I'm buying my first set of lights. I have windshield mounts. What king of light could I drive with them on all the time without blinding people? I was going to order IPF driving lights but someone told me that they would be too bright to just leave on and that I should get fogs... but would the fogs do anything to improve visability? I'm looking to improve on the HORRIBLE stock headlamp output.

Anyways sorry for the newb thread - I did a quick search and couldn't really find a straight answer.

Merry Christmas!

 

As I just learned in another thread, general laws states you cannot run lights above headlights on the street. So I wouldn't put lights on the windshield mounts. Instead, get a pair of LightForce with combo filters and set em up on the bumper. Haven't tried mine yet, but I've seen others and they work fantastic.

Just my .02 cents.

 

I echo what Echo said. Do some research on automotive lighting at danielsternlighting.com. He's got all the skinny on DOT approved lighting; and you may want to replace your weak OEM headlamps with some of his equip. I have, and his products make the OEM lights look like they were never on! My $.02.

 

I doubt you will find any lights, that if mounted on the windshield, will not blind oncomming drivers. As for legality, I do believe New York has pretty much the same laws as Pa, and that is any light mounted above the headlights are considered aux. lights, and therefore must be covered when driving on-road.
As for mounting fogs on the windshield. No. Fogs put out a beam pattern that will most likely only reflect off your hood and destroy your vision at night.
Your best bet for windshield mounted would be some spots, or long range driving, however, make sure of the laws prior to mounting.

 

Most of the light mods on this forum are meant for trail riding at night. Most would never turn them on the road due to other cars. I have PIAA 525 on the bumper wired t obe fogs when the dims are on and I want the fogs on. Driving lights when the hi beam are on and I want driving lights (back roads and such). Most states require driving lights to turn off when in low beam. Most also require fogs to turn off when in hi beam mode. The jeeps showing multiple lights overhead and on the windsheild are looking for offroad visibility when trailriding at night.

If you want brighter headlights, get the IPF replacements or such and call it done.

 

No lights above the headlights and most states make you put covers on them during the day..... But they sure are handy!!!!

 

I installed a set of Lightforce 170 HIDs on my bumper last spring and put a set of Crystal Blue Combo lenses on them. Last night was actually the first real test of them 4-5 hours of driving in Blizzard/White Out conditions.

I've used the lights periodically after they were installed, but never for their intended purpose. I've never had any issue with people flashing me when they were turned on, unlike my head lights when the were poorly adjusted. Last night only in the hardest of wind gusts was I unable to see. Normally I could make out the edges of the road and the road markers for a distance that was 3-4 times what my head lights would illuminate. I would turn them off as I came up behind slower moving traffic and distant road signs would disappear until I got a lot closer.

I have to say that I don't want to do any more long distance driving in snow storms without them.

 

put the KC 130w. slimlights on the windshield they will shine out atleast 200 yards on a clear night.but put the driving/fogs lights down on ur bumper..because if its foggy you wont be able to use your driving lights up top..it blinds you..i cant use mine up top when its foggy, it reflects back to me and it makes it harder to see..however if its a clear night, You can have ample time to avoid that 10point buck standing in the middle of curve from 200 yards out on a country road last night..like I did..haha..but seriously thats real life experience..spot lights up high..driving/fogs down low

 

I am doing rr hids all around. Three on the bumper and five on the rr windshield light bar. The windshield light bar might be a waste of money from what I've heard but I want it so o well