Using Off Road Lights on the Highway

I agree that slower/more stops is better and safer on the way down to BCS. But every Xmas-New Years I only have two days to get down to and back from La Ventana (from San Diego, CA). Because the days are so short at this time I must drive almost non-stop and keep the speed higher than I would really like to - that is, if I do not drive at night. I kind of cheat by starting about an hour before sunrise and use tricks like following a troque or other large vehicle to wipe out the ganados of death. I am going to buy some off road lights (Hella, e.g.) anyway, but the question is: will the cops nail me for using them on the Highway? Anybody with lotsa lights (DavidK?) have any experience? BTW, this pre-dawn departure method nets you some awesome views:

My Hella 500's are keyed to my high beam switch. When I dim as I would normally if I only had high beams, the Hellas go out.

...leaving me with low beams only and the contrast feeling like my way is now being lit by a candle.

The only problem with the powerful HID lights:

you can't see the oncoming traffic's headlights until it's too late - for them

LED Lightbars

Quote:

Originally posted by Correcamino I agree that slower/more stops is better and safer on the way down to BCS. But every Xmas-New Years I only have two days to get down to and back from La Ventana (from San Diego, CA). Because the days are so short at this time I must drive almost non-stop and keep the speed higher than I would really like to - that is, if I do not drive at night. I kind of cheat by starting about an hour before sunrise and use tricks like following a troque or other large vehicle to wipe out the ganados of death. I am going to buy some off road lights (Hella, e.g.) anyway, but the question is: will the cops nail me for using them on the Highway? Anybody with lotsa lights (DavidK?) have any experience? BTW, this pre-dawn departure method nets you some awesome views:

THEY ARE CALLED OFF ROAD LIGHTS...

... for a good reason!



and we recommend NO NIGHT TIME DRIVING south of El Rosario... range cattle, burros, chupacabras, oncoming traffic that don't lower their beams (soon enough)...

That all said, I have driven a couple times after dark south of El Rosario... and I have kicked on the HIDs or halogens when there was no traffic... It is amazing how safe it makes it when you turn night into day along the road!

Here are the two Hella 4000s (in the center of the four on the light bar) with 100 watt halogen bulbs, before I converted them to HID. Note they are a little yellowish. The outside two are the Kragen HID lamps, on Shell Island:




Against my garage wall, note how much whiter and brighter the four HIDs are compared to the yellowish stock halogen headlights. The round beams are the Hella 4000 spot beams (35 watt, 5000ºK HID) and the wider beams to either side are the Kragen HID 'Euro' beams (35 watt)...

Good idea to never flash your lights at oncoming traffic as it could be a Caminos and they don't like that much.

When I was trucking in the U.S. the people with those bright light's hurt more when they approached from the rear the glare in my two big rear view mirror's was Blinding.
I installed two Aircraft landing lights on my step's facing the rear. When I hit them with those they got the message.
Seriously they call them OFF ROAD lights for a reason.
If your eyesight is so poor you need them to drive at night maybe you shouldn't drive at night.

I agree that it is more about driving etiquette/ethics than legality, although the laws in some places restrict types of lights used. Check out local laws.

But even if they are "legal', the etiquette issue remains as the determining factor.

Thanks for all the responses, Nomads! Glad I asked this question. Looks like it's more a matter of good sense and courtesy than problems with the Policia. I am intensely aware of the danger of night driving and avoid it if at all possible: as far as I'm concerned my nights in BCS are for Dos Equis and staring at the fire, not getting behind the wheel. Nevertheless, I am often in La Ventana around Xmas/New Years - so short days. Sometimes I have to go into La Paz when it's dark. If you're familiar with the road from La Paz to San Jose de Los Planes you know it is lousy with ganados, seemingly all black. I do not see off road lights in use, gringo or local, but I'd sure like to use them! Anyway, here's my rig without the lights (those pop-gun roof lights are sales gimmicks - they do a good job of blinding you with glare on the hood and windshield!) Guess the location?

