Quote:
Originally Posted by CSharpFan
I actually wasn't talking about switching to UK.
I was thinking of switching the lights via VO from US to Europe.
Reasoning: hoping light output goes up (as in the US it is crippled).
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Changing the region from US-DOT to ECE would not alter the overall light output, per se, as in illumination volume, since its physically capped at 35 watts, regardless of the specific market.
However, US-spec adaptive lighting software is programmed to shine onto the lower half of the right side, in a more sublet operation and the ECE ones illuminate the upper half like 30% above the US cut off area, thus allowing it to be more liberal in its distribution of light, unto the targeted area.
So although the ECE VO would produce a more aggressive method of operation with adaptive lightening, I would not recommend it since the lower beam is electronically bias, left or right, based on the specific market.
Wikipedia on US SAE and ECE lighting:
"There are two different beam pattern and headlamp construction standards in use in the world: The ECE standard, which is allowed or required in virtually all industrialized countries except the United States, and the SAE standard that is mandatory only in the US. Japan formerly had bespoke lighting regulations similar to the US standards, but for the left side of the road.
However, Japan now adheres to the ECE standard. The differences between the SAE and ECE headlamp standards are primarily in the amount of glare permitted towards other drivers on low beam (SAE permits much more glare), the minimum amount of light required to be thrown straight down the road (SAE requires more), and the specific locations within the beam at which minimum and maximum light levels are specified.
ECE low beams are characterized by a distinct horizontal "cutoff" line at the top of the beam. Below the line is bright, and above is dark. On the side of the beam facing away from oncoming traffic (right in right-traffic countries, left in left-traffic countries), this cutoff sweeps or steps upward to direct light to road signs and pedestrians. SAE low beams may or may not have a cutoff, and if a cutoff is present, it may be of two different general types: VOL, which is conceptually similar to the ECE beam in that the cutoff is located at the top of the left side of the beam and aimed slightly below horizontal, or VOR, which has the cutoff at the top of the right side of the beam and aimed at the horizon.[3]"