn't going to be called out for making up fantasy stories in public. While I appreciate the gesture, I also didn't need the advice, as what I have already stated is the truth.
There are indeed two different headlight/headlamp (headlite for the uneducated) variations made for different markets in the world today.
As some of you may not be aware, not every country drives on the right hand side of the road, and not all cars are "left hand drive". There are many other countries in this world (we call it Earth) which require citizens to drive on the left hand side of the road, and therefore have a recommendation that all cars have the steering wheel to the right of centre of the vehicle's longitudinal dimension. I can do pictures for anyone not keeping up here so far.
It therefore stands to reason that the headlights in different system's cars would need to be aimed at the opposite side of the road, to avoid the likelihood of blinding on-coming traffic.
Vehicles that are left hand drive (and driven on the right hand side of the road) have traditionally being manufactured with headlights which are aimed to direct the majority of the beam intensity to the right hand side of the road.
The opposite is also true. As in - vehicles that are right hand drive (and driven on the left hand side of the road) have the majority of their beam intensity aimed at the left hand side of the road.
The exception is that (apparently) there are some new models coming out which have headlamps which are aimed straight ahead, and have automatic adjusters to send the beam left or right. These same vehicles also have the ability to turn the headlights into the direction of a corner as it is being taken. They can also adjust to maintain High Beam when there is no approaching traffic - dipping when opposing traffic approaches.
The difference between Left Hand, and Right Hand traditional headlights is in the Glass lens AND the Reflector. Sealed and Semi sealed beams have this difference built in.
For the likes of the United Kingdom - when citizens take their private Right hand drive vehicles across to Europe, where the majority of countries are Left hand drive, the headlights must be at a minimum fitted with lens correcting sticker/decals. The reduces the chances of blinding on-coming traffic. It also reduces the output capacity of light (Lumen output) of the headlights...but is a small price to pay instead of changing headlights.
LED and Halogen style 'lamps' (or globes as some call them) are NOT directional. The lamps can be used in any country, provided they are the correct size and wattage etc.
It is the Glass lens and reflectors which are different.
I hope that this clears up the difference of opinion that is floating around right now.
Thanks to @Kern Dog for encouraging me to contribute more in the Tech forums.
