Head light beam benders

BryanDutthorn
BryanDutthorn Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited June 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Are they required in Eu in law for uk cars, when I drive a HGV in Eu with none fitted to my truck.

Comments

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #2

    Depends what the beam is like on your car. It's been discussed many time here, some stick them on cos they  like to be seen to be doing something
    Sealed. Drive up to a wall & see what the beam pattern is like. Is it flat (symmetrical) or does it have a kick up to the left (asymmetrical).
    If it's flat, then you don't need to do anything. If it's asymmetrical, depending on the type, you might find a lever inside the back of the headlight that masks the left/upward deflection so not to blind Pierre.

    All depends on the car & what type of headlights it has. RT*M Wink

  • Fozzie
    Fozzie Club Member Posts: 551 ✭
    500 Comments
    edited June 2016 #3

    There is a rotating matrix board at Calais stating the legal requirements for driving in France.Headlights converters is one of them.So you all buy those sticky on things and plonk them somewhere on the headlights.Job done.

    i am not sure how you stand with MM post above if stopped by the French police.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #4

    I think the French police are too busy right now dealing with national security, striking workers, Russian fans and the football to bother looking for sticky backed plastic bits on headlights. Even at quieter times than this they have never stopped me. 

  • KeefySher
    KeefySher Forum Participant Posts: 1,128
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #5

    I just operate buttons on the sterring wheel to change from here to there Tongue Out

  • BryanDutthorn
    BryanDutthorn Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited June 2016 #6

    Thanks all for your time and advise

  • NutsyH
    NutsyH Forum Participant Posts: 534
    edited June 2016 #7

    Those matrix boards are out of date. You cannot fit beam benders to xenon or led headlights. Both types have manual or electronic means of switching, unless they are symmetrical. The ferry companies are more interested in selling you unnecessary kit, such
    as breathalysers.

  • Olliedays
    Olliedays Forum Participant Posts: 29
    edited June 2016 #8

    The law very simply translated is not to dazzle. So molllysmummy's advice is good.  If you don't have the lift on the left then no adjustment is required. There are many ways of removing the lift. I can lower my beam to remove dazzle, which incidentally
    I have to do to avoid dazzling in this country if I have a full load.

  • stevejulie37
    stevejulie37 Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited June 2016 #9

    Depends what the beam is like on your car. It's been discussed many time here, some stick them on cos they  like to be seen to be doing something
    Sealed. Drive up to a wall & see what the beam pattern is like. Is it flat (symmetrical) or does it have a kick up to the left (asymmetrical).
    If it's flat, then you don't need to do anything. If it's asymmetrical, depending on the type, you might find a lever inside the back of the headlight that masks the left/upward deflection so not to blind Pierre.

    All depends on the car & what type of headlights it has. RT*M Wink

    photos of what you mean would be handy also for people who havent been beforeWorried

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #10

     ....

    photos of what you mean would be handy also for people who havent been beforeWorried

    I gave up trying to post a photo here a loooong time a go. It'll be in your hand book ..... though my Merc's just says to take it to the dealer Surprised

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #11

    The law very simply translated is not to dazzle. So molllysmummy's advice is good.  If you don't have the lift on the left then no adjustment is required. There are many ways of removing the lift. I can lower my beam to remove dazzle, which incidentally
    I have to do to avoid dazzling in this country if I have a full load.

    Lowering your headlights as though for a full load in the UK is not the same as removing the kick up to the left .... you'll still blind Pierre. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #12

     .....i am not sure how you stand with MM post above if stopped by the French police.

    I'd be able to show him/her the beam against the back of his/her car when I alter the shutter. Cool

    But considering the huge numbers of cars in the UK that don't require beam benders due to flat beams & the ability to 'convert' to LHD, Gendarme would be very busy if they stopped every UK car off the ferry/tunnel to check

  • Olliedays
    Olliedays Forum Participant Posts: 29
    edited June 2016 #13

    The law very simply translated is not to dazzle. So molllysmummy's advice is good.  If you don't have the lift on the left then no adjustment is required. There are many ways of removing the lift. I can lower my beam to remove dazzle, which incidentally
    I have to do to avoid dazzling in this country if I have a full load.

    Lowering your headlights as though for a full load in the UK is not the same as removing the kick up to the left .... you'll still blind Pierre. 

    I can lower mine sufficiently not to dazzle Pierre as the kick up is slight. The ability to 'not dazzle' has been tested against a garage door on every new car since I stopped using beam benders by default many years ago. 

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #14

    I've always used beam benders to be on the safe side.  My thinking has always been it's easier to spend a few quid on beam benders than to risk the wrath  (and more importantly, the fine) of the French police.  I just find guns a bit intimidating!!  Laughing

    David 

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2016 #15

    Depending on the type of headlamps (xenon or LED), beam benders or deflectors can actually cause more dazzle than what they are supposed to prevent.

  • Greygit
    Greygit Forum Participant Posts: 167
    edited June 2016 #16

    We have a Ford Galaxy and to change to continental dip the car has to go into a ford dealer to have the work done at approx £50 a shot, needlessly to say I won’t be going down that route. I have seen beam deflectors that claim to cope with heat from xenon
    lights successfully, has anyone used them?

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