Unofficialbmw.com Forum Index Unofficialbmw.com
The UnofficialBMW BB, answers for your BMW questions.
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Help on Headlight styles

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Unofficialbmw.com Forum Index -> M Cars Forum

Support Unofficialbmw.com :: Download Free Healthy Habits iPhone app!

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Hobbsie



Joined: 13 Mar 2002
Posts: 2
Location: Orleans, MA

PostPosted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 5:36 am    Post subject: Help on Headlight styles Reply with quote

What's the difference btwn the various types of headlights? I just picked up a used '97 with dull lights and am investigating upgrades. I noticed ZKW Ellipsoid Free-form units for sale. How different that standard ellipsoids? DOT legal? Any help appreciated.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
PJK



Joined: 14 Feb 2002
Posts: 1829
Location: Shingle Springs, CA

PostPosted: Mon Mar 18, 2002 4:31 pm    Post subject: Help on Headlight styles Reply with quote

quote:
Originally posted by Steve Hobbs:
Go to this website for lots of automotive lighting info: http://lighting.mbz.org/
Hella also has a brochure describing the various headlight technologies.

The main technologies are:
1. Parabolic - This is the traditional headlight that has been around forever. The source is placed at the focus af a parabolic reflector which gives a straight beam which is shaped by the bumps in the front lens.

2. Ellipsoid - This uses an ellipsoid reflector to force light through a mask with the desired beam pattern, which is then projected with a convex lens. These lamps can give a very precice beam pattern.

3. Free form - This light uses a plane cover lens and forms the desired beam pattern with the shape of the reflector. These lamps are very efficient and widely used.

4. Free form ellipsoid - These lamps modify the shape of the ellipsoid reflector to not waste much light on the dark part of the beam forming mask so they combine the efficiency of the freeform lites with the precice beam of the ellipsoid projectors.

Phil

What's the difference btwn the various types of headlights? I just picked up a used '97 with dull lights and am investigating upgrades. I noticed ZKW Ellipsoid Free-form units for sale. How different that standard ellipsoids? DOT legal? Any help appreciated.



[ 03-18-2002: Message edited by: PJK ]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Unofficialbmw.com Forum Index -> M Cars Forum All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group