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      05-26-2020, 08:18 PM   #1
Justinandwhat
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Laser Headlight vs. LED

Hi all,

I am in the market for a used G05. Given my budget, I realized that I will have many more choices if I opt out the laser headlight, which was a MUST to me.

Wondering if anyone has done a comparison between the headlights? Honestly it just looks cool to me.

Thanks,
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      05-26-2020, 08:53 PM   #2
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Go with the lasers, not only do they look much better but they provide much better lighting in all situations. The IIHS rates the non-laser as poor due to glare.

Here is a link to the test results:

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle...019#headlights
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      05-26-2020, 09:05 PM   #3
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A lot of threads on this. Bottom line, get the Laser lights for a lot of reasons.
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      05-26-2020, 09:46 PM   #4
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Aesthetically, they were a must have for my G05.

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Versus "U" DRLs and non-functioning dummy headlight inner units on the standard LED and LED bulb turn indicators.

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Last edited by Auricom; 05-26-2020 at 10:10 PM..
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      05-26-2020, 11:26 PM   #5
Justinandwhat
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Also learned that the cornering lights of the lasers in US arent working yet?
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      05-26-2020, 11:29 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TurtleBoy View Post
Go with the lasers, not only do they look much better but they provide much better lighting in all situations. The IIHS rates the non-laser as poor due to glare.

Here is a link to the test results:

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle...019#headlights
If they concluded the laser lights are still not good enough on the straight path, im just wondering which model's lights are good enough for them lol. Audi's?
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      05-27-2020, 12:06 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Justinandwhat View Post
Also learned that the cornering lights of the lasers in US arent working yet?
Owners with early 2019 models were able to get updates at their dealer to re-enable the cornering light feature. G05s optioned, produced and delivered with 5AZ Icon Adaptive LED Headlights with Laserlight since last summer have had functioning cornering lights.
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      05-27-2020, 05:15 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Auricom View Post
Owners with early 2019 models were able to get updates at their dealer to re-enable the cornering light feature. G05s optioned, produced and delivered with 5AZ Icon Adaptive LED Headlights with Laserlight since last summer have had functioning cornering lights.
got it thanks!
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      05-27-2020, 07:39 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Auricom View Post
Owners with early 2019 models were able to get updates at their dealer to re-enable the cornering light feature. G05s optioned, produced and delivered with 5AZ Icon Adaptive LED Headlights with Laserlight since last summer have had functioning cornering lights.
Confirmed - work fine on mine: Sep 2019 build, MY 2020.
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      05-27-2020, 11:57 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Justinandwhat View Post
Hi all,

I am in the market for a used G05. Given my budget, I realized that I will have many more choices if I opt out the laser headlight, which was a MUST to me.

Wondering if anyone has done a comparison between the headlights? Honestly it just looks cool to me.

Thanks,
Why are they a must? For me i got the Laser lights but i still dont think they can replace a light bar for country driving trying to avoid kangaroos, pigs etc. i now think i should have got standard lights then found a way yo install a decent light bar.
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      05-28-2020, 03:40 AM   #11
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Adaptive LED's not an option for you? Thats what I have and find them to be excellent. I wanted laser lights for the looks but usability is virtually the same in 99% of situations.

plus the LED shape will look fresh longer as the Corona Rings in the Lasers are being phased out from all models rather quickly
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      05-28-2020, 06:14 AM   #12
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I had Matrix lights on a Merc and they were just unbelievable how they dance around the road keeping the road lit up on high beam but cutting out cars I was following or on coming traffic. BMW Laser lights do the same so they are a must have option for me.
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      05-28-2020, 06:57 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sjak92 View Post
Adaptive LED's not an option for you? Thats what I have and find them to be excellent. I wanted laser lights for the looks but usability is virtually the same in 99% of situations.

plus the LED shape will look fresh longer as the Corona Rings in the Lasers are being phased out from all models rather quickly
Adaptive LEDs are standard in the US and are the ones that are rated as poor.

The Laser lights do not have the Corona rings, they are pictured above.
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      05-28-2020, 07:44 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TurtleBoy View Post
Adaptive LEDs are standard in the US and are the ones that are rated as poor.

The Laser lights do not have the Corona rings, they are pictured above.
Umm they do have Corona rings or the most modern approach to them akin to the pre LCI 5 and 7 series called ICON. They are certainly a take on CORONA rings.

Whats the ratings system in the US? I wouldn't call them poor by any stretch unless they are limited like the lasers in the US? EU lights are fully adaptive, turn with steering wheel input, spread between cars you are following and will have either light on independently as and when needed
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      05-28-2020, 07:55 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TurtleBoy View Post
Adaptive LEDs are standard in the US and are the ones that are rated as poor.

The Laser lights do not have the Corona rings, they are pictured above.
you're being misleading. from what i understand, they are rated as poor because they can cause glare for oncoming traffic. they are excellent for the driver

to the OP; i would not avoid the perfect car if it doesnt have the laser lights. those that are saying it makes a big difference are wrong. i've driven both at night and honestly could barely notice a difference. if you find the perfect car without the laser headlights go for it.
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      05-28-2020, 09:09 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Addbuyer View Post
I had Matrix lights on a Merc and they were just unbelievable how they dance around the road keeping the road lit up on high beam but cutting out cars I was following or on coming traffic. BMW Laser lights do the same so they are a must have option for me.
My sales rep said the adaptive leds do exactly the same thing, the only difference is that the laser lights are even better in illuminating long distances.

So if you do a lot of driving on long deserted stretches of road they are an added value, if not, the adaptive LEDs are more than enough.
That is, while driving... walking up to your car the lasers look better. I ended up not getting them since i test drove in the dark with lasers and without and honestly barely could tell the difference on smaller stretches of road.

Too bad they change the daytime running lights, otherwise it would have been a no brainer imho
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      05-28-2020, 09:10 AM   #17
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Isn’t the inside lens on the standard LED lights non operational and just a filler piece?? I have only seen the laser lights have all their lenses operational.
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      05-28-2020, 09:51 AM   #18
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think im going for the laser light
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      05-28-2020, 09:52 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MystroX5 View Post
Isn’t the inside lens on the standard LED lights non operational and just a filler piece?? I have only seen the laser lights have all their lenses operational.
correct, it is a dummy. But how does having two do the exact same light source improve it. Take two identical lamps with the same bulb and shine them at the wall to see if it gets any brighter with one vs two on at the same time.
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      05-28-2020, 09:53 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterPuitG View Post
My sales rep said the adaptive leds do exactly the same thing, the only difference is that the laser lights are even better in illuminating long distances.

So if you do a lot of driving on long deserted stretches of road they are an added value, if not, the adaptive LEDs are more than enough.
That is, while driving... walking up to your car the lasers look better. I ended up not getting them since i test drove in the dark with lasers and without and honestly barely could tell the difference on smaller stretches of road.

Too bad they change the daytime running lights, otherwise it would have been a no brainer imho
100% correct
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      05-28-2020, 11:04 AM   #21
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i like the looks of the laser lights but i havent' seen much difference . i also have a RR with led and the light output is about the same
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      05-28-2020, 02:11 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by omaralt View Post
you're being misleading. from what i understand, they are rated as poor because they can cause glare for oncoming traffic. they are excellent for the driver

to the OP; i would not avoid the perfect car if it doesnt have the laser lights. those that are saying it makes a big difference are wrong. i've driven both at night and honestly could barely notice a difference. if you find the perfect car without the laser headlights go for it.
Not misleading at all. They are rated Poor due to glare.
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