Quote:

Originally posted by J.P. When I was trucking in the U.S. the people with those bright light's hurt more when they approached from the rear the glare in my two big rear view mirror's was Blinding. I installed two Aircraft landing lights on my step's facing the rear. When I hit them with those they got the message. Seriously they call them OFF ROAD lights for a reason. If your eyesight is so poor you need them to drive at night maybe you shouldn't drive at night.

As a former long distance truck driver, John really liked this!

While we don't usually drive after dark in Baja, it does happen from time to time and it is horrible to come around a curve and be faced with those OFF ROAD lights.

O.M.G





Those tires look like they have WAY too much air pressure for driving on the beach sand......how did you ever make it out of there???

I think we need some hijack commentary on such matters....plus what tires are best for night driving while blinded by gringo vehicles adorned with overpriced off-road lights

I personally like Light Force units from Australia...

Quote:

Originally posted by motoged ...... I think we need some hijack commentary on such matters....plus what tires are best for night driving while blinded by gringo vehicles adorned with overpriced off-road lights ....

The cheapest no name bald tires one can find at a llantera --- as they won't be needed for long.

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT Quote: Originally posted by motoged ...... I think we need some hijack commentary on such matters....plus what tires are best for night driving while blinded by gringo vehicles adorned with overpriced off-road lights .... The cheapest no name bald tires one can find at a llantera --- as they won't be needed for long.

doesn't the number of off road lights on a vehicle in some way compensate for the absence of the length of the owners manhood.: yes:

Quote:

Originally posted by J.P. Quote: Originally posted by DianaT Quote: Originally posted by motoged ...... I think we need some hijack commentary on such matters....plus what tires are best for night driving while blinded by gringo vehicles adorned with overpriced off-road lights .... The cheapest no name bald tires one can find at a llantera --- as they won't be needed for long. doesn't the number of off road lights on a vehicle in some way compensate for the absence of the length of the owners manhood.: yes:

Thank you J.P.

I find all the drivers at night time very courteously. Yeah, a few have a missing headlight, but most have their beams not adjusted correctly or their mother-in-law sits in the rear of their car.
Over all I hope, that all the "wide Boulevard" drivers stay put after sundown and feast on their favorite fatty and cholesterol high foods and dim their brightness with something looking like iced tea.
J.P. you might want to wear some long pants, so your vast manhood wouldn't show.

Love you all

Quote:

Originally posted by motoged O.M.G Those tires look like they have WAY too much air pressure for driving on the beach sand......how did you ever make it out of there???

Excellent eye, Motoged: full highway pressure. However, I have, through bitter experience, learned to recognize bad sand from good. Very hospitable arena in this location - wet and hard packed. Didn't need to air down, or even 4wd, let alone locking diff. This monster doesn't get stuck, even with lousy driver at the wheel (ask me how I know ).

Driving at night

When I Was Driving for a living I preferred driving at night.Less traffic and Police. The best thing that I ever found to combat the glare was the newer photo gray lenses. They cut the glare better than anything I ever tried
OHHHHH about those long pants I didn't know you were watching

Driving at night..on the dirt or asphalt

Sometimes I do it..with my Off Road Lights. I always respect on-coming traffic, and dim these lights as soon as another vehicle's headlamps come into view, even at a great distance.

Traveling south to Punta San Francisquito



I'm running two 150w KC Daylighters w/two Hella fogs. The lightbar pictured has finally been destroyed by my latest Baja adventure, and is no longer on the Jeep.

Thanks, Ken Cooke, for posting the reason why I want to use off road lights:



I also am aware and respectful of other drivers. Just gotta use all the tools necessary to keep out of the panteon.

Barry

There are some phenomenal improvements with L.E.D. lighting these days.....HID's have ballast hassles, and Halogens are last choice often.

I love MORE lights when driving in the dark (problem is it is easy to get spoiled with mega-lumens), but am very respectful of oncoming traffic ...and those I am "approaching from behind" ... (the manhood issue )

My comment about tire pressure was tongue-in-cheek, folks....

Now, how about an oil thread.....

Quote:

Originally posted by motoged Now, how about an oil thread.....

i prefer synthetic coppertone!

[Edited on 5-23-2013 by woody with a view]

Oil? Depends. For flavor or in salads:




High heat sautee or deep fry: