XENONOZ NEWSLETTER
Hello and welcome to the first issue of the XenonOz Newsletter.
Firstly we'd like to announce our new product line. If you've been considering upgrading to a XenonOz HID kit for your vehicle, take another look at our website as we have just introduced two new products to our existing range. Now there is a XenonOz kit to suit any kind of driver, from the enthusiast to the professional.
In this issue we have two helpful tips for you to improve your night driving.
LIGHT ADJUSTMENT
This is a very personal issue and, like the adjustment of the seat/mirrors/wheel, is one that can take some time to get just right.
Our basic suggestion is to drop the driver-side light a little (this also reduces the brightness in the eyes of the oncoming driver). The passenger-side light should be adjusted inwards towards the centre line and slightly up.
LOOKING INTO THE 'BLACK HOLE'
The habit of looking into the black hole is one that everyone does - regardless of what headlights you have. It just means you are trying to see any danger before it comes into your more apparent view.
Solutions:
- Slow down. Driving beyond the reach of the lights is a common problem for most drivers who actually take their driving seriously and like to perform well in all conditions. I know it sounds rather silly - but just try it. It's also highly unlikely that regardless of what lights you have that you are driving "within" the reach of your lights. Everyone can try this little experiment:
- Find a dark and deserted piece of straight road.
- Put an object such as a bucket next to the side of the road.
- With you car stopped alongside that first bucket, place another bucket at the furthest most reach of your car's low-beam on the side of the road. Helps to have a mate do this and have him/her walk down the road with a mobile phone have them stop when they reach the dark transition point. Place the second bucket there.
- Turn around and drive back towards the buckets at a set speed - say 60Km/h for starters.
- As soon as you're alongside the first bucket, hit the brakes and see if you can stop before reaching the second bucket.
- If you can stop just before reaching the second bucket, you have established the absolute maximum speed for safe night driving on low-beam. And remember, in these tests you are mentally and physically prepared for an emergency stop - in most situations we aren't that tuned in 100% of the time!
- Have your eyes checked. No I'm not joking. If you are over 40 years old - you should have your eyes checked at least once a year. A 50 year old male has the night vision of a 20 year old wearing sunglasses. There are night vision coloured lenses that can help this. Talk to your Ophthalmic specialist regarding this.
- Don't switch on your fog lights unless you plan to drive through fog at 20Km/h. The effect of more light so close to the car can make it difficult for your eyes to adjust to objects that are further away and less lit. If you have your fog lights on you tend to drive looking just past the end of the bonnet, rather than to the edge of the dark spot.
- Have a word to the manufacturer - make them improve their lighting products. Seriously, time and time again we come across manufactures who almost couldn't care less about the vehicles lighting under almost any conditions. The situation here in Australia is vastly better than almost anywhere else thanks to great work being undertaken by the local lighting companies, but we need this work to also get back to other countries.
- Market research from Europe (over 3,000 participates) states that anyone who has had Xenon headlights in their car will want that feature on their next car, or they won't buy it.
- Finally - wear good quality sunglasses every day when you drive. These can help you eyes adjust to the darkening conditions with sunset etc - but also protect your eyes from cataract & pterygium onset.
Hope this all helps everyone - any questions then please contact us. We are rather enthusiastic about what we do.