For those who might have multiple vehicles, I'm curious to know if the Model 3's headlights are on par or any better than the other Teslas? My Model S is okay at night, but think it could be better. If there's any pictures taken at night that one could provide of the different cars it would help answer my question.
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Headlights - Model 3 vs S and X comparison
- Thread starter TrevTremaine
- Start date
FlyF4
Son of a MX
Interesting question. Might we know why this of concern? There must be a reason you are asking
SSonnentag
埃隆•馬斯克
I'm very satisfied with the Dec 2017 Model S headlights. My driver-side light was aimed wrong (way too low) at delivery, but that is a simple adjustment against a wall to bring the pair of lights into agreement.
I don't have very good night vision, so I'm picky about my headlights too.
I don't have very good night vision, so I'm picky about my headlights too.
Interesting question. Might we know why this of concern? There must be a reason you are asking
Simple: I'm hoping that they make improvements with the lighting. The scores from the IIHS for headlights isn't good, and I won't say they're far from wrong. Comparing it to my wife's Subaru Forester, the headlights on her car are far brighter, crisper, and detailed.
I would also wish they would incorporate headlight heaters and washers since the LEDs are susceptible to icing as well as the effectiveness of the beam is compromised by dirt quickly.
From a driving perspective, do you notice any major differences? That is, do you find one better than the other? It looks like the S is brighter but more blotchy, the 3 is a little duller but more consistent with it's beam.
The above image is a bit misleading, FWIW. Subjectively the Model 3's headlights are substantially better than the S', moreso than the pictures imply. The human eye isn't great at dealing with the contrast between the "hot spots" in the Model S pattern and the other areas, so the Model 3's much, much more consistent beam output is a huge improvement.
This is the first car I've been in that has better headlights than my Cadillac XLR did, and that was the only car I'd driven in the last decade or so that had better headlights than my gf's 2010 Forester.
SSonnentag
埃隆•馬斯克
Nice pics, Joules. The Model 3 has much more even lighting without hotspots, but puts out less light. The tree on the left and above, as well as the house on the right aren't lit up compared to the S.
What I'd really like to do is get someone with a recent Model S and someone with a Model X and have us all meet somewhere in the Bay Area, and bring my SLR and a tripod, set everything up to capture as close as possible to what we're seeing with the naked eye. Then we could tape off a place for each car to stop, take a high beam and a low beam pic, then the next car pulls in to the same spot and does it, etc etc
SSonnentag
埃隆•馬斯克
Sounds like a great idea. Please put some off-road (shoulder) area objects so that we can compare side lighting as well. I drive a lot of long, dark rural highways with animals and need to be able to see the shoulders as much as possible.
yeah that's what I'm thinking, just try and make it as useful as possible. Hell, we could have some fun with it and have someone dressed all in black stand on "the shoulder" about 150 feet out and such.
SSonnentag
埃隆•馬斯克
One more thing, lock down the white balance on your camera too. We may be able to see a bit of color temperature shifts between headlights.
Yeah my plan would be shooting full manual in RAW to minimize variance as much as possible. If I do this I'll include a balance card in the shots.
seattlite2004
Active Member
In the facelifted S (LEDs), I find that the beam gets diffuse and tends to be a little weak in the rain. Nothing nearly so bad as with my previous 2013 Ford Explorer Sport (halogens), but borderline acceptable for safety in my opinion. Best lights I've driven with were from Audi (Xenon), second best are on the wife's Subaru (LEDs) - just a little better than my 2008 BMW 5 series (Xenon). The temperature of the Audi was a bit closer to daylight but it also tended to "dazzle" oncoming traffic more.
I think the IIHS is making the right call to measure the effectiveness of headlights.
I think the IIHS is making the right call to measure the effectiveness of headlights.
FlyF4
Son of a MX
Maybe I am seeing this wrong, yet it appears that there is no difference in brightness. It appears that the Me is just focused higher up than the MS.
JeffK
Well-Known Member
From the photos, it does look like the Model 3 lights are pointed further out while the Model S just hits the road right away.
The cars also seem to be in slightly different positions.
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