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      09-20-2020, 09:38 PM   #1
SlowX6M
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Help me understand our laser headlights.

There are a bunch of articles on the internet, but I couldn't find one with a complete and simple explanation. From what I understand, our headlights are actually LED, and only the high beam is laser? Also, I heard that the high beam only uses lasers above 40mph, otherwise it uses LEDs even for high beam.

Also, what about the selective beam technology, I understand it is not legal in the USA, but do we actually have this technology built in and its just deactivated?
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      09-20-2020, 10:02 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowX6M View Post
There are a bunch of articles on the internet, but I couldn't find one with a complete and simple explanation. From what I understand, our headlights are actually LED, and only the high beam is laser? Also, I heard that the high beam only uses lasers above 40mph, otherwise it uses LEDs even for high beam.

Also, what about the selective beam technology, I understand it is not legal in the USA, but do we actually have this technology built in and its just deactivated?
The laser lights are equipped in the US but nerfed for the amount lumens allowed. As I understand it the benefit of the laser tech compared to other vehicles in the US is negligible because of the brightness limitation.
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      09-20-2020, 10:55 PM   #3
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I believe I read on here you can code them to euro spec
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      09-21-2020, 09:17 AM   #4
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I believe I read on here you can code them to euro spec
Any details on being able to code them to Eurospec would be great to know.
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      09-21-2020, 09:41 AM   #5
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if I get some I will search on here
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      09-21-2020, 02:32 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by UltraDave View Post
The laser lights are equipped in the US but nerfed for the amount lumens allowed. As I understand it the benefit of the laser tech compared to other vehicles in the US is negligible because of the brightness limitation.
They are useful in the US if you are driving on backroads above 35 mph. Had them on my standard X5 and the illumination is unreal, but not useful at all around town due to the lower speeds and amount of ambient light. The standard LED high beams are so good it can be hard to justify in the US.
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      12-05-2020, 04:34 PM   #7
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Bumping up this thread. Trying to comprehend this, is there any real difference between LED and Laser lights with low beams? I understand the low beam in both is LED.

With the Laser, is the high beam always laser, or is it LED at lower speeds as well?
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      12-06-2020, 05:36 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowX6M View Post
Bumping up this thread. Trying to comprehend this, is there any real difference between LED and Laser lights with low beams? I understand the low beam in both is LED.

With the Laser, is the high beam always laser, or is it LED at lower speeds as well?
From my understanding, laser technology is for high beam only. Basically the high beam is upgraded to laser lights. Other than that the difference is the aesthetic as shown in the picture below.

The usual range of the high beam is doubled with laser but that’s not the case for us spec cars they are limited to the same range as the LED
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      12-06-2020, 10:22 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowX6M View Post
Bumping up this thread. Trying to comprehend this, is there any real difference between LED and Laser lights with low beams? I understand the low beam in both is LED.

With the Laser, is the high beam always laser, or is it LED at lower speeds as well?
The high beams are LED only below 35 mph. Above 35 mph it switches over to laser if I remember correctly.
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      12-07-2020, 07:52 AM   #10
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So basically for every day driving there is no difference between LED vs Laser?

Also, the anti dazzle function that is apparently banned in the US, is this present on both LED and lasers?
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      12-07-2020, 06:42 PM   #11
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I was out last night in my new X5M with the laser lights, and honestly they didn't perform any better than the adaptive LED lights I had on my X3 M40i.
They came with the exec package but I sure wouldn't pay extra for them on the non M X5's.
By the time the US regulators actually fully approve the full function for the laser lights, all these cars will be in the scrap yard.
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      12-07-2020, 07:22 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowX6M View Post
So basically for every day driving there is no difference between LED vs Laser?

