[Unit]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

Here's my review of the US spec lazer lights. When it's dark outside I can't see. The headlights come on and then I can see. So they do their job perfectly. The end.

But so do the LEDs for zero cost.

[VTENGR]

Originally Posted by Unit

But so do the LEDs for zero cost.

Exactly! I chose the lasers 100% for aesthetics. Of all the things to consider when buying a car I can honestly say the headlight performance has never factored into it.

I know it sounds incredibly vain but it's the difference between looking like you have a "base" model vs fully optioned. Mercedes Benz is really good at this because there's even bigger aesthetic difference between the base and upgraded lights. You could point out a "cheap" ML350 vs the "expensive" ML350 just by looking at the lights.

[Unit]

Yeah I hear what you’re saying. Plus ultimately it’s your car so down to the individual choice.

[TxBeem]

I chose laser light for aesthetic reasons too. But I'm glad it works really well too. And the blue plastic thing inside the headlights on a white SUV with blue m-sport braked is sweet looking.

[James_G0540i]

Originally Posted by Unit

But so do the LEDs for zero cost.

I have to agree with that too.

To be honest, its the huge grills that attract my attention the most on the front of the car; AND for other people I notice looking at my car.

Was parked outside some shops the other day waiting for the wife to come out, and a guy walking past literally slowed down and spent like 2 mins looking closely at the grill. I think he was trying to work out if the louvers or vents are fixed or open...
Incidentally that same day when we got home, the louvers opened and the fan was running for 5 mins after I switched off the car.

[OliverATX]

Correct me if I am wrong here, but "Laser Lights" do not "turn on" until after you reach 60mp/h+ (in the USA). Before that and in regular commuter traffic there is no difference at all, aside from the atrocious blue accents. Plus, you have to pay an arm and a leg if you need to replace one of those. This seems to be one of those desperate attempts to make a difference at the expense of the customer- much like the crystal shift knob, which is only topped by Trump's golden toilets. So, someone remind me where the upside is again?

[Brigitte]

Originally Posted by OliverATX

Somebody correct me if I am wrong here, but "Laser Lights" do not come on after you reach 60mp/h. Before that and in regular commuter driving there is no diff. Aside from the atrocious blue accents you have to pay an arm and a leg if you need to replace one of those...So, someone remind me where the upside is again?

Where did you get the information about Laser Lights not coming on until you reach 60 mph speed?

[jad03060]

Originally Posted by OliverATX

Somebody correct me if I am wrong here, but "Laser Lights" do not come on after you reach 60mp/h. Before that and in regular commuter driving there is no diff. Aside from the atrocious blue accents you have to pay an arm and a leg if you need to replace one of those...So, someone remind me where the upside is again?

The lasers are enabled when you reach 60km/h, not 60mph. Plus, they won't come on if the ambient light is high enough, so you may not get them to come on in a city or where you have lots of streetlights. Out in the country on a dark night, when they do come on, it can be quite a revelation.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by OliverATX

Correct me if I am wrong here, but "Laser Lights" do not "turn on" until after you reach 60mp/h+ (in the USA). Before that and in regular commuter traffic there is no difference at all, aside from the atrocious blue accents. Plus, you have to pay an arm and a leg if you need to replace one of those. This seems to be one of those desperate attempts to make a difference at the expense of the customer- much like the crystal shift knob, which is only topped by Trump's golden toilets. So, someone remind me where the upside is again?

Welcome to the forum. As mentioned, this is incorrect, they turn on at 37mph. There are a number of advantages to the laser lights that I'm sure are mentioned in this, and other, threads.

[TGTBTU]

Simply put, it's a useless gimmick. But, be sure they didn't charge you for it.

[SomeClown]

I was a little bummed to not be able to option the laser lights (My MY2022 is being built on Wednesday 7/27 and was caught up in the options shortages) but at the end of the day it's not enough for me to reject the vehicle. But, if I could have gotten them I would have, for what it's worth.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by TGTBTU

Simply put, it's a useless gimmick. But, be sure they didn't charge you for it.

