Clear vs. OEM headlamp lens

[zhenya]

I know, really, I do... but they *work* really well together. I'm basing that on the pattern I achieved against the wall and the light thrown across the road surface ahead of the car and the light response from street signs and highway signs overhead. I've also driven another car in front of mine with no glare issues or other-driver annoyances.

A sharp cutoff alone is not indicative of a good beam pattern. You probably do see more light, because the new lenses are, well, new. Visual comparisons alone are worth as much as the effort you put into your test; ie. little to nothing.

If you compare the lenses, the shortcomings are clear to the eye. The aftermarket lenses are obviously sub-par, with ill-defined fluting patterns compared to the razor-crisp lines on the OEM parts.

You'd get the same benefit (as well as the same shortcomings with the aftermarket parts) if you put on new DOT lenses as well, while also remaining legal.

People swear up and down all the time that their expensive PIAA 'hyper-white' (or whatever the current buzz-word is) bulbs are way better than anything else, yet controlled test after controlled test shows that they aren't. The aftermarket lighting industry is about as trustworthy as the aftermarket stereo business; it takes real effort to break through the hype.

[BEJinFbk]

I don't want to start anything here ( again... ),
but IMHO, the driver's subjective opinion will always
win out over "Controlled Testing". No contest.

All that matters to me is that my stock DOT's threw
virtually worthless light and the AM E-codes do the job.
( And there was no perceptible pitting on the stockers, IIRC. )

My control was driving in the same places with different glass.
I also made some drive-by's ( following some earlier discussions on
this topic ), to be certain that my E-code low beams are unobtrusive.
No Problem.

FWIW:
E-code lows ( ScanTech) :

E-code highs:

The results are very perceptable to me
and AFAIC, at the end of the day,
that's what matters.

[zhenya]

The average person also maintains that turning on their fog lights improves their visibility in all weather, when in fact, just the opposite is true.

Anyhow, yes, of course you got more light - you replaced old lenses with brand new ones. You would have gotten the same benefit with new DOT lenses as well. It's the new lenses that helped - not the e-code beam pattern. Both the stock DOT lighting and the e-code lighting on these cars are actually quite good - it's just that this many years on, most of the parts are worn. Mixing and matching parts isn't necessary to improve the lighting. Unfortunately this is a simple bolt-on 'upgrade' that every shop sells. I didn't know any better either until I looked into it further, so I have a lightly used set of scan-tech e-codes sitting on my bench (as well as a set of genuine Hella e-code headlamps - my DOT models are better).

[zhenya]

Lest everyone think I'm a total curmudgeon, there are plenty of cars where the euro lamps ARE markedly better than the DOT counterparts. My Mercedes 190e was equipped with awful DOT lamps using the terrible 9004 bulb. The euro lamps use a much superior bulb while also having a bigger reflector and lense, and as a result are far superior. The 850 however actually uses slightly better bulbs on the US model while having the same size lenses and reflectors. Either DOT or ecode systems can be very good - the trick is the implementation -- which Volvo handled well in both markets.

[BEJinFbk]

I don't think that you're a curmudgeon. I simply have a different point of view.
Although I do find it a little condescending that you're certain that old lenses
were the root of what I considered to be poor roadway illumination. Nope...
My original glass was protected with film when I purchased it at about 90K.
It was beginning to yellow, so I removed it thinking that the old film was causing
diffusion and light loss. I had essentially new glass under it and guess what?

The clean DOT glass still sucked...At least In My Humble Opinion.

I would get out of town and find that without street lighting, my car was crippled.
Low beams, High beams, swapping H7's - They were just woefully inadequate.

The cheap, sleazy ScanTech E-codes made my headlights do their job.
Not brilliantly, but acceptably. ( To be honest, if I were putting on
any real highway miles, I'd add driving lights. Probably 100w, 10 degree
aircraft landing pin spots. You can spot moose a hundred yards out with'em.)
No lab tests, no photometric studies, no color temperature research.
The E-codes Work Better in my real world scenario. It's just that simple.

I admire the fact that you make some very good points on the topic,
but the world is a big place and not all things are that black and white.
All I can really post here is what works for me, my budget and lighting needs.

I urge anyone interested to do plenty of research and
meet your own, individual lighting needs without blinding
your fellow motorists. Best of Luck to all!

So - When do we get started on witless ninnies who put
HID's in anything they can cram them into, with blatant
disregard and lack of respect for everyone else on the road?
Man - I HATE when that happens...

[Rbaratt]

Thanks for the reply, but I sent everything back to the supplier. The ecode lenses were from two different manufacturers and didn't match, and one of the lens assemblies was damaged internally out of the box. I installed OEM fog lights and I think I will use OEM headlight assemblies from a 2003/2004 C70 if I decide to continue with the headlamp replacements. Are the 2003/2004 C70 headlamps a drop in replacement or is there a modification needed to use them on the S70? All the vendors I have spoken with tell me they will not fit an S70, but folks on these forums say this is a good upgrade...although an expensive upgrade!

[RigsPGT]

Probably you've figured it out by now if the 03-04 C70s work on our S70s. I just got a pair yesterday from an 04 C70 convertible and they were glass with Volvo and Hella imprints. I mentioned "convertible" because the counter person at the junkyard had to be sure my car was a convertible (i doubt hardtops have different headlights anyway) but they light up the road much better than the fluted ones and drop right in.

[V_T5]

anyone know where I can get a single glass replacement for the IPD projector headlights?

[zeke1256]

I have a 2000 S-70, headlights were very dim, tried different higher output bulbs, very little difference. I believe the inner reflectors were basically shot. Bought aftermarket TYC headlight assemblies, HUGE difference, like driving a different new car. However, one headlight wouldn't adjust up or down, my bodyman said the inner adjustment wheel must be broke or something. Ordered new one, returned old one for refund. New one was able to adjust so I'm good again., each light assembly around $90.00, can't go wrong with these.

[BEJinFbk]

A lot of folks seem very happy with the TYCs. Glad they worked out.
Depot Jewels are also pretty reasonable these days, too.