Headlight options

[Chumbo]

I want to get better lighting for my 2024 Mirage Es. I have had 2 encounters with wildlife in the last week or so and am done with the stock halogen bulbs. I miraculously avoided 2 deer by slamming the brakes and driving between them while they were running across the road and a few days later killed a family of racoons. I definitely need something better, because I get off of work at 3:30am and drive 32 miles home through the woods. I can't spend what I am asked to pay for LED assemblies at car-part.com though (around $650 typically, same price as a low mileage CVT). I am wondering if there is a good brighter halogen bulb that I can use or a light bar that is easily mounted that you guys have came up with? or some type of halogen to LED adapter? I have looked at several old threads and haven't found any definite solution. Thanks.

[Eggman]

I want to get better lighting for my 2024 Mirage Es. I have had 2 encounters with wildlife in the last week or so and am done with the stock halogen bulbs. I miraculously avoided 2 deer by slamming the brakes and driving between them while they were running across the road and a few days later killed a family of racoons. I definitely need something better, because I get off of work at 3:30am and drive 32 miles home through the woods. I can't spend what I am asked to pay for LED assemblies at car-part.com though (around $650 typically, same price as a low mileage CVT). I am wondering if there is a good brighter halogen bulb that I can use or a light bar that is easily mounted that you guys have came up with? or some type of halogen to LED adapter? I have looked at several old threads and haven't found any definite solution. Thanks.

Sorry to hear about your wildlife troubles. There's a lot of deer, raccoons, skunks, et cetera in this area so I can relate.

Not to sound crass but I just want to clarify - are you using your high beams? LED lamps can be brighter but if properly adjusted won't cast light any further down the road and I suspect might be a waste of money.

[klroger]

Some thing like this??? https://www.amazon.ca/Nilight-18023C...465192522&th=1 If you go with auxiliary lighting, you should use a relay & hook them up so they go out when you turn your high beams off. Something like this may help 'cus I don't imagine you see a lot of other cars @ 3:30 in the AM...

[Mark]

I am wondering if there is a good brighter halogen bulb that I can use or a light bar that is easily mounted that you guys have came up with? or some type of halogen to LED adapter? I have looked at several old threads and haven't found any definite solution. Thanks.

I don't think changing headlights will make a difference. I believe light bars are illegal in most states, unless you are driving off road.

I dim my lights when I see a deer, because bright lights just make it worse for them. They have more light receptors for nocturnal activity. Flashing your bright lights will just blind & confuse them. Everyone jokes about red cars & deer in Wisconsin.

If brighter headlights allow you to see farther & drive faster, you probably haven't gained anything. I have certain areas that I slow down every time I drive home, because I know deer frequently cross in those areas. I don't want to jinx myself & hit one now, however.

I prefer my venison comes from my bow or rifle, but deer are why I keep comprehensive insurance on my vehicles.

[7milesout]

I don't know if light bars or auxilliary lighting would be illegal in Florida. But it's not likely that law enforcement would bother enforcing it if it was illegal. Unless the owner of said lighting was purposely lighting it up in other driver's faces.

Chumbo - Maybe you can be our lighting pioneer. I'm in agreement with Mark in as much as I don't think switching your headlights / bulbs is going to make much or any difference for what you need / want. Ultimately a light bar up over the roof with a gazillion lights on it would be best. But I dislike the idea of something sticking up in the air, up over the roof. Wind drag and wind noise would be a problem (for me). And mounting them too low would also be detrimental.

I do like the look some of the rally cars have where they mount big lights above the grill, higher than the headlights. But again, wind drag.

I also tippy-toe drive when I'm in a few select areas around my house where the deer congregate. There are areas here where they feel welcome, right beside the road, and graze. I've never seen one hit killed though. They also must be good parents and teach their little ones about road and traffic safety. Although, about 10 years ago, one about ran into my driver's door. I frequently ride with my left 2 windows down, he was so close I could hear his hoofs clicking on the asphalt.

[Chumbo]

Not to sound crass but I just want to clarify - are you using your high beams? LED lamps can be brighter but if properly adjusted won't cast light any further down the road and I suspect might be a waste of money.

Yeah, I'm using the high beams. That sucks that they probably wouldn't be worth it.

Some thing like this??? https://www.amazon.ca/Nilight-18023C...465192522&th=1 If you go with auxiliary lighting, you should use a relay & hook them up so they go out when you turn your high beams off. Something like this may help 'cus I don't imagine you see a lot of other cars @ 3:30 in the AM...

May work out, thanks for the link. I need to do research on this. Would rather not drill into my roof, but I don't know how else I'd get it on. I was thinking about getting a roof rack though, because I like kayaking and need something, but I was planning on just using foam blocks. Maybe this will tilt the roof rack in favor over of the foam blocks.

I don't think changing headlights will make a difference. I believe light bars are illegal in most states, unless you are driving off road.

They very well may be illegal here, but I see muddin' trucks use them all the time on the county roads, so the law may not be enforced. I don't really want to buy something potentially worthless though, in case it is enforced.
Also, I might try the dimming headlights idea, without the high beams it's kinda scary though, low beams really suck on this car.

Chumbo - Maybe you can be our lighting pioneer. I'm in agreement with Mark in as much as I don't think switching your headlights / bulbs is going to make much or any difference for what you need / want. Ultimately a light bar up over the roof with a gazillion lights on it would be best. But I dislike the idea of something sticking up in the air, up over the roof. Wind drag and wind noise would be a problem (for me). And mounting them too low would also be detriment.

I may do this. I don't think it's enforced here if it is illegal. I think it would look cool with it, I'd probably try for something without added noise though. And I like getting over 40 MPG.
They don't enforce speeding until around over 15mph over, so I imagine I could get away with this on the county roads at least.
Of course I could also slow down, but I've already done that. Used to go a constant 10-15 over, now I go 5 over.

[Fummins]

As for the illegal light bar goes, they're probably illegal here too. But, I don't see any problem driving around with a light bar if you're the only one on the road for miles(and you're not bothering anybody-like lighting up peoples houses).

You'd have to be soft in the head to drive around in traffic with a light bar on, those that do deserve a ticket.

I found out one of the limp wristed retards at work drives around with their highbeams on in the daytime. They gave no reason or explanation but just said they do it all the time. I'm not talking Drl, they go full headlights then turn on the highbeams. I told them they must like getting flipped off by people like me that find that annoying af.

I have heard cases where people got either a ticket or a warning for driving with offroad lights not covered up. That may be a law here but one that's never or very rarely enforced.

Around here tons of people install led bulbs that blind everyone. I said eff it and put some in my truck, figured might as well join em. I haven't been flashed yet but mainly installed them cause my lenses are cloudy and I often drive at night heading out camping and the roads are chit, need good lights.
I've seen light bars that mount to licence plate mounts on the front bumper. There are also mounts that clip/clamp onto the rear edge of the hood so no drilling is required. That might be an option.