-- Vernon, Dec 20 2016

How about wiring in a variable resistor? You then can go Low, A bit higher, a bit higher still, Medium and so on.

(And a Croissant for brevity).
-- AusCan531, Dec 20 2016


//How about wiring in a variable resistor? //

Current headlamps have two filaments - one for dipped, one for main. The filaments are placed such that the main beam shines ahead, while the dipped beam shines down and to the left/right (depending on country).

So a variable resistor wouldn't do it (aside from the fact that it would have to dissipate a lot of waste heat).
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 20 2016


Polarized lenses that counter-rotate.
-- RayfordSteele, Dec 20 2016


[bigs] you mean a dial controlling the elevation of the headlights, or their brightness?
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 20 2016


There is no practical reason why both brightness and angle/direction of incidence should not be linearly variable over a range, with definable setpoints. This technology is already Baked and WKTE in the entertainment industry.

With the addition of some inexpensive sensors, the lights could be configured to maintain their aim at a fixed distance ahead of the vehicle, irrespective of motion within the normal kinematic envelope and the configuration of the terrain; this is nothing more than a cheap and cheerful version of the self-levelling gun technology available on AFV's since the 1950's.

[suggested-for- reconsideration]; not noticeably innovative.
-- 8th of 7, Dec 20 2016


[+] for your shortest idea, although it's of medium practicality it still has high potential to something. Don't ask me what.
-- pashute, Dec 20 2016


I have been blinded by high beams lately. I pulled over to the curb and let the clowns go by.

I wish i could set their beams to medium with some rocket, bomb, or stone.
-- popbottle, Dec 22 2016


I was driving the other day and people kept pulling over to let me pass. What kind and decent folk on that road.
-- the porpoise, Dec 23 2016


// I wish i could set their beams to medium with some rocket, bomb, or stone.//

I usually throw a popbottle in front of those guys.
-- AusCan531, Dec 23 2016


I once had a very decrepit car with very dim headlights. I fitted rally spots to the front, wired to a separate switch (I think wired with a relay so they were only on when the "real" headlights were full beam).

That gave the suggested result: dipped, "full" but dim, and really full. Was very useful.
-- pocmloc, Dec 23 2016



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