There is a comment based on reality.

[jad03060]

IMHO, anything that can improve your awareness of what's going on a night, which includes being able to see further, is a useful safety benefit.

The anti-dazzle functionality helps, too. Unfortunately, the US DOT lighting laws are, and have been, one of the last places on earth to allow the advancements over time. Consider going to four lamps, then halogen, then xenon, then laser, and now they allow anti-dazzle. I don't know of any manufacturer that has certified theirs (yet) to the latest regulation released earlier this year for use in the USA.

The FDA had to get involved with the laser light...they forced (at least) BMW to incorporate a safety interlock switch that could determine if the housing was damaged, and if it was, to disable the laser lamp from illuminating. That slowed introduction into the USA for at least a few years. The BMW choice on laser is outside of the visible range of humans, and its phosphors that get excited, like in a fluorescent lamp that actually convert that to visible light. If the housing was damaged, in theory, the invisible, but potentially damaging laser light could come out front and damage someone's eyes.

[cellarrat]

The standard headlights on the X5 were not given the highest rating by the IIHS; the laser lights got the top mark. It is incorrect to say they are a gimmick. Whether they are "worth it" is a different question

[eelnoraa]

If you work out the cost of laser along, it is about $1000. It is far less than what I paid for bi-xenon for E46, adaptive xenon for E82. They both have proven to be beneficial at night. Maybe I am getting old, anything that helps me see better at night, I will get it. So I got laser this time.

Out of exe package, if I can break them up, I will take laser, rear shade, HUG, but skip glass, LED roof, gesture (part of 2022 exe)

[Marty in NY]

More light = more sight. Ask your eye doc.

[Brigitte]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Maybe I am getting old, anything that helps me see better at night, I will get it.

Same here...we gradually lose night vision as we get older...it's a fact of life! That's why the "Adaptive headlights with laser lights" feature is a must-have for me.

[arRod1981]

Had the 45e for a week now, and got to see the Laser Lights in action two nights ago. They for sure illuminate the road for you. The road I normally drive on I don't think I've ever seen this one particular tree illuminated so well.

Anything that'll help prevent me from hitting a deer, wild boar, or armadillo I'm going to get for the 45e. Have had numerous close calls with the deer in our neighborhood.

[jad03060]

Originally Posted by arRod1981

Anything that'll help prevent me from hitting a deer, wild boar, or armadillo I'm going to get for the 45e. Have had numerous close calls with the deer in our neighborhood.

Did you opt for the night vision? It was a bit expensive for me, so I passed. That helps highlight any warm-blooded critters, even when you can't use your high beams. Course, anti-dazzle, if you code it on would help, too, as at least some of the 'high' beam is usually on all of the time.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by jad03060

Did you opt for the night vision? It was a bit expensive for me, so I passed. That helps highlight any warm-blooded critters, even when you can't use your high beams. Course, anti-dazzle, if you code it on would help, too, as at least some of the 'high' beam is usually on all of the time.

BMW dropped Night Vision a couple of years ago. Many people seemed to have good results with it.

[arRod1981]

Originally Posted by jad03060

Did you opt for the night vision? It was a bit expensive for me, so I passed. That helps highlight any warm-blooded critters, even when you can't use your high beams. Course, anti-dazzle, if you code it on would help, too, as at least some of the 'high' beam is usually on all of the time.

As TurtleBoy mentioned, that is no longer an option, but definitely something I would have spec'd. Only things I wasn't able to get, but would have definitely added were Night Vision, B&W, and Acoustic Glass.

For sure going to get Anti-Dazzle coded here soon, and some other things.

[temoore48]

I've heard that coding anti dazzle is more effective with laser. Had mine coded and in 9 months I've never been flashed and the work quite well. The company that coded mine said they have had trouble coding the non laser for anti dazzle. They get a lot of on coming cars flashing them.