Also, the anti dazzle function that is apparently banned in the US, is this present on both LED and lasers?
I don't know the technical answer, but my 2019 5 series had led lights. My 2021 x5 has laser lights. Only difference I see is the blue housing on the laser lights. Performance-wise, no noticeable difference for me.
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      12-07-2020, 07:38 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by FloridaM5 View Post
I don't know the technical answer, but my 2019 5 series had led lights. My 2021 x5 has laser lights. Only difference I see is the blue housing on the laser lights. Performance-wise, no noticeable difference for me.
Yes, my 2017 X6M had LEDs, I think the high beams were even brighter. Do not notice any difference in low beam.
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      12-08-2020, 03:47 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by SlowX6M View Post
Yes, my 2017 X6M had LEDs, I think the high beams were even brighter. Do not notice any difference in low beam.
There is no difference in low beams with Laser. It is a high beam only function. You will notice a difference on a backroad at speed. The throw is something like 600 yards. At lower speeds the LED highbeams are identical to the standard LED lights.

As I stated before, unless you are driving on rural roads above 35 mph it is doubtful you will see a difference. In suburban/urban areas there are too many other lights around to really see an improvement.

Think about the last time you needed to see 1/3 mile at night and this should answer whether you "need" them or not.

Here is a demonstration video that explains them in about 90 seconds

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      12-08-2020, 06:26 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Salespunk View Post
There is no difference in low beams with Laser. It is a high beam only function. You will notice a difference on a backroad at speed. The throw is something like 600 yards. At lower speeds the LED highbeams are identical to the standard LED lights.

As I stated before, unless you are driving on rural roads above 35 mph it is doubtful you will see a difference. In suburban/urban areas there are too many other lights around to really see an improvement.

Think about the last time you needed to see 1/3 mile at night and this should answer whether you "need" them or not.

Here is a demonstration video that explains them in about 90 seconds


Thank you, that helps a lot. Now to the last part of the video that demonstrates the "selective beam" - is that the same as anti dazzle? I understand its not legal in the USA, but can we code it in.

Also, the selective beam, is it available with LEDs and Lasers, or only lasers?
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      12-09-2020, 05:51 PM   #16
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Coding Wanted

I got dollars if someone can code it? $$$$
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      12-10-2020, 12:31 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by evanaswan View Post
I got dollars if someone can code it? $$$$
Code the Anti-Dazzle?
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      12-14-2020, 12:06 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by SlowX6M View Post
Thank you, that helps a lot. Now to the last part of the video that demonstrates the "selective beam" - is that the same as anti dazzle? I understand its not legal in the USA, but can we code it in.

Also, the selective beam, is it available with LEDs and Lasers, or only lasers?
Yes that is the anti dazzle function
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      02-16-2021, 05:58 PM   #19
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I got to finally experience the lasers. I believe they only activate when set to auto - you can visibly see first the regular LED high beam activate, and then a fraction of a second after the laser kicks in, creating what I can best describe as a "tunnel" of light that extends forward further than any headlight I even seen. Very impressive.
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      02-25-2021, 01:30 PM   #20
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ugg. just reading this thread and so bummed... i know my sales rep was like.. laser is the only way to go... my bad for not looking into it more.

I also had my rep tell me the reason they dont put fog lights on M cars is because the laser bends light around the car.

not too many things that I know of bend light other than gravity and a mirror (which is more redirection) I lost faith in his words and left. Either way it all looks correct in the written items. Laser only functions at high speed.

at least we have a cool sticker...
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      02-25-2021, 04:44 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 21x6m View Post
ugg. just reading this thread and so bummed... i know my sales rep was like.. laser is the only way to go... my bad for not looking into it more.

I also had my rep tell me the reason they dont put fog lights on M cars is because the laser bends light around the car.

not too many things that I know of bend light other than gravity and a mirror (which is more redirection) I lost faith in his words and left. Either way it all looks correct in the written items. Laser only functions at high speed.

at least we have a cool sticker...
The fog lights are not on any M cars, I believe that's to allow for extra ducts for cooling, at least thats the excuse.
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      02-27-2021, 03:24 AM   #22
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It seems there is a fog lamp function embedded in the F95/96 headlights.

According to the manual (see there "Guiding Fog Lights") and other sources the new headlights have 64 separate LED beams that can be composed according to the driving context.

When the rear foglights are switched on and (if?) the front cameras sense fog conditions (I wonder how?), the 64 LED beams are distributed in a short throw, low foglight-type beam.

I had not yet the opportunity to check this real-time while driving in fog.
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