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any better choices over the standard high beam bulb on the SE - i just want a better spray of light maybe with a wider/broader light pattern if that's possible
rather than shoot the beam further down the road I might be able to get a better look what is lurking off the edge - like a rouge camel!....

Osram Night Breaker Unlimited or Philips X-treme Vision from http://www.powerbulbs.com/au/store/category/car-bulbs. Twice the light with half the service life.

Those globes will make a noticeable difference. Also check the outside of the headlamp glass for discolouration. You can buy special cleaning fluids, or use toothpaste, or cutting compound.

By the way, I guess you mean rogue, as most camels are sort of camel coloured rather than red (rouge)?

thanks for the bulb and cleaning info info and as for the camel best I don't come too close to either a rogue version and not a mutant colour rouge version

The light pattern ie distribution of light is essentially related to the design optics in the light unit. The light source helps ie in a good quality bulb as stated. Fog lights light up a shallow foreground but have very little penetration. Agreed that a clean lens is helpful. Personally I think the projector lamp unit is pretty good and assume that's what you have got.

You're going on a cross country trip aren't you?

if you're concerned about roos/camels/cattle/etc then certainly do all the items suggested above, but do be aware that unless you do some pretty drastic modifications to the inside of the headlights you won't really be able to get the high beams broader, brighter bulbs will help you see, but the beam is limited by where the lens/reflector directs all that light.


I would suggest buying a pair of driving lamps and fitting them, they will allow you to get more light, and more the point, direct the light to where it is needed.
You would be able to mount them somewhat splayed out so as to direct more beam towards the sides than usual (so the high beams light the middle, and the auxiliary lamps light the edges)

the "mouth" of an MX5 can easily accomodate a pair of 4inch round lamps without any permanent modifications, all you need to do is to make up a bracket to hold them, and then attach that bracket to the existing captive bolts for the number plate bracket.

You can see what i'm talking about on my car here:
2nd by hks_kansei, on Flickr

note, my number plate is off to the side purely by my preference, it would have still fit with the lamps in place.
Those were my old lamps (NB8B Cibie Fog lamps), which had a great beam pattern but were removed after one got broken. I've now got another pair on that look neater (Unbranded chinese), but have an absolutely garbage beam and are way too bright despite being labeled as fog lamps (they're as bright as my high beams)

in saying that, the foglamps broad beam shape, with the high beam brightness, seems to be exactly what you want.

Might be good to check design regs if you plan to use lights so low down as anything other than fog lights, especially if there's no fog.

yep! i am getting ready to do a bit of a long inland run plus I'm also a bit pushed for grille space. I might try the bulb upgrade first and see how that goes.
I don't expect to do any night driving as its not advised in central aust but it's better to be prepared just in case.

billybunter wrote:yep! i am getting ready to do a bit of a long inland run plus I'm also a bit pushed for grille space. I might try the bulb upgrade first and see how that goes.
I don't expect to do any night driving as its not advised in central aust but it's better to be prepared just in case.

Good idea. I drove past a Pug 405 and the dead buck roo that it had hit just near my place yesterday. Front smashed in, bonnet crushed around the motor, most of the windscreen dríven into the cabin and the roof crushed to half height over the passenger seat. That was only an eastern grey; western reds and greys are much bigger.

I have completely abandoned driving my 5 between dusk and dawn here.

davekmoore wrote:Might be good to check design regs if you plan to use lights so low down as anything other than fog lights, especially if there's no fog.

They are at the same height as the factory installations on the NB8B.

And although it's been a while since I've read the relevant legislation I seem to recall that driving lamps don't have any particular limits as to installation beyond pointing forward, the main regulations are in regard to how they are wired, and a when they may be used.
Although, as I said, it's been a while since I sat down and thumbed through the law, so I may be mistaken.

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2005L03991

ADR13/00 6.3.4.2

n height:
Minimum: Not less than 250mm above the ground.

Ground to bumper is 115mm clearance on mine, lamps are mounted 150mm or so above that.


edit:

More relevant, driving lamps.

ADR13/00 7.3.4.2

In height: no individual specifications.

Basically, as long as they point forwards they're fine.

Put some brighter bulbs in your fog lamps!

They already have the dispersion pattern you're after, are already fitted and are already wired up.

that's another idea- first off I will check and see if they still work

Fog lights are just about useless and their single purpose is fog. For normal driving they don't do anything because the shallow illumination is completely offset by normal speeds. A driving lamp is designed to throw a beam well beyond a high beam therefore you see further. But you cannot use them and dazzle oncoming traffic. I have had driving lights and had not used for years. Today's cars rarely need anything more than a high beam.

Mr Morlock wrote:Fog lights are just about useless and their single purpose is fog. For normal driving they don't do anything because the shallow illumination is completely offset by normal speeds. A driving lamp is designed to throw a beam well beyond a high beam therefore you see further. But you cannot use them and dazzle oncoming traffic. I have had driving lights and had not used for years. Today's cars rarely need anything more than a high beam.

Actually for me their main purpose is for driving mountain roads with hairpins and switchbacks. The side lighting of fogs lets you see around to the exit of the corner which is blackness otherwise. I used to do these ascents and descents with the hazards flashng to help me see to the side.

Not much help out west though....